Hellenic HoundCharacteristics, history, training and care
Hellenic Hound. · Georging / Wikimedia Commons, public domain. Cropped and resized.
The Hellenic Hound (Hellinikos Ichnilatis) is a medium-sized black and tan hound, bred for trailing hares in southern Greece. It has a fine nose and great stamina and hunts alone or in a pack, on plains and in mountains, even on the rockiest ground. Its voice is sonorous and harmonious.
Quick facts
| Common name | Hellenic Hound (Hellinikos Ichnilatis) |
| Scientific name | Canis lupus familiaris |
| Country of origin | Greece |
| Official recognition | FCI, definitively recognised (group 6, medium-sized scenthounds, with working trial; standard no. 214, of 16 October 1959) |
| Lifespan | about 13 years, according to Wikipedia |
| Size (males) | 47–55 cm at the withers (±2 cm); 17–20 kg |
| Size (females) | 45–53 cm at the withers (±2 cm); 17–20 kg |
| Coat type | Short, dense, slightly harsh, close-lying |
| Common colours | Black and tan; a small white spot on the chest is tolerated |
| Energy level | High |
| Suited to an apartment? | Not really |
| Temperament | Strong, vigorous, lively, passionate |
| Tendency to aggression | Low |
| Good with children | No specific data |
| Good with other animals | Good with dogs; strong hunting instinct |
| Genetic predispositions | No breed-specific diseases are known |
- Primary category:Dog breeds
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History and origin
Wikipedia says the Hellenic Hound probably descends from the old Laconian hound of ancient Greece, now extinct. Thanks to its isolation in the mountains of Greece, its genes have remained almost unchanged for thousands of years.
It was bred for trailing and chasing hares in southern Greece. Wikipedia says it is the only Greek breed recognised by the FCI. The breed standard dates from 16 October 1959.
How the breed developed
- Antiquity – The dogs from which the breed probably descends live in Laconia.
- Thousands of years – Isolation in the mountains keeps the breed almost unchanged.
- 16 October 1959 – The breed standard is published.
- 1996 – Wikipedia mentions the breed's recognition by the FCI.
Breed rating
| Feature | Stars |
|---|---|
| Training and intelligence | ★★★☆☆ |
| Easy to train | ★★★☆☆ |
| Intelligence | ★★★★☆ |
| Independence | ★★★★☆ |
| Stubbornness | ★★★★☆ |
| Behaviour and temperament | ★★★★☆ |
| Affectionate with family | ★★★★☆ |
| Friendly with children | ★★★☆☆ |
| Good with other dogs | ★★★★☆ |
| Good with cats and other animals | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Loyalty | ★★★★☆ |
| Tendency to be aggressive | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Tendency to bark | ★★★★☆ |
| Needs and care | ★★★★☆ |
| Shedding | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Needs frequent grooming | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Activity and lifestyle | ★★★★☆ |
| Energy level | ★★★★☆ |
| Daily exercise needs | ★★★★★ |
| Suited to apartment life | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Health and longevity | ★★★★☆ |
| Life expectancy | ★★★★☆ |
| Predisposition to genetic diseases | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Working abilities and uses | ★★★★☆ |
| Good hunting dog | ★★★★★ |
| Good companion dog | ★★★☆☆ |
Indicative rating: 5 stars means the highest level. The breed has no AKC profile and the FCI standard does not describe its temperament in detail; the rating is based on the description “strong, vigorous, lively, passionate”.
Physical characteristics
The standard describes it as a medium-sized, short-haired, black and tan dog, strong, vigorous, lively and passionate. The body is about 10% longer than it is tall.
General appearance
The head is long, with a black, moist and mobile nose. The brown eyes have a lively, intelligent expression. The medium-length, high-set ears hang vertically and are rounded at the tips.
| Feature | Hellenic Hound |
|---|---|
| Size | Medium |
| Height at the withers | males: 47–55 cm; females: 45–53 cm |
| Weight | 17–20 kg |
| Coat | Short, dense, slightly harsh |
| Eyes | Brown, lively |
| Ears | Medium-length, hanging vertically |
The only accepted colour is black and tan. A small white spot on the chest is tolerated. The nose, mucous membranes and nails are black.
Training and socialisation
The standard describes it as a hound with a fine nose and great stamina, an active hunter, alone or in a pack, that copes with any ground, from plains to mountains, even the rockiest. Its voice is sonorous and harmonious.
Like any scenthound, it follows a scent stubbornly, so the recall needs a lot of practice. It responds well to rewards.
Tips for effective training
- Practise the recall. On a hare's trail it may forget about you.
- Use rewards. Praise and food motivate it.
- Think of the neighbours. It has a sonorous voice.
- Work with its nose. Tracking games make use of its talent.
Activity needs and lifestyle
It is a hardy hunter that needs plenty of exercise every day and the chance to use its nose.
| Activity | How often | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Long walks in nature | daily | Great stamina |
| Scent work | several times a week | Hound instinct |
| Running in a fenced area | several times a week | Uses up energy |
Tips for a balanced life
- Keep it on a lead outside the yard.
- It copes well with heat and rocky ground.
- It suits a hunter best.
Care and health
Coat and skin care
The short, dense coat is easy to care for, with a brush once a week.
Common health problems
There are no published health studies for the breed and no specific diseases are known. Worth watching for:
| Condition | Description | Common symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Hip dysplasia | The hip joint forms incorrectly and, over time, arthritis develops | Limping, difficulty getting up or jumping, hip pain |
| Ear infections | Infections of the drooping ears | Scratching, bad smell, tilted head |
Other care
- Check the ears and feet after hunting.
- Check for ticks after outings in nature.
- Trim the nails if they do not wear down on their own.
Diet and nutrition
An active hound needs good-quality food. Adjust the portion to its workload to keep it between 17 and 20 kg.
Tips for a healthy diet
The table gives a starting estimate, calculated with the formula from the Merck Veterinary Manual. The first two calorie columns show the calories per day for a healthy adult dog. The last column shows what this means in dry food with 3,500–4,000 kcal per kilogram.
| Dog's weight | Calories per day (neutered) | Calories per day (not neutered) | Dry food per day (approximate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17 kg | 940 kcal | 1,050 kcal | 240–300 g |
| 18 kg | 980 kcal | 1,100 kcal | 240–310 g |
| 20 kg | 1,060 kcal | 1,190 kcal | 260–340 g |
- Give it its food in two meals a day.
- Fresh water should always be available.
- A dog is at the right weight when you can feel its ribs without pressing hard.
Foods to avoid
Some human foods are dangerous for dogs: chocolate, coffee, grapes and raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol (a sweetener used in chewing gum), macadamia nuts and alcohol.
Reproduction and development
Physical and emotional maturity
In dogs, sexual maturity usually comes between 6 and 12 months. Most breeds become adults at around 13–15 months.
Mating and pregnancy
Pregnancy lasts about 63 days, counted from ovulation. Mating a female on her first heat is not recommended. The FCI standard requires that only healthy dogs of typical breed appearance are used for breeding.
Caring for the puppies
In dogs, a litter has 5–6 puppies on average, and the number rises with the size of the breed. Socialisation starts in the first weeks: gentle handling, everyday noises and new people.
Interesting facts
- A descendant of ancient dogs. It probably descends from the Laconian hound of ancient Greece.
- The only Greek breed in the FCI. So says Wikipedia.
- Always black and tan. It is the only accepted colour.
- It walks on rocks. The standard says it hunts even on the rockiest ground.
- A harmonious voice. The standard describes its voice as sonorous and harmonious.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the Hellenic Hound come from?
From southern Greece; it probably descends from the ancient Laconian hound.
How big does it get?
Males measure 47–55 cm and females 45–53 cm; they weigh 17–20 kg.
What colour is it?
It is always black and tan.
How long does it live?
Wikipedia gives an average of about 13 years.
