Polish HoundCharacteristics, history, training and care

The FCI standard says the Ogar is an old Polish breed. The first mentions of hunting with dogs in Poland appear in the chronicle of Gallus Anonymus, from the 11th century, and 14th-century chronicles say these hounds were bred especially for royal hunts. In 1618 Count Jan Ostroróg published “Hunting with Hounds”, considered the first Polish cynological guide.

Wikipedia says the breed was formed from St. Hubert hounds brought to Poland in the Middle Ages and crossed with local hounds. The Second World War greatly reduced the number of dogs; when the breed was rebuilt, two types emerged, and the FCI recognised as the Ogar Polski the heavier type, bred by Colonel Piotr Kartawik.

How the breed developed

• 11th century – The first mentions of hunting with dogs in Poland.
• 14th century – Hounds are bred for royal hunts.
• 1618 – The first Polish cynological guide, by Jan Ostroróg, appears.
• After 1945 – The breed is rebuilt.
• 29 January 1965 – The FCI recognises the breed.

Indicative rating: 5 stars means the highest level. The breed has no AKC profile, so the rating is based on the FCI standard.

It is a solid hound with a fairly heavy head, rectangular in profile. On the head, muzzle, ears and legs the hair is short and smooth; on the body it is of medium length, dense and harsh, with a dense, soft undercoat.

General appearance

The skull is broad, slightly domed between the ears, with well-developed brow ridges. The hair is a little longer on the nape, the buttocks and the underside of the tail.

The colour is a dark saddle with tan: black or dark grey hair forms a saddle covering the nape, back, sides of the body and top of the tail; the rest is tan, in shades from dark to light.

The standard says that, like all hounds, it follows game on a fresh trail, with a powerful voice — deeper in males and higher in females.

This excellent hunting dog is also a very good family dog, easy to keep, devoted to its home and wary of strangers.

Tips for effective training

• Practise the recall. Its nose can take it a long way.
• Keep it on a lead. Its hunting instinct is strong.
• Use rewards. It is devoted to its family.
• Think of the neighbours. It has a loud voice.

Like any hound, it needs a lot of exercise and activity for its nose every day.

Tips for a balanced life

• It suits active families.
• It needs a fenced yard.
• It copes well with cold.

Coat and skin care

The standard says it is easy to keep. The dense coat is brushed once a week, and the ears are checked regularly.

Common health problems

No health studies have been published for the breed and no specific diseases are known. As with any large hound, it is worth watching for:

Other care

• Check the ears after hunting.
• Check for ticks after outings in nature.
• Trim the nails regularly.

An active hound needs good-quality food, adapted to its level of effort.

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.

• Split the food into two meals a day.
• Do not let it run right after a meal.
• A dog is at the right weight when you can feel its ribs under the coat 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.

Physical and emotional maturity

In dogs, sexual maturity usually comes between 6 and 12 months, but in large breeds it can be delayed until about two years. The body also reaches its adult form later than in small breeds.

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 large breeds, a litter has around 7 puppies on average. Socialisation starts in the first weeks: gentle handling, everyday noises and new people.

• The dog of royal huntsmen. It was bred especially for royal hunts.
• The first Polish guide. Count Ostroróg wrote about it in 1618.
• A bass voice. Males bay more deeply than females.
• Two types. After the war, a light type and a heavy type emerged.
• It hunted ducks too. In the past it flushed wild ducks from the reeds.

Is it a family dog?

Yes. The standard says it is a very good family dog.

How big does it get?

Males measure 56–65 cm, females 55–60 cm.

What did it hunt?

Hares, foxes, roe deer, wild boar and ducks.

Does it bark a lot?

When hunting, yes: it follows game, giving voice loudly.