Serbian HoundCharacteristics, history, training and care

Serbian Hound. · Canarian / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped and resized.

The Serbian Hound (Srpski gonič), formerly known as the Balkan Hound, is a medium-sized hound from Serbia, fox red with a black mantle or saddle. Wikipedia says it is usually kept in packs, for wild boar, deer, foxes and hares, and that it has great stamina on difficult terrain. The FCI standard describes it as gentle, with a lively temperament, reliable and very tenacious.

Quick facts

Common name	Serbian Hound (Srpski gonič)
Scientific name	Canis lupus familiaris
Country of origin	Serbia
Official recognition	FCI, definitively since 30 March 1955 (group 6, hounds; standard no. 150)
Lifespan	No published data for the breed; medium-sized breeds usually live 10–13 years
Size (males)	46–56 cm at the withers (ideally 51–52 cm); around 20 kg
Size (females)	44–54 cm at the withers (ideally 48–49 cm)
Coat type	Short, abundant, glossy, with undercoat
Common colours	Fox red, from yellowish red to rust, with a black mantle or saddle
Energy level	High
Suited to an apartment?	No
Temperament	Gentle, lively, reliable, tenacious
Tendency to aggression	Low
Good with children	No specific data; the standard describes it as gentle
Good with other animals	Good with pack hounds; poor with small animals
Genetic predispositions	No breed-specific diseases are known

Primary category:Dog breeds
Explore this animal's categories:
Dog breeds Hunting dog breeds Medium dog breeds

History and origin

The FCI standard says the breed belongs to the group of hounds spread across the Balkans and that hounds from Asia Minor probably contributed to its development. The first description of the breed, under the name Balkan Hound, was by Frank Laska. The first standard was written in 1924, and the FCI adopted it in Bled on 14 May 1940.

The breed was most widespread in Serbia, so the Yugoslav Kennel Association took charge of breeding and the first registrations. On 12 November 1996, in Copenhagen, the FCI agreed that the name Balkan Hound should be replaced by Serbian Hound.

How the breed developed

1924 – The first standard.
14 May 1940 – The FCI adopts the Balkan Hound standard.
30 March 1955 – Definitive FCI recognition.
12 November 1996 – The name becomes Serbian Hound.

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, so the rating is based on the FCI standard.

Physical characteristics

The standard describes it as a medium-sized, robust dog, full of character, lively and energetic. Wikipedia says it has a broad skull, medium-length drop ears and a body slightly longer than it is tall.

General appearance

The hair is short, abundant, glossy, fairly thick and lies close to the body, with an undercoat. It is a little longer on the back of the thighs and under the tail.

Feature	Serbian Hound
Size	Medium
Height at the withers	males: 46–56 cm; females: 44–54 cm
Weight	around 20 kg (Wikipedia)
Coat	Short, glossy
Colour	Red with a black saddle
Type	Hound

The colour is “fox” red, from yellowish red to rust, with a black mantle or saddle that extends up to the head, where it forms black patches on the temples. A round white spot of no more than 2 cm is permitted on the chest.

Training and socialisation

The standard describes it as gentle, with a lively temperament, reliable and very tenacious. Wikipedia says it is disciplined, energetic and lively, that it tracks and catches game and that it has a high-pitched voice when hunting.

It is a pack hound, made for hunting. Like any hound, it needs plenty of recall practice.

Tips for effective training

Practise the recall. On a scent, it forgets about you.
Keep it on a lead. Its hunting instinct is strong.
Let it work. It is made for pack hunting.
Think of the neighbours. It has a high-pitched voice.

Activity needs and lifestyle

Wikipedia says the breed is known for its great stamina and its ability to hunt on difficult terrain. It needs plenty of exercise and work for its nose every day.

Activity	How often	Why it matters
Long walks	daily	Stamina
Scent work	several times a week	Hound instinct
Running in a fenced area	several times a week	Energy

Tips for a balanced life

It is best suited to hunters.
Check the ears often.
The fence must be solid.

Care and health

Coat and skin care

The short coat should be brushed once a week. The ears should be checked regularly, especially after hunting.

Common health problems

There are no published health studies for the breed and no specific diseases are known. As with any active hound, worth watching for:

Condition	Description	Common symptoms
Ear infections	Infections of the drop ears	Head shaking, unpleasant smell
Hip dysplasia	The hip joint forms incorrectly and, over time, arthritis develops	Limping, difficulty getting up or jumping, hip pain

Other care

Check for ticks after every outing.
Check the paws.
Clean the ears regularly.

Diet and nutrition

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.

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
20 kg	1,060 kcal	1,190 kcal	260–340 g
23 kg	1,180 kcal	1,320 kcal	300–380 g

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 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.