Serbian Tricolour HoundCharacteristics, history, training and care

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

The Serbian Tricolour Hound (Srpski trobojni gonič) is a medium-sized hound from Serbia, red with a black mantle and white markings on the head, neck and chest. Until 1946 it was considered a variety of the Serbian Hound. Wikipedia says it is very rare outside the country and may be endangered. The FCI standard describes it as devoted, gentle, lively, reliable and very tenacious.

Quick facts

Common name	Serbian Tricolour Hound (Srpski trobojni gonič)
Scientific name	Canis lupus familiaris
Country of origin	Serbia
Official recognition	FCI, definitively since 23 July 1961 (group 6, hounds; standard no. 229)
Lifespan	No published data for the breed; medium-sized breeds usually live 10–13 years
Size (males)	45–55 cm at the withers (ideally 51 cm); 20–25 kg, according to Wikipedia
Size (females)	44–54 cm at the withers (ideally 49 cm)
Coat type	Short, abundant, glossy, with a well-developed undercoat
Common colours	Deep red or fox red with a black mantle and white markings
Energy level	High at work, calm at home
Suited to an apartment?	No
Temperament	Devoted, gentle, lively, 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 has the same origins as the other Balkan hounds. Wikipedia adds that these hounds are thought to descend from dogs brought by Mediterranean seafarers through the Adriatic ports. In 1946 it was established that it was not just a variety of the Serbian Hound, and the breed was given separate status and a first standard.

The tricolour hound was shown at the International Show in Belgrade on 7 and 8 June 1950, and the FCI recognised it in 1961 under the name Yugoslavian Tricolour Hound. The name changed after the break-up of Yugoslavia.

How the breed developed

1946 – It is given separate breed status and its first standard.
7–8 June 1950 – Shown at the Belgrade show.
1961 – The FCI recognises the breed (Yugoslavian Tricolour Hound).
After 1991 – The name becomes Serbian Tricolour 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. The body is 10% longer than the height, and the head is about 45% of the height at the withers.

General appearance

The hair is short, abundant, glossy and slightly thick, lying close to the body, with a fairly well-developed undercoat. It is a little longer on the back of the thighs and under the tail.

Feature	Serbian Tricolour Hound
Size	Medium
Height at the withers	males: 45–55 cm; females: 44–54 cm
Weight	20–25 kg (Wikipedia)
Coat	Short, glossy
Colour	Tricolour
Type	Hound

The base colour is deep red or fox red, with a black mantle or saddle, which may extend up to the head. A white star on the head and a white stripe on the muzzle together form a whole; white may form a full or partial collar and may appear on the chest, belly, legs and tail tip, but on no more than a third of the body.

Training and socialisation

The standard describes it as devoted, gentle, with a lively temperament, reliable and very tenacious. Wikipedia says it is usually affectionate and obedient, very attached to its owner, calm at home but very energetic at work.

It hunts mainly by scent, but also uses its very good eyesight. 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.
Be gentle and consistent. It is very attached to its owner.
Let it work. It is calm at home and energetic at work.

Activity needs and lifestyle

Wikipedia says it hunts in small packs on difficult terrain, and hunts can last many hours. 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)
20 kg	1,060 kcal	1,190 kcal	260–340 g
22 kg	1,140 kcal	1,280 kcal	280–370 g
25 kg	1,250 kcal	1,410 kcal	310–400 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.

Interesting facts

Formerly “Yugoslavian”. It was called the Yugoslavian Tricolour Hound until the break-up of Yugoslavia.
Only a variety at first. Until 1946 it was considered a variety of the Serbian Hound.
Very rare. Wikipedia says it is rarely seen outside Serbia.
Nose and eyes. It hunts by scent, but also by sight.
Long hunts. Hunts can last many hours.