Istrian Shorthaired Hound Dog Breed Information

Posted on Nov 17, 2019, Modified : Apr 20, 2020 Zina

Breeds

Country of Origin	Croatia
Nicknames and Other Names	Istarski Kratkodlaki Gonič,
Scientific Name	Canis lupus familiaris
Breed Type	Purebred
Group	Scenthound Group
Bred For	Hunting game through scent
Size	Medium-Sized
Recognized By	FCI, UKC
Life Span	12-15 Years
Ideal Weight	35-40 Pounds
Ideal Height	18.5-19.5 Inches
Fur Type	Short, Coarse, Smooth and Glossy Texture
Common Colors	White
Markings	Red, Orange patches
Availability	Rarely Available
Achievements	None
Suitable for Apartments	Moderately Suitable
Used in World War	No
Most Similar To	Posavac Hound, Istrian Coarse-Haired Hound

Istrian Shorthaired Hound which is originally called Istarski Kratkodlaki Gonič in its native land is a medium-sized hunting dog. It is one of the two Istrian Hounds: Istrian Shorthaired Hound and Istrian Coarsehaired Hound. This breed is not for the first time and inexperienced dog owner.

It is slightly smaller than the Istrian Coarsehaired Hound. It has a well-muscled body that is covered by a short, smooth, and glossy coat. The ears are triangular and dropped below their jawline.

Origin and History

Istrian Shorthaired Hound was originated in Istria, Croatia as a scenthound. Although the exact development of this breed is unknown, there were images seen in frescoes that resemble Istrian Shorthaired Hound in 1497. Therefore, the Istrian Hounds are thought to be the oldest hound breeds in the Balkan region. In its homeland, the Istrian Shorthaired Hound is kept for hunting hare and fox but not generally as a pet.

In 1924, the first studbook was established and the Istrian Shorthaired Hound was recognized by the FCI in 1949.

Temperament, Behavior, and Personality

Temperament: The temperament of the Istrian Shorthaired Hound is ven-tempered, gentle, affectionate, and very active. Although this breed is sweet and gentle, it is not recommended as a family pet as it was developed to hunt.

Behavior: Since the Istrian Shorthaired Hound is a hunting dog, it is very vocal as it uses its deep voice to let their master know of the prey after they track the game. It can be disturbing sometimes at home if they start baying unnecessarily. Although it cannot be trained out of them, it can be controlled with proper training.

Personality: The personality of the Istrian Shorthaired Hound is energetic, loyal, friendly, and independent. It needs lots of exercises to keep them content. They are a smart dog breed but independent which can make training hard sometimes. They have a mind of their own and especially while following a scent.

Istrian Shorthaired Hound running on the field.
Image Source: Instagram-@anto_lello_cat_85

Trainability

Training Istrian Shorthaired Hound is tough for a novice and inexperienced dog owner. They are an independent dog that needs a patient and consistent leader who can train them with proper use of positive reinforcement. Start from basic obedience training and gradually enroll them in agility as they master the basics.

Is Istrian Shorthaired Hound Child-Friendly?

Istrian Shorthaired Hound gets along with kids well but since it is a hunting dog with high energy and prey drive, i is not recommended in a house with toddlers. Although they do great in a house with older children that can meet up their activity level. Supervise their interaction when they are together.

Facts

Although this breed has been around for a long time, it has not yet been recognized by major kennel clubs like the American Kennel Club.

Health Issues

General Health	Healthy
Common Health Issues	Ear Infection, Hip Dysplasia,
Hypoallergenic	No
Vaccination Required	Rabies, Canine Distemper, Kennel Cough, Canine Coronavirus, Canine Parvovirus, Canine Parainfluenza, Leptospirosis
Shedding	Moderate Shedder
Drooling	Average Drooler
Grooming	Moderate Grooming Required
Weight Gain Potential	Low to Average
Separation Anxiety	High Chance
Allergies	None
Diets and Supplements	Protein: 23-25% Fat: 8-10% Glucosamine Probiotics Multivitamins

Istrian Shorthaired Hound can face the following canine health issues:

Hypothyroidism: when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones, your dog will face the hypothyroidism condition. It causes hair loss, weight gain, poor coat quality, and many skin conditions. It can be treated with medications.
Hip Dysplasia: It is a condition where the hip joints of your dog get dislocated from its original place. It is mostly a genetic problem that the puppy gets from its parent’s breed. Therefore, before buying a puppy from a breeder, check for its parent’s health issues.