Bosnian Coarse Haired Hound Dog Breed: Info, Pictures, Temperament & Traits

The Bosnian Coarse Haired Hound has many names, including Bosnian Rough Haired Hound, Bosnian Hound, Barak, Bosanski Ostrodlaki Gonic, Illyrian Hound, and others.

As you may have guessed, it has long, bushy fur with a thick undercoat that gives it a shaggy appearance. It’s a medium-sized dog with a bulging forehead and large oval eyes. It also has a thick fuzzy tail that narrows at the base. Keep reading while we learn more fascinating facts about these dogs so you can see if they are right for your home and family.

Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound Characteristics

The Bosnian Coarse Haired Hound Puppies

Higher-quality breeders may run genetic tests to help them selectively breed out common health problems associated with some breeds. It also allows them to check your puppy’s genetic makeup, increasing your chances of buying a healthy dog. Besides getting your puppy, you will also need to consider several other things, like regular vet visits for routine shots as well as to have your dog spayed or neutered, which is a rule in many breeder contracts. Food, toys, treats, a food bowl, a water fountain, a bed, a leash, a collar, and many other accessories will be the essentials you need to bring a puppy home. Make sure you go over the Bosnian Coarse Haired Hound's full care guide so you know what type of food, exercise, and grooming they need to grow into happy and healthy dogs.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Bosnian Coarse Haired Hound 🧠

The Bosnian Course Haired Hound has a strong loyalty to its owners and makes a great watchdog. It’s persistent and courageous and will watch over your home around the clock. It’s also friendly and enjoys playing with family members and going for walks. It behaves better if it has a job to do because it has a strong desire to work and likes to feel important. If it gets bored, or is left alone too long, it can cause some destruction in your home. It can also be stubborn if it picks up a rabbit scent and foregoes what it was doing to chase it. It will often ignore you as it sniffs around the yard, but it is a patient animal that never gets aggressive toward children or other pets. Intelligence was one of the key traits Bosnian breeders were looking for when creating the Bosnian Coarse Haired Hound so you can expect your dog to be smart and easy to train. Most owners report that their dogs can perform a multitude of tricks and will complete complex tasks.

Are These Dogs Good for Families 👪

Yes, as we mentioned earlier, the Bosnian Coarse Haired Hound makes a great watchdog and will help keep your family safe. It also enjoys being around family members and is patient with children who play rough with fuzzy dogs like the Bosnian Coarse Haired Hound. It has a lot of energy during the day for games of fetch or long walks but will settle down at night and sit on your lap. It doesn’t bark much but will let you know if it detects a stranger near your home.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets 🐶 😽

Yes, the Bosnian Coarse Haired Hound will make fast friends with any other dogs or cats that you have. In our experience, the cats would often give these dogs a hard time, but they never become aggressive. It likes to track rabbits and will often chase them in the yard and try to look for them when you go walking, so it might not be a good idea to keep a pet rabbit or other rodent while owning a Bosnian Coarse Haired Hound. However, early socialization can help them cohabitate.

Things to Know When Owning a Bosnian Coarse Haired Hound

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Your Bosnian Coarse Haired Hound will require high-quality dry dog food with plenty of protein for energy and lean muscle mass. We recommend choosing a brand that uses an identifiable protein like chicken, turkey, tuna, or beef. Avoid unidentifiable protein like meat by-product, a dried and ground meat that can be several years old. We also recommend avoiding foods that have artificial color and chemical preservatives. Brands with omega-3 fortification and probiotics are great choices. Read the instructions on the package carefully to avoid overfeeding.

Exercise 🐕

The Bosnian Coarse Haired Hound is an active hunting dog that will need to see quite a bit of activity each day. We recommend setting aside at least 45 minutes each day to play frisbee, fetch, or other high-energy games to burn off the excess energy and help keep your pet at a safe weight. Dogs that sit around all can become obese, and they may also damage things out of boredom.

Training 🎾

As we mentioned earlier, the Bosnian Coarse Haired Hound is extremely intelligent and loves to learn new things. It can learn a wide range of tricks but is also smart enough to learn tasks and help out with daily chores. It’s especially helpful for the elderly that can benefit from its help. These dogs learn quickly by watching and respond well to positive reinforcement. Consistent training sessions held at the same time each day can get your dog into a routine where it looks forward to learning something new. Leash training is essential with this breed because they will pick up a scent and wander off, which can cause them to get lost.

Grooming ✂️

You will need to brush your Bosnian Coarse Haired Hound every few days to keep the hair from becoming tangled or matted. Brushing the undercoat can also help reduce shedding, and you’ll find less fur around your home. We recommend paying special attention to the floppy ears, which may hold moisture and allow an infection to set in. Regular teeth brushing is also recommended to help slow dental decay, as is the occasional nail clipping.

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Health and Conditions ❤️ 🏥

Minor Conditions:

• Ear Infections - As we mentioned earlier, the floppy ears on a Bosnian Coarse Haired Hound are prone to ear infections due to their floppy ears. The ears can trap moisture and dirt, which will allow bacteria to grow, leading to infections. Symptoms of an ear infection include shaking the head, scratching, foul odor, and scabs or crusting. Most infections are treatable with medication, and you can prevent them by checking and cleaning the ears regularly.

Serious Conditions:

• Hip Dysplasia - Hip Dysplasia is a common problem in several dog breeds. It’s the result of a malformed hip that causes the bones to rub together roughly and wear down faster. It can eventually lead to lameness if not caught early. Symptoms of hip dysplasia include a reluctance to get up and a bunny hop gait. Some dogs may require surgery, but hip dysplasia treatment usually involves medication along with weight control.
• Bloat - Bloat is a serious condition that comes on suddenly and is potentially life-threatening. Bloat is the result of your pet’s stomach filling up with air causing pressure on other organs. It can make it difficult to breathe, decrease blood flow to the heart, and cause stomach tears. Bloat can also twist the stomach, trapping blood inside. Symptoms include drooling, a swollen stomach, and a restless appearance. You will need to take your dog to the vet immediately if you think your dog might have this condition.

Male vs Female

There is very little difference between male and female Bosnian Coarse Haired Hounds. Each is approximately the same size and has the same temperament.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound

1. The Bosnian Coarse Haired Hound is a hunting dog from the early 1900s.

The Bosnian Coarse Haired Hound was originally bred in Bosnia and Herzegovina to track and hunt in the mountains. Hunters needed a dog that could endure harsh temperatures and difficult landscapes while maintaining focus on the scent trail. The Bosnian Coarse Haired Hound’s strong work ethic and sense of smell made them a reliable companion for hunters seeking hares, foxes, and other small animals.

2. The Bosnian Coarse Haired Hound is a scent hound, which means it uses its nose to track prey, like a Bloodhound.

These dogs have an exceptional sense of smell, ranking among the best scent hounds in their region. Unlike sight hounds, like the Saluki, Afghan Hound, and Greyhound, which rely on their vision to chase prey, the Bosnian Coarse Haired Hound follows scent trails with high accuracy. They can track a scent over long distances, sometimes reaching several miles and even through challenging conditions, making it an excellent choice for hunters and search-and-rescue teams.

3. The Bosnian Coarse Haired Hound has a large mustache and beard, giving it its distinctive appearance.

One of the most recognizable features of this breed is their thick facial hair, which gives it a rugged and expressive look. The mustache and beard not only contribute to their charm but also serve a functional purpose. The dense fur helps protect their face from branches, dirt, and other environmental obstacles while they’re out tracking game in the wild.

Summing Up

The Bosnian Coarse Haired Hound is a great family pet and watchdog that will supply you with many years of enjoyment. It’s a good companion for children and is intelligent enough to help the elderly by performing simple chores around the home. It’s not aggressive and gets along with most family pets. You won’t find many of these in the shelter, so you will likely need to find a breeder online. We hope you have enjoyed reading over our look into this interesting breed, and it has answered your questions. If we have convinced you to give one of these dogs a try, please share this guide to the Bosnian Coarse Haired Hound on Facebook and Twitter.

Featured Image Credit: Busranur Cebi, Shutterstock