The Istrian Coarse-Haired Hound is a hunting dog from Croatia. It has a rough, weather-resistant coat and a round head with a strong, square muzzle. The ears flop down over the head, and the feet are small and similar to a cat’s paws. These dogs can make great pets, but owners primarily use them for hunting, so they have a strong will that’s better suited to an experienced owner.

Breed Overview

If you are thinking about getting one of these dogs for your home but would like to learn more about them first, keep reading while we look at grooming, diet, training, overall health, and much more to help you make an informed decision.

Istrian Coarse-Haired Hound Characteristics

Istrian Coarse-Haired Hound Puppies

The Istrian Coarse-Haired Hound is more of a hunting dog than a pet. They still suit a family really well though.

Training them may be a little difficult but with the right amount of time, this gentle and loving pup will surprise you.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Istrian Coarse-Haired Hound

The Istrian Coarse-Haired Hound has a strong desire to hunt and will spend most of its time play hunting, preparing for the real thing. It’s friendly and affectionate but can also be strong-willed and stubborn. It’s alert and makes a great watchdog without being overly barky, and they won’t back down from any threats when protecting the home or its family members. It’s calm and well-mannered with the right owner and rarely gets aggressive toward humans.

The Istrian Coarse-Haired Hound is extremely intelligent and is a great hunter. It’s capable of learning the complex tasks required when hunting and trapping prey, and it can also learn several tricks.

Are These Dogs Good for Families?

The Istrian Coarse-Haired Hound is a great family pet, and more family members will make it easier to make sure your pet gets enough exercise, which can be difficult for a single owner. It will also watch over the house when you are away and when you sleep. It enjoys playing with children but may not tolerate toddlers pulling its hair, so you might need to separate them until the child gets a little older.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

The Istrian Coarse-Haired Hound can get along with other pets, especially if you socialize them a lot when they are still a puppy. This dog has a strong prey drive and loves to chase after rabbits and foxes, so cats and small dogs might trigger your new pet to chase it. It does get along better with larger dog breeds and can be quite friendly with them, often playing games and carrying on.

Things to Know When Owning an Istrian Coarse-Haired Hound:

Food & Diet Requirements

Your Istrian Coarse-Haired Hound is an active diet that will require high-quality food to stay happy and healthy. We recommend choosing a brand with chicken, turkey, lamb, or other real meat listed as the first ingredient. Avoid brands that have corn or meat by-products listed first, as these can cause your dog to become hungry faster, leading to weight gain. We also recommend choosing a brand that contains omega-3 fatty acids, which help reduce swelling and promote a stronger, healthy coat. Some brands also contain probiotics which can help balance the digestive system resulting in less frequent diarrhea and constipation.

Exercise

We recommend setting aside at least 30 minutes each day to help your Istrian Coarse-Haired Hound get the activity they need to stay healthy. Since your dog is a hunter, it will enjoy chasing after balls and frisbees. It will also enjoy long walks and hikes, especially through the woods where it might catch a glimpse of a rabbit or other small game. However, you’ll need to prepare for it to do plenty of pulling on the leash while walking through the woods.

Training

Unfortunately, the Istrian Coarse-Haired Hound can be quite stubborn and strong-willed. It easily loses focus when it sees something it wants to chase, so someone with experience dealing with difficult-to-train dogs will have better luck. Many owners choose to have the dog professionally trained to save time and guarantee results, but it can be quite expensive. Many owners have success by holding short training sessions at the same time each day to help the dog get into a routine that will help it be more focused. Holding the sessions after your dog has had time to run and burn off energy, along with plenty of positive reinforcement with treats and praise, will also help you train your dog faster.

Grooming ✂️

Your Istrian Coarse-Haired Hound is not too hard to groom and will only require brushing once or twice per week. When the shedding season starts in the spring and fall, you might need to bush more to help keep fur off your furniture, but it’s not a heavy shedder like the German Shepherd that will dump tons of fur in your home.

You will also need to clean the ears frequently to prevent ear infections common in dogs with floppy ears because dirt and moisture can become trapped. The nails might also need clipping if you hear them clicking on the floor while your dog walks, but you shouldn’t need to clip them too often since this breed is so active.

Health and Conditions

Male vs Female

The male Istrian Coarse-Haired Hound tends to stand several inches taller and weigh a few more pounds than the female, and it is usually more affectionate with people other than its owner. The female is smaller and spends more time watching over her territory. She is less friendly towards strangers than the male, but she forms a strong bond with her master.

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

1. The Istrian Coarse-Haired Hound is not yet recognized by the American Kennel Club, so you won’t find them in competitions.

2. It’s rare to find the Istrian Coarse-Haired Hound outside its home country of Croatia.

3. While most are medium-sized, the Istrian Coarse-Haired Hound can vary considerably with some dogs weighing less than 25 pounds and others weighing more than 60.

Final Thoughts

The Istrian Coarse-Haired Hound makes a great pet and an excellent hunting companion, but it is better suited to someone who has experience with these types of dogs because they can be difficult to train. However, with the right master, these dogs are calm and obedient, often following complex commands on the first or second try. It’s a healthy and strong breed that shouldn’t require many trips to the vet, and it is always ready to work.

We hope you have enjoyed reading this guide and found the answers you needed. If we have convinced you to give one of these dogs a try in your home, please share this guide to the Istrian Coarse-Haired Hound on Facebook and Twitter.

See also:

• Latvian Hound
• Istrian Shorthaired Hound