Most people are familiar with the Greyhound, but not many people realize that there are multiple Greyhound-type dog breeds. The Chart Polski, or Polish Greyhound, is one such dog breed. This formidable sighthound makes an excellent companion, but it can be a little bit of a handful as well. Like other sighthounds, the Chart Polski’s instinct to chase prey is strong, making them unsuitable for some home situations. Read on for more about this unique breed.
Breed Overview
Height:
27 – 32 inches
Weight:
59 – 70 pounds
Lifespan:
10 – 12 years
Colors:
Any
Suitable for:
Active families, people with fenced land, people interested in canine sports
Temperament:
Intelligent, affectionate, protective
The Chart Polski is an intelligent and affectionate dog that makes a great family pet. Although it has many sighthound qualities, this breed is also known for its guardian skills and the protective nature of its people. These dogs can be quite stubborn, though, so it takes a knowledgeable handler to guide a Chart Polski into being an obedient and adaptable pet. However, with a Chart Polski, you can count on having a loyal and loving friend for years to come.
Chart Polski Characteristics
Energy
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High-energy dogs will need a lot of mental and physical stimulation to stay happy and healthy, while low-energy dogs require minimal physical activity. It’s important when choosing a dog to make sure their energy levels match your lifestyle or vice versa.
Trainability
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Easy-to-train dogs are more skilled at learning prompts and actions quickly with minimal training. Dogs that are harder to train will require a bit more patience and practice.
Health
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Some breeds, due to their size or their breeds potential genetic health issues, have shorter lifespans than others. Proper exercise, nutrition, and hygiene also play an important role in the lifespan of your pet.
Lifespan
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Some dog breeds are prone to certain genetic health problems, and some more than others. This doesn’t mean that every dog will have these issues, but they have an increased risk, so it’s important to understand and prepare for any additional needs they may require.
Sociability
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Some dog breeds are more social than others, both towards humans and other dogs. More social dogs have a tendency to run up to strangers for pets and scratches, while less social dogs shy away and are more cautious, even potentially aggressive. No matter the breed, it’s important to socialize your dog and expose them to lots of different situations.
Because of its relative rarity, you will likely have great difficulty finding a Chart Polski puppy in the US, but there are some active breeders scattered around the country. Opt for a breeder whose aim is to expand and improve the breed through their breeding program. Breeders that follow all breed club recommendations for health testing of their breeding stock are typically a good option.
When it comes to bringing home a Chart Polski puppy, you can count on a pup with moderate energy, but they do play hard when they’re feeling frisky. Starting a training regimen while your puppy is still young is the best way to ensure your dog gets properly trained. This can be quite a stubborn breed, and the older they get, the more likely they are to become set in their ways and resistant to new training.
Chart Polski Breed Origin & History
With documents mentioning this breed as far back as the 1200s, the Chart Polski is a very old dog breed. Because of their similarities in build to the Saluki, it’s believed that the Chart Polski is a descendent of Asiatic sighthounds that also were the basis for the Saluki and other Saluki-type breeds. Historically, the Chart Polski was used as a well-rounded hunting dog, often being used for hunting everything from hares, bustards, and foxes to deer and wolves.
This breed is currently not recognized by the AKC, but it is accepted by the United Kennel Club (UKC). It was added to the UKC registry on January 1, 1996. This breed is also accepted by the Polish Kennel Club and Federation Cynologique Internationale. Like many breeds, this breed nearly went extinct in the 19th and 20th centuries, but breed enthusiasts developed a breeding program that regrew the breed numbers. However, these dogs are rarely seen outside of their Polish homeland.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Chart Polski 🧠
Although intelligent, the Chart Polski is also a highly instinct-driven dog, which is a common trait in sighthounds. They’re likely to chase first and ask questions later, so keeping a Chart Polski in a fenced area or safe environment is a necessity.
As previously mentioned, this breed may be intelligent, but it’s also quite stubborn, which can make it a challenge for inexperienced dog owners. These dogs are enthusiastic and loving with their people, and they’re perfectly happy to spend the day on the couch with you.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🧑🧑🧒
Yes, the Chart Polski is a great family dog. They are loving with their people and often show guardian instincts, making them great for children. They are patient and gentle with kids, but they may be wary of strangers. Early socialization is a key part of helping a Chart Polski become comfortable in homes with visitors and lots of activity.
The Chart Polski is usually a great option to have in homes with other dogs. Greyhound-type breeds were commonly used to hunt in groups, so they tend to get along well with other dogs. When it comes to cats and small dogs, though, it’s extremely important to start socializing while the Chart Polski is very young.
Many Chart Polskis do well if they’ve grown up in a home with cats or small dogs, but introductions later in life can be risky. Since they are instinctually driven, there is a possibility of a Chart Polski chasing down a neighbor’s cat or unfamiliar small dog, potentially injuring them.
Things to Know When Owning a Chart Polski:
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
This breed should be provided with a high-quality diet that meets WSAVA recommendations for canine nutrition. While this breed can be active, they are also often content to be couch potatoes. Because of this, it’s unlikely that you’ll need to provide your Chart Polski with a sport or working dog diet. If your dog is extremely active and participates in heavy physical activity every day, then you may need to consider this type of diet to help maintain muscle mass and a healthy body weight.
Daily exercise is important for the Chart Polski, but these dogs are often happy to be lazy, so you may have to encourage your dog to get exercise every day. When they’re active, Chart Polskis love to have room to run. Canine sports like Cani-cross and lure coursing are ideal options for these dogs since these activities tap into their instinctual desire to run and chase prey.
Training 🎾
You should start a training regimen when your Chart Polski is still just a puppy. Establishing trust while your dog is young will make training them easier, and training will help establish you as your dog’s leader. Positive reinforcement and engaging training sessions will be the most successful with this breed. Keep in mind, though, that these dogs are sighthounds, and training them not to chase moving objects can be extremely difficult, so it’s best to keep them in a fenced area or on a leash.
The Chart Polski’s coat isn’t difficult to maintain, thanks to its short length. It does get slightly bushy during the colder months, and this breed is more tolerant of cold weather than its Greyhound cousin. It’s recommended to brush your Chart Polski once per week to maintain the health of the skin and coat. During the spring and fall, this will also help reduce shedding.
Health and Conditions 🏥
Minor Conditions
Dental disease
Joint problems associated with obesity
Serious Conditions
Cardiomyopathy
Bloat
Hypothyroidism
Obesity
Male vs. Female
Male Chart Polskis are slightly larger than females, with the breed standard calling for males to be 27.5 to 31.5 inches at the withers, while females should be 26.5 to 29.5 inches. Since this is a rare breed, it’s difficult to say how notable the differences in temperament between males and females are.
While most dog breeds have very specific specifications on the color of the coat, the Chart Polski’s coat color is immaterial, according to the written breed standard. These dogs come in a variety of colors, as well as different coat patterns, like brindle and parti.
2. They Have a Distinctive Gait
The Chart Polski has a distinctive gait, especially when walking quickly or trotting. Their gait has an appearance that is similar to marching called “lacing.” The gait should be flowing and energetic with a long stride.
3. The Pronunciation of the Breed Name iI Unexpected
If you’re native to the US, then it’s likely that you don’t speak Polish. However, the name “Chart Polski” is pronounced as “hart poll-ski” in its native Polish. The C in the breed’s name should not be pronounced.
Final Thoughts
The Chart Polski is a lovely breed of dog that is exceedingly rare and difficult to find, especially outside of Poland. There are breeders working to maintain this breed, though, and many people love them for their adoring and happy temperament. This breed isn’t always suitable for homes with other animals, especially smaller pets, but this is an excellent family dog that is protective of its people.
Brooke Billingsley spent 9 years as a veterinary assistant before becoming a human nurse in 2013. She lives in Arkansas with her boyfriend of five years. She loves all animals and currently shares a home with three dogs, two cats, five fish, and two snails. She has a soft spot for special needs animals and has a three-legged senior dog and an internet famous cat with acromegaly and cerebellar hypoplasia. Fish keeping has become a hobby of Brooke’s and she is continually learning how to give her aquarium pets the best life possible. Brooke enjoys gardening and keeps a vegetable garden during the summer months. She stays active with yoga and obtained her 200-hour yoga teacher certification in 2020. She hosts a podcast focusing on folklore and myth and loves spending her free time researching and writing. Brooke believes that every day is an opportunity for learning and growth and she spends time daily working toward new skills and knowledge.
