Did you know?
As an April Fools’ Day prank, a Danish newspaper reported on April 1, 1965 that parliament had passed a law requiring all dogs to be painted white so they could be seen more easily at night and thus increase road safety.
Transylvanian Hound
A dog is man’s best friend and vice versa. – Anonymous
“Max”
Transylvanian Hounds, as you might expect, originated in Hungary in ancient times. They evolved from dogs brought in by the invading Magyars that mixed with local dogs including the Celtic Hounds brought by the Romans.
By the Middle Ages, the dogs’ heyday, they were the darling of the Hungarian aristocracy and had developed into two types: a long-legged variety and a short-legged variety. Both hunted together.
The long-legged variety hunted in woodland and over grassland for big game such as bison, bear, boar, and lynx. The short-legged Transylvanian Hound scrambled over rocky ground and through overgrown terrain in search of fox, hare, and chamois.
As forestry and agriculture took hold, the dogs declined and were nearly extinct by the beginning of the twentieth century. Although the short-legged variety has disappeared, the long-legged hound has made a comeback and is the Transylvanian Hound we see today.
The Transylvanian Hound stands between 22 and 26 inches (55 to 65 cm) tall at the shoulder. He has a dense, generally short, coarse coat that can be black with tan markings or black with tan and white markings.
Transylvanian Hounds are classified as scent hounds, using their superb noses to find their quarry. Properly trained, these hounds can hunt basically independently ranging far from the hunters, either alone or in packs. As well as tracking by scent, they will also point and drive game.
“Lexi”
“Max”
Although described as having a good-natured, quiet, and even temperament, he is also a lively animal with a high-pitched, ringing bark that he uses to good effect while on the hunt. As you might expect of a big game hunter, he is courageous and determined.
Able to withstand extreme weather and with the endurance to travel far over uneven terrain, this is an animal that needs exercise to keep him happy and balanced.
Naturally defensive and alert, the Transylvanian Hound will prove an effective guardian of property. Brave and naturally wary of strangers, he can nevertheless make a good family pet who is calm and good-mannered with those familiar to him.
CKC Breed Standard
No Breed Standard Available