Description

The Estonian Hound is a medium size dog with a strong muscular body, strong bone structure and well-developed muscles. It has tight skin without folds and drop ears. The coat is short, evenly rough and shiny. The undercoat is weakly developed. The tail is covered in its full length with even thick hair and thus might seem a bit thick. Closer to the end of the tail the hair becomes shorter. The eyes are dark brown and the corners of the eyelids are dark. The Estonian Hound usually has black patches (limited with tan colors). The size of the patches is unlimited. Also allowed are blackish brown color, red patches and a saddle like patch on the back. The tip of the tail has to be white.

Origin

The Estonian Hound is the only dog breed developed in Estonia and therefore you may say that an Estonian Hound is the Estonian national breed. Until 1914 mainly so called Russian-Polish Hounds and English Fox Hounds were used for hunting in Estonia. There mixes formed local hounds. In the 1920's Finnish Hounds were brought here and the looks and work of these dogs also changed the local dogs. A law was issued on the 1st of July 1934, which gave a push for the breeding of an Estonian Hound. The law forbid hunting with dogs that were higher than 17 inches (45 cm.) At that time all the game was hunted with hounds. By 1934 the numbers of game had catastrophically declined and with issuing the law the government tried to avoid over hunting. Forests in Estonia are well organized even these days and hunters don't need big fast hounds. To form a suitable dog breed Beagles, Swiss Hounds (Gewvhnlicher Schweizer Laufhund), Luzern Hounds (Luzerner Laufhund) and Bern Hounds (Dreifarbiger Berner Laufhund) were brought in. Mixes of local hounds with Beagles and Swiss Hounds were the ones that met all the requirements of a wished hound breed. The influence of these breeds still shows today and has helped to develop a base from which a nowadays Estonian Hound has formed. On the 27th of December 1954 the Main Government of National Parks and Hunting Economy of the Agriculture Ministry of the Soviet Union approved the Estonian Hound standard. After regaining independence the Estonian Kennel Union approved the breed standard on the 4th of July 1998 and is now working on the recognition of the breed by FCI.

Temperament

The Estonian Hound is always happy and pleasant. It is balanced, calm and smart with an active temperament. It is friendly and should never be aggressive, but needs to be well socialized and exposed to new things to prevent it from being a bit timid of new things and situations. It is good with other dogs and usually good with cats if raised and socialized with them from puppyhood. They love human attention and do not like to be left alone. Affectionate, they will love to snuggle up with their owners while watching TV. It has inherited from its predecessors such characteristics that make it very easy to teach it to not hunt hoofed animals as it is only allowed to hunt hare and fox in Estonia. The Estonian Hound has a beautiful voice when it hunts. A joy to hunters ears!

Height

Height: 17-21 inches (42-52 cm.)

Weight

Weight: 33-44 pounds (15-20 kg.)

Known Health Problems

-

Conditions for Living

An Estonian Hound is relatively inactive indoors if exercised sufficiently. But is best suitable for a house with at least an average size yard.

Exercise Requirments

walk a day). The Estonian Hound is an energetic working dog with enormous stamina. An Estonian Hound will love a long walk in the forest, if you have a safe area to do this, where it can run around. The Estonian Hound likes to follow its nose and is sometimes difficult to control when it picks up a sent and has taken up a lead. Take caution when exercising this breed around cars. Always use a lead in unsafe areas.

Life Expectancy

About 12-15 years

Grooming

The short rough coat is easy to groom. Bathe only when necessary. This breed is an average shedder.

Group

Hound