WORLD OF DOGS

 Hello ladies and gents this is the Viking telling you that today we are talking about 

Polish Hunting Dog

The Polish Hunting Dog is a large-breed scent hound, who is strong but not rugged. Primarily a tracking dog, his acute sense and long legs equip him to follow prey for many miles. The breed is an ancient one with roots stretching back to the 13th century. Unlike some of his more aggressive, working canine cousins, the Polish Hunting Dog has an enviable reputation for being amiable and more inclined to keep safe by walking away from trouble than squaring up for a fight.

Despite many positive features, such as an even temperament and good health, he does need a special sort of owner. The Polish Hunting Dog must get plenty of exercise and is best suited to active people, prepared to jog with their dog for miles each day. Being a housebound dog, even with access to a garden, just doesn’t cut it for this breed.

About & History

Old Polish manuscripts dating back to the 13th century mention our friend, the Polish Hunting Dog. This is hardly surprising since back then Poland was covered by lush, deep forests, which were bursting with game ready and waiting for an accomplished huntsman.

A good scent hound, who was capable of picking up a scent and following it for miles, was indeed an asset to anyone in medieval times. The dog’s ability to lead the hunter to prey meant extra food on the table, and possibly the difference between eating well or starvation.

The Polish Hunting Dog largely kept to itself for the intervening centuries, and was perhaps a little taken for granted. It wasn’t until around 1820 that his name pops up again in Polish literature. Around about the same time, a breed standard was drawn up so to keep the dogs true to form. This was with the intention of maintaining the breed as a useful working dog, rather than to judge him in the show ring. It wasn’t until the next century that the breed’s look was refined slightly, under the guiding auspices of Jozef Pawuslewicz.

Appearance

The Polish Hunting dog is a medium to large sized canine. If you were to compare is looks with a more familiar breed it would be with a Doberman or perhaps even a black and tan Greyhound, such are his height and long sleek lines.

It’s easy to imagine this dog’s long legs covering the miles with ease, and his deep rib cage equipping him with the lung capacity for active running. However, he is not built for endurance in the rugged meaning of the word. Climbing up craggy mountains or surviving in low temperatures are not this dog’s cup of tea.

Indeed, the Polish Hunting dogs coat is a similar texture, colour, and pattern to a Dobermann. A short coat, the colour is either black & tan, red & black, or black and brown.

Physically he has a well-proportioned head, with a long muzzle and drop ears. A deep chest and slim waist mark him as an athlete, topped by a long straight tail, which is used for pointing.

And as always have a chilled day from the Viking