Overview
The Erbi Txakur, whose name simply means hare dog in Basque, is a regional hunting hound from northern Spain used to find and course hare across hill pasture. Documentation outside the Basque Country is scarce and the breed is not recognised by the major kennel clubs, so a walker in Britain is unlikely to have met one before.
What can be said with confidence is about the type. Hare hounds are built for speed and persistence, driven by scent and sight, and bred to work at a distance from people. Expect a dog that is friendly enough but has its own agenda outdoors.
Exercise and walking needs
Plan for an hour and a half of activity a day. Hounds bred to chase hare over open ground do not tire quickly and will look for the chase if you do not provide one.
A secure field for free running is the single most useful resource. Without one, a long line and varied terrain with plenty of scent are the fall-back.
On the walk
- Recall: Treat it as absent until proven. A hare hound that sees or scents a rabbit will be gone before you finish the word.
- Pulling: Strong when something is ahead, otherwise easy. A harness with a front clip gives you a better chance of turning the dog.
- Other dogs: Hunting hounds usually get along with other dogs well, having worked in company. Watch for chasing games that tip into prey mode with small dogs.
- Livestock: Any dog bred for hare has a strong chase response. Avoid fields with sheep and keep the lead on near farmland.
Tips for professional walkers
- Ask the owner to show you the kit the dog has been walked in and use exactly that.
- Choose routes with few exits onto roads; a running hound does not look for traffic.
- Build value for coming back with food at the start of every walk, before the dog switches on.
What to ask the owner
- How much is actually known about this dog's background, and has it ever hunted?
- Has it ever been off the lead, and how did that go?
- How does it react to small furry dogs, cats and rabbits in gardens?