Overview
The Istrian Coarse-haired Hound comes from the Istrian peninsula, where it was developed by crossing the smooth Istrian hound with rough-coated French types to give a tougher dog for thorny scrub. It is medium-sized, white with yellow or orange markings, with a wiry coat, bushy eyebrows and a mild, slightly stubborn expression.
These are working hounds first and companions second. They are affectionate at home but single-minded outside, and they rarely appear in Britain outside hunting or enthusiast circles.
Exercise and walking needs
Ninety minutes a day with plenty of sniffing time. They are built for long days in rough country and will not be satisfied by a quick lap of the park. Woodland, scrub and hedgerow give them the most to work with.
They tolerate cold and wet well and the coat sheds dirt once dry.
On the walk
- Scent: The dog will be head down for most of the walk, and a hot trail will turn a gentle stroll into a steady pull. Plan for it with a long line.
- Recall: Limited once committed to a scent. Treat open country as lead-on territory unless the owner has demonstrated otherwise.
- Other dogs: Generally easy, as with most pack and kennel hounds. More interested in the ground than in play.
- Voice: Scenthounds give tongue when they find game. Expect some baying in woods and near wildlife.
Tips for professional walkers
- Give the dog scent to work on your terms: a find-it game or a scatter of kibble in the undergrowth.
- Carry tick tweezers; the rough coat hides them well.
- Use a comfortable harness rather than a collar for the steady pulling that comes with trailing.
- Pick routes away from roads and railway lines; the dog will follow a scent straight across them.
What to ask the owner
- Has the dog been worked, and what commands or signals does it know from hunting?
- How does it react to deer and foxes, and where do you let it run?
- Does it bark or bay on the lead when it finds scent, and how do you want that handled?