Breeds / Large
Transylvanian Hound puppies
Even tempered, affectionate and extremely energetic, the Transylvanian Hound is a rare Hungarian scenthound that gets on well with people and other dogs but follows their nose without looking back.
The facts
- Size class Large
- Country of origin Hungary
- Adult weight 24.9 kg or more
- Adult weight in pounds 55 lb or more
- Adult height 56 to 66 cm
- Energy level Very high
- Grooming Moderate
- Coat type Short smooth
- Shedding Moderate
- Typical lifespan 10 to 14 years
- Good with children Reliably good
- Good with other dogs Reliably good
About the Transylvanian Hound
The Transylvanian Hound is a Hungarian scenthound, used for centuries by nobility to hunt bear, boar and lynx in the forests and mountains of the Carpathian basin. The breed came close to disappearing in the twentieth century and was rebuilt from a small number of surviving dogs. The short black and tan coat is weatherproof over a lean, leggy frame. Character is what you would expect of a working hound: even tempered and affectionate at home, rated top of the scale with children and other dogs, and single minded once a scent is picked up.
This is a demanding dog to exercise, wanting at least an hour of walking or running every day. The nose overrides recall, so lead walks and securely enclosed spaces are the rule rather than open ground. Grooming is a weekly brush with a bristle brush and little else, plus regular nail trimming. They have a hound voice and use it, which makes them awkward for flats and close neighbours. New owners usually underestimate the prey drive, let the dog off lead too early, and spend the afternoon looking for them.
What to expect at eight weeks
At eight weeks a Transylvanian Hound puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A large breed puppy at eight weeks looks deceptively normal sized and will roughly double every few weeks for a while. Keep exercise short and low impact, the growth plates are wide open. This is a very high energy breed. The mistake owners make is trying to tire them out physically. Training, scentwork and puzzles will do more than distance ever will. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.
Health worth knowing about
Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.
- Hip dysplasia, screened by hip evaluation of breeding stock
- Ear infections in the long drop ears, found on regular ear checks
- Inherited eye disease, picked up by an ophthalmologist evaluation
Your Transylvanian Hound puppy's first six months
- Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
- Worming and parasite schedule.
- Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Large for a Transylvanian Hound.
- Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 24.9 kg or more adult range.
- Puppy names and the first week checklist.
Kit sizes: chew toys made for large breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.
Buying guides for this
Other large breeds
More on the Transylvanian Hound
Previous: Toy Fox Terrier · Next: Treeing Tennessee Brindle
Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- Health notes from Transylvanian Hound breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/transylvanian-hound/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
Photo: Canarian, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.