meet the...Transylvanian Hound
Breed Summary
Breed Group Group 7: Scenthounds and Related Breeds
Sub-group 7-B: Medium Scenthounds
Origin Country Hungary
Weight Males: 55-77 pounds. Females: 55-77 pounds.
Height Males: 21-26 inches. Females: 21-26 inches.
Other Name(s) Erdelyi Kopo
Breed Type Pure
click here for FULL BREED STANDARD
Origins
Like their kin, the Gonczy Polski, the Transylvanian Hound is a rugged and talented breed of antiquity. They are believed to be descendants of ancient hounds brought to the Carpathian Mountain region of Hungary during invasions sometime in the 9th century. These dogs were crossed with some of the surrounding area’s dogs that were better suited for the rugged environment, including the Polish Hunting Dog’s ancestors and native Carpathian dogs. For centuries, these hounds were used by Hungarian royalty for hunting in the mountains. Longer-legged dogs were used on deer and boar, and shorter-legged dogs were used to hunt foxes and hares.
As with many breeds, the Transylvanian Hound faced extinction after WWII, but the breed was saved thanks to Hungarian breeders and huntsmen who made great efforts to preserve and standardize it. The Transylvanian Hound is well-known throughout native Hungary and is slowly gaining popularity outside of their homeland today.Breed Characteristics
Head: Somewhat mesaticephalic skull type, moderate in size, slightly long, but never pointed or conical. It is always in proportion to the rest of the body. The topskull is just slightly arched in profile and when viewed from the front. The superciliary ridges are only slightly developed. The head is clean-cut and without excess skin or wrinkles.
Eyes: Moderate in size, opened oval to almond in shape, and dark brown. The eyes are set slightly obliquely. The eye rims are well-fitted and well-pigmented. The eyes are never bulging. There should be sufficient bone in the surrounding orbital sockets to protect the eyes. Any signs of entropion or ectropion are incorrect for this breed.
Ears: Medium-small in length. Set only moderately high on the skull, set on level with or just slightly above eye level. Triangle in shape, having a broad base, tapering smoothly toward rounded tips. They are drop in type. The inner edges and tips hang close to the head. The ears are never long, overly large, or fly away. When extended forward, the ears should just cover the eyes but not extend any further.
Muzzle: The muzzle is full, deep, and broad throughout but tapers just slightly toward the nose. The plane, or bridge of the muzzle, is straight and level. The upper and lower jaws are well developed, approximately equal in length, and have good bone substance, never appearing snipy or weak.
Nose: The nose is well-pigmented and black. The nostrils are well opened.
Neck: Moderate length to allow for good head carriage and movement. Strongly muscled with a slight arch. The neck tapers smoothly from the deeper and broader body toward the head. The neck is clean-cut with a slight amount of loose skin at the throat area, but never excessive with a dewlap.
Chest: Deep and broad but never wider than deep. The brisket extends to the point of the elbows. The forechest is well developed but does not protrude.
Body: Compact, solid, and of good substance, yet lithe, agile, and athletic. The body is never racy or refined or heavy and cloddy. The width at the forequarters is approximately equal to the width at the hindquarters.
Feet: Oval to round and compact with well-arched toes and tough pads.
Tail: Set neither high nor low on the croup but as a natural extension of the topline. It is thick at the base and tapering toward the tip. The tail is carried in accordance with the dog’s mood and energy level, usually curved (never curled) up over the back when alert or excited or, when in repose, in a neutral downward but never tucked. The tail is of a moderately long length, with the tip of the last vertebrae extending to the hock joints or just below when held down. The tail may exhibit a curve at the lower 2/3rd section.
Movement: Ground-covering, energetic, effortless, and efficient, the characteristics of a healthy structure are evident. When moving away, the forelegs and rear pasterns should remain parallel to one another. When viewing movement from the front, the forelegs should remain parallel, with elbows and paws moving neither in nor out. From the rear, the back pads should be visible when the rear legs are extended. As speed increases, the forelimbs and hindlimbs will converge to the centerline of gravity. From the side, the topline should remain firm and level. Good reach of movement in the front allows the forepaw to extend out in line with the nose. The width between the forefeet when extended should be approximately equal to the width between the hindfeet when extended, indicating balance, good reach, and a good drive. Dogs that exhibit any sign of breathing or locomotive difficulty shall be disqualified from the show ring.
Temperament: The Transylvanian Hound breed is a tireless hunting dog, bred for centuries to assiduously pursue and engage with game over harsh and rugged terrain. They are both courageous and tenacious. To those who know and love them, they are gentle, noble, and loyal, yet aloof to indifferent towards strangers. They are a quieter hunter than their kin, the Gonczy Polski, and like many European hounds, he makes a fine companion dog to a sporting family. Any unprovoked aggressive or fearful behavior toward people is incorrect for this breed.
Breed Standard
BREED GROUP 7: Scenthounds and Related Breeds
Proportions: Off-square in proportion, with the length of the body, measured from the point of the forechest to the point of the rump, being just slightly greater than the height at the withers. The ideal body-height-to-length ratio is 11:10. Females may be slightly longer. The body is well put together, yet agile, athletic, and lithe. The build is of good substance and moderate yet sturdy bone. Males should appear masculine, being more substantial in size and mass, while females should appear more feminine and slightly less substantial. Neither should lack overall type. Male and female weights are always proportionate to height. The weight of males and females is always in proportion to height.
Head
General Appearance: Somewhat mesaticephalic skull type, moderate in size, slightly long, but never pointed or conical. It is always in proportion to the rest of the body. The topskull is just slightly arched in profile and when viewed from the front. The superciliary ridges are only slightly developed. The head is clean-cut and without excess skin or wrinkles.
Expression: Kind and lively.
Stop: The stop is barely pronounced.
Skull: The ideal muzzle-to-skull ratio is 1:1, with the topskull being equal to the muzzle.
The ideal muzzle-to-skull axis is parallel.
Muzzle: The muzzle is full, deep, and broad throughout but tapers just slightly toward the nose. The plane, or bridge of the muzzle, is straight and level. The upper and lower jaws are well developed, approximately equal in length, and have good bone substance, never appearing snipy or weak.
Lips or Flews: The lips are well-pigmented, clean and dry, and fit fairly well over the teeth and jaws. The lips should never extend well below the lower plane of the bottom jawline.
Nose: The nose is well-pigmented and black. The nostrils are well opened.
Cheeks: The cheeks are slightly padded and should not appear chiseled or coarse.
Dentition and Bite: Forty-two strong, clean, and white teeth. The bite may be level or scissor. Contact must be made between the top and bottom incisors. Missing or broken teeth due to routine work are not to be penalized.
Eyes: Moderate in size, opened oval to almond in shape, and dark brown. The eyes are set slightly obliquely. The eye rims are well-fitted and well-pigmented. The eyes are never bulging. There should be sufficient bone in the surrounding orbital sockets to protect the eyes. Any signs of entropion or ectropion are incorrect for this breed.
Ears: Medium-small in length. Set only moderately high on the skull, set on level with or just slightly above eye level. Triangle in shape, having a broad base, tapering smoothly toward rounded tips. They are drop in type. The inner edges and tips hang close to the head. The ears are never long, overly large, or fly away. When extended forward, the ears should just cover the eyes but not extend any further.
Body and Tail
General Description: Compact, solid, and of good substance, yet lithe, agile, and athletic. The body is never racy or refined or heavy and cloddy. The width at the forequarters is approximately equal to the width at the hindquarters.
Neck: Moderate length to allow for good head carriage and movement. Strongly muscled with a slight arch. The neck tapers smoothly from the deeper and broader body toward the head. The neck is clean-cut with a slight amount of loose skin at the throat area, but never excessive with a dewlap.
Chest: Deep and broad but never wider than deep. The brisket extends to the point of the elbows. The forechest is well developed but does not protrude.
Topline: Straight and level from prominent withers to croup. The back is broad, strongly muscled, and straight, yet supple. The loin is taut, level, and straight or slightly arched, yet supportive and slightly longer in females. The back is never swayed or roached.
Croup: Broad, strongly muscled, and gently sloped.
Underline: A slight to moderate tuck-up is present. The underline is taut and firm, without any indication of sagging or excess weight.
Ribs: Long, well-sprung, well-laid-back, and oval-shaped, never barrel-chested or slab-sided.
Tail: Set neither high nor low on the croup but as a natural extension of the topline. It is thick at the base and tapering toward the tip. The tail is carried in accordance with the dog’s mood and energy level, usually curved (never curled) up over the back when alert or excited or, when in repose, in a neutral downward but never tucked. The tail is of a moderately long length, with the tip of the last vertebrae extending to the hock joints or just below when held down. The tail may exhibit a curve at the lower 2/3rd section.
Forequarters and Hindquarters
Forequarters: The forequarters are always balanced with the hindquarters and well-angulated with well-laid-back shoulder blades. The shoulder blades are long and approximately equal in length to the upper arm and forearm.
Elbows: The elbows are close to the body. The point of the elbows is approximately half of the dog’s height at the withers.
Forelegs: Frontal View: Straight, of good muscle, of moderate yet sturdy bone, and parallel to one another.
Side View: The forelimbs appear straight with strong pasterns.
Pasterns: Never weak or broken.
Hindquarters: The upper and lower thighs are long and equal in length, strong, of moderate yet sturdy bone, and well-muscled.
Rear View: When viewed from the rear, the rear pasterns are parallel to one another.
Side View: Good angulation will allow the rear toes to align with the point of the rump or within one to two paw-lengths behind the point of the rump, with the rear pasterns remaining perpendicular to the ground and parallel to one another.
Stifle Joint: Well-angulated with a good bend to well-let-down rear pasterns.
Angulations: The angulation of the hindquarters is always in balance with the angulation of the forequarters.
Feet: Oval to round and compact with well-arched toes and tough pads.
Coat
Skin: Well-fitted, yet supple. The skin should never obstruct the outline of the dog.
Coat Type: The coat is a dense, protective, and weather-resistant short double coat. The outer coat is glossy, harsh, and close throughout, being the shortest and finest on the head, ears, and lower extremities. The neck, withers, backs of the upper thighs, and underside of the tail are longer and slightly fringed. Cowlicks and ridges are also permissible. The undercoat is thick, protective, and abundant.
Coat Color or Pattern: Black with well-defined traditional tan points, without a small amount of minimal white markings or white trim.
Movement
Ground-covering, energetic, effortless, and efficient, the characteristics of a healthy structure are evident. When moving away, the forelegs and rear pasterns should remain parallel to one another. When viewing movement from the front, the forelegs should remain parallel, with elbows and paws moving neither in nor out. From the rear, the back pads should be visible when the rear legs are extended. As speed increases, the forelimbs and hindlimbs will converge to the centerline of gravity. From the side, the topline should remain firm and level. Good reach of movement in the front allows the forepaw to extend out in line with the nose. The width between the forefeet when extended should be approximately equal to the width between the hindfeet when extended, indicating balance, good reach, and a good drive. Dogs that exhibit any sign of breathing or locomotive difficulty shall be disqualified from the show ring.
Temperament
The Transylvanian Hound breed is a tireless hunting dog, bred for centuries to assiduously pursue and engage with game over harsh and rugged terrain. They are both courageous and tenacious. To those who know and love them, they are gentle, noble, and loyal, yet aloof to indifferent towards strangers. They are a quieter hunter than their kin, the Gonczy Polski, and like many European hounds, he makes a fine companion dog to a sporting family. Any unprovoked aggressive or fearful behavior toward people is incorrect for this breed.
Faults
All dogs should be in proper, healthy condition, free from disease or defect. Any departure from this description is considered a fault. Unless altered, all male dogs should have two fully descended testicles.
