The Transylvanian Hound is good-natured, courageous, and enduring. At his foundation, he is quiet and even, but also determined and lively. The environmental conditions of the Carpathians made the breed a tough, brave dog.
The Transylvanian Hound should do well on a high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared with your veterinarian’s supervision and approval. Any diet should be appropriate to the dog’s age (puppy, adult, or senior). Some dogs are prone to getting overweight, so watch your dog’s calorie consumption and weight level. Treats can be an important aid in training, but giving too many can cause obesity. Learn about which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.
The Transylvanian Hound’s short hair does not require any special care. Brushing once a week with a strong bristle blade should suffice. The elongated and loosened hairs can be rubbed with a rubber coat glove. The strong, fast-growing nails should be trimmed regularly and kept short with a nail clipper or grinder to avoid overgrowth, splitting, and cracking. The ears should be checked occasionally to avoid a buildup of wax and debris, which can result in infection. Teeth should be brushed when needed.
The Transylvanian Hound is a very active breed. Plan for at least an hour-long walk or run daily. Remember that the urge to chase game may be more powerful than the attachment to his master. For this reason, walking without a leash is not advisable and off-leash romps must be in areas that are securely enclosed. Training for dog sports like agility, obedience, and rally can also be a great way to give your dog exercise.
Some dogs may be faced with health challenges in their lives, but the majority of Transylvanian Hounds are healthy dogs. Working with a responsible breeder, prospective owners can gain the education they need to learn about specific health concerns within the breed.
The Erdelyi Kopó (Transylvanian Hound) is an ancient Hungarian breed that has been determined by the peculiarities of the climate, the territory and the hunting conditions of the area in which it was bred. The breed reached its climax in the Middle Ages, at a time when it was the favorite hunting dog of the aristocracy. Regarding its original use, it was pushed back into the path-less woods of the Carpathian mountains, due to the developments in agriculture and forestry.
As a result of the influence of the various conditions of the terrain, two varieties of the Erdelyi Kopó evolved: the long-legged and the short-legged variety. These two varieties were always kept together. Originally, the long-legged Transylvanian Hound was used for hunting big game like buffaloes, and later, bears, wild boars and lynxes, while the short-legged Hound was used for hunting small game like foxes or hares in overgrown terrain and chamois in rocky areas.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the Transylvanian Hound was nearly extinct. Determined breeding was resumed in 1968 and, nowadays, a significant number of dogs of the long-legged variety exist in Hungary and in neighboring Romania; the short-legged variety disappeared.