Origin
As the name implies, the Bosnian Coarse-haired Hound or Bosanski Oštrodlaki Gonič is a hunting dog breed (Scenthound) that was developed in Bosnia (an eponymous region of Bosnia and Herzegovina that lies next to the Adriatic Sea, to the south of Croatia and west of Serbia).
The previous name given to this breed was Illyrian Hound, which refers to the pre-Slavic people of the area.
They were said to be descendants of indigenous dog types, cross-bred with an Italian gun dog.
During the 15th century, these dogs were originally used for hunting and tracking games such as rabbit and raccoon, demonstrating their remarkable skills to work relentlessly in the harshest terrain and climate.
The Bosnian Coarse-haired Hound was first recognised by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale in 1965 under the name of “Illyrian Hound”.
The name was changed to more accurately describe its area of origin in Bosnia. It is also recognized by the United Kennel Club (US) as the “Barak”, in the Scenthound Group. The breed remains to be a rare breed outside Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Traits and Behavior
Exhibiting characteristics of working and a hunting dog, the Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound is susceptible to barking, burrowing, and chasing animals. Such behaviors can be very annoying to owners who are unfamiliar with this type of dog
However, if this dog has undergone training right from the beginning when it was still a puppy, it will no longer have problems dealing with livestock or other kinds of pets in the future.
These dogs are one of the breeds with the highest IQ. Because of this, they managed to become very much independent, strong-minded, and hardworking yet stubborn at times.
On the other hand, they are also described as athletic dogs with a lot of drive and energy.
By nature, these domestic dogs are usually amiable even towards house visitors although they are known to show aggressiveness whenever they meet other dogs.
Pet Care and Diseases
Like most dogs, the Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound are at risk for acquiring hip dysplasia, patellar luxation – dislocation of the knee, frequent eye laceration, difficulty in birthing – sometimes resulting in caesarian section, sensitivity to anesthesia, and bloat (which is the leading cause of death for dogs).
Training, exercises, and mental stimulation are things an owner should prioritize most. The Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound needs regular physical exercise (long walks at least once a day).
For a person who has an active lifestyle, this dog is a great jogging companion. The good thing is, Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound is not difficult to train.
With dedication and patience, this dog will learn new things in no time.
When it comes to hygiene, brush the dog’s teeth 2-3 times a week to remove tartar and prevent bacterial build-up along the teeth and gum line.
His ears must be inspected every week for redness or bad signs that indicate infection. Use a cotton swab to clean the inside of the ears but never insert it too far. Trim the nails once or twice a month to avoid skin tears. Never cut the nails too short because you might hit some blood vessels, causing them to bleed.
Rendering regular head-to-toe examinations will help spot the dog’s potential health problems before it worsens.
Appearance
The Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound is generally similar in appearance to the Griffons, a collection of wire-coated hunting dogs primarily native to France.
The most striking feature of the Bosnian Coarse-haired Hound is its shaggy, hard coat of yellowish (wheaten or red) or greyish colours, often with a white blaze on its head along with other white marks.
This dog is somewhat stockily built, with a deep chest and relatively thick legs. Height ranges between 18 and 22 inches tall at the shoulders, while the weight is between 16-24 kg (35-53 lbs).
General Information
The Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound has a long life span of 10-15 years. A litter may consist of 3-6 puppies.
The Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound is also known as the Bosnian Rough-Haired Hound, Bosnian Broken-Haired Hound, Bosnian Coarse-Coated Hound, Bosnian-Rough-Coated Hound, Bosnian-Broken-Coated Hound, Bosnian Hound, Illyrian Hound, Bosanski Ostrodlaki Gonic, and Barak.