Estonian Hound

Outwardly similar to the beagle, the Estonian hound is indeed a descendant of this breed. However, there are some differences in her appearance, and besides, “Estonian” possesses several other working qualities. Future owners of a dog of this breed should know - this is, first of all, a hunting dog, and even if you take a puppy from parents who are not used for such activity, it will have a number of specific qualities at the level of genes.

Breed origin

The Estonian hound is a relatively new breed, and people started breeding it when a ban on hunting roe deer was introduced in Estonia. Then he was supported by a ban on the use in such an event of large dogs capable of scaring these timid animals. The law indicated the following sizes of dogs suitable for participation - the height at the withers should not exceed 45 cm.

Such a legislative initiative encouraged Estonian breeders to work with existing hunting breeds. As a result, in the late 60s of the 20th century, the Estonian hound turned out - the result of crossing the beagle with the hounds - Russian and Swiss, and Foxhound's blood also mixed in.

The resulting dogs were successful in the hunt for the fox and the hare, they are perfectly adapted to the Estonian climate and the requirements of the law. Coordination of the standard with the International Cynological Federation took place back in 1998, however, so far the breed has not received recognition at this level, which does not interfere with its successful breeding.

Breed description Estonian Hound

The growth of representatives of the breed is below average, they are strong animals with a lean type of constitution. The height of the dog - vyzhlets, varies within 45-52 cm, vyzhlovki (bitch) - 3 cm below. According to the standard, the dog must comply with the following indicators:

1. Head The skull is rounded, medium width. The muzzle is elongated, with straight lines, well-pronounced brow ridges, a smooth transition from the frontal region. Lips do not droop, dry, tight fitting snout. The bulb is broadened, with black pigmentation, with the exception of individuals with a yellow-tan hair, in which it may have a brown tone. Auricles can not be called thick, they are elongated, with a low fit and a tight fit to the head. The ends of the ears are rounded, the dog covering them is short. The eyes are medium in size, slightly slanting, with a dark edging of the eyelids and dark brown iris.
2. Torso . The “Estonian” has a dry neck with no wrinkles, the shape is rounded, there is a developed musculature. Thorax wide, barrel-shaped, elongated, of decent depth. The withers are clearly visible, the lumbar region is shortened, widened, with a noticeable bulge. The croup is also short, extended, with a slight slope.
3. Limbs . The anterior and posterior are straight, parallel-set, lean, well-boned and well muscled. The forearm is oval, the elbows are sent back, the pasterns are set almost vertically.

The extremities end in oval, arched paws, the fingers are compressed into a strong lump.

Wool coat and colors

Estonian hounds are covered with even, tough, shiny dog ​​hair, with poorly developed undercoat. On the tail it is thicker, somewhat shortened by the end.

There are several colors of the Estonian hound, most often dogs of black and piego color with rouge. Less commonly - brown-tans in blush, scarlet-tans, and black-clad. The standard does not limit the size of the spots.

The nature of the breed

“Estonians” are quite obedient pets and even during the rut of the game they are able to respond to the call of the owner, immediately calming down. They have excellent physical qualities that are necessary for work: a keen sense of smell, strength, endurance. The dogs of this breed are used for hunting not only small but also rather large game, for example, wild boar.

Today, more and more often, people start hounds, including Estonian, as companions, without subsequent use for hunting. Of course, the offspring of these parents loses some of the skills, and the lack of specific training and work affects the characteristics. But still “Estonian”, in fact, remains a hunting dog.

Among the positive qualities that make such a dog an excellent family pet, we can note the following:

• the dog is very attached to the owner and family members;
• always finds a common language with children; during joint games, any mistake and inadvertent rudeness to the child will be forgiven;
• aggressive attitude towards people is unacceptable, breeders necessarily discard such individuals;
• like the other hounds, the “Estonians” used to be kept in packs, because of this they get on well with other similar individuals and get along well with them.

Unlike other hounds, dogs of this breed have some wariness towards strangers. Such behavior requires mandatory early socialization, but the plus is that the dog is capable of performing the work of a watchman. In addition, the dog must necessarily display in public places, otherwise, it can grow cowardly and shy.

How to train Estonian?

Hounds are specific dogs due to their narrow orientation. In the hunt, it is difficult for them to find equal, but traditional training, especially for novice dog breeders, can cause some difficulties.

“Estonian” easily learns basic skills, and during the assimilation of a more complex program, the dog may become obstinate - she dislikes changes and accepts them only when they consider them inevitable. So, the owner may need not only a lot of patience, but also the help of a professional who knows the approach to representatives of such breeds.

Another nuance, to raise such a pet is easier if it is contained in more suitable conditions. With the same hound, the dog will be much more than with his aviary fellow. Especially if the puppy was acquired for future use in hunting - the dog needs a surge and the conditions for the development of certain skills.

The rest of the Estonian hound can be called a cultural dog, which quickly understands the main team, gets acquainted with a place to relax and eat. An adult dog only needs two runs a day.

Naturally, the pet, kept in the apartment and receiving constant attention from the owner and the household, will be more helpful and accommodating than the dog from the hunting possessions.

If you are going to have a dog as a companion, it is recommended to acquire a 1.5-2.5-month-old puppy and train it yourself. This will allow to correct the behavior of the freedom-loving doggie and develop the necessary qualities.

If a hunter dog is required, then it is best to acquire it grown up, and when training, do not forget about regular field trips so that the animal becomes familiar with the terrain and its features. The correct charge leads to the fact that the puppy's paws are getting stronger, and this is an important aspect for his further work. The dog should not be afraid of the sounds of shooting - this is a prerequisite for all breeds intended for hunting.

The basic course includes a number of basic commands: “Sit!”, “Come to me!”, “Foo!”, Etc. As soon as the puppy crossed the threshold of the house, it should be introduced to the basic rules of living with a person:

• the pet must know its place;
• being banned on sofas and other sleeping places of people;
• during the game, the pet should not bite, even if it does not do it from evil;
• the taboo concerns begging - the owner, the household and guests are warned - it is absolutely impossible to feed the puppy even if it makes very sad “hungry” eyes.

Several tasks are set before the workers' hounds: the dog takes a trail, picks up the beast and drives him to the hunter. However, the Estonian hound is in some cases capable of taking the animal itself. “Estonian” shows justified malice during a hunt to the beast, loudly notifies the hunter, but behaves quietly at home.

Care and health features of the hound from Estonia

A hound is a dog that needs good physical condition, which means that it needs daily, at least one-hour, walking. Because of the strong hunting instincts, for the safety of the pet itself and past the running animals, it is recommended to drive the dog on a leash. Having sensed the probable prey, the dog can suddenly drift in an unknown direction, without reacting to the owner's shouts. This is not a defect of training, but a characteristic feature of all dogs intended for hunting.

Estonian hounds have a short coat that does not require complex care. It is enough to brush it out every 3-5 days with a stiff brush suitable for this type of wool. Owners who wish to take such a puppy into the house should consider the tendency of the hounds to strong seasonal molting. During these periods, the combing procedure is best done more often. But the hounds are rarely bathed, only when the dog has become very dirty and can not do without washing.

The long ears of the hounds deserve special attention - sulfur and dirt, which must be removed every 3-4 days, are actively accumulated in them, using a cotton swab dipped in warm water, chamomile broth or a special antiseptic. Also during regular examinations it is possible to detect ear diseases, including ticks, in a timely manner.

Hounds are more likely than other dogs to contact other animals, even if the dog is not involved in the hunt. And as you know, wild animals can be sources of various dangerous diseases, including rabies. Therefore, the owner of "Estonian" should take care of full vaccination.

Breed diseases

It is believed that the Estonian hound has excellent health. In part, this is true - the relatively low prevalence contributes to the purity of the blood and physical strength of the representatives of the breed, but these figures are not 100%.

Among the hereditary ailments of Estonian hounds, there are mainly diseases called senile:

• joint dysplasia;
• arthritis;
• retinal atrophy;
• cataract.

Violations of the diet and feeding and lack of activity can cause the development of hypothyroidism. In individuals with a bright iris, congenital deafness or eye disease may occur.

Mode and diet feeding

Food of any dog ​​must be balanced and of high quality. In addition, it is imperative to comply with the regime - the pet should receive food strictly at the same time, of course, small errors are allowed.

An adult Estonian hound is fed twice a day - in the morning and evening. There are several rules that should be followed by the owners of dogs of this breed:

• the best way to feed such a pet is a slightly warmed meal;
• it is desirable to include raw meat in the menu;
• large chicken bones should not be given to the dog;
• in the diet of the dog must be present fish - flounder raw;
• vegetables are another mandatory item; dogs are given raw and boiled potatoes, carrots, zucchini, beets, and greens;
• oatmeal, barley, barley are useful cereals, they are allowed to be given steamed;
• scraps from the table are not useful for the dog, which means that they should not fall into her bowl.

The owner can choose another option - feed your pet production rations. This should be a quality product, which includes all the necessary substances and trace elements. With any type of food the animal should always have a cup with fresh drinking water, this is especially important when feeding the dog with dry food.

Content of the Estonian Hound

A dog of this breed is suitable for both street and residential maintenance. But in the second case, longer walking times will be required. If the owner assumes the captive maintenance of the pet, then he must take into account that the enclosure must be spacious. Knowing the freedom of the hounds, it is necessary to exclude the probability of undermining and damage to the barrier.

The dog needs a booth, it may not have thick walls, but without gaps. The entrance is desirable to block a canopy of dense material, such as felt. To paw pads coarsened and become less sensitive, you can sprinkle the track along the fence with rubble.

Photo of Estonian Hound

Estonian Hound Video

Where is better to get a puppy?

Before looking for a place to buy an Estonian hound puppy - an experienced breeder or a nursery, the owner determines whether he needs a dog only as a companion or helper for hunting. In the first case, it is enough to buy a puppy that will be healthy, have documents and meet the standard. In the second, attention should be paid to offspring from working dogs, which successfully show themselves in work, have good performance.

The breed is rather rare, therefore there are very few kennels that breed it, especially if we talk about single-breed organizations. But there are many private breeders who offer to reserve and sell Estonian Hound puppies.

First of all, it is worth knowing about the reputation of those and others. Clarify in more detail whether breeders are engaged in pumping dogs involved in breeding, or the breeding process pursues a purely commercial purpose. Buying from random sellers, including those on the market, is fraught with risks - at best, the baby will turn out to be of a different breed or half breed, at worst - it may be sick.

For hunting, it is recommended to acquire an older puppy, however, given the low prevalence of the breed, puppies from litter are often dismantled by the 2nd month. The cost of puppies of the Estonian hound with documents varies from 10,000-40000 rubles. Without a pedigree, the price may be slightly lower.

In Moscow, you can buy a puppy in the nursery "Nazoro" http://sobaki.pro/index.php?m=Poroda&page=Poroda/Pitomniki&id=Esto&pit=2749.

The Estonian Hound is a new, rare breed of hounds, distinguished by excellent hunting qualities and a good temper in everyday life. In addition to hunting, it is also a great caretaker, loyal friend and loyal friend.