One of the nine Hungarian dog breeds, the Transylvanian Hound, also known as ‘Erdelyi Kopó’ in its native country or Hungarian Hound, is an endangered, medium-sized hunting dog ideal for people with active lifestyles. Originating in Transylvania, these breeds were commonly mistaken for Rottweiler dogs due to their similar coloring. However, the Transylvanian Hounds are less muscular and slightly smaller. These hounds are courageous, good-natured, enduring, even-keeled all-rounders with lively spirits. Their background has made them tough hounds, adaptable to any situation, and playful enough to make a great family pet. In addition, they are quiet and determined and built to survive any weather condition. These tenacious successful hunters can easily hunt on different terrains.
The Transylvanian Hound is an excellent family companion with proper training. Owing to their vitality, these breeds may be challenging for novice dog owners and unsuitable for young children. They love playing and may be too rambunctious for small kids. However, with the proper training and enough daily exercise, the Transylvanian Hounds can become fantastic pets who understand their role within the family. If you’re fortunate enough to find this Hound and bring it into your home, you will be rewarded with a friendly, playful, and loyal companion.
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Transylvanian Hound Overview
Bred initially in ancient Hungary, the Transylvanian Hounds have a past filled with intrigue and mystery. Transylvanian Hounds are highly loyal and intelligent breeds that best suit active lifestyles, families with older children, and multi-pet homes. These hounds are easy to train, require essential grooming, excel in agility and obedience, and are okay with being alone for a long time. Despite the endangered status, Transylvanian Hounds are among the healthiest canine breeds and are bred to be brave enough to hunt big game. Their loyalty and courage also make them good guardians of your home. However, there are better options than these hounds for novice owners or families with small kids because this energetic breed needs a consistent and firm hand in training. Still, if you can handle a Transylvanian Hound’s high energy and keep training steady, these hounds can make loyal, incredible, and active companions.
Transylvanian Hound Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Good family dogs | Very rare breed |
| Adventurous and friendly | Needs lots of exercises |
| Low-maintenance coat | Standoffish with strangers |
Transylvanian Hound Basic Information
- Name: Transylvanian Hound
- Origin: Transylvania (formerly Hungary, now part of Romania)
- Group: Hound dog
- Height: 22 – 26 inches
- Weight: 55 – 77 pounds
- Coat: Short, straight, dense double coat
- Color: Black with tan markings, red/white, black/tan/white
- Energy: High
- Activities: Agility, conformity, field trials, hunting tests, obedience, rally
- Barking Level: Medium
- Shedding Level: Medium
- Hypoallergenic: No
- Litter Size: 6 puppies
- Other Names: Copoi Ardelenesc, Erdelyi Kopó, Long-legged and short-legged variety Transylvanian Hound, Hungarian Hound, Transylvanian ScentHound
- Breed’s Original Pastimes: Hunting, tracking scents
- Life Span: 10 -14 years
History of Transylvanian Hound
A well-known hunting dog for Hungarian aristocrats during the Middle Ages, The Transylvanian Hound is thought to date as far back as 500 AD. These ancient breeds are possibly related to a more common Hungarian hunting dog, the Vizsla. After ages, their numbers dwindled, and by the end of the 20th century, these hounds were in danger of becoming lost forever. A group of fanciers brought the Transylvanian Hound back from the verge of extinction in the late 1960s. Initially, there were two varieties: short-legged and long-legged. Today, only the long-legged Transylvanian Hound remains.
- The American Kennel Club (AKC) allowed the Transylvanian Hound to be registered in their Foundation Stock Service in 2015, which was the first step towards becoming recognized by the AKC.
- In 2006, the United Kennel Club fully recognized the Transylvanian Hound.
- Internationally, the Transylvanian Hound was recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) in 1963.
Transylvanian Hound Highlights
- The breed is endangered.
- Transylvanian Hounds may have short or long legs.
- Generally, the breed has a black coat with tan spots, usually with points about the eyes, presenting them the “eyebrow look.”
- Transylvanian Hounds do shed, so they may not be the best choice for allergy sufferers.
Transylvanian Hound Personality
The Transylvanian Hound is a muscular, medium-sized dog with an athletic body and a noble appearance. They are alert, independent dogs who are highly devoted to their humans but aloof from outsiders. However, these hounds are a calm, confident breed and develop an intuitive understanding of their owner or family. They are highly protective of their family, exceptionally guard dogs, and respond well to threats. Transylvanian Hounds are not suitable for houses where they are alone for long periods, as they are delighted when getting plenty of attention from their human family. Great with kids and other pets, these hounds have laid-back and sensible qualities that work well in social households.
Friendliness Overview
| Affection level | Medium to high |
| Family-friendly | High |
| Kid-friendly | Medium |
| Pet-friendly | Medium |
| Stranger -friendly | Low to medium |
Adaptability Overview
| Good for apartment living | |
| Good to new owners | Low to medium |
| Sensitivity level | Low to medium |
| Tolerates being alone | Medium |
| Cold-tolerance | Medium |
| Heat-tolerance | Medium |
Transylvanian Hound Physical Features
Head:
- Long head, not pointed.
- Slightly domed skull
- Barely pronounced stop
- Small, black nose
- Dry and tightly fitted lips
- Strong jaws and well-developed teeth
- Complete scissor bite
- Round, slightly developed cheeks
- Dark brown, medium-sized, almond-shaped eyes
- Ears are set medium-high, hanging closely to the cheeks without folds
Neck, Topline, and Body:
- Muscular, medium-sized neck
- Flat and rectangular-shaped body
- A straight topline
- Pronounced withers
- A straight, well-developed back
- Slightly sloping croup
- Long, broad brisket
Tail: The tail is firm and set at medium height.
Forequarters:
- Long, well-muscled shoulder blade
- Elbows are closely fitted to the ribcage
- Straight and symmetric forearm
- Large forefeet with strong, well-knit arched toes
- Firm, large pads
Hindquarters:
- Well-muscled hindquarters
- Long upper thighs
- Low-set hocks
- Straight and parallel metatarsus
Coat: Short, straight, dense, and flat coat
Color: The primary color is black with tan markings on each eyebrow, leg, and muzzle.
Gait: The gait is effortless, light, and graceful in single-tracking movement.
Disqualification (AKC Standards)
- Aggressive or overly shy.
- Any dog clearly shows physical or behavioral abnormalities.
- Cranial or facial region too narrow, too long, or rounded.
- Stop very slightly or too pronounced.
- Short muzzle and faulty bite
- Wiry coat, soft, wavy, or sparse coat.
- Brown or blue color with markings
Transylvanian Hound Temperament
Transylvanian Hounds are bold, outgoing, affectionate, even-tempered, energetic hunting dogs that are also perceived as hyperactive and friendly. They are perfect for a family who wants an active dog for hiking, hunting, and other outdoor exercises. Also, they can make excellent watchdogs. They adapt to new situations but might require time to warm up to strangers, often making them ideal home alarm systems that bark when something is wrong. Proper training and early socialization will help them become more comfortable around new people as they grow. These hounds require a considerable amount of interaction with people. Yet, they tolerate other dogs well if adequately socialized.
A tall, secure fence is essential if your dog frequently goes to the backyard because it can jump up to 5 feet high. So, engaging in running and hiking will tire out your Transylvanian Hound. In addition, these breeds retain their strong hunting instinct to run and chase, and small animals may catch their attention.
Transylvanian Hound Training
Transylvanian Hounds are brilliant dogs and learn and respond quickly, making training more convenient. Puppy training classes and early socialization are advised. These hounds can be strong-willed at times, so reward-based training is essential. They excel in canine sports, including agility, rally, tracking, obedience, and lure coursing. Hunting dogs are generally not bred to work closely with people, so they require short, fun workout sessions to keep them interested.
Here are some of the activities that you need to do with your Transylvanian Hound:
- Leash training
- Crate training
- Housebreaking
- Potty training
- Obedience training
- Positive Reinforcement
Here are a few dog interactive toys and products that you can use while training:
Trainability Overview
| Easy to train | Low to medium |
| Intelligence | |
| Mouthiness tendencies | Medium |
| Barking and howling tendencies | Medium |
| Prey drive | |
| Wanderlust tendencies |
Transylvanian Hound Exercise Needs
Transylvanian hounds are filled with energy and require plenty of exercises to curtail any detrimental habits that might arise from boredom. These hounds are reported to cover 100 miles while hunting. Therefore, two vigorous walks a day, 30 to 60 minutes, should suffice. These highly energetic dogs need a secured high fence due to their outstanding hunting instincts. However, as they are an athlete and independent hounds, you can fulfill your dog’s exercise needs with daily walks and activities such as frisbee and playing fetch. Also, they can be your jogging and hiking partners.
Providing ample daily exercise and physical and mental stimulation will mellow out your Transylvanian Hound dog and help it relax for the remainder of the day. An idle hound can end up exhibiting undesirable or detrimental behavior. You can meet your Transylvanian Hound’s daily exercise requirements by:
- Teaching new tricks
- Walking
- Fetching
- Playing with puzzle toys
- Frisbee
- Flyball
- Agility training
- Hiking
- Dog park
Here are a few puzzles and dog toys to keep your pet engaged:
Exercise Needs Overview
| Energy level | High |
| Exercise needs | High |
| Intensity | Medium to high |
| Playfulness | Medium to high |
Transylvanian Hound Grooming
Transylvanian Hounds are low-maintenance, non-hypoallergenic moderate shedders with short double coats. Grooming sessions can be a great bonding experience for you and your companion. Brush them weekly once to remove loose hair and dead skin cells. Bathe them to maintain the short coat clean of dirt and debris. Check their eyes frequently for redness, irritation, or discharge. The nails need to be trimmed periodically. Brush their teeth daily to control dental difficulties. Ears accumulate dirt and must be cleaned weekly to avoid bacteria and other ear-related issues.
Here are a few products and equipment to meet your Transylvanian Hound grooming needs:
Grooming Overview
| Easy to groom | High |
|---|---|
| Drooling tendency | Medium |
| Amount of shedding | Medium |
Transylvanian Hound Health
Transylvanian Hounds are healthy dogs. However, like other canines, they are predisposed to health disorders originating from their heritage. Thus, to maintain their health, it is vital to take them to the veterinarian for routine check-ups and ensure they are updated with vaccinations. In addition, reliable breeders perform health screenings on their adult pups before breeding them to ensure they do not pass on any hereditary problems to their puppies.
Health Overview
| Overall health | Medium to high |
| Weight gain tendencies | Medium |
| Size | Medium |
Hip dysplasia: When a dog’s thigh bones do not suit into the pelvic socket of the hip joint, it results in hip dysplasia, which is a heritable disorder.
Elbow dysplasia: When dogs go lame later in life, elbow dysplasia is the most common reason. It’s a malformation of the elbow joint, driving it to deviate, resulting in pain, loss of motion, and lameness.
Recommended Tests for Transylvanian Hound
- Hip and Elbow Evaluation
Transylvanian Hound Diet and Nutrition
Transylvanian Hounds are high-energy dogs requiring 2 to 3 cups of calorie-dense diet and high-quality dry food daily. Various commercial kibbles are rich in proteins, but consider giving them high-quality lean meat and canned puppy food. Frequently, provide your dog with clean and fresh water. Then, according to the vet’s guidance, you can split their meal time into two.
Here are the foods and supplements to meet your Transylvanian Hound’s nutrition needs:
Transylvanian Hound Living Condition
- Well-suited to apartment life as long as they are given daily walks and frequent play sessions.
- These hounds have a strong chase instinct, so they must be leash-walked, and a very tall fenced yard is necessary.
- Bored, lonely hounds may find an unpleasant way to keep themselves active, like barking or chewing.
- If you can keep them physically active, mentally stimulated, well-trained, and socialized, these hounds will thrive as house dogs.
Did You Know?
- The Transylvanian Hound has been recorded in the Foundation Stock Service since February 2015.
- Following the trial of the Hungarian standard of the breed, the FCI officially recognized the Transylvanian Hound and declared it as the ninth Hungarian dog breed in 1968.
- The Transylvanian Hound breed has been assigned the Hound Group designation.
Transylvanian Hound Club Recognition
- ACA – American Canine Association Inc.
- AKC/FSS – American Kennel Club Foundation Stock Service Program
- DRA – Dog Registry of America, Inc.
- HKC- Hungarian Kennel Club
- FCI- Fédération Cynologique Internationale
Adding a Transylvanian Hound to Your Family
Things to Remember Before Getting a Transylvanian Hound
Getting a Transylvanian Hound from a reputable breeder is best to prevent inevitable occurrences like health disorders. In addition, it is best to check with the puppy’s parents to ensure their health and happiness.
Cost of a Transylvanian Hound
A Transylvanian Hound puppy may cost around $600 to $800, not including miscellaneous expenses.
Transylvanian Hound Videos
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