The Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound temperament is commonly described as “lively, courageous and persistent.”
The Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound is an interesting and unusual breed native to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The breed is kept almost exclusively as a working dog, and is rarely seen as a household pet.
The Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound is known by many names including the Barak, the Illyrian Hound, and the Bosnian Broken-Haired Hound. The Barak or the Barak Hound is the other most common name for the Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound. The two names will be used interchangeably here.
This article will provide you with a starting point if you wish to get to know the Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound temperament.
If you think this breed could be the right dog for you, it is important to do substantial research to get a feel for Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound behaviors.
Talking with owners and breeders is a great way to get to know the Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound personality.
The Most Common Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound Temperament Traits
This section will explore the most common components of the Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound temperament.
However, please keep in mind that all dogs are individuals.
Therefore, there will still be some variability when it comes to personality traits within every breed.
Your Barak Hound might not display all of these traits, but this list will give you a general sense of what to expect if you acquire a Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound.
Rarely Kept as House Pets
The Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound is a true working dog.
In its native land, very few Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hounds are kept as companion dogs.
Nearly all of them are still used for hunting to this day. Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hounds are adept at hunting a variety of species including hare, foxes and wild boar.
These dogs are prized for their ability to work for long hours over rugged terrain.
They will willingly sleep outdoors or in a kennel environment.
An active, outdoorsy lifestyle is ideal for the Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound.
These dogs thrive in rural environments and are not well adapted to city life.
Courageous and Protective
The brave Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound temperament makes this breed a good watch dog.
These dogs are very alert and they have a deep, intimidating bark.
They will faithfully guard the homestead and alert their masters to any suspicious activity.
Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hounds are devoted to their masters and can be wary of strangers.
When you have visitors come over, make sure they allow your dog to warm up to them at its own pace.
Lively and Energetic
The active Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound temperament makes this breed an optimal working dog.
If you do not plan to use your Barak Hound for hunting, you will need to provide plenty of other outlets for his energy.
Without sufficient exercise, a Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound is sure to develop unwanted behaviors such as barking, digging or chewing.
Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound exercise can include hiking, jogging, biking or swimming. Be prepared to devote at least an hour a day to physical exercise. A stroll around the neighborhood will not be enough activity for this type of dog.
In addition to physical exercise, your Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound will also need mental stimulation to keep his mind engaged. Mental enrichment can include activities such as training or items such as toys and food puzzles.
A Persistent Hunter
The Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound temperament is designed to make this breed a formidable hunter.
Barak Hounds have a very high prey drive.
They were bred to chase and kill small animals, so they are generally not a good choice for a household that includes cats, rabbits, ferrets, or other small pets.
Some Barak Hounds may be able to live with small pets if they are raised around them from a young age, but some may never be fully trustworthy.
Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hounds are prone to chase squirrels or rabbits it they encounter these animals on a walk.
For this reason, make sure to keep your Barak Hound on a leash unless you are in a safe area.
Vocal
Like most hunting hounds, the Barak Hound is bred to “bay” when he is on the trail of a game animal.
This loud barking allows the hunter to follow his dogs deep into the forest.
Since baying is in their genes, Barak Hounds tend to be vocal dogs.
You may be able to reduce the barking with training, exercise and enrichment.
However, it will be nearly impossible to eradicate that trait.
If you are not able to tolerate barking, this breed is probably not the right choice for you.
A Brief Account of Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound History
The history of the Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound is somewhat mysterious.
There is very little written history of the breed.
The word “Barak” is thought to come from a Turkish word that means rough-coated dog or coarse-haired dog.
It is believed that the modern version of the Barak Hound emerged around the 1890s, although its ancestors may have existed as early as 411 B.C.
The Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound is most likely a descendent of Italian hunting hounds and native dogs of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The breed was originally registered with the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) in 1965 under the name of the Illyrian Hound.
The name was officially changed in 1973.
The Barak Hound is recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC) but it is not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) or any other major kennel clubs.
Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound Size and Appearance
The Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound breed standard describes the general appearance as, “A robust, shaggy haired dog with a coat that is reddish yellow or earthy gray.”
The ideal Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound height is around 20 inches.
The typical Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound weight is about 44 lbs for males. Females are slightly smaller.
Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound colors can be wheaten yellow, reddish yellow, earthy gray or black. A few white markings are permitted.
Tricolor markings are not permitted.
Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hounds have droopy ears and long tails.
A Guide to Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound Training
The intelligent Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound temperament makes this breed a good candidate for training.
These dogs are focused on their masters and eager to please.
If possible, start the training process early with a puppy socialization class or a basic obedience class.
Make sure you find a trainer that uses positive reinforcement training methods.
Avoid trainers that use harsh corrections or painful training equipment such as prong collars, choke chains or shock collars.
Positive reinforcement training is more effective and more humane. It is also more enjoyable for you and your dog.
If you are interested in the world of canine sports, your Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound could excel at activities such as nosework, tracking, agility, lure coursing or search and rescue.
Helpful Dog Training Resource:
For help with training your Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound dog, you should take a look at The Online Dog Trainer by Doggy Dan. Doggy Dan is an expert Dog Trainer based in New Zealand. His online resource contains Hundreds of Excellent Dog Training Videos that will take you step-by-step through the process of developing a healthy, happy well-behaved dog.
Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound Grooming
The Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound has a very distinctive double coat.
The undercoat is short and dense, while the outer coat is long and wiry.
This breed requires frequent brushing and occasional haircuts at home or from a groomer. Make sure you find a groomer that is experienced with double coated dogs.
The Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound is not a hypoallergenic breed. If you are looking for a hypoallergenic dog, please check out this article for a list of alternatives.
As with all dogs, the Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound also needs periodic nail trims and dental care.
Make sure to check their floppy ears regularly for signs of debris or infections.
Staying Healthy: Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound Health Issues
The Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound appears to be a fairly healthy breed.
Since it is such a rare breed, there do not appear to be extensive studies conducted on the genetics of these dogs.
Speak with your veterinarian about what to expect before you bring home a Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound.
Some of the conditions that affect similar breeds include:
Your Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound should visit a veterinarian at least once per year for a wellness visit and annual vaccinations.
Your Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound should also receive monthly prevention against fleas, ticks and heartworms. Speak with your vet about the best medications for your dog.
Unless you plan to show your dog in the show ring, spaying and neutering is encouraged.
Good nutrition is a key component of good health. Feed your Barak Hound a high quality dog food that is free of artificial ingredients, unnecessary fillers (like corn), and animal by-products.
With excellent care and nutrition, the Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound lifespan is between 12 and 15 years.
Helpful Dog Health Resource:
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Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound Rescue and Adoption
The Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound is considered a rare breed, so finding one either through a breeder or through an adoption agency will take time and persistence.
If you think the Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound temperament is a good match for your lifestyle, you can try to find a Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound for adoption.
Adoption is a wonderful way to add a pet to your family.
There are already so many homeless animals in the world, so adoption allows you to provide a loving home for one of these pets.
Adoption also tends to be significantly less expensive than purchasing a Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound puppy from a breeder.
A good place to start your adoption search is at your local animal shelter or humane society.
Even though Barak Hounds are rare in animal shelters, the staff at the shelter can keep your information on file for the future. They can contact you about dogs with similar traits.
They can also refer you to rescue groups that specialize in certain types of dogs.
You can also use the internet to search for a Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound that is available for adoption.
Websites such as Petfinder.com, Adoptapet.com and Getyourpet.com are very helpful.
You can also connect with a very active Hound rescue community via Facebook.
Finding a Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound for Sale from a Responsible Breeder
There are very few Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound breeders operating within the United States.
Acquiring one of these dogs from a high quality breeder will be challenging.
Reach out to the American Kennel Club for suggestions of reputable breeders.
Once you find a possible breeder, make an appointment to visit the breeder in person.
Never purchase Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound puppies over the internet. Be wary of breeders that want to conduct all of their business virtually. This could be a scam.
When you visit the breeder, you will have the opportunity to meet the breeding dogs and check out the environment. Ask to see medical records for the breeding dogs and puppies.
Good breeders will encourage you to visit. They will want to meet you and ask you questions as well.
Once you find a breeder to work with, you will probably be placed on a waiting list for a puppy. Good breeders will not have more than one or two litters a year, so it could take months or even years to be matched with a puppy.
Some people may opt to travel to Eastern Europe to acquire a puppy sooner. However, you will have to factor in the expense and logistics of travelling internationally with a puppy.
The Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound price will vary depending on the breeder, bloodlines, and many other factors.
Talk with prospective breeders about what to expect in terms of the Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound cost.
Conclusion: Why the Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound
The Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound temperament makes this dog an ideal working dog.
There is no doubt that the Barak Hound is a skilled hunter and tracker.
This breed will be happiest in a rural setting where he has a job to do.
If you are looking for a laid-back house dog, this is probably not the breed for you.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a devoted and reliable partner for hunting and hiking, the Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound might be the perfect dog for your lifestyle.
Allie has worked in the field of animal welfare for over ten years and as a freelance writer the space for many years. She has had many different kinds of dogs (and cats) throughout her life—all adopted. She currently shares her home with a lovable pit bull mix named Huckleberry.