The Montenegrin Mountain Hound temperament is well rounded, loyal and affectionate.
These medium-sized, black and tan scent hounds can make wonderful family companions, but they are exceedingly uncommon—especially in the United States.
In fact, the Montenegrin Mountain Hound is so rare that the American Rare Breed Association considers the breed endangered.
If you are thinking about adding a Montenegrin Mountain Hound to your family, this article will provide a basic introduction to the Montenegrin Mountain Hound personality.
You will still need to do further research into Montenegrin Mountain Hound behaviors to make sure that the breed will be a good fit for your lifestyle, but this article will provide you with a starting point.
Typical Montenegrin Mountain Hound Temperament Traits
In this section, we will dive into the most common components of the Montenegrin Mountain Hound temperament.
However, please keep in mind that all dogs are individuals. So there will always be some variability between the characteristics of individual dogs.
Your own Montenegrin Mountain Hound might not display all of these behavioral traits.
Rugged and Athletic
The rugged Montenegrin Mountain Hound temperament makes this breed hardy and a tireless hunter.
As their name suggests, they were bred to be able to work in the rough terrain of the Balkan Mountains.
They are true athletes. They are not couch potatoes.
If you own one, you need to be ready to provide adequate daily exercise.
Montenegrin Mountain Dog exercise can take the form of vigorous walking, jogging, hiking, or a canine sport such as nosework.
Young Montenegrin Mountain Dogs need at least an hour of strenuous exercise per day.
Without enough daily exercise and mental stimulation, these dogs can become bored and destructive. They can exhibit unwanted behaviors such as barking, chewing or digging in the yard.
Attached to its Master
The loyal Montenegrin Mountain Hound temperament makes this breed very devoted to its family.
The Montenegrin Mountain Hound forms a close attachment to all members of its “pack”- including children and other dogs.
Socialize these hounds properly and they will generally get along well with kids and other dogs.
Always supervise interactions between children and dogs of any breed to make sure that all parties stay safe.
Likewise, always supervise your Montenegrin Mountain Hound when he interacts with other dogs.
Due to their hunting drive, Montenegrin Mountain Hounds generally do not do well with cats or other small pets such as rabbits or ferrets. However, exceptions to this rule do exist.
Scent Driven
The Montenegrin Mountain Hound has a very keen sense of smell.
Like most scent hounds, they are easily distracted by the aromas of other animals.
They can become so focused on a smell that they cannot concentrate on anything else.
For this reason, always keep your Montenegrin Mountain Hound on a leash unless you are in a securely fenced area.
Even a well-trained hound might ignore commands if they are on a captivating scent trail.
This could be extremely dangerous to your dog if he darts across traffic or becomes disoriented and lost.
Make sure your dog is microchipped and wearing identification tags at all times to be extra safe.
Not Suited for Apartment Life
The active Montenegrin Mountain Dog temperament makes this breed a poor choice for apartment living.
In addition to their high energy level, Montenegrin Mountain Dogs can also be vocal.
Like most hounds, they can howl or “bay” when they are excited or bored.
If you live in a small city apartment, this is probably not the right breed for you.
These dogs do much better on larger properties in more rural communities where they can run and bark to their heart’s content.
A Short Account of Montenegrin Mountain Hound History
The Montenegrin Mountain Hound originated in the mountains of the Balkan region in Eastern Europe.
The dogs were originally called Yugoslavian Mountain Hounds or the Black Hound. The first breed standard dates back to 1927.
The name was officially changed to the Montenegrin Mountain Hound in 1997.
The United Kennel Club recognized the Montenegrin Mountain Hound in 1924.
However, the breed is still not recognized by the American Kennel Club.
Montenegrin Mountain Hounds were developed to hunt small game such as fox or hare. Occasionally they were used to hunt larger game such as deer or wild boar. Some specimens of the breed are still used for hunting today.
These hounds are acclimated to the rugged terrain of the mountains, so they are very athletic and strong.
Montenegrin Mountain Hound Size and Appearance
According to the UKC breed standard, the Montenegrin Mountain Hound is “Medium sized, solid and agile.”
The average Montenegrin Mountain Hound height is between 49 and 50 centimeters for males and between 48 and 49 centimeters for females.
The typical Montenegrin Mountain Hound weight is between 44 and 55 lbs.
Montenegrin Mountain Hound colors are always black and tan. No other colors are permitted. A small white patch on the chest is allowed but not desired.
The Montenegrin Mountain Hound has long legs and a lively gait. They also have long “saber like” tails and long droopy ears.
A Guide to Montenegrin Mountain Hound Training
The clever Montenegrin Mountain Hound temperament makes this breed an easy dog to train as long as you put in the time and effort.
Montenegrin Mountain Hounds are eager to please and they yearn to work with their masters.
It is ideal to start training your Montenegrin Mountain Hound at a young age.
If you acquire your Montenegrin Mountain Hound as a puppy, sign up for a puppy socialization class with a local trainer.
These classes are a great way for your puppy to learn important social skills with dogs and people.
Helpful Dog Training Resource:
For help with training your Montenegrin Mountain 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.
If you adopt your Montenegrin Mountain Hound as an adult, you can still get off to a great start by signing up for a basic obedience class with a trainer in your area.
Just make sure you find a trainer that uses modern, positive reinforcement methods. Avoid old fashioned trainers that still resort to punishment, dominance and fear. Never utilize painful training devices such as shock collars, pinch collars or choke chains. These tactics are unnecessary and could harm your growing relationship with your new dog.
Instead, find a trainer that uses science based, force free training methods. This type of training is the most effective and humane. It will be fun for you and your new dog!
Once you have gone through a basic obedience course, you can sign up for more advanced activities such as nosework, tracking, search and rescue, or agility.
A Guide to Montenegrin Mountain Hound Grooming
The Montenegrin Mountain Hound is a low maintenance breed when it comes to grooming.
Their short, sleek coats are easy to maintain with occasional brushing and bathing.
Make sure to keep their nails trimmed and their ears clear of debris.
You should also clean their teeth on a regular basis.
If you are looking for an easy dog to groom, the Montenegrin Mountain Hound fits the bill!
The Montenegrin Mountain Hound experiences moderate shedding throughout the year.
The Montenegrin Mountain Hound is not hypoallergenic. If you are looking for a hypoallergenic pet, check out this article for a list of options.
Staying Healthy: Montenegrin Mountain Hound Health Issues
The Montenegrin Mountain Hound appears to be a relatively healthy breed.
Before you bring one home, talk with your vet about what kind of health concerns to expect.
Be on the lookout for the following health issues:
- Hip Dysplasia
- Ear Infections
- Ectropion
If you see any warning signs of these conditions, make an appointment with your vet right away.
It is important to establish a relationship with a veterinarian as soon as you bring home your new dog. Your dog should visit the vet at least once per year for an annual physical exam and yearly vaccinations.
It is also vital for your Montenegrin Mountain Hound to be on flea, tick and heartworm prevention at all times. Talk to your vet about the best products for your dog.
It's also a best practice to spaying and neuter your dog. Talk with your vet about the ideal time to schedule this procedure.
Make sure your Montenegrin Mountain Hound is on a high quality dog food with healthy ingredients and very few “filler ingredients” such as corn.
With a good diet and good vet care, the Montenegrin Mountain Hound lifespan is generally between 10 and 14 years.
Helpful Dog Health Resource:
Note: if you agree that your health and your dog's health should be a top priority then get a copy of The Ultimate Guide to Dog Health. Your doggy friend will love you for it. This guide will help save you money, time and most of all help you keep your dog healthy.
Montenegrin Mountain Hound Rescue and Adoption
If you decide that the Montenegrin Mountain Hound is a good match for your lifestyle, the biggest challenge is going to be finding one to adopt or purchase.
These dogs are very uncommon in the United States.
You will need to be patient and dedicated.
One possibility is to try to find a Montenegrin Mountain Hound to adopt.
There are many benefits of adopting a pet. Most importantly, it provides a home to a dog in need of a second chance.
There are other benefits to you as well. Adopted dogs are generally a little older and calmer. They tend to done with the destructive puppy chewing phase. They frequently come to you with some prior training, including house training.
Additionally, adoption fees are substantially lower than breeder fees. The average adoption fee for a rescue dog is between $100 and $300. This price generally includes basic veterinary care, spay/neuter, vaccinations and a microchip.
On the other hand, breeders often charge well over $1000 for purebred puppies.
How to Find a Montenegrin Mountain Hound for Adoption
If you would like to try to find a Montenegrin Mountain Hound for adoption, a good place to start your search is with your local animal shelter or humane society.
Even though Montenegrin Mountain Hounds are very rare in American animal shelters, the staff at the shelter can take down your information just in case one becomes available in the future.
They can also contact you about available dogs with similar traits. Finally, they can direct you to other rescue organizations in your area that may specialize in certain breeds.
The internet is also an excellent resource for adoption.
Facebook has hundreds of networking pages devoted to networking hounds that are available for adoption throughout the country.
You can also visit national adoption websites such as Petfinder.com, Adoptapet.com and Getyourpet.com.
Finding a Montenegrin Mountain Hound for Sale from a Reputable Breeder
Finding a Montenegrin Mountain Hound puppy for sale may prove to be just as challenging.
There are very few Montenegrin Mountain Hound breeders in the United States.
A good place to start is to contact the American Kennel Club and ask for recommendations of responsible breeders.
However, you will still need to do your own research to make sure the breeder is ethical.
There are many unscrupulous breeders in this country who are more concerned with making money than with the welfare of their dogs. They will scam unsuspecting puppy buyers.
To avoid scams, never purchase Montenegrin Mountain Hound puppies over the internet or from pet stores.
Always insist on meeting the breeder in person and visiting the property. This will give you a chance to check out the breeding dogs and make sure they are living in good conditions.
Ask to view medical records for the puppies as well as the adult dogs.
Once you find a good breeder to work with, you will probably have to be placed on a waiting list for an available puppy.
Responsible breeders will not over breed their dogs, so they usually only have one litter per year.
Since these dogs are so rare, the Montenegrin Mountain Hound price will likely be quite expensive. Talk with prospective breeders about what to expect in terms of the Montenegrin Mountain Hound cost.
Conclusion: Why the Montenegrin Mountain Hound
If you are looking for an accomplished hunter and a loyal family pet, you might fall in love with the Montenegrin Mountain Hound temperament.
Just be sure you have the right type of environment for this active working dog.
You will also need to be patient and resourceful to get your hands on one of these rare hounds.
Once you do, you will have a devoted friend for life.
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.