The docile Posavac Hound temperament makes this breed easy to train as a hunting dog or as a household companion.
The Posavac Hound is also sometimes known as the Posavaz Hound, the Yugoslavian Posavatz, the Posavski Gonic, or the Posavatz Hound.
This breed originated in Croatia where it was used for hunting hare, fox, and boar.
Today the Posavac Hound is still sometimes used as an on-leash tracking dog. It is also prized as a family pet.
Although the Posavac Hound is a rare breed in America, it has a small but devoted following around the world.
The Posavac Hound temperament may not be the right choice for every household, though.
Before you bring one home, do extensive research to make sure that the Posavac Hound personality will match your lifestyle.
This article will provide you with an introduction to classic Posavac Hound behaviors and traits.
Posavac Hound Temperament: Common Posavac Hound Traits You Need to Know
This section will explore the most common components of the Posavac Hound temperament.
However, please keep in mind that all dogs are individuals.
Therefore, your particular Posavac Hound may display some deviations from this norm.
Docile
The Posavac Hound breed standard describes the Posavac Hound temperament as, “docile, neither nervous nor aggressive.”
The Posavac Hound is an even-tempered, amiable dog.
They are not easily ruffled.
This trait can make them an excellent choice for households with children.
As with all dogs, Posavac Hounds should still be socialized and supervised around children.
Easy to Train
The intelligent Posavac Hound temperament makes this breed highly trainable.
Posavac Hounds are smart and willing to work.
In fact, it is vital to channel their mental energy into constructive outlets by providing plenty of mental stimulation.
Posavac Hounds can even be trained to perform jobs such as tracking or search and rescue.
“With a Clear and Melodic Voice”
The Posavac Hound breed standard describes the Posavac Hound as a “universal hound with a clear and melodic voice for hunting in all areas.”
Like most scent hounds, the Posavac Hound can be vocal.
Hunting hounds have a distinctive vocalization called “baying.”
Many hound owners actually love the musical sound of a hound baying.
If you are not a fan of barking, there are some things that you can do to reduce the amount of barking. For example, you can make sure that your hound receives ample mental and physical exercise on a daily basis.
However, if you live in an apartment or you have neighbors that are sensitive to noise; this breed is probably not the right choice for you.
Lively
The active Posavac Hound temperament makes this breed a lively and fun companion.
These hounds are not couch potatoes!
They are athletic working dogs.
If you add one to your household, you need to be prepared to provide plenty of daily exercise.
Without proper exercise, your Posavac Hound may develop problem behaviors such as excessive barking, chewing or digging.
A large, fenced yard is an ideal set up for a Posavac Hound.
Like many hounds, they are prone to following their noses. Therefore, always make sure you exercise your Posavac Hound on a leash or in a securely fenced area.
Get your dog microchipped and make sure he always wears an identification tag just in case he ever wanders away from home.
Devoted to the Family
The loyal Posavac Hound temperament makes these dogs devoted companions.
Posavac Hounds become very attached to their guardians.
In fact, this trait can sometimes develop into separation anxiety.
If you think your dog is developing any symptoms of separation anxiety, seek help from your veterinarian and dog trainer.
Posavac Hounds do not do well in situations where they are left alone all day. They want to be included in household dynamics.
A Brief Account of Posavac Hound History
The Posavac Hound originated in the Save Valley in Croatia. The ancestor of the Posavac Hound was probably the “Illyrischen Hound of Red Colour with Markings.”
The Posavac Hound is a very old breed. The first depiction of a Posavac Hound in European artwork is in a fresco from 1474. The fresco depicts a wheaten dog with floppy ears. The piece is called, “The Bow of the Three Kings,” and it can be found in a small cemetery chapel in the town of Beram.
The American Kennel Club does not yet recognize the Posavac Hound breed.
However, the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) published an official breed standard in 1955.
Posavac Hound Size and Appearance
The FCI breed standard describes the Posavac Hound as a strong, medium-sized hound with balanced movements.
The normal Posavac Hound height is between 17 and 23 inches at the withers.
And the typical Posavac Hound weight is between 35 and 45 lbs. Males are generally larger than females.
The primary Posavac Hound colors are shades of reddish wheaten with white markings. The white markings generally appear on the head, neck, tail, and limbs.
Other colors, such as dark brown or chocolate, are not permitted.
Posavac Hounds have long tails, droopy ears, and short coats.
Posavac Hound Training
The Posavac Hound temperament makes this breed easy to train. The Posavac Hound is intelligent, motivated and eager to please.
If you acquire your dog as a puppy, it is fun and beneficial to enroll your puppy in a puppy socialization class.
Socializing your puppy from a young age will help him grow into a friendly and confident adult dog.
If you adopt your Posavac Hound as an adult, you can still get off to a great start by signing up for a basic obedience class.
Just do some research to make sure you find a trainer that uses positive, force-free methods.
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Avoid trainers that use outdated training methods based on punishment or pain. Do not use harmful training tools such as shock collars, pinch collars or choke chains.
Such tactics are unnecessary and could erode the growing relationship between you and your new dog.
Instead, find a trainer that uses modern, science-based training methods. These classes will be enjoyable for you and your dog.
Once you and your Posavac Hound have mastered basic training, you can sign up for more advanced courses such as tracking, nosework, rally obedience, or even agility!
Posavac Hound Grooming Techniques
If you are looking for a dog with a low-maintenance grooming routine, the Posavac Hound will fit the bill.
The Posavac Hound has a coat that is short and shiny.
This type of coat needs only occasional brushing and bathing to stay healthy.
The Posavac Hound’s floppy ears require occasional cleaning to prevent infection.
As with all dogs, the Posavac Hound should also receive occasional nail trims and dental cleanings.
Staying Healthy: Posavac Hound Health Issues
In general, the Posavac Hound is a fairly healthy and robust breed.
However, like all dogs, the Posavac Hound can be susceptible to certain health conditions. Speak with your veterinarian about what to expect from this breed before you bring one home.
If you purchase a Posavac Hound puppy from a breeder, talk with the breeder about any health concerns of the parents. Ask to see medical records and the results of any genetic testing.
For example, most breeders will screen their breeding dogs for possible genetic eye conditions or orthopedic concerns such as hip dysplasia or elbow dysplasia.
With their long, droopy ears, the Posavac Hound can also be more susceptible to ear issues than other breeds.
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As with all dogs, your Posavac Hound should visit a veterinarian at least once per year for an annual checkup and vaccinations.
It is also extremely important to keep your Posavac Hound up to date on monthly flea prevention, tick prevention, and heartworm prevention at all times.
A high-quality diet is also a key to good health.
Unless you plan to enter your Posavac Hound in competitive dog shows, spaying and neutering is recommended for household pets. Speak with your veterinarian about the best time to schedule this procedure.
With excellent care and nutrition, the Posavac Hound lifespan is generally between 12 and 13 years.
Posavac Hound Rescue and Adoption
If you think the Posavac Hound temperament is the right fit for your household, the next step is to find an adult dog or puppy to add to your family.
Many people choose to acquire their new pet through adoption.
The Benefits of Adoption
There are many benefits of adopting an animal.
First of all, it saves the life of a dog in need. There are thousands of homeless animals in the United States and over 1 million animals are euthanized in American animal shelters every year.
Adoption is a wonderful way to make an impact on the animal overpopulation crisis.
There are other perks to adoption as well.
Adoption makes more financial sense than purchasing a puppy from a breeder. Adoption fees are substantially lower than breeders’ fees. Additionally, adopted animals usually come with some basic veterinary services including spay/neuter, vaccinations, microchip and heartworm test.
If you are not sure that you have the time and energy for a puppy, adopting an adult dog can be a great solution. Adult dogs are calmer and sometimes come with prior training. They are also usually past the destructive puppy chewing stage.
How to Find a Posavac Hound for Adoption
If you would like to adopt a pet, the best place to start is your local animal shelter or humane society.
Even though Posavac Hounds are rare in shelters, the staff at the shelter can direct you towards similar dogs, or keep an application on file and notify you if your desired breed(s) become available in the future.
They can also provide you with a list of rescue groups that specialize in certain breeds or mixes.
You can also search for adoptable dogs on websites such as Petfinder.com, Adoptapet.com and Getyourpet.com.
Facebook is another excellent resource for adoption. There are hundreds of networking groups, such as Hound Networking groups, that you can join to see photos of dogs that are available for adoption around the country.
Finding a Posavac Hound for Sale from a Reputable Breeder
Another option is to purchase a Posavac Hound puppy from a responsible breeder.
Just be cautious, because there are many unscrupulous breeders out there who will try to take advantage of unsuspecting puppy buyers.
Do Your Research
Try to obtain a list of reputable Posavac Hound breeders from a national breed club or the American Kennel Club.
However, you will still need to do your own sleuthing.
Always ask to visit the breeder in person before committing to buying a puppy from them.
This will allow you to check out the premises and make sure the breeding dogs are healthy, happy, and living in humane conditions.
Posavac Hounds are a rare breed, so it will take some time and patience to find a breeder. Once you decide to work with a particular breeder, you may have to be placed on a waiting list until a puppy becomes available.
Be wary of breeders that want to conduct all of their business by phone or email, and never purchase Posavac Hound puppies over the internet or from a pet shop.
Since Posavac Hound puppies are so rare, they are also expensive. Be prepared for the Posavac Hound price to exceed $1000, not including travel expenses.
Conclusion: Why the Posavac Hound?
The Posavac Hound temperament makes this breed a wonderful choice for those looking for a reliable sporting dog or a devoted family pet.
Although they are hard to find, Posavac Hounds are prized for their sweet, amiable personalities.
If you are looking for a fun and even-tempered companion, the Posavac Hound might be the perfect dog for you.
Before you bring home any new pet, just be sure to do your research to make sure you are prepared to provide that animal with the environment that it needs to thrive.
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.