The history of the Hellenic hound dog, appearance, characteristic features of behavior and health, advice on care, nuances of training, interesting facts. Buying a puppy. These animals have been living in Greece for a very long time. The people admire them and consider them a treasure given to them by the gods. Dogs are carefully guarded and taken care of by their offspring. They are used not only as hare hunters, but also as pets. They are very gentle and friendly, wonderful companions and friends.
The ancient Greek philosopher Diogenes said: "A sage should live like a dog, not caring about what is in his pocket and not looking into tomorrow."
History of the Hellenic Hound
In Greece, there are many beautiful legends associated with dogs. Here is one of them. Once upon a time there lived a successful hunter named Orion. He was very handsome and strong. And he had a faithful dog, Sirius, who accompanied him everywhere. The dog did not leave its owner even after his death. The ancient Greek gods appreciated the dog's devotion and turned him into the brightest and most beautiful star in the sky - Sirius.
The Romans called her a dog star - Astrocanes. They associated her appearance in the sky with the beginning of the summer heat. In Latin, this time was called “vacation”, hence the word “vacation” appeared.
Greek hounds are vociferous dogs. One by one, they are not turned on, but in order to preserve the peace of mind of the neighbors, true lovers of the breed try to arrange kennels away from residential buildings. Fans of these dogs began to restore them relatively recently. Breeders try to breed, train and care for them, just like their ancestors did.
In their homeland, in Greece, they are called "linikos echnilatis". It is one of the oldest hunting breeds on earth. "Linikos" comes from the word "ellen", which means - the ancient Greek, "echnis" - the trace of an animal, "echnilatis" - the creature that takes this trail.
As a breed, they are officially recognized by the International Cynological Federation. At international exhibitions, experts prefer to call these dogs among themselves simply - Greek hound. For the first time, they were described in sufficient detail by the ancient Greek historian, scientist and philosopher Xylophone of Athens.
The expert told how to properly care for them. This man was convinced that dogs should be born in early spring, so that the period of maturation falls at a time when there is enough sun and food. He introduced such a concept as cynology. "Kinos" is a dog, "logia" is a science. Knowledge about canines was elevated to the rank of scientific research. Now this is a common thing, in those days, it was a kind of breakthrough.
These canines are the oldest hounds on the planet. What this concept implies is a dog that gives a voice during the pursuit. It was the ancient Greeks who noticed such a feature that sometimes during the pursuit of the beast, some dogs begin to bark loudly. People liked this quality, and they selectively fixed this feature in animals. At first, ancient Greek hounds rarely spoke. Only as a result of painstaking selection selection, the working qualities were consolidated.
The past of a particular breed is always inextricably linked with the history of the people. Greek hounds are no exception. They remember the flourishing of Hellenic culture and the hard times of Turkish rule. These dogs belong to dogs with which it was possible to hunt without weapons. Because they were animals of national selection - pets of peasants. The commoners did not have the means to buy a gun and the four-legged assistant meant a lot to them. This was all their wealth.
They are very affectionate and friendly. Such dogs should not approach strangers, but some innate qualities take their toll. This behavior is not typical for them, because for a long time, they were used as guards. Now, in their homeland, Hellenic hounds are quite popular. Their livestock numbers several thousand. It is believed that for the normal development of the breed, at least three hundred puppies must be born per year. Local breeders fulfill this standard.
They are part of the culture and traditions of the people of Greece. People here love hunting and their dogs, but they also respect the animals they hunt. The Greeks honor the law and popular beliefs.
Description of the appearance of the Hellenic hound
A strong dog of medium size, lean, with a smooth coat and a beautiful head. Designed to pursue a bloody trail of game. Height at the withers in males is 46–56 cm, in bitches 44–53 cm. Weight depending on sex is 18–21 cm. With a good disposition and stable psyche.
- Head elongated, harmonious in proportion to the body. The frontal part is flat. A shallow furrow is visible in the middle of the forehead. The occipital protuberance is pronounced, the cheekbones are dry.
- Muzzle long, hump may be present. Powerful jaws with strong white canines. The flews overlap the lower jaw. Scissor bite. Lips with black pigmentation.
- Nose well developed, with wide open nostrils. Should only be black.
- Eyes Hellenic hound of medium landing, not large, almond-shaped, elongated. Coloring of the cornea of the eyes from light to dark brown. The eyelids are outlined in black.
- Ears medium size, triangular in shape, rounded at the ends. They are neither high nor low. Hanging, close to the cheekbones.
- Neck long, strong and muscular, with a gentle curve and pronounced withers.
- Frame mesomorphic addition, stretched. The rib cage is voluminous, does not protrude. The back is strong and straight. The croup is smoothly sloping. The belly is well tucked up, the ribs are not visible.
- Tail medium rise, extending to the hocks. Thicker at the base, gradually narrower towards the end, saber-like bent. When moving, the Hellenic hound lifts it.
- Limbs long, dry, erect, strong muscles. The thighs are long and powerful.
- Paws - in the form of a cat, collected in a ball. The fingers are tightly pressed together. The pads are elastic. The nails are strong, black-pigmented.
- Coat hard structure, dense, without undercoat. Adheres tightly to the skin. Short hair evenly distributed throughout the dog, shiny.
- Color - black and tan, which can be from red to orange. There may be a slight white spot in the chest area.
Characteristic traits of dog behavior
The Hellenic Hound is distinguished by its excellent nervous organization and endurance. Not spiteful, devoid of aggressiveness. A dog of good temper, loves everyone from small to large. You can play and tinker with children indefinitely. She will never offend a child, even if he accidentally hurt her. Very attached to his master. Loyal to him in body and soul. I am ready to execute any of his commands.
Pets are very reckless and active. They love hunting, because for this they were brought out. If they live in a city, then they love to work out on the grounds for dogs, take long walks and run in the park area. Honchaks are great companions. Wherever you go, they are always happy to keep you company. They are famous for their not ordinary intelligence, they perfectly learn training lessons. They are very persistent and at the same time patient. They have a great sense of touch. They can be not only four-legged hunters, but also wonderful watchmen. They have a sonorous piercing bark that can be heard from afar. So, when kept in an apartment, your neighbors throughout the house will have to listen to their arias.
Greek Hound Health
Canines of this breed are strong creatures. They are hardy, with a good immune system, and live up to 14 years. But in order for their health to remain vigorous longer, there is a specificity of their content. All this depends directly on the owner. The most important thing is to raise the hound correctly.
And this is necessarily a properly selected, balanced and systematic diet. Never give your dog bones. Many people mistakenly think that this will be beneficial. The pet will only get worse. Bones injure teeth, clog the intestines and can cut them with their sharp edges. Exercise in the right proportion will only add strength to a young growing body.
Vaccination is also very important for maintaining health. There are many infectious diseases, and vaccinations will protect the body from them. The pet is vaccinated up to a year three times, and then once a year.
Hellenic hounds are short-haired and have no undercoat, so they can easily pick up fleas or ticks. Treatment for these parasites should be regular and mandatory. After all, the consequences from them can be not only unpleasant, but also threaten the life of the animal.
Ticks are carriers of many incurable diseases. These are external parasites, but there are also internal ones - helminths. They do no small harm to the body, making it weakened. Prevention from them is carried out every three months, all year round.
Dog Grooming Tips
- Wool Greek hounds does not require any unimaginable manipulation. They are short-haired, therefore they are rarely subjected to water procedures, as they become dirty. It is important to choose the right bathing product so as not to upset the pH balance. Be sure to dilute the concentrate with water, in the correct proportion. Do not apply it neat to the animal's body. Otherwise, there can be troubles: dandruff and hair loss. Dry your pet thoroughly after the "bath". It should dry in a room without drafts - you risk catching a cold to the dog. For combing, use a natural bristle brush or a special mitten. In addition, it will provide a useful and pleasant massage to the animal's body. Such manipulations are best carried out on the street, since the "cilia" of short wool, like needles, are stuck into furniture and carpets. Then you will have to spend time and effort to tidy up your home.
- Ears Hellenic hounds require special attention. Their structure does not allow the ear canal to be well ventilated, this can have unpleasant consequences. So don't be lazy, check and clean them regularly. Apply a little wax dissolver, massage the base of the ear, and wipe off any excess.
- Eyes inspect for any specks, dust particles, dirt particles. After all, these dogs are workers, and after returning home from the forest, you can find unexpected surprises. If something gets there, and the eye is inflamed, it is washed and instilled with droplets that relieve irritation.
- Teeth - it is better to teach your pet to clean from an early age. An adult dog may not allow unfamiliar manipulations with it. Having accustomed a four-legged friend to such procedures, you will keep his oral cavity in a healthy state for a long time. You can give him gnaw on bones from veins or cartilages, this also serves as an excellent prevention. But, in no case, do not give bones and do not allow to chew on sticks. So in general, you can injure your teeth.
- Claws pruned regularly. Otherwise, it will be uncomfortable for the dog to walk. Her fingers can become deformed and her gait can even change. Check the paw pads of the working dog. They may have cuts and cracks. Such consequences must be treated. The wound is treated with bactericidal agents and healing ointments are applied.
- Feeding should be complete and even reinforced for working Greek hounds. If you prefer natural products, then most of the diet should be meat and offal. The rest: fiber and carbohydrates. A prerequisite for the good condition of the pet's body are vitamins and minerals. Feeding ready-made concentrates should be dosed and selected individually for the dog. Never overfeed your dog, this can lead to unpleasant health consequences. On each package of a particular concentrate, there is a plate in which the dosage of the product is described by the weight of the pet. Try to feed the animal at the same time. Chaotic food intake leads to an imbalance in the digestive system, and poses problems with stool. Do not walk with him immediately after eating - maybe volvulus.
- Walking depend on the conditions in which the dog lives. If they are kept in a village in free-range conditions and used for hunting, then they are minimal. When the hound lives in a city apartment, then, in addition to being taken out of them three times a day, for an hour, they need to be given serious physical activity. The dog is active and without them it will simply wither away. They can perfectly run alongside when you are cycling or jogging - companions in sports. You can perfectly compete with them in agility.
Hellenic Hound Training
Hellenic hounds are highly specialized dogs. From time immemorial they hunted hares with them. Attempts were made to train them on a wild boar, but this is more likely from the passion of hunting. They begin to train them from puppyhood.
First, they are properly socialized. Then they conduct classes in a systematic way and gradually from simple tasks to complex ones, consolidating the past. A general obedience course is required for all canines. Train your pet by attracting attention and rewarding for the work done.
A hound dog must be able to climb, be able to find prey, drive it correctly, correct a chip, navigate the forest, be in close contact with its owner at a long distance, without seeing him. All this, the process is not easy, but these pets are very smart and communicative. With the effort, you will receive incredible returns and joy from the work done. And when you go hunting, you will appreciate the result of your labor.
Interesting facts about the breed
Working hunting dogs, owners forbid strangers to stroke them. The fact is that pets with excellent abilities are stolen while hunting. And therefore, dogs should not get close to strangers.
On their collars, bells are always present. Four-legged hunters sometimes go long distances, and in dense thickets, they can easily be lost. And the ringing of the bell is heard from afar.
For hunters in Greece, at least some element of orange clothing is required. In a fit of excitement, people can shoot without waiting for the appearance of the beast. A bright color, visible from afar, is a kind of safety element. They also carry with them a stick called "glitz". She protects herself from vipers, of which there are many in this area.
Buying a Hellenic Hound puppy
Taking care of puppies is pleasant but difficult. It is necessary to grasp the character of each. From the very first day of birth, the dog should be surrounded by love. They need not only to look after them, but also to constantly communicate. At the age of two months they are weaned from their mother and their training begins. After all, hounds are born hunters.
Professionals know everything about these dogs. They give them all their warmth and care. In addition, experienced breeders vaccinate puppies, conduct them antihelminthic procedures. Of course, Hellenic hounds are recommended exclusively for hunters.
Therefore, parents of babies should be working dogs. You need to choose a future pet by observing him in games and his behavior with brothers. For hunting, individuals of active and frisky dominant behavior are preferred.
Arriving at the nursery, you must ask the owner for all the above details. You can only get this type of hound in Greece. Connect with professional owners and reserve a future friend, internet allows. They will even show you the puppy on Skype, and transfer the money by bank card. When the time comes, all that remains is to buy a ticket and go after your future four-legged hunter. The cost of a puppy will depend on gender, exterior and abilities.
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