Montenegrin Mountain Hound

The Montenegrin Mountain Hound has won a place in the hearts of hunters and ordinary people looking for a companion dog. The dog shows affection and devotion to its family, is famous for its malleable character and ability to learn. Hound prefers to always be close to his owner. Treats children very affectionately, withstands active pressure from them.

Breed Photos

Origin History

The history of the Montenegrin Mountain Hound dates back to the southwest of the Balkan Mountains of Yugoslavia. Many centuries ago, the ports were located at the crossroads of important trade routes. Travelers and traders brought European hounds to the region. Then they mingled with local breeds and started the Yugoslavian breeds. All hounds were similar in appearance, but the Montenegrin had a smoother coat.

At one time, this breed was known as the Yugoslavian Mountain Hound. In hunting, it showed its best qualities. The hound is adapted to take an old trail and follow it for several hours in dense vegetation and all weather conditions.

After the referendum in 2006, when Serbia and Montenegro became separate states, the Yugoslavian was renamed the Montenegrin Mountain Hound. It is rarely seen outside the country.

Appearance

The head is elongated and long. The muzzle is wide at the base, the back of the nose is straight. The eyes are usually small, from light to dark shades of brown. The neck is not massive and muscular. The teeth are well developed. The body is rectangular. The croup is slightly sloping. The chest is deep; the abdomen is visibly picked up. The tail is quite covered with wool and tapered from the base to the end. The limbs are strong, parallel to the body. The hound’s elbows are tight to the chest. The rolling joints are very strong. The coat is short and dense. Color black with brown tan above the eyes, on the muzzle, and lower parts of the limbs.

Character

The Montenegrin Mountain Hound has won a place in the hearts of hunters and ordinary people looking for a companion dog. The dog shows affection and devotion to its family, is famous for its malleable character and ability to learn. Hound prefers to always be close to his owner. Treats children very affectionately, withstands active pressure from them.

The Montenegrin Mountain Hound is wary of strangers and sometimes even aggressive. It is also a fan of barking, so you must take care of this point thoroughly. Otherwise, there will be a problem.
First of all, the hound is a working dog, so the owner should pay special attention to training and socialization. There is an opportunity to raise the hound as a guard dog.

On the walk, being a hunter, the hound can react to stray animals, give in to excitement and instinct. Therefore, even at an early age, it is necessary to allow the dog to get used to the environment. When getting acquainted with his relatives, the hound may show aggression to take a dominant position. The owner should control this process. The Montenegrin Mountain Hound always finds common ground with pets, especially if they have lived in the same house since childhood.

Care

The Montenegrin Mountain Hound is not suited to life in an apartment. It is best suited to an insulated aviary and a large, spacious area. The dog should not spend a lot of time in the sun. Otherwise, there is a chance of heatstroke.

Usually, after a long walk, the dog gets dirty. It is unnecessary to bathe it constantly; it is enough to wipe it with a damp cloth. A special brush should be used to comb out the hair of the pet. Mouth hygiene can be maintained with special treats that prevent plaque.

Training

The Montenegrin Mountain Hound is very obedient and perfectly trainable. However, it often shows stubbornness when it does not like something. In such cases, you should not mistreat the dog; you need to be patient. The best strategy is to encourage the pet with a treat. It will make the training process an absolute pleasure. The owner must remain the leader in the eyes of the hound.

Otherwise, it will stop obeying him. The hound needs to move all the time so that active walks will become a necessary routine. They can even be done to their advantage, such as cycling with the hound. Walking and training can be combined, teach the dog right in the process of playing.

Common Diseases

It is important to check the hound’s paws for stabbing plants after each walk. The Montenegrin Mountain Hound, like many hunting dogs, can suffer from ear infections. You should not forget about their hygiene.

Here are the diseases to which the Montenegrin Mountain Hound is prone:

• degenerative myelopathy; joint dysplasia;
• myositis;
• conjunctivitis.

Nutrition

The health and longevity of a dog are directly dependent on nutrition. The hound’s diet should include the meat of animal origin. Other sources of protein: cottage cheese, eggs. Do not forget about carbohydrates and fiber, which is found in bran or cereals. Water without impurities should always be readily available. It can be taken with you in a separate container directly on the walk. Starch and sweets should not be given to the dog.