Russian Harlequin Hound

The Russian Harlequin Hound is a very friendly dog with an easy-going personality. It is very attached to its owner and happy to spend time with him. It is not an indoor dog; it needs plenty of space and active walks. The hound is friendly with children but does not allow itself to be harmed. This breed needs a person who will continue to develop its hunting qualities.

Breed Photos

Origin History

In Russia, hunting was one of the most popular activities. Hounds did not have a single species back then. Each landowner considered it necessary to breed hounds. That is why there were often specimens with poor working qualities.

To remedy the situation, they decided to cross existing hounds with a Foxhound. At that time, this breed was considered the benchmark among hunting dogs. The result was a hardy breed with a graceful appearance.

However, the Anglo-Russian Hound was still not very popular, and breeding was haphazard. Only by the 1930s, a group of hunters, whose hounds were considered the most successful in all respects, was formed. These were the dogs of S. M. Glebov, P. A. Bereznikov and I. L. Kramarenko.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the descendants of English Hounds began to be presented at exhibitions. Unfortunately, after the collapse of the Russian Empire, the pets were again on the verge of extinction. In 1923 only eight specimens, which differed from each other by some external indicators, were exhibited at the show.

In 1925 the All-Union Canine Congress took place, where stubborn breeders presented the Russian Harlequin Hound. It shone in a new light before hunters and found a new peak of popularity.

Appearance

The head of the Russian Harlequin Hound is small. The transition from forehead to muzzle is smooth. The muzzle is narrow, resembling a triangle. The eyes are oval and medium-sized, mostly dark in color. The ears are floppy, tight to the head, triangular. The chest is deep and wide. The tail is saber-shaped, thick at the base. The limbs are strong and muscular. The coat is a short, well-developed undercoat. Coloration is white with black and red spots. They are also allowed gray-feather color and red-feather.

Character

The Russian Harlequin Hound is a very friendly dog with an easy-going personality. It is very attached to its owner and happy to spend time with him. It is not an indoor dog; it needs plenty of space and active walks.

The hound is friendly with children but does not allow itself to be harmed. This breed needs a person who will continue to develop its hunting qualities. Therefore, if you are not going to hunt or spend a lot of time on various walks, it is better to pay attention to another breed.

The dog shows no interest in strangers and can even stand up for itself, and the owner is threatened.

Therefore, it can be used as a guard but not kept on a leash for a long time.

The dog shows mad interest in other animals, so the hound must be introduced to the surrounding world from childhood. Active manifestation of the hunting instinct where it is not required should be prohibited.

In general, the dog is very independent, hardy, and has an excellent sense of smell. Therefore, it is trusted to search for an animal on its own. Thanks to the ringing bark that the hound uses during the hunt, the owner always understands at what stage the animal is caught. It is mainly hunting for fur-bearing animals. The Anglo-Russian Hound can hunt with or without a pack.

Care

The best condition for the life of a Russian Harlequin Hound is an insulated enclosure. The dog needs active walks every day. The hound has no special recommendations on care. Hair should be combed out with a special brush, and the dog should be bathed only if necessary, for example, after hunting.

After outdoors, check your pet’s paws and ears for scratches or debris. If irritation is not noticed in time, it may cause an infection in the future. Ensure good oral hygiene. Trim nails once every few months.

Training

The Russian Harlequin Hound has a stubborn character, which is very good in hunting but can complicate the training process. The main thing from the beginning is to let the pet understand who’s in charge. Let the training be like a game, at the end of which there will always be a tasty treat. The Anglo-Russian Hound learns new commands with ease. By about a year, the dog becomes prepared to participate in the hunt.

Common Diseases

The hound has a strong immune system. However, like all hunting dogs, the Anglo-Russian Hound has problems with its ears. Their hygiene should be monitored, and infections should be prevented. The dog spends a lot of time outdoors, so it is worth doing all routine vaccinations. It is better to inspect the coat after every walk.

The Russian Harlequin Hound is prone to such diseases:

• myositis;
• hip dysplasia;
• degenerative myelopathy.

Nutrition

The Anglo-Russian Hound needs a balanced diet. The portion should be increased if there was a lot of physical activity during the day. The diet should consist of meat of animal origin. The intake of carbohydrates, which are contained in oatmeal or buckwheat, is mandatory. Fish, dairy products, and meat will be excellent sources of protein. Don’t forget natural supplements, such as bones. Add greens to your food for vitamins.