Bosnian Coarse-haired Hound

A hunting dog bred in Bosnia, the Bosnian coarse haired hound is also known as the Barak. Originally belonging to the scenthound, they are trained for big hunting games. They have a very shaggy coat filled with crude or hard hair which passes as the most striking and characteristic feature. The coat is usually yellowish or greyish with white marks covering the body.

A normal healthy dog has a body length ten percent more than the height. These sizes are usually given to distinguish the Bosnian Coarse-haired Hound from other hounds. They weigh around 16 to 24 kg and are 46 to 55cm tall. The Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound is a tough and well muscled dog. They have large eyes oval in shape with an intelligent yet playful expression.

These dogs have a friendly appearance of a wagging tail as it is curved slightly upwards. It has a regal appearance that does not fail to draw attention. This makes the Barak excel in dog shows. They are energetic and spirited dogs as well as bold and unrelenting. They are family dogs are known to be loyal and of good companionship. They make very good playmates for children because of their lively nature.

These dogs are stocky and powerfully built with a solidly boned leg. The Bosnian hounds have a deep and sonorous voice. They have a powerful stride which helps them to excel in all sorts of games in various terrains. The Bosnian Rough haired Hounds are accustomed to roaming the mountains to hunt and cannot be confined in a particular space.

This dog is a hunter’s dream and their hunting abilities and skills take precedence over the looks. Though they are used for hunting, they also require minimal care and affection. The coat should be brushed at least once a week to rid the long and shaggy coat of its tangles and dirt. Whereas baraks used as pets or show dogs need more care and maintenance. The coarse coat of the dog must be brushed every day to avoid the collection of dirt and formation of tangles. This type of rough hair must be should be plucked and not cut as it would damage the consistency and texture of the coat. These dogs must have their ears cleaned and teeth brushed regularly whether they are used for shows or hunting. Great care should be taken while giving the dog a bath. The dogs are responsive to criticism and react best to positive remarks and reinforcement.

While these dogs are usually known to be very healthy they do tend to suffer from a few health problems. Dislocations of the knee, frequent eye laceration, difficulty in pregnancy are just a few. The dogs grow to be fit if proper amount of exposure to exercise is given. Many of the kennels around the world don’t recognise this breed of scenthounds but the few that have registered it feel it an exceptional pet and promote the coarse haired hounds.