Transylvanian Hound – Everything You Need to Know About These Amazing Dogs

The Transylvanian Hound is an even-tempered, versatile, and ancient breed native to Hungary. These hunting pups are renowned for their exceptional sense of smell, loyalty, and devotion to their owner.

They’re a beautiful Hungarian dog breed and not one many of us know much about – which we think needs to change.

Transylvanian Hounds are medium-sized dogs with a short, compact, and sleek coat. They’re usually black and tan and often have wonderful little tan eyebrows.

Not only are these doggos a great companion for hunters, but they’re also wonderful family pets. They’re playful, intelligent, and have lots of stamina to play with kids for hours on end.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Transylvanian Hound.

History of The Transylvanian Hound

Transylvanian Hounds are ancient dogs first bred in the area around the Carpathian Mountains in Transylvania. As you might imagine from a typical hound dog, these pups were bred to hunt.

They’re incredibly skilled trackers and hunters and were used to hunt all kinds of game.

Because of the diverse terrain around the mountains and the introduction of agriculture, two versions of the Transylvanian Hound naturally developed – the long-legged Transylvanian Hound and the short-legged.

Long-legged pups were used to hunt large game such as buffalo, boar, and lynx, whereas the shorter-legged variety tended to hunt rabbits, foxes, and hares.

These dogs were most popular during the Middle Ages when they were a chosen favorite of the aristocracy. They loved their hunting abilities as well as their gentle and playful personalities.

Sadly, however, other hounds became more popular over time and these pups were nearly extinct at the beginning of the 20th century. In 1968, a group of determined breeders set about ensuring the future of this hunting dog using the few dogs that were left.

Today, there are several of the long-legged variety in both Hungary and Romania but the short-legged Transylvanian Hound sadly disappeared.

Although more common than they were, the Transylvanian Hound is still considered a rare breed.

Temperament of The Transylvanian Hound

As well as being an excellent hunting dog, the Transylvanian Hound is also gentle, friendly, and amenable. They love being at the heart of any active family and will be perfect, loyal pets.

Like many hound breeds, the Transylvanian Hound is very active and needs lots of daily exercise. They’ll enjoy going for runs, long walks, or playing with their canine friends.

But don’t forget about their brains too! These dogs are very intelligent and need to keep their brains active too. Challenging puzzle toys can be a great way for them to learn new skills and be entertained.

Something many Transylvanian Hound owners love about these good-natured dogs is their versatility. They can be expert trackers of a scent in the field and loveable, playful pups at home. They’re a fabulous all-round pooch for active families.

Do Transylvanian Hounds Get On With Kids?

Yes! These dogs are very affectionate and get on really well with kids. They’re playful, respectful, and have huge amounts of energy – perfect for entertaining kids for a while.

As is the case with all pups, it’s really important you train and socialize your Transylvanian Hound well so that they get used to being around small children and learn how to play correctly.

Equally, it’s important to teach kids how to interact with dogs properly. Playing is great, but even the sociable Transylvanian Hound has its limits.

Do Transylvanian Hounds Get On Well With Other Dogs and Pets?

Originally, these pups would have been bred to be part of a hunting pack, so they tend to get on well with other dogs. Again, they must be socialized well so they learn correct doggie behavior.

These pups may even get on well with cats they’ve grown up with, as long as they’re introduced to each other correctly.

Because Transylvanian Hounds belong to the scent hound group, it’s not a good idea to get a Transylvanian Hound if you have smaller pets in the home such as rabbits, gerbils, or guinea pigs. They may be tempted to chase and hunt them.

Training a Transylvanian Hound

The Transylvanian Hound is a smart dog but they do have a lot of natural instincts which could get in the way of quick training. These dogs love to hunt and they generally understand what their owner wants – they just might not like it which could be a problem.

Consistent and positive training is crucial for these dogs. All training sessions need to be kept light and fun too so that they don’t get bored. For scent hounds, intriguing snuffle mats can be a great training tool and help to keep them engaged and entertained.

Reward them for good behavior and never scold them, as this can lead to negative behavior.

Can Transylvanian Hounds Live In Apartments?

These dogs are active and prefer to have space to play in and explore. Ideally, these pups will have access to a fenced-in yard and get lots of daily exercise.

Even though they are active, they’re not particularly hyperactive pups (unlike the excitable Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla) and can adapt well. If you’re willing to take your pup out for more external stimulation and give them plenty of time running around, some Transylvanian Hounds can live in apartments.

Does The Transylvanian Hound Bark?

These pups are known to let off a high and loud bark to alert their hunting humans to prey. However, it’s uncommon for Transylvanian Hounds to bark when at home.

They’re usually calm and relaxed when they’re in their safe space, although they can be attentive and won’t mind alerting you to potential dangers.

Appearance of The Transylvanian Hound

The Hungarian Hound (as they’re also called and not to be confused with the Hungarian Greyhound) is a medium-sized dog that’s athletic, muscular, lean, and very elegant.

These pups are usually black and tan, although the American Kennel Club also accepts red and white and black, tan and white. Some may have dark brown and tan markings.

They have a short and dense coat which is sleek and shows off their muscular appearance. Like many hounds, these beautiful dogs have long ears that fall adorably around their face and large, almond-shaped eyes that are very expressive.

Size and Weight of The Transylvanian Hound

This active breed grows to be between 22-26 inches and weighs a minimum of 55 pounds. There’s not a huge amount of difference in size between males and females.

Do Transylvanian Hounds Shed?

Yes, these pups do shed so they’re not a good choice if you suffer from allergies (you should check out these low-shedding, hypoallergenic dogs instead).

They’re a double-coated breed that has a slick top coat and a dense and fluffy undercoat which keeps them warm in cold temperatures.

They’re likely to shed a bit more during the shedding seasons (when the temperature changes) and you may need to brush them more often.

Grooming a Transylvanian Hound

As we mentioned, these dogs do shed so you’ll need to brush them once a week. It’s best to use a strong bristle blade and a rubber coat glove. A hound glove could also work well.

As well as brushing these dogs, their nails should be kept to a short and comfortable length (if you’re not sure how to do this, ask a vet or groomer). Transylvanian Hounds also have long and floppy ears so it’s really important you clean and dry them well to prevent infection.

It’s also a good idea to practice good dental hygiene – so try to brush your dog’s teeth daily if you can.

Transylvanian Hound Health

These pups are usually very healthy dogs and aren’t predisposed to many diseases. It is, however, important to select a reputable breeder so you know you’re getting a healthy and happy Transylvanian Hound puppy.

Even though they are generally healthy, they can still suffer from some conditions which potential owners should be aware of:

• Hip Dysplasia
• Elbow Dysplasia

Ethical breeders should be carrying out regular screenings of their breed stock to make sure these conditions aren’t being passed on.

Lots of exercise, love, trips to the vet, and a healthy diet can also help to keep your pooch healthy.

Lifespan of The Transylvanian Hound

These wonderful dogs can live to be between 10-14 years old.

How Much Exercise Does A Transylvanian Hound Need?

As a trusted hunting companion, these dogs need a minimum of an hour’s exercise a day. If you can, aim for 90 minutes split into two 45-minute sessions.

They’ll love running, playing, and accompanying you on a long walk. The Transylvanian scent hound also does well in dog sports and it’s a great opportunity for them to learn new skills and blow off some steam.

Medium-sized herding balls can also be a good toy to use with these dogs as it will help to keep them active and engaged.

Feeding a Transylvanian Hound

The Transylvanian Hound performs best on a diet of high-quality dog food. They need to receive enough calories to allow them to lead their active lives but not too many that it leads to weight gain.

There are lots of different brands of fresh dog food that could be a great match for your Transylvanian Hound. They’re all made from nutritious, canine-approved ingredients that keep pups healthy and full!

Treats and snacks can be a great way for you to reward your pooch for good behavior and they also help with training. It’s important not to give your pooch too many treats as this can lead to weight-related issues. Check out the BarkingTalk Food page for more healthy snack ideas that dogs love.

The Ideal Owner for a Transylvanian Hound Dog

Because these dogs are quite versatile, they can be the perfect family pet for many different owners. But, one thing all owners need to be is active.

These dogs love being outdoors exploring and playing and they need an owner who leads an active, outdoorsy lifestyle. They’ll enjoy long walks, trips to the beach, and will be happy to accompany hunters too.

Because they can be slightly stubborn when it comes to training, it’s best if these dogs are not adopted by first-time owners. They need someone with a bit of experience when it comes to hound training.

Adopting a Transylvanian Hound

At BarkingTalk, we think the best place to adopt a pup is always from your local shelter. There are so many amazing dogs looking for their forever home and you may just find a Transylvanian Hound (although unlikely).

If this isn’t an option, it’s really important to research an ethical breeder and avoid ones that won’t give you health certificates or information about the parent dogs.

It’s likely that you’ll have to wait a while to adopt a Transylvanian Hound as they are still considered a rare breed. But it will be well worth the wait!

How Much Does a Transylvanian Hound Cost?

These pups don’t come around very often and they’re quite rare outside of Hungary and Romania. This naturally increases the price. You can expect to pay around $1000 for a Transylvanian Hound depending on where you live and possible breeders.

Conclusion – Should You Adopt A Transylvanian Hound?

If you want to adopt an active yet versatile medium-sized dog, then the Transylvanian Hound could be perfect. These loveable dogs are really loyal and are excellent hunters and family pets. They get on well with small kids and other pups and are devoted to their families.

Training might take some effort as these dogs will prefer to spend their time sniffing new smells or keeping themselves entertained. If you use positive reinforcement and give these dogs plenty of exercise, they’ll soon come round and be your obdient and adoring canine companion.