COUNTRY: USSR
HEIGHT: 22-27 inches
COAT: Moderately short, very dense
COLOR: Yellow/red; may or may not have a black saddle and/or small white markings
OTHER NAMES: Kostroma Hound, Russian
Drab Yellow Hound, Gontchaja Russkaja
GROUP: Hound
Scent hounds have been used in Russia as far back as any European country, probably before the Middle Ages. In fact, the Russians feel that their indigenous Russian Hound was crossed with the laikas many years ago to obtain the smaller ears, oblique eyes, thick grayish undercoat and more wedge-shaped head. By the early 16th century, writings confirmed the presence of fine hounds with "loud and melodious baying" that were used for hunting hare.
Although the Russian Hound has changed gradually over its long history through the introduction of European hounds and selective breeding, it maintains many of its earlier qualities. It is the hound most suited to the Russian hunt, as well as the country's climate, and hunting with hounds is the Russian national sport.
In the early 20th century, the Russian Hound had many minor regional differences based on its locale or breeder, and was often named for these places or people. The first Soviet Cyno-logical Congress adopted a standard for the breed in 1925, based on the dogs bred in the Kostroma region. Soon regional distinctions were obliterated, and today the Russian Hound is one of the most populous breeds in the country, with many thousands registered. These dogs are slightly longer than tall and thick set, with a quiet, even temperament.
Although at one time hunted in packs, modern dogs are usually hunted singly. They are hounds with a keen nose and particularly great persistence and endurance in pursuing game (mainly hare, but occasionally fox). Their voices are rich and melodious and must carry across vast distances. Soviet hunters say they can recognize individual dogs from afar by their distinctive sound, either bass, baritone, tenor, alto or a high-pitched treble. As the Russian dog researcher Dmitri Dimov describes, the hound's voice is the symbol of the hunt, "singing to the glory of the joyous hunt in the autumn Russian forest. In these moments, a true hunter forgets about his gun. Tears come to his eyes, and emotions take his soul. . . . For such moments, do the true fanciers keep their hounds."
Although the Russian Hound has changed gradually over its long history through the introduction of European hounds and selective breeding, it maintains many of its earlier qualities. It is the hound most suited to the Russian hunt, as well as the country's climate, and hunting with hounds is the Russian national sport.
In the early 20th century, the Russian Hound had many minor regional differences based on its locale or breeder, and was often named for these places or people. The first Soviet Cyno-logical Congress adopted a standard for the breed in 1925, based on the dogs bred in the Kostroma region. Soon regional distinctions were obliterated, and today the Russian Hound is one of the most populous breeds in the country, with many thousands registered. These dogs are slightly longer than tall and thick set, with a quiet, even temperament.
Although at one time hunted in packs, modern dogs are usually hunted singly. They are hounds with a keen nose and particularly great persistence and endurance in pursuing game (mainly hare, but occasionally fox). Their voices are rich and melodious and must carry across vast distances. Soviet hunters say they can recognize individual dogs from afar by their distinctive sound, either bass, baritone, tenor, alto or a high-pitched treble. As the Russian dog researcher Dmitri Dimov describes, the hound's voice is the symbol of the hunt, "singing to the glory of the joyous hunt in the autumn Russian forest. In these moments, a true hunter forgets about his gun. Tears come to his eyes, and emotions take his soul. . . . For such moments, do the true fanciers keep their hounds."
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