Bosnian Broken-haired Hound - Called Barak

Other names: Barak Hound, Bosnian Rough-Haired Hound, Bosnian Coarse-Coated Hound, Bosnian Rough-Coated Hound, Bosnian Broken-Coated Hound, Bosnian Hound, Illyrian Hound, Bosanski Ostrodlaki Gonic, Barak

Bosnian Broken-haired Hound - Called Barak

The Barak Hound is a dog of medium size with a distinctive shaggy coat. These scent hounds were bred for the purposes of hunting wild boar, fox and hares. They have an excellent drive to work, especially in the region of Bosnia and Herzegovina, where they hail from. In fact, this dog is the only recognised breed from this area. 

Key facts about the Bosnian Broken-haired Hound - Called Barak

Life expectancy :

6

18

11

13

Temperament :

Affectionate Playful Intelligent Hunter

Size :

Origins and history

There is not much documented history for the Bosnian Hound. It is understood to have developed from cross breeding a native and a local scent hound in Bosnia and Herzegovina, together with an Italian gun-dog, to produce a Barak. The name “Barak” actually translates from the Turkish language to mean, coarse-haired or rough-haired dog. 

FCI Group

FCI Group

Group 6 - Scent hounds and related breeds

Section

Section 1 : Scent hounds

Physical characteristics of the Bosnian Broken-haired Hound - Called Barak

Adult size

Female dog : Between 18 and 22 in

Male dog : Between 18 and 22 in

Weight

Female dog : Between 35 and 53 lb

Male dog : Between 35 and 53 lb

Coat colour

Brown
Blue
Sand

Type of coat

Long
Hard

Eye colour

Brown

Description

This medium sized scent hound’s most distinctive feature is his very shaggy coat. The head’s size is in proportion to the body and has a round skull shape. The Barak Hound has exaggerated eyebrows, a moustache and a hairy beard. A medium length neck tops a square-shaped body and well-muscled legs. This breed has a long tail that is slightly curved and covered in hair.

Good to know

The Bosnian Hound is not generally kept as a companion dog. He can be a loving, sociable and friendly dog but he also has a huge prey drive. He needs extensive exercise routines and stimulation or he will become easily frustrated and bored. If you are drawn towards this dog as your choice of pet, make sure that you can commit to his training and socialisation routines, and likewise, give him lots of exercise and activities.

Temperament

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    Affectionate

    In the home, the Barak Hound is quite happy to follow his family around and is generally easy going and often affectionate.

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    Playful

    As a lively, active dog, the Bosnian Hound makes an ideal playmate for older children. Generally quite tolerant and gentle around children.

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    Calm

    The ideal temperament for the Barak Hound, according to the breed standard description, is calm and docile.

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    Intelligent

    Although this dog is intelligent, he can sometimes be rather stubborn too.

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    Hunter

    An amazingly good tracker and hunter. Bred initially to hunt wild boar, foxes and hares. 

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    Fearful / wary of strangers

    As this breed has a pack-hunting background, it is usually good around children and other dogs, yet will often be wary of strangers. 

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    Independent

    As a tracking dog, he is bred to think and work alone in the field. This is therefore quite an independant breed.

    Behaviour of the Bosnian Broken-haired Hound - Called Barak

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      Tolerates solitude

      Barak Hounds are very loyal dogs who attach themselves to their master. Because of this, they don’t tolerate being left alone for long periods of time.

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      Easy to train / obedience

      Training the Barak Hound can often be quite challenging because of his high intelligence and stubbornness. He needs a trainer with a firm hand and consistent routines, to achieve the best behaviour. 

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      Barking

      When hunting, the Barak’s first instinct is to bark to alert his master to any prey. Compared to other hounds, he has a bark with a moderate to high frequency of sound level.

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