Montenegrin Mountain Hound

Mostly black with reddish-tan markings on the head and lower legs with an occasional spot of white.

The Montenegrin Mountain Hound has a gleaming coat that has a short, abundant top coat and a dense undercoat. 

Brown.

Agile, lean and muscular, the Montenegrin Mountain Hound is an athletic dog. It has a rectangular-shaped body, a powerful neck, a broad back and deep chest. The head is somewhat narrow with well-developed muscles. The dog’s ears are moderately long, oval in shape and set high on his head. 

Although originally bred for hunting purposes, the Montenegrin Mountain Hound is also a wonderful companion dog. They are affectionate, loyal and devoted, providing they are properly socialised. 

These hounds have boundless energy and a playful nature and make good playmates for children.

The Montenegrin Mountain Hound is prized for his energy, vivacity and even temper.

A very smart and intelligent hound.

Originally bred as hunting dogs but in more recent years they have become more of a family pet. Certainly tenacious when used for hunting, capable of chasing after hares and foxes, deer and wild boar. 

These dogs are friendly around strangers in the home.

A very self-assured, friendly, independent dog.

Certainly a very loyal and loving dog who will form a devoted bond with the family. Because of this, he won’t be too happy being left alone for long periods.

This is an intelligent dog who responds well to training. Keep in mind however, that he can be quite headstrong too, so probably not ideal for an inexperienced dog owner. This breed does best when trained with persistence and patience.

As a scent hound, the Montenegrin Mountain Hound will tend to bark to alert his master to his prey. Likewise, in the home, unless trained otherwise, he can be quite noisy.

These hounds have a natural instinct to run off and hunt. A secure, fenced outside space should keep this dog contained safely. 

The Montenegrin Mountain Hound needs lots of mental stimulation to keep him occupied, otherwise he can become bored and destructive in the home.

Not a greedy dog, although he won’t say no to an odd snack or two.

This dog is very alert and he will certainly let you know when any unwanted visitors are around. 

As an active and energetic breed, the Montenegrin Mountain Hound has a need for lots of exercise. He makes an ideal hiking or jogging companion. Consideration must also be given to his temperament, as he can be very wilful and headstrong. He may be a challenge for an inexperienced handler. 

This dog probably won’t adapt too well to living in a small flat or house. He much prefers space to run around outside where he can happily burn off his unspent energy. 

This is a very energetic and active breed. These Hounds need a great deal of exercise each day, especially outdoor activities. This dog’s great stamina makes him a brilliant jogging or biking companion dog. 

This hound will cope well travelling in a dog cage in the rear of a vehicle, however he is not recommended for journeys on public transport due to his size and high energy.

With his strong hunting instincts, the Montenegrin Mountain Hound is a danger to cats and other small pets.

This dog can be rather stubborn at times and may appear unfriendly towards other canines.

The Montenegrin Mountain Hound makes a brilliant family pet, and will get along just fine with children. Of course, early socialisation plays a large part in his integration.

This hound is a very energetic, active, noisy dog, who will not be best suited to a lifestyle with an elderly owner. 

An average shedder.

This breed's average life expectancy is between 11 and 13 years.

A very strong, energetic dog, with lots of stamina.

With his short haired coat, this dog will have no issues during periods of warm weather.

As a hound who hunts through many difficult terrains in all climates, he won’t have any issues in colder weather.

As a working breed, provided the Montenegrin Mountain Hound receives plenty of exercise, he shouldn’t gain weight too easily. However, a more sedate lifestyle can see him becoming obese quite easily. 

• Hip dysplasia
• Ear infections
• Field injuries

The Montenegrin Mountain Hound has the same origins as the other common dogs of the Balkans. The first standard of this breed, which has also been called the Black Hound in the past, dates back to 1924. The FCI officially recognized the breed in 1969.