Polish Hunting Dog

The Gonczy, as called in their country of origin and by lovers of the breed, is a particularly benevolent dog who are close to their master. Beyond being an excellent utility dog, they also make wonderful companions for the whole family.

Play time can be of great help towards the training of this Polish puppy. In adulthood, the Polish Hunting Dog will remain playful but not excessively.

These dogs, despite their needs to tire themselves out, have a rather calm temperament.

This dog’s intelligence lies in their ability to adapt: they can be hunting, guard, companion or show dogs. They excel at everything they do, having the drive to do well and satisfy their master.

An excellent hunting dog, they are mainly used for wild boar and deer hunting. They have a fantastic flair and brilliant sense of direction, which makes them an ideal choice of dog to assist hunters.

Without being aggressive, the Polish Hunting Dog is, however, rather suspicious of strangers. They need time to analyse and a proper introduction in order to gain their confidence.

Like many hunting dogs, the Polish Hunting Dog knows how to be independent, however, their devotion to their owners does give them a certain sense of dependence, nevertheless, it’s very measured.

Very close to their social group, this hunting dog can withstand being away from their owners, but only if they are used to it from an early age.

Particularly docile, the Polish Hunting Dog, is very easy to train as they feel the need to satisfy their owners.

Sometimes stubborn, like any hunting dog, good training must therefore begin as soon as the Polish Hunting puppy arrives at their adopted home.

The educational bases should be acquired smoothly and in a positive way.

Recall will be advantageous in order to keep a check on this dog, especially during walks.

When hunting, the Gonczy is renowned for barking. Depending on the gender, the tone varies: it’s more high-pitched in females.

Their exceptional sense of smell sometimes compels this hunting dog to follow certain paths without turning back. In a matter of seconds, they can be very far away from their owner. It’s therefore essential to work hard on recall and giving up, allowing the dog to pull back.

Working dogs must be stimulated on a daily basis, both physically and mentally. For the Gonczy polski, exerting their sense of smell and mental capacity is very important. If they become bored, they would then take matters into their own hands to occupy themselves.

Without being a particularly greedy dog, the Gonczy are good eaters.

As well as being a very sought-after hunting dog, they make very good guardians who can quickly analyse the dangerousness of a situation. Also, their characteristic bark allows them to raise warning at any suspicious noise or the slightest intrusion.

It’s not recommended to have a hunting dog living in a confined space without giving the opportunity to stretch their legs in an open garden.

This dog must live outside; they need space to express their full potential. Walks around the city, a simple park or a neighbourhood simply won’t do.

No much faster than any other but on the hand very durable, this dog is a true athlete within a soul that can excel in many canine disciplines such as cani-cross, agility, dog-dancing, searching, flyball etc.

Clearly, with good training, this dog can quickly reach the podiums of different sports competitions.

They must be well socialised to different stimulating environments to be able to accompany their owners when travelling around. Their average size is not necessarily always welcomed on public transport, but their calmness allows them to be transported with discretion.

Beware of the preying instinct that is very prevalent in this breed. It’s better if the puppy grows up around a cat so they can live together harmoniously.

Initially, this dog hunted in a pack. Today they often act solo or with two or three other dogs. Early, good-quality socialisation from a young age allows this dog to develop and strengthen their canine conduct.

With a gentle, soft and kind background, the Gonczy enjoys the company of children, as long as they respect the dog.

Although working dogs are not particularly recommended for the elderly, they actually have a balanced and settled temperament that can coincide with a calmer lifestyle. On the other hand, their physical capacity should not be overlooked, and the use of a dog-walking service would be absolutely necessary.

This dog possesses many qualities, whether as a pet or a working dog. They can therefore be a pleasure for most owners, even first-timers. However, it’s not advisable to adopt this breed just on a whim: it’s crucial to consider all of the dog’s characteristics, needs and instincts.