Overview
The Serbian Tricolour Hound is closely related to the Serbian Hound and was for years treated as a colour variety of it. It shares the same medium build, short dense coat and hunting purpose, the only clear difference being the white markings on chest, legs and face. Numbers are small even in Serbia, and it is a genuine rarity in Britain.
This is a working scenthound in every sense. Owners describe it as calm, kind and attached to its family, but also as a dog that would rather follow a fox line than a human one. A walker should plan for that honestly.
Exercise and walking needs
Give an adult around ninety minutes of activity daily, including at least one brisk, varied walk. The breed thrives on movement and new ground, and short, repetitive routes leave it restless and inclined to roam.
Tracking games with treats or a dragged toy are a good way to use the nose safely and tire the dog without miles.
On the walk
- Recall: Weak in the face of scent. A hound that has found a line will follow it, and it will be fast. Keep it on a line unless the space is enclosed.
- Pulling: Steady rather than violent, but constant when there is something to follow. A padded harness is worth the owner's money.
- Other dogs: Generally relaxed and tolerant with dogs of all sizes, thanks to its pack background. Introductions still on lead.
- Weather: The short coat copes well with cold while moving but offers little cover when standing still or wet. Keep stops short in winter.
Tips for professional walkers
- Make the long line standard. The freedom it gives the dog takes most of the tension out of the walk.
- Reward check-ins generously, every time. You are building a habit against a strong instinct.
- Scan the route ahead for deer, rabbits and ground-nesting birds, and shorten the lead before the dog notices them.
What to ask the owner
- Where did the dog come from, and does it have any hunting history the owner knows about?
- What does recall look like for this dog, and where has the owner ever let it run free?
- Does the dog bay or howl, and is that an issue for neighbours around collection time?