Origin: Estonia
Origin of Name: The Estonian Hound is a scent hound-like breed which is the only dog breed developed in Estonia.
Size | Temperament | Shedding | Drooling | Monthly keeping cost | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Medium | Zero High |
Negligible Hair Everywhere |
Zero Excess |
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The Estonian hound is a very recently developed breed, and its history is very well documented. The history of this breed begins in the early 20th century. Estonia was occupied by various foreign powers since the early Middle Ages, including the Vikings, the Danes, the Teutonic Order, the Svedes, and Russia. Prior to 1914, Estonia's Hunting Dogs were largely descended from English foxheads, various Polish Hunting Dogs, and several Russian hounds, which had been imported into the country since 1700. These dogs were probably crossbred with native Estonian Hunting Dogs, about which nothing is known next, and German Scunthound breeds. During World War I, Estonia fought a successful war of independence against the Soviet forces of Vladimir Lenin and the German forces of Kaiser Wilhelm II. A brief but prosperous period of independence followed. During this period, many Hunting Dogs from Finland, which became independent of Russia in World War I, were imported to Estonia. These Finnish hounds proved to be uniquely suited to work in Estonia and began changing breeds of pre-existing dogs. Prior to World War II, odor wounds were used to hunt all modes of game in Estonia, but large mines such as deer, boar and wolf were preferred. Estonian independence came to an end when the Soviet Union illegally annexed Estonia in 1940, using global prejudice with the Nazi advance over Paris in the Annexe.
In 1947, the Soviet Union issued a decree that all member states must develop at least one unique national dog breed. The reasons behind the act were complex and complex, but included achieving national pride after World War II, impressing upon the population that the Soviet Union was indeed a confederation of states and not a Russian-dominated empire, and dogs There were practical concerns for the need for. Special for local conditions. Although most Soviet countries developed their breeds primarily from local dogs, Estonia did not have pre-existing dog types that were considered suitable. In the years prior to 1947, Estonian large game populations were rapidly declining, and many observers believed that many species were at risk of extinction in the country as a whole. An act was passed, which made it illegal for anyone in Estonia to use Hunting Dogs, which were more than 17 long at the shoulder. It was thought that this height restriction would make it impossible to use dogs to hunt big game. Additionally, hunting was restricted to foxes, rabbits, and small vermin species. Some sources claim that the Soviet Union initiated the development of the Estonian hound in the 1930s, but this is unlikely because Estonia was an independent nation at the time.
These new rules put Estonian dog breeders in a slight dilemma. They were to develop a new dog breed, but it was to be smaller than any existing hunting breeds in Estonia. Breeders began working with the smallest native Hunting Dogs, but it was immediately clear that smaller hunting breeds would need to be imported from other countries. A large number of breeds were imported into Estonia from across Europe to improve the makeup of the newly developing Estonian breed. Due to its small size and excellent hunting abilities, the beagles and the Dakshunds were given great importance. Swiss Lofhunds, particularly Schweizer Löfhund, Luzerner Lufhund, and Berner Lufhund, were not only in favor of their size and hunting skills, but also for their ability to thrive in free climates. Those five breeds formed the basis of the Estonian hound breed, in addition to the smallest examples of pre-existing Estonian Hunting Dogs. It is also possible that some other breeds were also added such as the Drevar, Westphalian Dachtschrack, Alpine Daxbrake and Swedish and Norwegian Schnaud, but this is less clear.
The Estonian Hound does not require a lot of grooming. Seasonal flea treatment is required, but a dog's shearing by a professional groomer is not necessary. Ears and eyes should be cleaned regularly to avoid infection. The Estonian Hound is a great choice if you don't have the time, skills or money to care for a high-maintenance dog. Recommended for beginners.
As with all breeds, initial socialization and puppy training classes are recommended. This breed has a reputation for being difficult to house. However, in every other case, it is very easy to train them. For example, They like to perform tricks and learn new ones quickly. They respond very well to training based on positive rewards rather than harsh or negative methods. This breed is required to live with his family and is likely to result in undesirable behaviour if he is regularly left alone for long periods of time.
This breed is classified as ""somewhat active"", but is average. Long segments of quiet activity are often spread with brief bursts of high activity, often simply moving around the house or yard. In addition to walking, daily play sessions are required. Another dog can be a good exercise partner, but they will still need quality playtime with his owner. A fence-backed backyard is a good idea; Bichons are surprisingly fast, and if someone makes a dash for freedom, it can be difficult to catch or call you back. They enjoy obedience, agility and participating in rally competitions.
They should perform well on high-quality dog food, whether it is commercially manufactured or prepared with the supervision and approval of your vet. Any diet should be appropriate for the age of the dog (puppy, adult or senior). Some dogs are at risk of being overweight, so watch your dog's calorie consumption and weight level. Treatment training can be an important aid, but giving too much can lead to obesity. Know which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. If you have any concerns about your dog's weight or diet, check with your vet. Clean, freshwater must be available at all times.
It does not appear, however, that any health study has been conducted on the Estonian hound which makes it impossible to make a definitive statement about the health of the breed. In fact, no details about the health of this breed are available. Most believe that the Estonian hound is a relatively healthy breed. This dog has benefited both from commercial and backyard breeding practices as well as being bred primarily as a Working Dog. This does not mean that the Estonian hound is immune to genetically inherited health conditions, but it does mean that this breed is less likely to suffer from them than most purebred dogs.
Although skeletal and visual problems are not considered a major problem in this breed, it is advisable for owners to test their pets by both the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and the Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF) . OFA and CERF perform genetic and other tests before identifying potential health defects. It is particularly valuable in detecting conditions that do not appear until the dog has reached an advanced age, it is especially important for anyone considering breeding their dog , Which has tested them to prevent the spread of potential genetic conditions to their offspring. It is very reasonable to request that breeders show any OFA and CERF documents that they have a puppy or its parents, which will essentially be all respectable breeders.
Although health studies have not been conducted on Estonian hounds, they have been on many closely related and similar breeds. Based on these studies, Estonian hounds may be susceptible to the following conditions: