Transylvanian Hound: Your Complete Guide

The Transylvanian hound is a rare dog breed originating from Hungary. This black and tan colored dog is renowned for its scent dog abilities, and it has a long history as a hunting and working dog. Many individuals today interested in the Transylvanian hound enjoy the loyal companionship this dog brings, their active natures, and their loving nature.

Our complete breed guide gives you insight into the Transylvanian hound, as it’s important to learn all you can about this breed if you are interested in adopting one into your family. Below, we discuss the temperament of the Transylvanian hound, their exercise and training needs, and other vital care information for this pup.

Quick Look at the Transylvanian Hound

Below is a quick glance at this special breed in terms of their physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament, and grooming needs.

What Is the History of Transylvanian Hounds?

The Transylvanian hound, also known as the Transylvanian scent hound or the Hungarian hound, originated in Hungary and Transylvania around the ninth century.

This dog was a favorite of the Hungarian aristocracy during the Middle Ages, and there were originally two varieties of the Transylvanian hound – tall and short. Both of these varieties of Transylvanian hounds were historically used to hunt game, with the different sizes of dogs allowing them to target different types of game.

During the Second World War, the Transylvanian hound was almost completely wiped out. Recovery operations began for the breed after the war, and though the short variety of this dog has disappeared for the most part, the tall variety of the Transylvanian hound is benefiting from dedicated efforts to improve its numbers and preserve the breed’s heritage.

Today, the Transylvanian hound is still used for hunting and scent dog work, though they also find their place on farms or as working as part of a pack. This breed is also becoming more popular as a family companion, as they are known for their reserved nature, their loyalty, and the fun, active lifestyles they bring to their owners.

What Do Transylvanian Hounds Look Like?

The Transylvanian hound is predominately black with tan markings, and their overall coat coloring is very similar to the Rottweiler. These dogs have brown eyes and a black nose, a long head that isn’t pointed, and somewhat floppy ears that will hang down to their cheek.

The Transylvanian hound has an alert, open, and intelligent expression, and they are often well-muscled and athletic in appearance. This breed has longer legs and a straight tail that may have a slight curl at the end of it.

What Size Is a Transylvanian Hound?

The Transylvanian hound typically stands between 18 and 26 inches tall and weighs between 55 and 77 pounds. This breed is considered a medium-sized breed, and males will generally be larger than females.

What Is a Transylvanian Hound’s Coat Type and Length?

The Transylvanian hound’s coat is short and smooth, and the fur will often feel dense to the touch. These dogs have a coat that appears fairly shiny, and it doesn’t need a huge amount of maintenance or bathing to stay in good condition.

What Is a Transylvanian Hound’s Temperament?

The Transylvanian hound is known for its somewhat quiet and reserved temperament, though this dog can be courageous, determined, and focused when needed. The Transylvanian hound is both playful and active, and they do require a fair amount of exercise and interaction playing with their families in order to stay happy.

The Transylvanian hound is adaptable, and while they thrive in farm or working environments, they can be just as happy as a family companion to owners with an active lifestyle. These dogs require lots of mental stimulation and training, and they form strong bonds with their owners.

It’s important to socialize your Transylvanian hound early in life to ensure they get along well with other dogs as they get older, as this breed can be a little suspicious of others.

Are Transylvanian Hounds Good With Kids?

The Transylvanian hound is generally good with children, as long as the children are older and won’t play roughly with this dog. Overall, the Transylvanian hound is a good protector, and they can be tolerant of lots of play, but they are a medium-sized dog and lots of play with very young children or those who don’t know how to interact safely with a dog might want to be avoided.

Are Transylvanian Hounds Good With Other Animals?

The Transylvanian hound tends to get along well with other dogs, and they are happy working in a pack, especially if they are part of a hunting pack or group of dogs on a farm.

These dogs do have a little bit of natural suspicion about them, which can lead to them being standoffish at first, but plenty of socialization and training as this dog grows up helps them fit into families with other animals.

Your Transylvanian hound may not be the best choice for being around small animals such as cats or hamsters, as they do have a somewhat high prey drive and they may chase other animals. Training can help curb this behavior, but interactions between your Transylvanian hound and small animals should be monitored.

Are Transylvanian Hounds Aggressive?

The Transylvanian hound is not known to be aggressive, but they can be protective and territorial in the face of a threat. These dogs are brave, and they aren’t afraid to bark, growl, or snap at someone or something they deem out of place.

Do Transylvanian Hounds Bark?

Transylvanian hounds aren’t the most vocal dogs, but they are known to bark if they are trying to alert their owner to something or voice their opinion. However, these dogs are adaptable and easily trained, and they can be taught not to bark excessively. Outdoors, if alerting their owner to game while hunting or tracking a scent, these dogs do bark fairly loudly.

Are Transylvanian Hounds Affectionate?

The Transylvanian hound is fairly quiet and reserved, but they can be very friendly with their families, and they don’t hesitate to show their affection. These dogs enjoy being active alongside their owners and spending time in the same room as their families when possible, and they are a very loyal breed.

You can expect your Transylvanian hound to be slightly mistrustful of outsiders at first, but they do warm up to people after they’ve met them a few times.

Are Transylvanian Hounds Intelligent?

The Transylvanian hound is a very intelligent dog, and they often develop the skills for problem-solving as they are allowed to roam around on a farm or in another outdoor area. These dogs have very keen noses and they will follow scents for miles out of curiosity, so it’s important to keep your dog trained and in a fenced-in area to stop them from wandering off.

Your Transylvanian hound will likely need regular and consistent training, as these dogs can become bored and destructive when they don’t have the proper mental stimulation to keep them happy and learning.

Are Transylvanian Hounds Energetic?

Transylvanian hounds are a high-energy and active breed, and these dogs will need a fair amount of exercise and playtime to stay happy. You can expect your dog to need at least two to three long walks each day plus an hour of dedicated playtime.

Regular activities like hiking or playing in a dog park are also a great way to help your friendly dog get their exercise and socialization needs.

Are Transylvanian Hounds Easy to Train?

The Transylvanian hound is a fairly easy to train dog, as they are intelligent and eager to please their owners. These dogs require a fair amount of mental stimulation to stay happy, and daily training sessions help to meet this need.

You can expect your Transylvanian hound to easily pick up on routines, learn complex tricks, and be a good candidate for agility training thanks to their athletic nature.

Are Transylvanian Hounds Good Watchdogs?

Transylvanian hounds are courageous, and they make good watchdogs. These dogs can easily be taught certain commands that make them suitable guard and watchdogs, and they are both brave and alert. This breed will have no problem barking to alert their owners to a threat, nor will they have an issue making themselves look threatening to an intruder.

Are Transylvanian Hounds Good Service Dogs?

The Transylvanian hound may be a good candidate for working as a service dog, as these dogs are alert, intelligent, and generally willing to learn or work alongside their owners.

However, the Transylvanian hound does need a fair amount of exercise, and it’s important they receive this exercise in between their service dog duties to stop them from becoming too bored or destructive.

The Transylvanian hound may also be a good candidate for acting as an emotional support animal or a therapy dog, as long as proper care and training are received when they are not working or providing comfort.

How to Care for a Transylvanian Hound?

The Transylvanian hound is a unique breed, and it’s important to keep this dog’s basic care needs in mind as you add them to your family.

To start with, the Transylvanian hound needs both exercise and training to stay healthy and happy throughout their lives. You should have an active lifestyle or adopt this dog to work as a hunting dog or farm dog in order to keep them physically stimulated.

You will also need to train your dog to keep them mentally stimulated and to curb any unwanted behaviors like excessive barking or chasing small animals.

Your Transylvanian hound will be adaptable and happy to live in an apartment or home as long as their exercise needs are met, and this dog will need their own space in your home complete with a bed, toys, and other items to keep them happy when you aren’t around.

Your Transylvanian hound shouldn’t be left alone for long hours, and they tend to be happy when in a pack of dogs.

Make sure your Transylvanian hound receives regular vet care and is brushed on at least a weekly basis to keep them looking and feeling their best during their time with you.

Do You Need to Groom a Transylvanian Hound?

Your Transylvanian hound won’t need to be professionally groomed too often, as their hair is relatively short and smooth. These dogs will need brushing at least once or twice a week to remove dead or shed hair, and they will only need to be bathed and trimmed as needed.

Do Transylvanian Hounds Shed?

The Transylvanian hound sheds about an average amount, and brushing can help remove any hair and stop it from gathering around your home. This breed is not considered hypoallergenic.

What Health Problems Do Transylvanian Hounds Have?

Like many other dogs, the Transylvanian hound may be prone to certain health issues for genetic or inherited reasons. With this breed, you should look out for signs of health problems such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and eye problems.

You can prevent health issues from becoming worse by monitoring your dog’s behavior and taking them for routine veterinary visits to catch health problems before they become too serious.

How Long Do Transylvanian Hounds Live?

The Transylvanian hound likes an average of ten to fourteen years. You can help your dog live their healthiest and happiest life with proper care, lots of exercise, and routine vet visits to ensure they feel their best.

What Should a Transylvanian Hound Eat?

The Transylvanian hound is a medium-sized active dog, and they should generally be eating between one and three cups of food per day. You can feed this breed wet or dry food, and you will need to split their meals up into two or three each day.

The exact amount you feed your Transylvanian hound depends on their exact size, how active they are daily, and the type of food you are feeding them. You can consult with your vet for more specific feeding guidelines for your dog.

Is a Transylvanian Hound the Right Dog for Me?

The Transylvanian hound is a loyal, courageous, and talented scent hound, and these dogs are known for being very adaptable. This breed may be happy working on a farm, though they also make good family companions due to their good-natured attitudes and ability to be both affectionate and protective.

The Transylvanian hound is the right dog for you if you need a hunting or working dog with a good attitude, if you have an active lifestyle and want a unique companion, or if you are looking for another friendly dog to introduce into a home that already has one or two dogs.