Slovak Hound (Slovakian Hound)

The Slovak Kopov is a strong and hardy hunting dog bred in Slovakia. It is highly prized for its working abilities and is used for hunting small game and wild boar. It requires proper training and is easy to maintain and care for. Other names: Slovak Hound, Slovak Brak.

Content

1 History of origin
- 1.1 Usage
2 The appearance of the Slovak copov
3 Character and behavior
4 Content Features
5 Health and life expectancy
6 Where to buy a puppy
- 6.1 Price
7 Photos and videos
- 7.1 Video about the Slovak Kopov breed

History of origin

Cynologists can only guess about the origins of the Slovak Hound. It is likely that it shares common ancestors with Austrian Brack, Polish Hound and other Central European hunting dogs. There is no documentary evidence regarding the breed's origins. It is only known that it has existed in what is now Slovakia for several centuries. Pure-breeding has been practiced since 1936. The breed was recognized by the FCI in 1963 under the name Slovenský kopov. In 1988, the Slovak Kopov Breeders' Club was founded.

Usage

The Slovak Kopov possesses all the qualities of a good scent hound: scent, endurance, speed, ferocity, and passion. It has a well-developed tracking instinct. Even after hours of tracking, it easily finds its starting point. It is used for hunting small game and wild boar. It is considered one of the best hunting dogs in its class.

The appearance of the Slovak copov

The Slovak Kopov is a sturdy, short-coated dog with a black and tan coat. The body is moderately elongated. Sexual dimorphism is pronounced.

Height at withers for males: 45-50 cm;
Height at the withers of bitches: 40-45 cm;
Weight: 15-20 kg

Viewed from above, the skull is rectangular, convex in front and flat between the ears. The stop angle is approximately 45 degrees. The muzzle is not very broad, with a straight nasal bridge. The nose leather is black, with open nostrils, and large. The lips are dry and close-fitting. The bite is a scissor bite. The eyes are almond-shaped, dark, and deep-set. The eyelids are black. The ears are medium-sized, pendant, flat, and set close to the skull, just above the line of the eyes. The neck is set at an angle of approximately 135 degrees, dry, and without dewlap.

The body is of an elongated format. The back is straight. The loin is wide. The croup is of medium length and sloping. The chest is full, and the ribs are well sprung. The belly is moderately tucked up. The tail is set slightly below the topline, tapering to a point. The legs are of medium length, strong, and well muscled. The paws are oval. The claws are black. The pads are dark in color and well developed.

The coat is close-lying, moderately coarse to the touch, and dense. It is 2-5 cm long, longer than the hair on the back and neck. The undercoat is dense. The color is black with red, brown, or red tan markings.

Character and behavior

Slovakian Hounds have a calm, even temperament. By nature, they are courageous, hardy, and dominant dogs with an excellent sense of smell and a passion for pursuing game. Intelligent, independent, and stubborn, they are very quick-witted and occasionally try to assert dominance within the family. This makes them difficult to manage in the hands of inexperienced owners. With proper training, they are obedient and make excellent hunting companions.

The Slovak Kopov is a pleasant and friendly family dog. They form strong bonds with their owners, are affectionate with other family members, and love children. They make excellent watchdogs and guard dogs. With proper training and socialization, they get along well with other pets.

Content Features

The Slovak Kopov is suitable for both indoor and outdoor living. It's well-suited to year-round outdoor living. It's not the best choice for a city apartment. It requires a lot of exercise and space to roam. In Slovakia, it's primarily kept by hunters and used for its intended purpose. It's a suitable companion only for very active people who can devote a lot of time to walking and exercising the dog.

The hound's short coat doesn't require much grooming. It only requires occasional brushing, bathing as needed, and regular maintenance of its eyes, teeth, and ears.

Health and life expectancy

The Slovak Kopov is strong and hardy. There are no known health issues. Life expectancy is 10-12 years.

Where to buy a puppy

The breed is widespread in Slovakia, where it is highly prized by hunters. There are also kennels in neighboring countries: the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland. Outside of Central Europe, they are virtually unheard of. There is no information on Slovak Hound kennels in Russia. Potential owners can learn about planned matings, stud dogs, and breeders on the website of the Slovak Hound Breeders' Club.