Originating from the mountain regions of Czechoslovakia, the Black Forest Hound is a hunting breed, used specifically to track down wild boars. The reason behind its name is pure marketing, meant to grow the popularity of this dog in the United States. In its homeland, it is known as the Slovenský kopov, which means Slovakian Hound. Probably, the American name has something to do with the color of its coat, but nothing is for certain.
Although its history goes back until ancient times, the breed was first registered by the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) in the second half of the twentieth century, more specifically, in 1963.
Judging by the look of it, the Black Forest Hound seems like a regular hunting hound. It is medium sized, weighting approximately 16 kg, at a height of about 46 cm at the withers, on average. Its body is muscular and solid, yet quite lightly built. The head has a rectangular shape and is pretty long, with a muzzle which is not too broad, but also long. The eyes of the dog are round shaped, dark and with a vivid expression. The ears are typical for hounds, namely of medium length and droopy. The large nose gives it a great olfactory perception, allowing this dog to hunt relying solely on its scent. Having a rectangular body shape, the back line is straight, the chest is broad, and the legs are long and straight. This gives the impression of the dog being taller than longer. As for its tail, it is pendant, most of the time. And, just like the name suggests it, the Black Forest Hound has a black coat, short and dense, with tan markings on the legs and muzzle.
When talking about the temperament of this breed, we can say that it is a very intelligent dog, just like all other predators. Training it might become difficult, if not started at a young age. But, due to its quick adaptability and being an easy learner, it will readily become an obedient dog. As for its socialization skills, it is known that this dog is dominant with other pets, in general, and with smaller ones, in particular. It loves spending time with its human family, being very affectionate and protective. Sometimes, the owner's feeling towards a strange person can be betrayed by the dog's behavior. Because it understands those feelings, it will often display an aggressive attitude towards people who do not seem too friendly with its master. All in all, the Black Forest Hound makes a good pet and it is a great companion for children, and also a great partner for grown-ups, especially when they are looking for someone to join them in their outdoor activities.
It will do well in an apartment, only as long as its high requirements, concerning physical exercise, are met. Ideally it should have plenty of open space at its disposal. Otherwise, if confined to a closed space, it might develop a destructive attitude. The Black Forest Hound is an active animal, born to hunt wild boars deep in the mountains; and for this reason alone, the owner should be well-aware of the dog's needs, in order to build a healthy and lasting relationship with it.
