If you are a person looking for a breed with some background, you have picked the right one: the Cretan Hound. Canine specialists claim that it has been around for 4000 years and it is one of the oldest European breeds. As an excellent hunter, the dog was used by the people of Crete in the hunting of hare since the Minoan civilization. From Crete and the Greek Colonies, the breed was taken to Egypt and northern Africa, and it is believed that its great abilities have even made it an item of trade between Cretan merchants and European ones.
Appearance of the breed
This is a slender looking dog, similar to the Russian Hound in bone structure. It has wedge shaped head and muzzle, medium sized, erect ears, high set and with slightly rounded tips. The body is lean yet strong. The main characteristic of the Cretan Hound is the tail, carried upwards during a chase, forming a ring otherwise. The coat is both long and short, depending of the area of the body covered. The coat can be white, cream and fawn, sandy, grey or black. It can be bi or even tri-colored.
Personality and abilities
Gentle and affectionate with children, the dog is a faithful companion for a family. Its temperament is well balanced, making it a good pet. Obedience is not an issue, nor is training, as this is a very intelligent and attentive breed. As far as a hunting companion, the dog will be best suited for hare hunting as it has a very high prey drive. Professional hunters use it mainly for starting the prey and for chasing. Its physique allows it to reach dangerous and rocky terrain. It has great stamina, agility and it is relentless with the chase.
Care and maintenance
As a short-haired breed, it is an average shedder and will not need extensive grooming. Being a hunter by nature, it will get into places from where it will come out dirty and smelly, and you must just get used to that. Use a mild soap when cleaning it as short coat breeds tend to lead to skin irritations faster. Nails must be trimmed regularly as in the case of all dogs, and they need good food and regular exercise. Overall, it is a very healthy breed, with no genetic diseases potential owners should be aware of.
Conclusion
This is a breed with a tale and with personality. It has a lot of great traits and it can make for a great family pet. One thing specialists want to emphasize, though, is the fact that, as in the case of most dogs, a house with a back yard or the proximity to a park, a forest or open field is best suited for a dog pet. The Cretan Hound makes no exception from the rule, and what is more, the more it gets to exercise, the healthier, happier and better companion it will be.
