The Estonian Hound is a scent hound dog breed originating from Estonia, and, although it was meant to be a working breed, its popularity as a companionship dog continues to increase. Its medium size makes it very suitable to be kept indoors, for instance in apartments, as long as its need for daily exercise is properly respected. Long walks are the perfect outlet for all that energy it has in store. After all, it "ain't nothin' but a hound dog". However, it will not cry all the time, provided that you acknowledge its lovable presence, and it will be a friend of yours for life. Its general appearance bears a resemblance to the Beagle, another famous hunting dog breed, especially in terms of colors and floppy ears. It has a strong bone structure and well-developed muscular mass.
The most striking physical traits of the Estonian Hound are its warm brown eyes, keen scent and white-tipped tail. One simply cannot resist those soulful big eyes. The shiny coat is a blend of blackish brown and saddle-like red or yellow patches on the back, with white belly and tip of the tail.
It has a cheerful and energetic temperament and it gets attached equally to all members of the family, including small children, because it loves the human presence and it always seeks attention. It is well-behaved and quiet indoors if you walk it regularly, at least one hour a day. It is best to be walked on a leash, to prevent accidents, as they can pick up a scent and follow it wherever it may lead them to. If you are hardly home or not willing to share some of your time with it, keep in mind that it can suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for too long. Another remarkable breed trait is the pleasant hunting voice, not harsh on the human ear, unlike other hound breeds. It adapts very well to all kinds of environments and weather conditions.
This breed is the only one native to Estonia and, due to its high intelligence, it can be easily trained. In addition, it responds very quickly to obedience training, mostly advised due to the fact that this breed tends sometimes to be shy. Moreover, due to its short coat, grooming this pet does not take much of your time, unlike long-haired breeds, which are high maintenance. It sheds on an average level and it requires only occasional bathing and no professional grooming. In terms of health, it does not require many trips to the vet, because this breed is predisposed only to minor allergies and sinus infections.
The standard weight of this breed is between 33 and 44 pounds and the standard height is 17 to 21 inches. A relatively new breed, this hound is very friendly and never aggressive, making it an excellent playmate even for small children. Also, it gets along with other dogs, as well as with cats, if exposed to them from an early age. It loves the stability of a family and a home and being a very affectionate breed, it also likes to socialize, while being protective of its family members. Its stable and loving temperament makes it very safe to keep around children - to whom it can be a really true friend.
This good-natured breed is an excellent family companion. Adopting an Estonian Hound is indeed most rewarding you just have to see for yourself.
