The Greek Hound, also known as the Greek Harehound or Hellenic Hound, is a breed of dogs of the scent hound type. This is an ancient breed that dates all the way back to the period in which Greek Gods were the rulers of the world. It has been always used for scenting and tracking hare.
The Greek Hound is a medium-sized dog with a robust body. Its well balanced structure gives the dog all the ingredients necessary to hunt all kinds of prey. Its skull is slightly flat and the muzzle has the same length as the head. Its long forehead and brown eyes emphasize an intelligent expression and the black nose and strong jaws transform it in a fearful hunter. Its wide nostrils can follow any track of the preys on every terrain. The ears are set high and have rounded tips. The neck is strong and muscular and the chest is deep. The trunk of the dog is longer than its feet. The back is beautifully arched and offers a wonderful shape to the entire body. Its entire conformation is supple and stable. The tail is thick at the base and set high. The coat is short, dense and hard to the touch. The colors of the coat do not vary - all the dogs are black with tan notes but sometimes, they can have a white patch on the chest.
There are some slight differences between males and females the former are slightly taller and stronger than the latter - but they generally weigh 38 to 44 pounds (17 to 20 kg) and they are 18 to 22 inches (47-55 cm) tall.
These hounds can hunt alone or in packs, it does not matter, they are set on finding the prey and please their master. They are fast, courageous and independent hunters that use their melodious voice while hunt. The timbre changes in accordance with the degree of the hunting. If it finds anything, it will never forget to warn the master first.
Greek Hounds have a friendly personality and are great with older children. They love to play and tolerate even other stranger dogs without fuss. However, they need a patient owner that has the time to understand and offer them all they need. Their energy and agility can be overwhelming for the inexperienced ones, but, anyway, their training is quite a challenge. They love to be independent and dynamic, but with a little patience, they gradually become obedient and very protective with their families. They really need a lot of space to run and exercise and regular walking are not enough for these enthusiastic dogs. They must do their job as tracking because they are natural-born hunters.
Grooming is minimal - they only need regular brushing and occasional washing. They are really healthy and can live up to 12 years.
The Greek Hound is an affectionate and energetic dog that is perfect for the athletes or hunters who want a devoted companion with a great personality.
