Bosnian Coarse-haired Hound (Barak)

Also known as: Barak dog, Barak Hound, Bosnian Hound, Bosnian Barak, Illyrian Hound

The Bosnian Coarse-haired Hound, known locally as the Barak, is one of the oldest hunting breeds in the Balkans, mentioned in records dating back to Ottoman times. The wiry, rough coat protects against the thorny brush and colder air of Bosnia's mountainous terrain. An adult male weighs around 24 kilograms, sturdy and enduring, built for long hunting days in the mountains tracking boar or fox. Coat care needs periodic hand-stripping to prevent uneven matting. The breed is practically unknown outside the Balkans and faces some risk from its small population size. Its voice carries strongly, meant to reach the hunter across mountainous distances. Temperament is independent and persistent, better suited to working life than indoor living. Life expectancy runs 12 to 14 years.

Browse dog food sized right for this breed

Bosnian Coarse-haired Hound (Barak): how old in human years?

46–56 cmHeight
16–24 kgWeight
12–14 yrsLife expectancy

Istrian Wirehaired Hound

FCI group: Scenthounds and Related Breeds
FCI section: Section 1.2: Scenthounds, Medium sized
FCI: 155
Country of origin: Bosnia and Herzegovina

Energy level

5/5
Trainability

3/5
Family friendly

3/5
Grooming need

2/5

At a glance

Height

Males 46–56 cm

Females 46–56 cm

Weight

Males 16–24 kg

Females 16–24 kg

Life expectancy

12–14 yrs

Coat

wiry, rough (wire-haired)

Temperament & Family Life

Bosnian Coarse-haired Hound (Barak)'s average temperament and family-life score for this breed is moderate.

Family friendly 3/5
Good with children 3/5
Good with other dogs 4/5
Friendly with strangers 2/5
Intelligence 3/5
Trainability 3/5

Exercise, Energy & Space

Bosnian Coarse-haired Hound (Barak)'s energy and exercise needs are high.

Energy level 5/5
Exercise need 5/5
Apartment friendly 1/5
Prey drive 5/5
Hunting instinct 5/5

Guarding & Alertness

Bosnian Coarse-haired Hound (Barak)'s guarding and alertness traits are moderate.

Guarding instinct 1/5
Watchfulness 3/5
Barking level 4/5

Grooming & Care

Bosnian Coarse-haired Hound (Barak)'s grooming needs are low.

Shedding 2/5
Drooling 2/5
Grooming need 2/5

Living with the Bosnian Coarse-haired Hound (Barak)

Somewhere in the fog between the hills a deep, singing bay rises, drifts away and comes back: that is a Barak on a trail, telling the hunter by voice exactly where the game is now. This Bosnian scenthound was bred to follow a track for hours over rough country, and that stubborn diligence is still very much alive in it.

It has energy to spare and needs a lot of exercise, so a stroll around the block won't tire it. Its best day is a long hike in the forest, tracking work, search games or, of course, a hunt. It learns reasonably easily, but its nose often wins over your commands: one whiff of a hare and it may simply leave. Its prey drive and hunting instinct are very strong, so let it off lead only in a securely fenced area, and introduce cats very carefully. It is vocal outside the forest too, so neighbours behind thin walls may hear about it sooner than you'd like.

It usually gets on very well with other dogs, as scenthounds traditionally work in packs. With its family it is calm and affectionate and copes with children, though it is reserved with strangers at first. A flat is cramped for it; it does best in a house with a garden, with people who love the woods themselves and don't mind muddy paws by the door.

Grooming and coat

The Bosnian Coarse-haired Hound's coat is hard and rough, as if cut out for mountain scrub: thorns and rain slide off it, and dried mud mostly drops out on its own. It sheds little. Go over it with a stiff brush once a week, and a few times a year the old, loose hair can be plucked out by hand or with a stripping knife. It rarely needs a bath, since shampoo only softens a coat that is meant to stay harsh.

After every trip to the woods, check the muzzle, armpits and between the toes: seeds and burrs love to tangle in that bearded face, and needles get stuck between the pads. Lift the hanging ears once a week and look inside; redness, discharge or a bad smell is a reason to see a vet. Check the nails every few weeks if running doesn't wear them down.

How to do it:

By age:

Health and possible conditions

We don't have reliable health information specific to this breed, so we don't list conditions here. Keep up regular vet check-ups, and if you are getting a puppy, ask the breeder about the parents' health testing.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.

Food for medium breeds — cheapest per kg

This list is chosen by the breed's weight (24 kg) rather than the breed itself: shops label food by dog size, so every breed of the same size gets the same list. Prices are updated daily.

≈ 280 g of dry food a day, from €15,29 a month For a neutered, normally active 20 kg dog. Calculate for your dog