Posavac Hound

Also known as: Savetalbracke, Posavaski Gonici

The Posavac Hound comes from the Posavina lowlands in Croatia along the Sava River, where farmers used it to hunt hare and fox through marshy fields and river valleys. The short, dense, reddish tan coat with white markings makes the dog easy to spot against brush while working. An adult male weighs around 24 kilograms, medium-sized and enduring, built to work in damp lowland terrain. The breed is almost unknown outside Croatia and remains mostly in the hands of local hunters. It bays loudly on catching a scent while trailing. Temperament is affectionate toward its handler but strongly scent-driven, so it needs serious physical outlets. Grooming stays minimal thanks to the short coat. Life expectancy runs 12 to 14 years.

Browse dog food sized right for this breed

Posavac Hound: how old in human years?

44–56 cmHeight
16–24 kgWeight
12–14 yrsLife expectancy

Tyrolean Hound

FCI group: Scenthounds and Related Breeds
FCI section: Section 1.2: Scenthounds, Medium sized
FCI: 154
Country of origin: Croatia

Energy level

5/5
Trainability

3/5
Family friendly

3/5
Grooming need

1/5

At a glance

Height

Males 44–56 cm

Females 44–56 cm

Weight

Males 16–24 kg

Females 16–24 kg

Life expectancy

12–14 yrs

Coat

short, dense (short)

Temperament & Family Life

Posavac Hound'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

Posavac Hound'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

Posavac Hound's guarding and alertness traits are moderate.

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

Grooming & Care

Posavac Hound's grooming needs are low.

Shedding 2/5
Drooling 2/5
Grooming need 1/5

Living with the Posavac Hound

In the Sava river valley in Croatia, where this dog comes from, hunters say you can recognise a good hound by its voice before you ever see it. The Posavac Hound goes into the woods to work: it follows a hare or fox on the trail, sticks with it for hours and tells you by voice where it is the whole time. It has plenty of energy and needs serious exercise every day.

Long hikes, running beside a bike, tracking and search games all suit it. It learns reasonably well, but an independent hunting dog listens to its nose first, so recall stays a lifelong project and off-lead running is only safe in fenced areas. The prey drive is very strong; cats and small pets will be quarry, not neighbours. There will be a fair amount of barking, especially out of boredom.

With its family it is affectionate and calm, though more of a working partner than a lap dog; it gets along with children once they learn to respect its quiet time. It is good with other dogs and a little reserved with strangers at first, but it won't make a guard. A flat is too small for it: it does best with a hunter or an active family with a garden, where every day has a purpose.

Grooming and coat

Coat care here takes less time than your morning coffee. The Posavac Hound's hair is short, dense and close-lying, so dirt doesn't cling to it for long and most of the dust falls away on its own. A weekly rub with a rubber brush or a grooming mitt and it shines again. It sheds little, and it only needs a bath when a walk ends in a puddle or in something worse.

Save your attention for the things you don't see at first glance. Lift the hanging ears every week and look inside; redness, discharge or a bad smell means it's time for the vet. After a hike through scrub, check the paws and skin for thorns, and look at the nails every few weeks.

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