Scenthound Medium size 16-20 kg

Posavac Hound

A gentle, hardworking Balkan tracking hound that needs space and daily scentwork - its independence and voice suit a rural rather than urban home.

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Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Medium
Size
16-20 kg, 46-58 cm tall
High
Activity
Endurance hunter needing long daily exercise
Low
Alone-time tolerance
A pack hound happiest in company
Moderate
Handling
Independent and nose-driven
Low
Coat care
Short coat, minimal upkeep
Good
Fit with kids
Even-tempered and gentle with family
Good
Other pets
Social with dogs; strong prey drive to small animals
Moderate
Health burden
Hip dysplasia, bloat risk

The Posavac Hound typically weighs 16-20 kg, stands 46-58 cm, and lives 12-14 years.

Consider this breed if…

you live rurally with space and daily access to walking or tracking ground,
you want a gentle, low-maintenance family hound with a short coat,
you enjoy scentwork or tracking and want to give a nose a real job,
you can tolerate a deep, carrying hound voice.

Do not consider this breed if…

you live in an apartment or have close neighbors sensitive to baying,
the dog would regularly be alone 6 or more hours,
you want reliable off-leash recall - the nose usually wins,
you keep rabbits, cats or other small pets it would chase.

A typical day with a Posavac Hound

  1. 6:30 · Morning
    Long walk or a tracking session, 45-60 min
  2. 9:00 · Midmorning
    Rest after exercise, chewing
  3. 12:30 · Noon
    Short sniff walk in the yard or field
  4. 16:00 · Afternoon
    Scent games or a training session
  5. 18:30 · Evening
    Second longer walk or free running in a safe area
  6. 21:00 · Night
    Settles calmly with the family after a full day

Temperament and training

Prey and scent drive Very high
Independence High
Sociability High
Vocality High
Trainability Moderate
Sensitivity Moderate
Common owner mistakes
Trusting off-leash freedom near roads or livestock · Under-exercising and then blaming the resulting restlessness · Expecting quiet - the baying voice is part of the breed

Family and environment

Kids Good
Gentle and patient; sturdy enough for family life.
Dogs Good
A pack breed that usually enjoys canine company.
Cats Difficult
Strong prey drive; risky with cats and small pets.
Apartment Poor fit
Voice and exercise needs clash with flat living.
House with a yard Suitable
A secure fence is essential for a nose-led escapee.
City Poor fit
Baying and space needs make city life hard.
Countryside Ideal
Room to work and track is exactly what it wants.
Health data provided by RealVetCost
Overall health burden Moderate

Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.

View the full health profile
Top health concerns
Hip dysplasia Screen breeding stock for hip scores
Bloat (GDV) Feed smaller meals, avoid exercise right after eating
Chronic ear infections Long ears need routine cleaning
Hypothyroidism Manageable with daily medication once diagnosed

Similar breeds - by reason

Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.

Another Balkan scenthound of similar build and drive
Istrian Short Haired Hound
One of the older Balkan scenthounds, gentle and biddable for a hound - still driven by scent and needing daily exercise and secure fencing.
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More widely available pack scenthound, smaller
Beagle
A merry, kid-proof scent hound that follows its nose over your commands - and tells the whole street when left alone.
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Comparable medium hunting hound with a strong nose
Harrier
A sturdy, sociable pack hound like a bigger Beagle - cheerful and good with company, but energetic with a nose that pulls it away.
View profile →

Frequently asked questions

Is a Posavac Hound good for apartment living?
It is a poor fit. This is a working scenthound bred for long days tracking over Balkan terrain, and it carries a loud, baying voice that neighbors will hear. It needs a lot of daily exercise and does best in a rural home with space and secure fencing.
Can a Posavac Hound be trusted off leash?
Usually not. Once the nose locks onto a scent, recall tends to lose. In open country far from roads and livestock some owners manage supervised free running, but for most situations a long line and a securely fenced yard are the safe choices.
How much does a Posavac Hound cost in the US?
The breed is very rare outside the Balkans and essentially not established in the US, so expect to import, join a waitlist, and pay import and transport costs on top of the purchase price. Across a 12-14 year life, routine food, preventive vet care and supplies commonly add $10,000-$18,000 or more, before any treatment for illness or injury.
Is a Posavac Hound good with children?
Yes, it is typically gentle and even-tempered with its family and sturdy enough for normal household life. As with any hound, teach children to respect it while it eats or sleeps, and never leave young kids unsupervised with any dog.