Scent hound Medium size 20-25 kg
Yugoslavian Tricolor Hound
A tenacious Balkan tracking hound for active rural owners - friendly at home but driven in the field.
Match with your household
See match detail → Quick overview
Medium
Size
20-25 kg, 44-54 cm at the shoulder
High
Exercise needs
High; built for endurance tracking
Moderate
Alone-time tolerance
Copes with a normal work day
Moderate
Training
Independent worker; nose wins out
Minimal
Coat care
Short coat, minimal grooming
Good
Fit with kids
Friendly and steady with children
Moderate
Other pets
Sociable; watch small-animal chase
Light
Health burden
Generally hardy working breed
The Yugoslavian Tricolor Hound typically weighs 20-25 kg, stands 44-54 cm, and lives 12-14 years.
Consider this breed if…
you are active outdoors and want a steady, tireless companion,
you can give long daily walks plus scent work for the nose,
you want a friendly, low-maintenance short-coated house dog,
you have secure fencing - a tracking hound will follow a trail.
Do not consider this breed if…
you need dependable off-leash recall near game or livestock,
you live in a small apartment with limited exercise,
you keep small pets it wasn't raised with and cannot manage the chase,
a baying, vocal hound would be a problem for your household or neighbors.
A typical day with a Yugoslavian Tricolor Hound
- 6:30 · MorningLong walk or run with time to sniff and track
- 9:00 · MidmorningRest at home after the morning outing
- 12:30 · NoonShort walk or a scent game in the yard
- 16:00 · AfternoonNosework or training, 15-20 minutes
- 18:30 · EveningLonger hike or safe off-leash exploration
- 21:00 · NightSettles calmly when its exercise is met
Family and environment
Kids Good
Steady and friendly with children.
Dogs Good
Pack-hunting roots make it generally dog-sociable.
Cats Conditional
Hunting drive means small pets need care; best raised together.
Apartment Conditional
Possible with heavy exercise, but baying tests neighbors.
House with a yard Suitable
A secure high fence matters; it follows a trail.
Seniors Conditional
Better for an active owner than a quiet household.
Countryside Ideal
Space and terrain match its working purpose.
Health data provided by RealVetCost Overall health burden Light
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 profileTop health concerns
Hip dysplasia Screen breeding stock; watch for limping
Chronic ear infections Drop ears trap moisture; keep them dry
Dental disease Plaque buildup; routine cleanings help
Working injuries Cuts, strains, and tick exposure in the field
Similar breeds - by reason
Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.
Closely related Balkan scenthound
Yugoslavian Mountain Hound
A hardy Balkan scenthound suited to active, outdoor homes - the nose and stamina need a daily outlet.
View profile →
Related regional hunting hound
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.
View profile →
Another Balkan tracking hound
Bosnian Rough Haired Hound
A hardy Balkan hunting hound with a shaggy coat - even-tempered and healthy, but the stamina and nose suit active or working homes best.
View profile →Frequently asked questions
How much does a Yugoslavian Tricolor Hound cost?
This is a rare Balkan hunting breed with little presence outside its home region, so availability is limited, waitlists are likely, and imports may be needed. Where puppies are available, prices are usually modest, often a few hundred to low four figures. The larger cost is lifetime care: food, routine vet visits, parasite control, and a reserve for injuries or illness over 12-14 years. Vet any breeder carefully given how few there are.
Is the Yugoslavian Tricolor Hound a good family dog?
At home, yes - it is typically friendly, steady, and good with children. The condition is exercise: this is a working tracking hound that needs long daily activity and mental work. A well-exercised one is calm indoors; a bored one bays and gets destructive. It suits active, outdoorsy families best.
Can the Yugoslavian Tricolor Hound be trusted off leash?
Cautiously at best. Bred to track game over distance, it can fixate on a scent and tune out recall. Many owners keep it leashed near wildlife or livestock and use long-lines or secure areas for freedom. Off-leash reliability takes committed training and is never fully guaranteed.
How is the Yugoslavian Tricolor Hound different from the Yugoslavian Mountain Hound?
They are closely related Balkan scenthounds of similar size and working type; the main visible difference is coat color, tricolor versus the mountain hound's black-and-tan pattern. Temperament and needs overlap heavily: both are friendly at home, driven in the field, vocal, and best suited to active rural owners.