Posavatz Hound
A wheaten to reddish Croatian hound from the Sava valley, bred to hunt in dense lowland woods and marshes.
At a glance
- Size
- Medium
- Height at the withers
- Males 46–58 cm · Females 44–56 cm
- Weight
- Males 16–24 kg · Females 16–22 kg
- Life expectancy
- 11–14 years
- Exercise
- 90–120 min a day
- Grooming
- Once a week
- Coat
- Smooth, short
- Colours
- Wheaten, Red
- Bred for
- Hunting by scent
- Country of origin
- Croatia
- FCI
- Group 6, no. 154 · Scent hounds
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 4/5 – High |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 4/5 – High |
| Good with other dogs | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good with cats | 2/5 – Low |
| Open to strangers | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Energy | 4/5 – High |
| Playfulness | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Needs mental stimulation | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Easy to train | 2/5 – Low |
| Prey drive | 5/5 – Very high |
| Watchful and protective | 2/5 – Low |
| Barking | 4/5 – High |
| Shedding | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Grooming effort | 1/5 – Very low |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good for first-time owners | 2/5 – Low |
| Suits apartment living | 1/5 – Very low |
| Adaptability | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with cold | 3/5 – Moderate |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- hunt in woodland or marsh
- want a sturdy, low-fuss companion outdoors
- live in the countryside
Think twice if you …
- want a city dog
- have small pets
- cannot manage a dog that bays
Care
Temperament
Friendly and good-natured with people, lively and persistent on a trail. Usually gets on well with other dogs.
Exercise
Needs long daily walks and ideally hunting or scent work; it enjoys rough and wet terrain.
Grooming
Short, dense coat; brush weekly and dry the ears after wet outings.
Training
Cooperative but independent when tracking; build recall early and keep rewards high.
Health
Little health data is published for this rare breed; it is regarded as sturdy, and hip screening of breeding dogs is sensible. Ask the breeder for results.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Hips (HD)
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Posavatz Hound comes from the Posavina, the lowlands along the Sava river in Croatia. Local hunters kept it for centuries to work hare and fox in thick woods, reedbeds and wet ground, where a tough, determined dog with a good nose was needed.
It is a medium-sized, wheaten to reddish hound, often with small white markings. It remains a working breed and is seldom seen outside Croatia. At home it is usually friendly and calm, but it has a strong urge to follow scent and needs space and regular work to be content.
Did you know?
Its name comes from Posavina, the lowland region along the Sava river in Croatia.