ISTRIAN SHORT-HAIRED HOUND
Scenthound Group
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©Copyright 2006, United Kennel Club, Inc.



HISTORY

An ancient breed that originated in Croatia, the Istrian Short-Haired Hound is frequently encountered in Istria and neighboring regions, where it is highly prized for fox and hare hunting.

The Istrian Short-Haired Hound was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 2006.

The Istrian Short-Haired Hound has a noble appearance. It is a short coated, white hound with lemon markings, a long head and a supple body.

Gentle, docile, calm and attached to its owner, the breed is lively and enthusiastic when hunting.

SKULL - In profile, the frontal bone is slightly rounded, and the occiput is pronounced. From above, the skull is rather narrow, and there is a distinct frontal furrow. The stop is slight, with no abrupt break.

MUZZLE - The muzzle is long, broad at the base, and tapers progressively towards the nose. The nasal bridge is straight.

TEETH - The Istrian Short-Haired Hound has a complete set of evenly spaced, white teeth meeting in a scissors bite.

Disqualifications: Undershot or overshot bite.

NOSE - Black or dark brown, with wide open nostrils.

EYES - Oval in shape, and as dark brown in color as possible. The eyelids are black or brown. The expression is bright.

Disqualification: Blue eyes.

EARS - The ears are thin, broad at the set on, and taper towards the tips. They are set a little above the line of the eyes. They should not reach to the canine teeth when pulled forward.

Strong, slightly arched, and set obliquely into the body.

The shoulder blades are long and sloping, well attached to the body.

FORELEGS - The elbows are close to the body, and the legs are perfectly straight. The pasterns are short and very slightly sloping.

The body is approximately 10 percent longer than tall. The chest is well developed, deep and broad, but the point of the sternum is hardly visible. The ribs are well sprung. The topline slopes gently from the withers to the croup. The back is level, broad and muscular. The loin is short and broad. The croup is long and broad, flat or very slightly sloping. The underline rises gently from the sternum to the groin.

Seen from behind, the thigh, leg, hock and rear pastern are all on the same vertical axis.

HIND LEGS - The upper thighs are short, broad and muscular. The stifle is broad and high set. The lower thigh is long and sloping. The rear pasterns are short.

More cat than hare, with tight toes, and round pads.

Strong at the root, tapering towards the tip. The more slender the tail, the more noble the dog appears. The tail is set on high and barely reaches below the hock joint. It is slightly curved upwards.

Short, fine, dense, and glossy.

Disqualification: Long coat.

Solid white, or white with lemon patches or ticking.

Ideal height at the withers for males is 19.5 inches. For females, it is 18.5 inches. An adult male will weigh about 40 pounds, a female slightly less.

Very smooth, even and free.

(An Eliminating Fault is a Fault serious enough that it eliminates the dog from obtaining any awards in a conformation event.)

The presence of any third color, even if it is just a few hairs.

Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness or extreme shyness. Albinism. Undershot or overshot bite. Blue eyes. Long coat.