Polish Hound

Temperament

The Polish Hound has two faces. At home it is calm, composed and unobtrusive: it likes lying next to its people and does not demand constant attention, though it values close contact with them. On a walk, the hunter wakes up: it takes up a trail with determination, and a good scent can pull it far away from its owner. It is intelligent but fairly stubborn and independent, because for centuries it worked on its own, far from the hunter. Training therefore takes calm, consistency and good motivation, usually food. It is reserved with strangers but not aggressive; it may bark at an intruder, and its booming voice makes an impression. It usually gets along with other dogs, having hunted in packs. Cats and small livestock can be another story: the urge to chase is strong and must be kept under control.

Energy

calmvery energetic

Affection

independentvelcro pet

With children

not idealgreat

With other pets

difficultgreat

Trainability

stubborneager to learn

For first-time owners

for experienced ownersyes

With strangers

waryoutgoing

Playfulness

dignifiedeternal puppy

Shedding

minimalheavy

Grooming

easydemanding

Being left alone

strugglescopes well

Apartment living

needs a house and yardgreat in a flat

Barking

quietvocal

With other dogs

difficultgreat

Protectiveness

lowhigh

Drooling

hardly anya lot

Cold tolerance

feels the coldexcellent

Heat tolerance

strugglescopes well

Scores of 1–5 compare the breed with other breeds of the same species, based on the sources at the bottom of the page. Every animal is different. How we score traits

Who is the Polish Hound for?

The Polish Hound is a dog for an active person, ideally living in a house with a yard on the edge of town or in the countryside, who enjoys long walks in the woods and wants to give the dog scent work. It does well in a family with children and with another dog. I would not recommend it for a downtown apartment, for people who value quiet, or for anyone who expects a reliable recall in every situation.

Size and looks

Care and exercise

A Polish Hound needs at least an hour and a half to two hours of exercise every day, ideally in woods or fields where it can sniff. The best activities are tracking games, mantrailing or scent work, which tire it out more than running alone. Letting a hound off leash where it may hit a fresh trail of deer or hare usually ends in a long search for the dog, so a long line of a dozen meters or more and a securely fenced yard come in handy. The short, close-lying coat is easy to keep: a weekly wipe with a grooming mitt is enough, more often during shedding. Check and clean the ears regularly, especially after walks in wet grass. The hound loves food and gains weight easily, so watch the portions. In summer, plan longer outings for morning and evening, because the breed handles heat poorly. Base training on rewards and short sessions.

Health and breed-related conditions

The Polish Hound is a relatively healthy breed and long-lived for its size: Royal Canin gives an average of 13–14 years, and some sources as much as 14–15 years. No inherited diseases specific to this breed alone have been described. As in many large, heavy dogs, hip dysplasia can occur, and older dogs may develop arthritis and spine problems. Long, drooping ears are prone to infections, and the dark, short coat and body weight make the dog overheat easily. Because the population is small and the breed was rebuilt from just a few dogs, when buying a puppy ask the breeder about its pedigree and the parents' hip X-ray results.

• hip dysplasiaAs in many heavy scent hounds, it can lead to arthritis, especially in older age.
• ear infectionsLong, drooping ears get little air, which encourages infections.
• overheatingThe breed handles heat poorly; in summer, plan exercise for the cooler parts of the day.
• spine and joint problems in older dogsSize and body weight increase the risk of degenerative joint disease with age.

This is general breed information, not a diagnosis. If something worries you, talk to your veterinarian.

Breed history

The FCI standard notes that hunting with hounds is mentioned as early as the 11th-century chronicle of Gallus Anonymus, and that by the 14th century hounds were bred especially for royal hunts. The name "ogar" appears in Piotr Krescentyn's work of 1549 and in the writings of Mikołaj Rej, and in 1618 the governor of Poznań, Jan Ostroróg, published "Myślistwo z ogary" (Hunting with Hounds), considered the first Polish book about dogs. Krzysztof Kluk gave the first description of the breed in 1779. After World War II the Polish Hound almost vanished. It was revived by Colonel Piotr Kartawik, who in 1959 brought three dogs from the Smorgon area: Zorka, Czita and Burzan. Judge Jerzy Dylewski drew up the standard in 1964, and according to the FCI the breed was definitively recognized on January 29, 1965.

Fun facts

• In 1618, Jan Ostroróg published "Myślistwo z ogary" (Hunting with Hounds), considered the first Polish book about dogs.
• According to Sztolcman and Gerald-Wyżycki, the name "ogar" comes from "ogorzały", an old word for sun-bronzed that describes the coat color.
• Modern breeding of the Polish Hound is based on three dogs that Colonel Piotr Kartawik brought in 1959: Zorka, Czita and Burzan.
• The FCI standard gives no weight for the Polish Hound; it only says weight should be in proportion to height and build.

Frequently asked questions

This breed also appears in

• Large dog breeds
• Hunting dog breeds
• Polish dog breeds

Sources

1. 1FCI standard nr 52 – Polish Hound (Ogar Polski) (PDF)fci.be
2. 2FCI nomenclature – Polish Houndfci.be
3. 3National Geographic Polska – Ogar polski, pies myśliwski polskiej szlachty i magnateriinational-geographic.pl
4. 4Royal Canin UK – Polish Houndroyalcanin.com
5. 5PetBook – The Polish Hound is not a dog for everyonepetbook-magazine.com

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.