At a glance the quick version
FCI gives 16-24 kg with 20 kg ideal; UKC gives an ideal of 44 lb (20 kg) for males; Wikipedia quotes 16-27 kg.
Coat and looks how to spot one
long, harsh, shaggy double coat
A sturdy, weather-proof scenthound whose coat is long, coarse and tousled on top with a thick undercoat beneath, giving it a rugged, bearded look.13
Personality what they are like
An energetic, spirited hound with plenty of courage and staying power on the trail. It is known for keeping going long after other dogs would give up.13
Daily activity how busy a day looks
A working scenthound bred for long days in rough terrain, so it needs generous daily exercise and enjoys scent work.1
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
The harsh, tousled coat benefits from regular brushing to remove dead hair and keep the undercoat from packing down.13
Home where they are happiest
Best suited to a home with outdoor space and access to countryside; its dense coat handles cold, wet weather well.1
Company who they like around
Bred to hunt with people and other hounds, so it enjoys company and an active routine.1
The story where it all began
The Barak developed in Bosnia from local hounds, with some influence from an Italian gundog around the 1890s. The FCI first listed it in 1965 as the Illyrian Hound, and the name was later changed to honour its Bosnian roots.213
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
Barak is the traditional local nickname that the FCI keeps in the official breed name.1
- 2
The breed was registered with the FCI under the name Illyrian Hound before being renamed.3
- 3
Its voice is described as sonorous and high-pitched, though some dogs have a deeper bay.1
- 4
Genetic studies found modern Baraks are quite diverse and most closely related to the Tornjak, another Bosnian and Croatian breed.2
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Standard no. 155, Group 6 (Scenthounds and related breeds), Section 1.2 medium-sized hounds, with working trial. First registered 19 June 1965 as the Illyrian Hound; current standard dated 01.04.1996.1
- UKC
- Scenthound Group; recognised in 2006.3
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Barak hound. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Bathevery 8 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
- Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 8every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- FCI Standard No. 155 Bosnian Broken-haired Hound called Barak fci.beused for recognition, size, coat, colours, temperament, use
- Barak hound - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for names, history, weight range, genetics fact
- UKC Barak breed standard ukcdogs.comused for UKC recognition, history, size, coat
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.