At a glance the quick version
Coat and looks how to spot one
harsh, wiry double coat
The outer coat is coarse, bristly and slightly shaggy at roughly 5-8 cm, never curly or lying flat, over a denser undercoat that thickens in winter. Underneath is a rustic, muscular, medium-sized hound built for hard country.13
Personality what they are like
Calm and gentle at home and strongly attached to its person, but full of drive once on a scent. Its hunting focus gives it an independent streak, so patient, consistent training helps.132
Daily activity how busy a day looks
A working scenthound bred for long days hunting hare, fox and boar; it needs plenty of daily exercise and enjoys scent work and tracking.1
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
The weatherproof wiry coat is low-fuss; regular brushing keeps it tidy.13
Home where they are happiest
Copes with all weather and rough terrain; happiest with space to roam and a securely fenced area, since it will follow its nose.1
Company who they like around
Bonds closely with its owner and, as a pack scenthound, usually works well alongside other dogs.3
The story where it all began
It descends from the old East Adriatic white hound with markings, and its rough coat is thought to have developed in the colder mountain country along the coast. The type is documented from 1719, and the FCI published the first standard in 1955. After a long debate between Croatia and Slovenia, the FCI confirmed Croatia as the country of origin in 2003.12
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
The rough coat is believed to be an adaptation to the cold mountain climate of the eastern Adriatic.1
- 2
The breed was shown at a dog show in Vienna as early as 1866.2
- 3
Besides hunting in packs, it can also work on a leash as a tracking hound.1
- 4
Old artworks rarely showed the rough-coated type because its shaggy look was less fashionable than its smooth cousin's.3
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Standard No. 152, Group 6 (Scenthounds), Section 1.2 (Medium-sized scenthounds), with working trial; first FCI standard 1955, current standard published 3 Nov 20141
- UKC
- Scenthound Group; recognised 20063
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Istrian Coarse-haired 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. 152 Istrian Wire-haired Hound fci.beused for recognition, height, coat, colours, temperament, history
- Wikipedia: Istrian Coarse-haired Hound en.wikipedia.orgused for origin dispute, 1866 show, weight range
- UKC: Istrian Coarse-Haired Hound ukcdogs.comused for UKC recognition, weight, temperament, colours
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.