May 11, 2025, 8:25 am | Read time: 6 minutes
Gentle, powerful, and equipped with a keen sense of smell: The Polish Hound, also known as Ogar Polski, fascinatingly combines the nature of a hunting dog with the qualities of a family companion. Its distinctive two-colored coat, calm gaze, and strong personality make it a unique representative among scent hounds.
The Polish Hound is more than a classic hunting dog. Its roots go deep into the history of Eastern European hunting cultures, but today, it is increasingly recognized as a family dog. Despite its gentleness, it remains a natural runner and scent hound—with a strong hunting instinct, robust build, and high endurance.
The Ogar Polski is not a dog for everyone, but for people who understand its needs, can lead it consistently, and can challenge it both physically and mentally. Particularly noteworthy is its balanced temperament, which makes it a loyal and friendly companion when properly cared for. Training the Polish Hound requires patience and consistency, but those who commit to it gain a loyal, sensitive, and characterful dog with a unique charisma.
Origin
The Polish Hound, as the name suggests, originates from Poland and has a history spanning centuries. Early descriptions of hounds used for hunting can be found as far back as the Middle Ages, with experts believing that the Ogar Polski resulted from a cross between Bloodhounds and German and Russian hounds. Greyhounds may also have been later introduced to increase running speed.
In the past, the breed was primarily used for hunting hares and wild boars. After World War II, the Polish Hound was nearly extinct in its homeland. It wasn’t until 1959 that Piotr Kartawik began a targeted breeding program at the “z Kresów” kennel, using breeding stock from Belarus. The first breed standard followed in 1964, and in 1966, it received official recognition from the FCI. Despite its remarkable qualities, the breed remains rare in Germany and much of Europe, with a limited breeding population.
Appearance & Coat
The Ogar Polski is a medium to large-sized running dog with a strong, compact build and well-developed muscles. Its appearance conveys strength and endurance. Males reach a height at the withers of 22 to 25.5 inches and a weight of up to 70 pounds. Females are slightly smaller and lighter, with up to 23.5 inches and 57 pounds.
Particularly striking is the red-brown and black coat. The breed standard specifies a red-brown head, ears, legs, and chest, while the body is covered by a black or dark gray “mantle,” which should not extend to the bridge of the nose. White markings on the chest, paws, or tail tip are permissible. The coat is medium-length, dense, and underlaid with soft undercoat. It is shorter on the head and limbs and slightly longer on the back and tail. The hanging, low-set ears and slightly slanted, dark brown eyes with a gentle expression complete the distinctive appearance.
Character & Temperament
The Polish Hound is an exceptionally calm, gentle, and composed dog. Its deliberate nature exudes a natural deceleration that is soothing in family life. Despite its hunting lineage, it is affectionate, child-friendly, and very people-oriented. In familiar surroundings, it is cuddly, friendly, and enjoys close physical contact. It is initially reserved with strangers but never reacts aggressively. Its high social compatibility with other dogs also makes it suitable for multi-dog households.
Characteristically, it combines independence with trainability. Its intelligence allows for independent work, which was desired in hunting, but requires consistent training. Despite its loyalty, it remains a willful personality that does not blindly submit—a trait that makes it particularly interesting for experienced dog owners.
Training
The Ogar Polski is considered relatively easy to train but demands clear structures and loving consistency. Its independence and strong hunting instinct make thorough training and targeted socialization essential. It learns quickly but also recognizes any weakness in leadership. Therefore, consistency is crucial. Early training in leash walking, impulse control, and recall is particularly important to manage its hunting drive. Positive reinforcement combined with varied activities works best for this sensitive breed. Beginners should be aware that the Polish Hound does not offer unconditional submission—it needs partnership-based leadership and mental challenges to reach its full potential.
Proper Care & Maintenance
The Polish Hound is not a city dog. Its need for movement, endurance, and hunting instinct require a rural environment with plenty of space. A house with a large, escape-proof garden and direct access to nature is ideal. Daily, intensive exercise of at least two hours is mandatory—walks, hikes, cycling, and nose work like mantrailing or tracking are excellent for keeping it occupied.
Coat care is straightforward: regular brushing is sufficient. The long, hanging ears should be regularly checked and cleaned to prevent infections. Nail care should not be neglected either. Being left alone is difficult for the breed—it is a pack animal and always seeks the proximity of its caregivers.
Nutrition
The diet of the Polish Hound should be balanced, high-quality, and appropriate to its needs. Its food must be adjusted to its age, activity level, and health condition. Puppies require energy-rich food, which should be gradually reduced from the sixth month to avoid excessive growth and joint problems. From 12 to 18 months, it should be switched to adult food. The daily food ration should ideally consist of about 70 percent meat and 30 percent vegetables and carbohydrates. Raw feeding is also well-suited for the Ogar Polski, as it digests fresh meat well. It is important to design the feeding to prevent gastric torsion—two smaller meals per day are ideal. For hunting dogs, the energy requirement can be significantly higher than for a pure family dog.
Susceptibility to Certain Diseases
The Polish Hound is considered a robust, original breed without known breed-specific hereditary diseases. However, due to its size, there is a slightly increased risk of joint problems such as hip dysplasia (HD), osteoarthritis, or back issues—especially in old age. A balanced diet, controlled growth, and appropriate exercise are important preventive measures. The long ears can also be prone to infections and should be regularly cared for. The life expectancy with healthy care is around 14 to 15 years. Overweight is rare in this active breed, but heat stress should be avoided—it tolerates cold much better than high temperatures.
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The Polish Hound at a Glance
- Size: Males 22–25.5 inches, Females 21.5–23.5 inches
- Weight: Males up to 70 pounds, Females up to 57 pounds
- Coat: Dense with undercoat
- Temperament: Calm, gentle & independent
- Special Features: Scent hound with high endurance, ideal for mantrailing and tracking