Pet Wiki

Posavac Hound

Also called Posavski Gonič, Posavatz Hound, Scenthound from the Sava Valley

Rare breedFCI group 6Short profile

From Croatia, in the Sava river valley (Posavina).12

At a glance the quick version

Height, male50 to 56 cm1
Height, female47 to 53 cm1
Sizemedium
easy to train
very devoted to its owner
steady, enthusiastic hunter
12

Coat and looks how to spot one

short, harsh coat

A dense, harsh, glossy coat about 2-3 cm long that lies close to the body, a little longer on the belly and the backs of the legs.12

Coloursreddish wheaten in all shades, with white markings12

Personality what they are like

A calm, cooperative hound with a moderately lively nature. It is neither nervous nor sharp, learns easily and is strongly attached to its owner.1

Daily activity how busy a day looks

A hunting hound with good stamina, used on hare, fox and boar and as a tracking dog on a lead, so it needs long daily walks and time to follow scents.1

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

The short, harsh coat is easy to keep; a weekly brush is plenty.1

Home where they are happiest

Suits a rural or active home with room to exercise.12

Company who they like around

Devoted to its family and easygoing in temperament.1

The story where it all began

This Croatian scenthound descends from old red-and-white Illyrian hounds. Dogs of its type appear in a late 15th-century fresco at the Beram chapel in Istria and in an account by Bishop Petar Bakić in 1719. Stud book registration began in 1929 and the FCI published its first standard in 1955.12

Fun facts for the dinner table

  1. 1

    A hound of this type is painted in a 15th-century fresco in the chapel at Beram; the FCI dates it to 1474, Wikipedia to 1497.1

  2. 2

    In the 1800s these dogs were sold in Croatia under the name boskini.2

  3. 3

    The FCI published its first standard for the breed on 8 April 1955.1

  4. 4

    Its name was officially settled as Posavac Hound in 1969.2

Where the name comes from the story behind it

The name Posavac Hound (or Posavatz Hound) translates to 'Scenthound from the Sava Valley,' referring to the Posavina region in Croatia, a broad and densely wooded valley south-east of Zagreb where the breed originated.3

Name ideas for your new friend

SavaRijekaLukaBrezzaDunavGromTragačŠumaZoraKamenVjetarJelen

A day in the life told by a Posavac Hound

The morning starts with a long sniff along the riverbank. I'm a hound, so my nose leads the way, every leaf, every pebble has a story. My human follows patiently, trusting me to find the hidden scents. After a good trek, we rest under a tree, and I lean against their leg, content. Back home, I curl up on my rug, dreaming of the chase. I'm calm and loyal, always ready for the next walk, but happiest when my human is near.

A made-up story, just for fun. Not advice of any kind.

Recognised by the official bits

FCI
Standard no. 154, Group 6 (Scent hounds and related breeds), Section 1.2 Medium-sized hounds; first FCI standard published 8 April 1955, current standard 03.11.2014.1
UKC
Recognised in the Scenthound Group (per Wikipedia).2

The care rhythm a typical week and year

A typical home-care rhythm for a Posavac Hound. A starting point, not a vet's advice.

Treats they will love homemade and simple

Simple Carrot Crunchies

Carrots are low in calories and high in fibre, making them a crunchy, satisfying treat that won't pile on the pounds.

You need

  • 1 large carrot, washed and peeled

How

  1. Cut the carrot into thin, bite-sized sticks or rounds.
  2. Steam or boil the carrot pieces for 5–7 minutes until just tender, or serve raw for extra crunch.
  3. Allow to cool completely before offering to your dog.

How much: Give 2–3 small pieces per day for a medium-sized dog, adjusting for your dog's size and daily calorie allowance.

Recipe from The Kennel Club

Pumpkin & Yoghurt Pup-Cup

Pumpkin is packed with fibre and vitamins, helping dogs feel full without extra calories, and low-fat yoghurt keeps it light.

You need

  • 1 cooking pumpkin
  • ½ cup lactose-free, low-fat yoghurt
  • ½ cup lactose-free, low-fat whipping cream
  • Cinnamon, to sprinkle

How

  1. Peel the pumpkin and remove all seeds.
  2. Cut the flesh into small pieces and steam for 15 minutes until soft.
  3. Mash the cooked pumpkin until smooth and let it cool completely.
  4. Mix 1 tablespoon of the mashed pumpkin with the yoghurt.
  5. Spoon the mixture into a small paper cup.
  6. Whip the cream until soft peaks form and spoon it on top of the yoghurt mixture.
  7. Sprinkle a tiny pinch of cinnamon over the cream.

How much: One pup-cup is plenty for a medium-sized dog as an occasional treat. Adjust portion size for smaller or larger dogs.

Recipe from Dogs Trust

Homemade Dog Biscuits (Chicken & Rice)

A simple, tasty treat made from gentle ingredients that are easy on sensitive stomachs, perfect for rewarding without upset.

You need

  • 1 egg
  • 170g boiled chicken breast
  • 100g cooked plain rice
  • 60ml chicken stock (homemade or no added salt)
  • 680g plain flour (adjust as needed for consistency)

How

  1. Preheat oven to 180°C and line a baking tray with baking paper.
  2. Blitz the boiled chicken, cooked rice, and chicken stock in a blender until smooth.
  3. Transfer to a bowl, add the egg and flour, and mix well.
  4. Dust a clean surface with flour, turn out the dough, and knead until no longer sticky.
  5. Roll dough to about 1cm thickness and cut into shapes with a cookie cutter.
  6. Place on the tray and bake for 25–30 minutes until golden.
  7. Cool completely before serving.

How much: 1–2 biscuits as an occasional treat for a medium-sized healthy dog. Adjust for your dog's size, age, and activity level.

Recipe from Blue Cross

Not veterinary advice. Check with your vet first if your pet has allergies, a health condition, is on a special diet or is pregnant. Treats should stay a small part of the daily food. Cut to a safe size and supervise. Terms of use

Owner questions the things everyone asks

How often should I feed my Posavac Hound, and at what times?

Adult Posavac Hounds do well with at least two meals a day, while puppies need three to four smaller meals. Feed at consistent times each day, and always follow the food label and your vet's advice for portions.4

What should a Posavac Hound eat, and which foods are dangerous?

Feed a high-quality dog food appropriate for its age and activity level. Dangerous foods include chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol, and macadamia nuts; avoid these entirely.5

How often should I bathe a Posavac Hound?

Furry Diary's starting plan suggests a bath every 8 weeks, but you can bathe more often if your dog gets very dirty. Use a gentle dog shampoo and avoid over-bathing to keep the coat healthy.6 Pet Wiki plan

How often does a Posavac Hound need brushing?

A weekly brush is plenty for the short, harsh coat, as noted in the breed facts. This keeps shedding under control and the coat glossy.1 Pet Wiki plan

How do I trim a Posavac Hound's nails, and how often?

Trim nails about every 4 weeks, or sooner if you hear clicking on the floor. Cut a little at a time, stopping before the quick (the pink part), and use a proper dog nail trimmer.6 Pet Wiki plan

How much exercise does a Posavac Hound need?

This hunting hound has good stamina and needs long daily walks plus time to follow scents. Furry Diary's plan includes daily walks and play to keep it happy and fit.1 Pet Wiki plan

How do I look after a Posavac Hound's teeth and ears?

Brush teeth ideally daily, but at least two to three times a week, using dog toothpaste. Check ears weekly and dry them gently, as floppy ears trap moisture; never push anything into the ear canal.6 Pet Wiki plan

How long does a Posavac Hound live?

Lifespan varies by individual, so ask your vet for typical expectations. Senior years usually start around age 8, and regular vet check-ups help ensure a long, healthy life. Pet Wiki plan

Is a Posavac Hound good with children and other pets?

Yes, this breed is devoted to its family and easygoing in temperament, making it good with children and other pets when properly socialized. Always supervise interactions with young children.1

Can a Posavac Hound be left alone?

This breed is strongly attached to its owner and may not do well left alone for long periods. It suits a rural or active home where someone is often around, so consider your schedule carefully.12

Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Pet Wiki's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.

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Where this comes from

Every fact on this page has a numbered source. Spotted an error? [email protected].

  1. FCI Standard No. 154, Posavski Gonič fci.beused for group, size, coat, colours, temperament, use, history
  2. Wikipedia: Posavac Hound en.wikipedia.orgused for history, other names, fun facts, UKC
  3. kutya-tar.hu kutya-tar.hu
  4. VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
  5. ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
  6. ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions

Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.