Also called Srpski Gonič, Balkan Hound, Balkanski Gonič · Serbia
Friendly and lively, with a dependable nature and real staying power.
| Size | Medium |
|---|---|
| Height | 44 to 56 cm (17 to 22 in)males 46 to 56 cm, females 44 to 54 cm12 |
| Coat | Short, dense, glossy with undercoat |
| Origin | Serbia (Balkans)32 |
| Group | FCI group 6 |
Ranges cover males and females and every standard linked on the line, so one standard alone may give a narrower range.
Friendly and lively, with a dependable nature and real staying power. It is energetic and disciplined when working and full of character.12
short, dense, glossy with undercoat
A robust, medium-sized hound, a little longer than tall, with high-set hanging ears and a tail carried low. The short coat is thick and shiny with an undercoat beneath.1
A typical home-care rhythm for a Serbian Hound. A starting point, not a vet's advice.
High. A pack hound used for long hunts over difficult ground, so it needs generous daily exercise.2
Suits an active, rural home with secure outdoor space.2
Traditionally kept and hunted in packs, so it is used to other dogs.2
Low. A weekly brush keeps the short, dense coat tidy; check the hanging ears regularly.1
Feed your Serbian Hound at least two meals a day, ideally at the same times each morning and evening. This matches general guidance for adult dogs and helps keep their energy steady.4
Choose a high-quality dog food suited to their active lifestyle. Avoid dangerous foods like chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, and xylitol, as these are especially harmful to dogs.5
A bath every eight weeks or so keeps their short coat fresh, following Pet Wiki's plan. You can bathe more often if they get very dirty, but at least once every three months is fine.6
A weekly brush is perfect for their short, dense coat to keep it tidy and remove loose hair. Pet Wiki suggests brushing every seven days, and it's a nice bonding moment.16
Trim nails about every four weeks, or sooner if you hear clicking on the floor. Cut a little at a time, stopping before the quick, to keep them comfortable.6
This energetic hound needs generous daily exercise, like long walks or play sessions. Pet Wiki recommends daily walks and play to match their high activity needs.2
Brush teeth two to three times a week with dog toothpaste, and check their floppy ears weekly for moisture. Never push anything into the ear canal; just dry gently.6
Lifespan varies for each dog, so ask your vet for breed-specific information. They can give you the best guidance based on your hound's health.
Yes, they are friendly, lively, and dependable, and they get along well with other dogs since they are used to pack life. With proper socialization, they can be wonderful family members.12
This pack-oriented hound enjoys company, so being left alone for long periods may not suit them. It's best to ask a good breeder about their individual tolerance.
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.
Running costs for a Serbian Hound, built from current prices in each country: food scaled to the weight of the breed, insurance to its size, the rest per country. The purchase price and unplanned vet bills come on top.
| Foodabout 91 kg of dry food a year | 298 GBP ↗ |
|---|---|
| Routine vet care | 345 GBP ↗ |
| Pet insurancetypical policy, varies by breed and age | 384 GBP ↗ |
| Dog tax | 0 GBP ↗ |
| Licence and registration | 12 GBP ↗ |
| Gear to start | 531 GBP ↗ |
| Microchip and registration | 26 GBP ↗ |
Estimates from the sources linked on each line. Food: a complete dry food at about 3,600 kcal/kg at the NRC maintenance energy for the average weight of the breed. Insurance: a typical adult policy scaled by size; real quotes depend on breed, age and cover.
No breed-specific rule names the Serbian Hound in the 61 countries we check. General dangerous-dog laws still apply everywhere, and some cities keep their own lists.
See the rules and sources for every country
Laws change and local rules exist; this is a sourced overview, not legal advice.
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
The breed was originally known as the Balkan Scenthound. Because the breed was most widespread in Serbia, in 1996 the name was changed to Serbian Hound.7
This morning I woke up and stretched my legs, ready for a long sniff around the yard. My human laughed when I chased a leaf, thinking it was a rabbit. Later, we walked through the fields, and I followed a scent trail for ages, my tail wagging the whole time. Back home, I flopped on the cool tiles and watched the sunset, happy and tired. Life is simple: run, sniff, and cuddle.
A made-up story, just for fun. Not advice of any kind.
This old Balkan scent hound comes from hounds that spread across the region, probably with some Asia Minor influence. Long known as the Balkan Hound, it was renamed the Serbian Hound in 1996 because it is found mainly in Serbia.12
Every fact on this page has a numbered source. Spotted an error? [email protected].
Text is written in our own words from these sources.
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