At its recent meeting, the Board approved an interim breed standard for the Polish Hunting Dog (Imp). This is with effect from 1 April 2025.
A Breed Standard is a guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance, including the correct colour, of a breed and ensure that the breed is fit for function. Absolute soundness is essential. Breeders and judges should at all times, be careful to avoid obvious conditions or exaggerations which would be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.
From time to time certain conditions or exaggerations may be considered to have the potential to affect dogs in some breeds adversely, and judges and breeders are requested to refer to the Breed Watch information related to this breed for details of any such issues. If a feature or quality is desirable it should only be present in the right measure. However, if a dog possesses a feature, characteristic or colour described as unacceptable, it must not be rewarded in the show ring.
Brief Historical Summary
Hunting with scent hounds was referred to in Polish literature as early as the 13th century. Poland has always been a country covered by deep forests, full of big game where the scent hound was the precious auxiliary of the hunter, used for hunting boar and deer, occasionally for hunting fox and hare in the mountainous region of Southern Poland Hunting with scent hounds was highly esteemed by Polish nobility. In the 17th century, at least two different types of Polish scent hounds were already well established, the Polish “brach” (heavier) and the Polish Hunting Dog (lighter). After the first World War, the Polish scent hound was still used for hunting in Poland; in the eastern regions but especially in the mountains on particularly difficult terrains.
General appearance
A lithe dog of compact construction. The bone structure is strong but not heavy. The build implies a great aptitude for mobility and an obvious disposition to difficult working conditions in mountainous regions.
Important Proportions
Longer than tall ratio of height at withers to length of body is 9:10.
Temperament
Stable and gentle. He is intelligent and easy to train. Courageous, not aggressive but can be wary towards strangers. To his qualities as a hunting dog, must be added those of an excellent guardian.
Head and Skull
Noble, in proportion with the body. Skull same length as the muzzle; slightly convex. The occiput is marked but not prominent. Stop only slightly pronounced. Lips fleshy, neither hanging nor tight, overlapping the lower jaw.
Eyes
Medium sized, oblique. The expression is kind. The white of the eye is not visible. Black and tans have dark eyes, browns and reds can have lighter coloured eyes. The eyelids are well fitting tightly.
Ears
Hanging, light, triangular of medium length. Set low, at the level of the eyes. Broad at the base. Ear is hanging, carried with the front edge closer to the cheek than the back edge. Well rounded tips. The coat on the ears is smooth and silky.
Mouth
Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Neck
Medium length, well muscled, relatively strong. Carried neither too high nor too low. The skin is loose but without forming a dewlap.
Forequarters
Shoulder long and oblique, well laid back. Upper arm the same length as the shoulder. Elbows set well back turning neither in nor out. Forelegs upright, seen from the front. Pastern lean, flexible; in profile, slightly sloping.
Body
The distance from the elbow to ground is equal to the half of the height at the withers. Withers are defined. Back straight and well muscled. Loin broad and well muscled, very slightly arched. Chest deep, reaching the elbow. Forechest moderately defined. Ribs well sprung and extending well back. Slight tuck up.
Hindquarters
Thighs broad and well muscled. Moderate angulation. Short rear pastern.
Feet
Tight and slightly oval. The toes are slightly arched. The nails are dark and match the coat colour. Strong pads.
Tail
Medium thickness, reaching to the hock joint. Well covered with hair, with slight brush. When the dog is at rest, the tail is carried low and sabre-like; in action, it is carried slightly higher than the top line.
Gait/Movement
The gait should be effortless and energetic, fluid and harmonious. Long reaching and free movement, especially on the trot. Whether walking or trotting, the topline remains straight and even.
Coat
On the body the hair is harsh, lying close to the skin. Abundant undercoat; more in winter, less in summer. On the head and ears the hair is short and soft.
Colour
Black and tan: The tan should be well distinct from the black. Nose black.
Brown (chocolate) and tan. Nose brown
Fawn-red, coat can be slightly overlaid with black. Nose brown or flesh coloured.
Tan markings; over the eye, on muzzle, on front part of neck, on forechest, on lower part of limbs, behind and inside the thighs, around the anus, underside of tail.
Small white marks on toes and chest are permitted.
Any other colour or combination of colours unacceptable.
Size
Height at withers: Males: 55 – 59 cm (21-23). Females: 50 – 55 cm (19-21).
Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.
Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.