If you are looking for a furry buddy, why not go for the Barak? Or you may also know them as the Bosnian Broken-haired Hound or Bosnian Coarse-haired Hound. These dogs are energetic and will never disappoint you with their humor.
But before you adopt them, learn everything you need to know about their history, personality, and their everyday needs. Let’s get started!
Overview
| Height | 17-21 inches |
| Weight | 35-60 lbs |
| Life span | 12-15 years |
| Exercise needs | 1 hour daily |
| Temperament | Witty, Affectionate, Responsive |
| Grooming | Moderate maintenance |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
| Origin | Bosnia |
Origin of the Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound
The Bosnian Coarse-haired Hound dog breed originated from Bosnia and is also commonly known as the Barak. This scent dog spent its life hunting small animals like rabbits and foxes in the challenging terrains of the region. You would be surprised to know that the local hounds were crossed with European hounds to produce this super versatile dog breed- The Barak.
These dogs have the appearance and physical attributes that make them hard and give protection against harsh conditions. Even though the Bosnian Coarse-haired Hound has been here forever, true recognition was given to them in the 20th century. Dog clubs and big organizations recognized this dog breed, and it became popular among the common masses.
Appearance of the Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound
Dog enthusiasts will definitely love the appearance of this cute, fluffy dog – The Bosnian Broken-haired Hound! Here is what you need to know about their physical attributes:
1. Size and body
The Bosnian Broken-haired Hound is a medium-sized dog that can fit well in your arms but not so well in your lap! They are 17-21 inches tall and weigh about 35- 60 pounds. So technically, it grows into a slightly large furry breed, but that depends on individuals, their diet, and overall health. The Barak is an athletic dog with a muscled build under that coarse fur.
2. Coat
They have a medium fur coat, which is not too short but not too long to hang around. However, as its name suggests, the coat is coarse and dense, which protects them from extreme weather conditions. The Barak has a yellow, grey, reddish, or tannish-colored coat, which can have black patches on it. The dark patch is usually around their necks to their chest.
3. Other features
Moreover, these dogs have a sickle-shaped tail and black eyes. All their features together give the Bosnian Broken-haired Hound an alert, expressive look. Even though they look like tiny fluffy balls in comparison to humans, these dogs can intimidate anyone with their grunts!
Personality and Temperament
The Barak is a dog breed with a distinctive personality that sets it apart from other breeds. Here is all you need to know about their temperament and traits:
1. Intelligent
These dogs are known for their intelligence and wittiness! Sometimes, well, most times, the Bosnian Broken-haired Hound dogs make independent decisions. Their behavior can sometimes be translated into stubbornness as well.
2. Loyal
The Barak is super loyal to its owners and human families. If you ever come across them, just toss them their favorite treats, and they’ll become your besties for life! They might not be huge, but they will never step away from protecting you from bad neighbors.
3. Adaptable
One of the most amazing things about the Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound dog breed is their adaptability. They are flexible to their environment and can basically adjust to any situation if trained well. With proper and early socialization training, these dogs can even live with other dogs under the same roof.
4. Super responsive
If you want a dog breed that is quick on their toes, then Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hounds might be the one for you! These dogs are quick learners and responsive to obedience training and positive reinforcement techniques. You can also teach them comical dog moves like swirling or shaking hands.
5. Affectionate
Last but not least, the Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound dog breed is a super affectionate breed. They can be great family dogs and companions in general due to their sensitive persona. The Barak loves to spend time with family, and especially playing with kids is their favorite activity.
From far you can’t tell whether Barak is just a coarse hair dog or is wearing a natural “bad hair day” wig!
Grooming Needs of the Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound
The Bosnian Broken-haired Hound is a moderate maintenance breed, who does not ask too much that you spend your all day grooming them, but also asks no little for you to rest! These dogs have coarse coats, and here are their grooming needs:
1. Brushing
You will need to brush their coat every once in a while. We recommend that you nicely comb them with a soft bristle brush at least twice a week. This will help you to remove any loose hair and well, de-matting is easier with a glove on. As the Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound dog breed is not hypoallergenic, occasional grooming is essential.
2. Bathing
You can bathe the Barak dogs on a need-to basis! Unless they look dirty or smell of sweat, you don’t need to bathe them often. If you still want to keep them clean, you can give them bathing sessions once in 2-3 months. It is essential to know that excessive baths can take away natural oils from your dog’s skin. This is why it is also essential that you use dog supplies like dog-friendly shampoo, soap, and conditioner.
3. Cleaning
Getting eye boogers, ear wax buildup, skin infections, etc., are common health problems in dogs. But you can always fix them by maintaining a hygienic cleaning routine. All you need is a clean, damp cloth to clean your dog’s wrinkled areas and eyes. Please also ensure that you clean the areas where sweat and dirt can get stuck, like paws, toenails, neck, etc.
Exercise and Training Needs
Every dog has certain training requirements! Be it for 30 minutes or rigorous exercises for hours! The Bosnian Broken-haired Hound needs at least an hour of training daily to be fit and active. Here is what you can include in their training sessions:
1. Daily walks
Taking your dog on walks every day is a necessity! Walking not only keeps your dog’s health in check, but starts their day on a slow and steady note. During walks, you can also give your dog leash training, which will help them adapt to leashes over time. Especially when crossing busy roads, we recommend that you always leash your doggo.
2. Socialization
The Barak or Bosnian Broken-haired Hound is friendly when they want to be! However, these dogs can be very reserved around strangers or consider every unfamiliar face a threat. For this, you should give your dog early socialization training. You can do this by taking them to neighborhood, dog parties and teaching them to stay calm.
3. Other training essentials
Apart from the ones mentioned above, the Bosnian Broken-Haired Hound also has some everyday essentials that should not be missed! These exercises include teaching your dog basic obedience and commands so you and your pooch can communicate at some levels. Also, you should always remember to be patient and consistent when training these dogs.
Final Thoughts
In a nutshell, the Barak dog, aka the Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound dog breed, is a great dog to adopt. If you have a family, these big dogs may take over all your couches but will not create any havoc with their aggression. So, if you are a first-time dog owner wondering whether or not you should adopt this dog breed- then the answer is you can! However, you will need to be very active and consistent and put effort into training Billy with the utmost patience.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Barak, or the Bosnian Broken-haired Hound dog breed, is not hypoallergenic. They shed a lot, especially during the shedding season, so you should ensure you groom them. Brushing regularly will remove their loose hair and reduce shedding.
There are not any specific health problems associated with the Bosnian Broken-haired Hound. However, there are some common health problems in dogs that you should look out for, such as Hip dysplasia, obesity, diabetes, and eye and skin infections.
Yes! The Bosnian Coarse-haired Hound is a good family dog. This dog breed gels well with humans and can be good companions for human families. The only catch is to keep these dogs active and give them proper socialization training to adjust well within families.
Yes and no! These dogs can be short-tempered, especially if they sense a threat. You can expect slight anger issues, but nothing too serious that cannot be fixed. As a responsible dog owner, if you observe that they are being very aggressive, you should give them behavioral training and use positive reinforcement techniques.
