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Cretan Hound
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Cretan Hound
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Pronunciation |
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Description |
The
Cretan Hound is a slender dog, somewhere in the middle between a scenthound and
a sighthound in body, particularly light on its feet (that are oval rather than
cat-like) and strong in loin, specially adopted for swift reflexes and high
speed over dangerous, rocky terrain. The head is wedge-shaped, elongated and
dry, with pricked and very mobile ears that fold backwards like a greyhound’s
during the chase. (Specimens with semi-pricked or drop ears do occur, and the
latter tend to be more sight-houndy in type; there is also a smaller variety,
something like a whippet, which little is known about). The skin is fine and
tight over the body, sort and of many colors. The tail is a most important breed
characteristic, long and curved upwards, forming a loose or tight ring and
covered with a brush of longer hair underneath. The dog is slightly longer than
tall, with medium angulations, slender legs and good muscle; the ribcage is
spacious but neither too broad nor too rounded and it doesn’t quite reach the
point of elbow. The loin is slender yet powerful and there is good tuck-up, with
the points of the hipbones slightly prominent.
There should be a balance between characteristics of speed and stamina,
the conformation being a compromise producing great agility. Flabby, clumsy,
heavy individuals not to be tolerated. Colors: pure white, cream, sandy, fawn,
grey, black or brindle, bi-colored or tri-colored.
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Temperament |
The Cretan
Hound uses both sight and scent on
the hunt and they have a particular tendency to taste the aerial or ground
scent, even to the point of sucking it from pebbles and stones. When the prey is
sensed, the tail moves in circular fashion and the hound becomes rigid, moments
before the chase begins. Meek, affectionate, aristocratic, yet deadly on the
chase, it’s a polite hound that comes alive in the presence of prey; clean,
gentle, elegant in form and movement, it’s never vulgar or overwhelming in
gestures. Slightly reserved with strangers, it’s naturally inquisitive and
tolerant. The Cretan Hound lives happily together with other domestic animals
but will ruthlessly chase the neighbor’s cat! Excellent,
gentle and very affectionate with children.
It
rarely barks but will give notice of strangers approaching its home; at
the farm it will kill mice and rats and it’s not indifferent to feathered
game, but the latter use will make the breed lazy and untidy in the hunt; its
constitution needs the challenge of the true chase.
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Height, Weight |
Height: Females 19+ inches
(50+ cm) Males 27+ inches (60+ cm)
Weight: 44-66 pounds (20-30 kg) |
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Health Problems |
A fairly healthy breed. |
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Living Conditions |
This breed is not recommended for apartment
life. It needs space to run. |
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Exercise |
Robust
and healthy, it’s a breed easy to maintain as long as it has plenty of exercise,
which includes a daily walk.
It will greatly enjoy running free in a safe open space.
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Life Expectancy |
About 10-12 years or more. |
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Grooming |
Brush with a firm bristle brush, and
dry shampoo occasionally. Bathe in mild soap only when necessary. Inspect the
feet and mouth for damage after work or exercise sessions. Keep the nails
trimmed. This breed is an average shedder. |
Origin |
A
primitive hunting breed, its existence on the Greek island of Crete is
documented in writing and artifacts for at least 3500 years. It was extensively
cultivated and used by the Minoan civilization which, at its peak, dominated
over most part of the Aegean, the Cyclades islands and eastern Peloponessus. A
tracking and coursing hound, it was always used in chasing and catching hare and
wild rabbits on the harsh terrains of its native island. The classic authors
praised the Cretan hounds (Kressai Kynes) as the best hare-hunters known to man
and in the ancient times they were exported to the Greek colonies and other
countries in Europe, reaching as far as Spain and the British islands, to mix
and improve the local hounds. The
dogs have many such peculiar traits and they are evidently a truly ancient
species, probably the oldest dog breed in Europe. It is possible that their
ancestors came from Africa but they were subsequently adapted to this very
unique habitat of Crete, an island remote enough to host other unique species of
animals also, such as a unique sub-species of wild goat, lynx and others.
Isolated there for millennia, these dogs were formed by function to perform a
particular and challenging task and they remained pure and unchanged to this
day. Due to a long history of struggle against outside enemies, the Cretan
people are a freedom-loving race, proud, independent, somewhat suspicious and
even stubborn. They don’t like to give their dogs to outsiders and even to
this day the best specimens are kept hidden from the public eye. Breeding
practices are ruthless and the limited means of the past taught the locals to
neuter all but the best males and destroy the dogs that were lacking in the
hunt. This resulted in a particularly strong and healthy breed, but also one
very small in numbers. For years they were kept secret and even now they rarely
leave Crete, apart from on the rare occasions they take part in International
dog shows held in Athens, where the visitors have the opportunity to meet a true
living legend. |
Group |
Hound |
Recognition |
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Thanks to Maria Winsor-Ginala for her help in adding this breed to Dog
Breed Info Center®
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Hunting Dogs |
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