Slovakian Hard-haired Griffon
The hard-haired Slovak Griffon is a medium-sized pointing dog, characterized by its robust appearance, its loyalty and its attitude towards hunting. However, this breed hides much more. In this article you will discover its origin and some of its main characteristics.
Origin of the hard-haired Slovak Griffon
The hard- haired Slovak Griffon, also known as the Slovak Braco or Slovenský Hrubosrsty Stavac, is a late-bred breed virtually unknown outside Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Among the ancestors of this Griffon we find the Arm of Weimar, the Griffon of Bohemia and the German Arm with hard hair.
Its creation took place after World War II and was linked to the search for a dog that could hunt in any type of terrain, especially those that involved more difficulties for other breeds.
Slovak Griffon Personality
It is a dog with a lot of energy and intelligence, and is considered a great hunting dog. We must not forget, however, that he is also an excellent companion dog that takes care of and protects the home and family.
Very attached to his owners, he is sociable with other people and dogs. The downside is that it can cause problems if you share the house with cats or other small animals as well, as it may try to hunt them.
Physical characteristics of the Slovak Griffon
The Slovak Griffon is a medium sized dog, strong but lean and noble looking, despite being a working dog. Therefore, this animal is solidly constituted, yet its appearance should not be neglected.
As for the Griffon’s head, we can say that it is quite elongated, with stretched skin and no wrinkles, and proportional to the body. The ciliary arches are well marked, as well as the occipital protuberance, which gives it strength.
According to the breed standard, published in 1995, the cross height should be, on average, 62 and 68 centimeters in males and between 57 and 64 centimeters in females, with a height correlation length of 10:9 in males and 10:8 in females.
As for the coat, the Griffon has a double layer of hair, one thick and long, the other short and furry. The color of the base layer is sand shaded brown (so-called “gris”), with lighter or darker varieties, with or without white markings on the edges and on the chest.
Health and Basic Care with Slovak Griffon
Like other Griffons, he struggles to adapt to small urban apartments, as he needs exercise space and occasional trips to the countryside. After these walks, it is advisable to carry out a review to avoid problems such as dampness in the ears – which can cause ear infections – or the acquisition of parasites or ticks.
The Slovak Griffon, like its closest relatives such as the Bohemian Griffon and the Belgian Griffon, is a healthy and resilient dog. Its care is very basic and its coat requires no more than weekly brushing.
