Transylvanian Hound (Erdelyi Kopó): Dog Breed Characteristics & Care

The Transylvanian hound is a medium-sized black-and-tan hunting dog that originated in Transylvania, which was formally part of Hungary (today, it is part of Romania). The Transylvanian hound, which is known as the Erdelyi Kopó in its native country, is extremely rare, both in its homeland and in the United States. If you're lucky enough to find this breed and bring it into your home, you will be rewarded with a playful, friendly, and loyal companion.

Characteristics of the Transylvanian Hound

Transylvanian hounds are good-natured and quiet, yet also lively. Although they are friendly, the breed may be standoffish with strangers until they get to know them. With their own people, Transylvanian hounds are loving and affectionate, and are great playmates for children in a family. They bond very closely with their owners.

Affection Level	High
Friendliness	Medium
Kid-Friendly	High
Pet-Friendly	High
Exercise Needs	High
Playfulness	Medium
Energy Level	High
Trainability	High
Intelligence	High
Tendency to Bark	Medium
Amount of Shedding	Low

History of the Transylvanian Hound

A popular hunting dog for Hungarian aristocrats during the Middle Ages, this ancient breed is thought to date as far back as 500 AD. The Transylvanian hound is possibly related to a more common Hungarian hunting dog, the viszla. Over the years, the Transylvanian hound’s numbers dwindled and, by the turn of the 20^th century, the breed was in danger of becoming lost forever. A group of breed fanciers brought the Transylvanian hound back from the brink of extinction in the late 1960s. Originally there were two varieties: long-legged and short-legged. Only the long-legged Transylvanian hound remains.

In 2015, the Transylvanian hound was recorded in the American Kennel Club (AKC) Foundation Stock Service (FSS), a step toward eventual full recognition. The breed will be assigned to the Hound Group when it achieves full recognition with the AKC. In 2006, the breed was fully recognized by the United Kennel Club. Internationally, the breed is recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI).  

Transylvanian Hound Care

Transylvanian hounds are highly intelligent and less stubborn than some other hound breeds. They are also known to be highly active and energetic so you'll want to build an adequate exercise and mental stimulation routine into your dog's day. Happily, the breed has an easy-care short double coat that sheds very little and requires basic grooming.

Exercise

Transylvanian hounds have plenty of stamina—they are reported to cover as many as 100 miles when out hunting. Two vigorous walks a day, each between 30 to 60 minutes, should suffice. Providing ample daily exercise and mental stimulation will mellow out your Transylvanian hound and help it relax for the remainder of the day. In addition to walks, they enjoy unstructured activities like hiking, jogging, and swimming, as well as training for competitive dog sports like agility, tracking, or obedience. 

Grooming

This dog's black-and-tan coat has a shiny appearance and is somewhat coarse to the touch. Brush the coat a few times a week with a soft bristle brush and bathe when dirty. Trim the nails every other week (less often if the dog wears them down naturally when running around outside). Check inside your Transylvanian hound’s ears every week, and clean them with a pet-safe ear cleaner if they look dirty. If you see a sign of redness, inflammation, or foul odor coming from the ears, schedule a visit with your veterinarian. 

Training

They learn quickly when you use positive, reward-based training techniques and the right motivation (extra tasty treats work best). Keep training sessions short and always end on a high note when your dog gets something right. Transylvanian hounds can be wary of strangers, but lots of early socialization during puppyhood can keep this from becoming a problem.

Common Health Problems

While the Transylvanian hound is generally healthy and hardy, hip and elbow dysplasia is sometimes seen in the breed. Responsible breeders perform health screenings on their adult dogs before breeding them to ensure they do not pass on any hereditary issues to their puppies. 

Diet and Nutrition

This energetic and athletic breed should do well on a high-quality, calorie-dense diet, but less-active Transylvanian hounds may require diets with fewer calories to avoid weight gain. Excess weight can worsen joint disorders like hip and elbow dysplasia, and can lead to other health conditions like diabetes. If you don’t know what diet is best or how much to feed your Transylvanian hound, consult with your breeder or veterinarian. Always feed measured meals twice a day rather than free feeding (leaving food out all day).

Where to Adopt or Buy a Transylvanian Hound

If you have your heart set on a Transylvanian hound puppy, you might have to wait a while. There are few Transylvanian hound breeders in the U.S. Though rarely, an adult Transylvanian hound might find its way into rescue.

Visit the Transylvanian Hound Club on Facebook or the Erdélyi Kopó Club of Hungary to connect with those who love and support the revitalization of this breed. Since the breed is not fully AKC-accepted as of yet, the cost of a puppy averages between $600 to $800, which is quite low, even for a rare dog.

Transylvanian Hound Overview

More Dog Breeds and Further Research

Transylvanian hounds can be amazing dogs, but tough to find. If you like this dog, you might also like these breeds: 

• Black and tan coonhound
• Vizsla
• Wirehaired vizsla

Otherwise, check out all of our other dog breed articles to help you find the perfect dog for you and your family.