Overview
The Bulgarian Hound, or Barak, is a scent hound that is common in northern, northwestern and central Bulgaria. It is the only long-haired hound breed of the region.
It is recognised by the Bulgarian national kennel federation but not by the FCI.
History
The Barak belongs to the lineage of long-haired hounds first described by F. Laszka in 1905. Its nearest relative is the Slovak Rough-haired Pointer.
A 2020 mitochondrial DNA study found that a Bronze Age dog from Italy, about 3,300 to 3,600 years old, shared a haplotype with the Bulgarian Hound, hinting at very old roots.
Appearance
A balanced, strong hound of medium height with a rectangular outline. The coat is coarse and comes in shades of yellow-rufous, straw yellow or dark rufous.
The colour may be solid or mixed with grey or black-grey along the middle of the body, and a few white spots are accepted in certain places.
Temperament
A tireless, determined hunting dog that is usually devoted to its handler. Like most scent hounds it is independent and driven by its nose.
Care and exercise
It needs lots of exercise and a job to do, plus a secure yard. The coarse coat benefits from regular brushing and a check for burrs after outings.
