Polish Tatra Sheepdog vs Greek Harehound - Breed Comparison

Polish Tatra Sheepdog vs Greek Harehound - Breed ComparisonGreek Harehound is originated from Greece but Polish Tatra Sheepdog is originated from Poland. Greek Harehound may grow 15 cm / 5 inches shorter than Polish Tatra Sheepdog. Greek Harehound may weigh 40 kg / 88 pounds lesser than Polish Tatra Sheepdog. Both Greek Harehound and Polish Tatra Sheepdog has same life span. Greek Harehound may have more litter size than Polish Tatra Sheepdog. Greek Harehound requires Low Maintenance. But Polish Tatra Sheepdog requires Moderate Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Working dog
undefined
Greece
Poland
Height Male:
47 - 55 cm
18 - 22 inches
60 - 70 cm
23 - 28 inches
Height Female:
47 - 55 cm
18 - 22 inches
60 - 70 cm
23 - 28 inches
Weight Male:
17 - 20 kg
37 - 45 pounds
36 - 60 kg
79 - 133 pounds
Weight Female:
47 - 20 kg
103 - 45 pounds
36 - 60 kg
79 - 133 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 8
3 - 5
Size:
Medium
Large
Other Names:
Hellenic Hound
Tatra Mountain Sheepdog, Polski Owczarek, Polish Mountain Sheepdog
Colors Available:
Black with tan markings
White
Coat:
Short and smooth
Medium length, thick
Shedding:
Minimal
Constant, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

greek harehoundKnown also as the Hellenic Hound, the Greek Harehound is an ancient breed, and it is a dog which has come down through the ages with very little change to the way he looks.

The ancestors of the Greek Harehound go back thousands of years and are believed to be the ancient ‘Laconikoi’ dogs of the Peloponnese.

In was in 1996 that the Federation Cynologique Internationale recognized the Hellenic Hound. The Greek Harehound was also recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC) in 2006.

polish tatra sheepdogKnown also as the Tatra Mountain Sheepdog, Polish Mountain Sheepdog or the Polski Owczarek, the Polish Tatra Sheepdog comes from Poland.

Shepherds were wanting an excellent guard dog for their livestock, and this dog has a natural instinct for guarding. Apart from being a good protection dog, the dog is also a superb companion.

This is a rare dog breed and not recognized by the AKC. This is actually an ancient breed, and the dog has lived in the Polish mountains for thousands of years. When the breed actually came about hasn’t been recorded. Some people suggest the Tatra Sheepdog comes from the Mastiff dog.

After the World Wars the dog’s number had been reduced and the Federation Cynologique Internationale started breeding the dog in the 1960s.

Description

greek harehound puppy - descriptionThese dogs have a short, dense coat which is black and tan in color. He is a medium sized, well proportioned, deep chested dog standing at roughly 47 – 55cm in height and weighing between 17–20kg.

His legs are straight, well boned and strong. The skull of the dog is fairly flat, the eyes are brown while the ears are set high and are floppy. The tail is long, tapering down to a tip.

Temperament:

Lively and outgoing, the Greek Harehound is a skilled, brave hunter. These are active dogs and will require quite a bit of exercise if you get one as a pet. He becomes devoted to his owner, making a good, all-round family pet.

He has always been used in the past to hunt in packs so he gets on well with any other dogs in the family.

As a scenthound, the Greek Harehound is an independent, stubborn, strong-willed dog that will respond well to a firm, strong owner. His stubborn, strong-willed nature means it will be important to have him trained and socialized so that he becomes a well-rounded, obedient pet.

If you're looking for a true around-the-house family pet, this isn't the ideal choice as he is essentially a hunting dog, wanting to be running off on a hunt as opposed to lying quietly indoors. He is therefore better suited to life in the country than being cooped up in a small city property.

polish tatra sheepdog puppy - descriptionIf you bring a Polish Tatra Sheepdog puppy into your home you might think you had a gorgeous Polar Pear Cub roaming around – that’s how cute they are.

These are large, well built white coated dogs and the average height for them as an adult is between 60 to 70cm, male and female. Weight of the dog is between 36 and 60kg.

The double coat is medium length and thick. The ears are medium length and floppy and the tail is long and carried low when the dog is at rest, but it is carried up and over the back when the dog is alert and watchful.

Temperament:

These dogs have a lot of characteristics that make it such a good guardian dog. He is territorial, bold, protective, loyal and always loving towards his human family.

The Tatra has a loud bark and he uses this when he is wary of anything that he thinks may harm his family. He is an intelligent dog too, and you won’t have any trouble training and socializing him.

Characteristics

greek harehound dog - characteristicsFast, courageous, smart, playful, independent and strong willed, the Greek Harehound is a slow maturing breed and he will require training and socialization to make him obedient and not so stubborn.

Once trained he becomes a truly wonderful companion, being affectionate, loyal and outgoing. He makes a good friend of children too.

He is friendly and non-aggressive, though he still makes a good watchdog. He is a low maintenance pet too, and even though he is essentially a hunting dog, he can make anyone a splendid pet.

polish tatra sheepdog dog - characteristicsThese large sheepdogs have always been guard dogs – they were bred to guard sheep and have always spent a lot of time on their own, away from humans.

To many people, he may seem to be somewhat aloof and independent, but for people looking for a guard dog, this particular characteristic is particularly appealing.

Nonetheless, brought up with lots of love and care he makes the most devoted, loving pet.

Health Problems

greek harehound puppies - health problemsThe Greek Harehound is a healthy dog breed with no particular genetic defects. But like other dogs with floppy ears, they are more prone to infections and the insides of the ears will need to be cleaned frequently. Always do this with the utmost care to avoid damaging your pet's ears.

He is a deep chested dog and this puts him at risk of gastric dilation and volvulus which is commonly referred to as bloat. Its a life threatening health issue where the stomach can twist. The stomach is sealed off as a result and gas builds up. The dog can go into organ failure.

polish tatra sheepdog puppies - health problemsWhile your Polish Tatra Sheepdog isn’t likely to suffer from any major dog health issues if he is well fed, well exercised and loved, he may well succumb to one or two of some of the typical illnesses there are that plague dogs -

Hip Dysplasia:

This is such a common- and serious problem with dogs, that it bears mentioning. Hip dysplasia is a problem with the hips so that the bones don’t fit- and move properly. The end result for the dog is pain, inflammation and swelling. Your dog is reluctant to play and get up again after lying down. Arthritis can set in which can also be painful. There are treatments to help with managing pain, but in some instances, surgery may be required.

Bloat:

Because the Polish Tatra Sheepdog is a deep chested dog, he is more prone to bloat, which is life threatening. Gas is trapped in the stomach, the stomach twists and the dog has a swollen stomach, is restless and in stress. Immediate veterinary intervention will be required.

Allergic Dermatitis:

This can be debilitating for your dog as he wants to be licking and scratching the whole time. Usually you’ll see this in the paw- and stomach area. There are a range of medications that the vet will suggest.

Caring The Pet

Exercise:

greek harehound dogs - caringThe Greek Harehound is happiest when he senses he is free to follow scents and run. This is why this particular dog breed isn’t suited for life in the city where he has a small garden. He requires large pieces of ground to run free. If you own one of these dogs, he should be taken on daily walks and be involved in lots of sporting activities and games. If you’re a jogger or cyclist, this dog will be thrilled to join you.

Grooming:

Dog owners love that this dog is a low maintenance breed. The short coat simply requires a brush twice a week to rid him of loose hairs and to also keep his coat shiny and healthy.

Vaccinations:

Every new puppy will require a series of vaccinations in his first year to make sure he doesn't develop some of the serious dog diseases there are such as distemper, parvo-virus and rabies among others.

Diet:

Dogs are carnivores and without human interference have always eaten fresh meat in the wilds. For convenience many people feed their dogs commercially manufactured food.

There are some excellent brands. Choose the best one for your pet and mix in raw meat from time to time as well as cooked rice, chicken and vegetables.

Never leave your pet without a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Exercise:

polish tatra sheepdog dogs - caringThe Polish Tatra Sheepdog is an energetic dog and this means he will require a large sized garden to run around in. As a large, active dog he isn’t recommended for city living but would suit a large property where he can be well exercised. Because of its size and energy levels, regular walks will be recommended. Provide the dog with stimulating games that will be mentally and physically beneficial.

Grooming:

This large dog sheds, and seasonally too, so he will need to be brushed at least twice a week to prevent loose hair.

Check inside your dog’s ears for infection.

Trim your dog’s nails.

Check your dog for fleas and ticks and check him over for any unusual lumps.

Diet:

Every pet lover wants their dog to live a long, healthy, active life. That is why it is so important to choose the best dog food.

If you buy commercially manufactured dog food, make sure its the high quality ones to ensure its properly formulated to provide your pet with all the vitamins and minerals he needs.

Home-made food is also an excellent choice for your pet. Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots can be very healthy, and you can chop this up and add it into the dry kibble a couple of times a week. This is a super tasty treat. Some raw meat added in occasionally will do him the world of good.

Never leave your pet without a constant source of fresh, cool water.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Polish Tatra Sheepdog vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Polish Tatra Sheepdog vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Polish Tatra Sheepdog vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Polish Tatra Sheepdog vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Polish Tatra Sheepdog vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Polish Tatra Sheepdog vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Polish Tatra Sheepdog vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Polish Tatra Sheepdog vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Polish Tatra Sheepdog vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Polish Tatra Sheepdog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Polish Tatra Sheepdog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Polish Tatra Sheepdog vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Polish Tatra Sheepdog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Polish Tatra Sheepdog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Polish Tatra Sheepdog vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Polish Tatra Sheepdog vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Polish Tatra Sheepdog vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Polish Tatra Sheepdog vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Polish Tatra Sheepdog vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Polish Tatra Sheepdog vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Polish Tatra Sheepdog vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Polish Tatra Sheepdog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Polish Tatra Sheepdog vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Polish Tatra Sheepdog vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Polish Tatra Sheepdog vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Greek Harehound vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Greek Harehound vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Greek Harehound vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Greek Harehound vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Greek Harehound vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Greek Harehound vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Greek Harehound vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Greek Harehound vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Greek Harehound vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Greek Harehound vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Greek Harehound vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Greek Harehound vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Greek Harehound vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Greek Harehound vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Greek Harehound vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Greek Harehound vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Greek Harehound vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Greek Harehound vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Greek Harehound vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Greek Harehound vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Greek Harehound vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Greek Harehound vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Greek Harehound vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Greek Harehound vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Greek Harehound vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison