Greek Harehound vs Drentse Patrijshond - Breed Comparison

Known 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.

The Drentse Patrijshond came about in the 1930-1950s. The breed developed from pointing dogs which originated in Spain, arriving in the Netherlands in the 16th century and being known as Partridge dogs.

The eastern part was known as the Province of Drenthe, and it is this area where these Partridge dogs were bred exclusively, not being mixed with other unknown breeds.

After World War II the Drentse Patrijshond was also recognized by the FCI. It was a popular dog in the Netherlands and the breed was also recognized by the Dutch Kennel Club in 1943. The Dretse’s popularity grew in other European countries too. In the 1960s some of the dogs entered the United States and in 2008 the Drentse Patrijshond Club of North America was established.

These 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.

The Drentse Patrijshond is a medium to large sized dog standing between 55 and 63cm in height and weighing anything between 18 and 30kg. He is a working dog and known by other names such as Dutch Partridge Dog and Dutch Gundog among others.

The coat of the dog is medium length and dense and is mostly white with reddish brown markings. People looking at him liken him to a spaniel, pointer or setter kind of dog. He is athletic and muscular with a long feathery tail, floppy ears and a brown nose with amber colored eyes.

Temperament:

The Drentsche Patrijshond is an amicable family dog who is relaxed and calm around other pets in the home as well as children. In fact it is the kind of dog that forms a strong bond with his human family, not liking to be left alone.

He is a lively, alert and playful dog with a tendency to be a bit stubborn but this is easily dealt with when he undergoes training and socialization. He is an adaptable dog, being able to fit into life in the city or the countryside, just so long as his beloved owners are close by. However, he is very active and will require an owner who will take time out to take him on walks or involve him in lots of outdoor activities.

Fast, 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.

The Drentse Patrijshond is a breed of dog that is particularly human orientated – just loving being around his human family.

He forms a deep bond with those that care for him and he can’t bear to be separated from his human family. The dog has always had a strong hunting instinct but these days this sweet, loyal dog is much more a devoted family pet who is more than happy to come indoors and make himself at home among his family members.

The 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.

The Drentse is a fairly healthy dog breed, with a life span of 12 to 15 years. No matter how healthy your dog, there will always be some health issues it may face. Environmental factors and diet can play an important part in his wellbeing.

Health concerns with this breed can include progressive retinal atrophy, hip dysplasia as well as hereditary stomatocytosis. This is a disorder that affects the dog’s cells walls.

Too much fluid gets into the cells and this damages red blood cells. Some breeds are more prone to this disorder, and the Drentse Patrijshond is one. It is an hereditary disorder that results in chronic anemia and liver disease.

Exercise:

The 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.

Grooming:

This dog is quite a heavy shedder, but even so, he won’t need professional grooming – just a good brushing twice a week.

The teeth will need to be brushed 2 or 3x a week and because he has floppy ears, these will need to be checked for infection. It’s a good idea to clean them with some special dog ear cleanser, but if you’re not sure how, your vet or a professional groomer can do it for you.

Cut your dog’ nails, but once again if you think you might cut into the quick of the nail, causing bleeding and pain, a professional groomer can do it for you.

Diet:

The Drentsche Patrijshond will require quality dry dog food. Speak to your vet about the best kibble that ensures your pet gets his full quota of vitamins and minerals. Add in cooked brown rice, vegetables and chicken from time to time and include some raw meat wherever possible. Adding in some raw meat helps to stave off dry, red, irritated skin. Your pet will also need access to fresh, cool water day and night.