Breed Standards

Gonczy Polski

Polish Hunting Dog

Poland.

10.11.2006.

Hunting dog. Dog used for hunting boar and deer. Also used occasionally for hunting fox and hare in the mountainous region of Southern Poland.

Group 6 - Mastiff
,Section 1 : Scenthounds
,1.2 Medium-sized
,With working trial

Jennifer Mulholland & Raymond Triquet.

Hunting with scent hounds was refered to in Polish literature as early as the XIII^th century. Poland has always been a country covered by deep forests, full of big game where the scent hound was the precious auxiliary of the hunter. Hunting with scent hounds was highly esteemed by Polish nobility as attested by XIV^th century chronicles.
In the XVII^th century, at least two different types of Polish scent hounds were already well distinguished.
Detailed descriptions are found in XIX ^th century hunting literature in 1819 Jan Szytier (Poradnik Mysliwych) describes the Polish “brach” and the Polish scent hound; in 1821, in the magazine “Sylwan”, W.Kozlowski gives a description and provides illustrations of both types, the Polish “brach” (heavier) and the Polish scent hound (lighter); the very detailed description of Ignacy Bogatynski (1823- 1825, Nauka Lowiectwa) could be used as the first breed standard.
After the first World War, the Polish scent hound was still used for hunting in Poland; in the eastern regions but especially in the mountains on particularly difficult terrains. In the Podkarpacle region, the famous Polish cynologist, Jozef Pawuslewicz (1903 – 1979) hunted with Polish scent hounds; he was engaged in the development of breeding this dog.
He wrote the first Breed Standard and it is thanks to him that these dogs were officially registered by the Polish Cynological Association.

A lithe dog of compact construction. The bone structure is strong but not heavy. The build implies a great aptitude for mobility and an obvious disposition to resist difficult working conditions in mountainous regions.

Medium sized. Rectangular build 910.

Stable and gentle. This dog is truly courageous and can even demonstrate proof of bravery. He is intelligent and easy to educate. Not aggressive but remaining wary towards strangers. To his qualities as a hunting dog, must be added those of an excellent guardian. During the hunt he gives voice with a characteristic melody in various intonations; a higher pitch for the females.

Noble, in proportion with the body.

Medium length, well muscled, relatively strong, with oval section. Carried neither too vertically nor too low (moderate slope). The skin is loose but without forming a dewlap.

Medium thickness, reaching to the hock joint. Well covered with hair, with slight brush. When the dog is at rest, the tail is carried low and sabre-like; in action, it is carried slightly higher than the top line.

The gait should be effortless and energetic, fluid and harmonious. Long reaching and free movement, especially on the trot. Whether walking or trotting, the topline remains straight and even. Limbs parallel in action.

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.