Hellenic Hound vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison

Hellenic Hound vs American Staghound - Breed ComparisonAmerican Staghound is originated from United States but Hellenic Hound is originated from Greece. American Staghound may grow 22 cm / 9 inches higher than Hellenic Hound. American Staghound may weigh 21 kg / 47 pounds more than Hellenic Hound. Both American Staghound and Hellenic Hound has almost same life span. American Staghound may have less litter size than Hellenic Hound. Both American Staghound and Hellenic Hound requires Low Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Hound dog
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United States
Greece
Height Male:
67 - 77 cm
26 - 31 inches
47 - 55 cm
18 - 22 inches
Height Female:
63 - 75 cm
24 - 30 inches
45 - 53 cm
17 - 21 inches
Weight Male:
25 - 41 kg
55 - 91 pounds
17 - 20 kg
37 - 45 pounds
Weight Female:
22 - 39 kg
48 - 86 pounds
15 - 18 kg
33 - 40 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 14 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 5
6 - 8
Size:
Giant
Medium
Other Names:
AS
Greek Hound or the Hellenikos Ichnilatis The Hellenic Hound, Greek Harehound
Colors Available:
Any
Black with tan markings
Coat:
Shag, Slick or Broken
Short, smooth, sleek
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Courageous, Energetic, Gentle, Intelligent, Loving, Stubborn
Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Playful, Stubborn, Sweet
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Hard
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
No

History

american staghoundThe American Staghound is hunting dog and type of sighthound that is not recognized as a separate breed. They have historically been bred to hunt coyotes and then other game. Even though they are not considered a separate breed some of their breeding lines have existed much longer than some officially recognized breeds. The American Staghound is a cross between the Greyhound and the Scottish Deerhound. There was probably some Borzoi mixed in as well. The Staghound is believed to have traveled with General Custer across the American West. The breed is a long-legged running dog with the speed of a Greyhound, the sighting ability of sight hounds and more endurance than any running breed. They are incredible athletes with amazing agility and have been bred to course game – coyotes mostly – and therefore are bred with a very intense prey drive. In the past they chased stags and deer and today they chase coyotes and hare. Coyotes are much faster than wolves and fight just as hard. The American Staghound is the only breed fast enough to track down the coyote. However, the breed is not recognized by the AKC. Hunting with an American Staghound today is not very different from hunting with them in medieval times. Strict breeding practices and the non-commercialization of the breed has led to the almost perfect preservation of this hunting breed. They have not changed very much over the centuries. They have been breeding Staghound to Staghound since the early 1800’s. At times very, good hunting dogs from Greyhound and Deerhound stock are added to the mix. For hundreds of years now the closed breeding has led to what might be the finest coyote chasing sighthound possible.

hellenic houndDeveloped in Southern Greece, the Hellenic Hound was bred to hunt hare and is an ancient breed. It is a medium sized breed with strong scent and tracking skills. It is believed to have been in existence for thousands of years. The ancestry of the breed included the Lagonikoi or laconikoi, native to southern Greece in ancient times. The breed was spread by sailors on Greece trading ships and colonization.

Todays Hellenic Hound is found throughout Europe. Kept somewhat isolated by the mountains, the breed was protected from outside breeding and they remained pure for centuries. It is a fearless, smart and hyped up purebred. The Hellenic Hound needs to have a job and if you don’t give him one, he will find one. He is smart and independent which sometimes makes him stubborn. It also takes this dog longer to mature than others, sometime between two and three years. It is not good for first time owners. Today’s hound is still a popular hunting dog and companion animal as well. They are rarely seen outside of the Greek country.

In 1996 the Hellenic Hound was recognized as the first Greek dog breed into the FCI. They are not recognized by the AKC. Its numbers continue to decline.

Description

american staghound puppy - descriptionWhen you look at the American Staghound you can clearly see the Scottish Deerhound and the Greyhound lines. They have strong running muscles in their long legs and deep chest. He is of course a sight hound, so his vision is acute. His running endurance is second to none. It is this endurance in running all day that makes the American Staghound difference from the Scottish Deerhound and the Greyhound. Yes, both the Deerhound are greyhound are great runners, but the American Staghound runs just as fast with an endurance level ten times that of the other hounds. His heavy bones structure and thick skin are also different from the other racing fast sight hounds.

hellenic hound puppy - descriptionToday’s Hellenic Hound is not a big dog but rather very average or medium. It is an athletic dog and looks like it. It has a balanced body with a deep chest and thick neck. It has medium height legs that are strong and muscular with paws that are prepared for the terrain it always works on. Its coat is short and tight. The colors of the Hellenic Hound are black with tan or white on the chest. Their heads are noble and rounded with a rectangle shaped muzzle. They have v shaped, long ears and round eyes. Their toe nails are black and so is their nose. It has excellent scent glands, very quick responses, speed and stamina. Their tail is thick and tapers off.

Characteristics

american staghound dog - characteristicsThis dog was bred to run fast and long after something it sees. They are not considered hyperactive but won’t live well in a confined space such as an apartment or condo. You will need a single-family house with a large yard. Though they are affectionate, family dogs, they are not cut out to be guard dogs. They are not especially protective or territorial, though they may bark at what they can see in the distance. They are calm in their homes if exercised enough and great with children. They are often gentle and loving. They are pack oriented and accept other dogs, but they are not welcoming toward cats or other prey sized animals. Be careful with the AS around small children as he might knock them down or see them as prey as well. They consider anything smaller that runs to be prey. When chasing prey, they are not only fast and enduring, they are tenacious and courageous. Remember that this is a breed that has been bred true in order to hunt and only in order to hunt. Their hunting instincts will override almost any other. Over the centuries only the best hunters were allowed to be bred so that only the best hunters would be born.

Children friendliness

hellenic hound dog - characteristicsyes, they are very fond of children as long as they are carefully socialized.

Special talents

Great hunter, stamina ,scent, voice

Adaptable

He needs to have a yard or land. He doesn’t do well in apartments.

Learning

The breed is very intelligent and can be very trainable. However, they can also be stubborn and that makes training harder.

Health Problems

american staghound puppies - health problemsThe American Staghound has been bred so consistently within the breed and true that they exhibit very few health problems. All running dogs are susceptible to joint issues, but the Staghound has less than most. Two issues they do face more often are a problem with anesthesia if they ever need it and the propensity to be vulnerable to bloat. Since they are a centuries old hybrid there are no real health issues born of genetics.

hellenic hound puppies - health problemsThe Hellenic Hound is a fairly healthy breed having been isolated on the Island of Greece for the most part. They are susceptible to:

Joint dysplasia

Could be hips, elbows or knees. If untreated can lead to lameness or inability to walk.

Arthritis

Causes joint pain and can cause lameness or inability to walk.

Bloat

Can be fatal if not treated immediately. To avoid it don’t feed a large meal before or after exercise.

Hunting injuries

Can be a variety of things that occur during the hunt.

Ear infections

Need to keep the ears clean and dry in order to avoid infections.

Caring The Pet

Feeding

american staghound dogs - caringIt is important that you don’t ever over feed you American Staghound as they are thin and bred to run. Even though they are heavier boned than their closest relatives, they are still very susceptible to obesity if overfed. The adult AS should be fed about 4-6 cups of dry food every day in at least 2 meals but 3 of more would be better. This will prevent bloat.

Health issues

As previously mentioned there are no genetic issues with the health of the American Staghound. Bred for one reason and one reason alone for many centuries has led to this healthy state. Also, as stated previously they can have issues with bloat and anesthesia. The issue with anesthesia comes from the fact that the American Staghound has very little body fat to muscle ration. The issue with bloat or torsion can be avoided with many smaller meals and not running your Staghound right after they eat a large meal.

Exercise and games

Of course, the American Staghound loves to run and if you are not going to hunt with her, you will have to find another source of vigorous physical activity. Every day from puppyhood on the AS must be stimulated mentally and physically in order to grow and mature correctly. He must have a home where the freedom to run is an everyday experience, not a dog park once a week. If you ride bikes, race walk or run on a daily basis this might be the dog for you. They obviously excel at games like lure coursing and can be good at agility.

Feeding the puppy

hellenic hound dogs - caringFeed the puppy 2-3 times a day a total of 2 cups

Feeding the adult

Feed the adult twice a day a total of 2-3 cups

Points for Good Health

The Hellenic Hound has excellent stamina, speed and scenting ability.

Games and Exercises

This is a very active, athletic dog that needs to work and needs exercise. He is powerful, quick and has great endurance. It thrives on hunting but will need other activities on the days it doesn’t hunt. It needs a yard or land to play in. Agility, Field Trials, tracking, hunting and fly ball are all activities the Hellenic Hound will enjoy.

Comparison with other breeds

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  25. Hellenic Hound vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. American Staghound vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. American Staghound vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. American Staghound vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. American Staghound vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. American Staghound vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. American Staghound vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. American Staghound vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. American Staghound vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. American Staghound vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. American Staghound vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. American Staghound vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. American Staghound vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. American Staghound vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. American Staghound vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. American Staghound vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. American Staghound vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. American Staghound vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. American Staghound vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. American Staghound vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. American Staghound vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. American Staghound vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. American Staghound vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. American Staghound vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. American Staghound vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. American Staghound vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison