ORIGIN: Lithuania.

DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE OFFICIAL VALID STANDARD: 2019-10-12.

UTILIZATION: Since ancient times, Lithuanian hounds have been used for hunting of large animals (deer, elk and wild boar). The job of the hound is to find fresh traces of an animal, or the animal itself, in the hunting area, raise the animal from its resting place and force it to move, bark and follow its traces, stop the injured animal, and bark if it is dead. Lithuanian hounds are very versatile dogs. Although their main job is hunting large fauna, these dogs are also suitable for hunting small animals such as hares, foxes, roe deer, and are used for duck hunting. Hunters are especially fond of the Lithuanian hound for its melodic bark and its strong modulation when yelping at fresh traces of small or large animals. Dogs of this breed are very suitable to be trained to look for injured animals. They can successfully follow blood traces of an injured animal and are used as blood trackers. Dog with a great sense of smell and strong bark.

Lithuanian Hounds are the only Lithuanian dog breed developed for responsible hunting. The statement about hunting may be somewhat narrow, but historically, they are hunting dogs. Through the twists and turns of history, these wonderful dogs have been both widely spread and nearly extinct; however, today we can rejoice that thanks to dedicated people, we still have this remarkable breed.

Dogs were among the first domesticated animals; however, their classification into breeds as we know it today is relatively recent—it developed only in the 20th century. Until the late Middle Ages in Europe, dogs were classified simply as domestic dogs, herding dogs, and hunting dogs. Today, according to the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), all breeds are divided into 10 groups and further into smaller sections. Unfortunately, the Lithuanian Hound belongs to Group 0, that is, the breed is not recognized by the FCI.

Lithuanian Hounds are hunting dogs whose character and behaviour have been shaped as a result of the long and demanding selective breeding practices of hunters.

One of the earliest references to Lithuanian Hounds dates back to a court case from 1541. Information about dogs in these territories can also be found in the Statutes of Lithuania, the works by Jan Ostroróg, and later nineteenth-century sources.