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.