Many beginning dog lovers wonder: what's the difference between the Estonian Hound and the Russian Piebald Hound? These breeds are indeed similar, but they have some distinctive characteristics.
Characteristics of the Estonian Hound
The dog is the result of crossing the beagle and hound breeds. This is a hunting dog, below average height, with a strong build and well-developed muscles. Its head is round, its muzzle is elongated, and its eyes are slightly slanted. The average lifespan of this breed is 12–14 years.
Although the Estonian Hound is a direct descendant of the Beagle, these breeds differ in a number of ways:
- they are taller and larger;
- the hound's bark is louder;
- Beagles are overly sociable, while hounds have a reserved character and are easy to train.
Russian Piebald Hound
The breed arose as a result of crossing foxhounds with the local Russian hound. These dogs are excellent hunters, with a strong build like the Estonian hound, a medium-sized body, and a balanced character. The Russian Piebald Hound's head is large but not wide, with barely visible brow ridges and slanted eyes. The average lifespan of this breed is approximately 12 years.
Main differences between breeds
Despite some similarities, the Estonian and Russian Piebald Hounds can be distinguished by the following characteristics:
- dimensions: the height at the withers of the Russian Piebald Hound is 58–68 cm, while for the other it is 45–52 cm;
- coat: the Russian piebald has short hair on the head and limbs, and about 5 cm on the rest of the body; the Estonian has short and stiff hair all over the body;
- Ears: The Russian Piebald Hound has hanging, triangular ears with rounded edges and set high, while the Estonian Hound has low-set ears that lie close to the head.
These are the main differences between the two hunting breeds. Perhaps, upon closer examination, others may be revealed, but this depends on the individual.
