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Introduction |
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Cretan
Hound is a primitive tracking and chasing harehound, with a
special talent of starting the game. Cretan Hound also combines
strong hunting drives, unimpaired passion, speed, intelligence,
strength and stamina, with well balanced, gentle, kind and easy
nature.
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The millennia of acclimatization in Crete, combined with the
dog’s excellent scenting abilities, high perception and light
but powerful body structure, create a skillful and efficient
hunting dog, for every season and any time of the day, even
under adverse circumstances for tracking (high temperature, dry
ground, sparse vegetation, strong wind, difficult and rocky
terrain etc).
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Cretan Hound never gives voice on the scent trail, but uses the
“body language” instead, to indicate the different stages of the
tracking process. The signs of these alternations are showed to
the hunter mainly by the wagging of the tail, the manner and the
speed the dog moves, the position of the ears, or the face
expression that shows
hesitation,
pertinacity,
anxiety,
excitement, impatience, joy, etc.
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During the hunt he uses all it’s senses. The typical
specimen, with the corresponding hunting, physical and
mental qualities, move swiftly and lightly, searching
the scent trails of the hare. After the first excitement
of picking up the night trails, C.H. interprets rapidly
the scent leading to the hare’s hide. Next, he works
meticulously and overcomes smartly the “tricks” of the
hare, coming close to it’s hiding place, where he slows
down and works attentively, trying to locate it, using
not only the sent trails but also the odors coming with
the slightest wind. (photo1 - click to enlarge) |
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In case of difficult to find, skilled hare
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hare that may hide in an impossible shelter,
C.H.
won’t
quit,
but he will hold on willfully and for a long time until he
succeeds. |
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Coming near to the hare, his behavior changes abruptly,
his movement becomes more vivid, the muscles in tense
and all it’s senses are in readiness. |
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When Cretan hound locates the hare, he starts it
impetuously, with a distinctive style (like a stroke),
intending to catch the hare – showing the dog’s hunting
instincts. (photo 2 & 5 - click to enlarge) |
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In many cases a kind of pointing behavior of varying
degrees precedes the starting,
depending on the circumstances
(i.e.
the position and the behavior of the hare,
the terrain, the vegetation and the positioning of the
rest of the team (dogs and hunter)).
This kind of behaviour is typical for this breed
and reveals the primitiveness of the hunting instinct
and the tense to work in co-operation
just like their ancestor
–
the wolf.
(photo4 - click to enlarge)
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This kind of behaviour has two major
benefits: |
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1.
The working team seems solid and homogeneous during all stages
of hunting (which is very important for hare hunting)
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2. The quick hunting development of the young dogs in the
working team, which take active part during the hunt, keeping
the right position close to the adults. At the same time the
adults pass on to the young all the secrets of searching,
tracking, locating, starting and chasing of the prey. |
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The chase of the C.H.
is swift and full of speed but rather sort
(depending
on the circumstances),
accompanied by a low tone cry,
continuous or interrupted,
even faint, depending on the personality and the
experience of the dog, but mainly on the progress of the
chase.
(photo3 - click to enlarge) |
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The frantic chase of the Cretan hounds panics the prey,
which under this pressure might make a mistake, and get
captured. |
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The Cretan hound never strays out of the hunter’s range of
vision or hearing (the distance varies), and cooperates with
him. He is the best choice for hunters that wish to live
sensational hunting moments close to the dogs and to own a dog
controllable, obedient, co-operative, making a strong bond with
his owner. |
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YIANNIS
GIANNIKAS
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