Apartment fit
This breed is a difficult apartment fit because it is active, scent-focused, and potentially vocal.
HoundMedium
Montenegro
MontenegroMontenegrin Mountain Hound
Weight
44-55 lb
Height
17.3-21.3 in
Lifespan
11-13 yrs
Coat
Smooth Short
The Montenegrin Mountain Hound is a medium Balkan scenthound with a short black-and-tan coat, courageous hunting style, and steady temperament.
Medium scenthound from MontenegroShort black-and-tan coatHardy hunting breed for rough terrainNeeds scent outlets and secure exercise
Breed Names
Official, native, and commonly used variants
Crnogorski Planinski GonicYugoslavian Mountain Hound
CourageousHardySteadyScent-drivenLoyalDetermined
Weight
44-55 lb
Height
17.3-21.3 in
Lifespan
11-13 yrs
Coat
Smooth Short
At A Glance
Daily living snapshot
A quick read on energy, upkeep, and what day-to-day life with this breed usually feels like.
Energy
High
Barking
Moderate to High
Drooling
Low
Shedding
Moderate
Grooming
1/5
First-time owner
No
Overview
The Montenegrin Mountain Hound is a Balkan scenthound from Montenegro, formerly associated with the name Yugoslavian Mountain Hound. The FCI standard describes a medium, generally black-and-tan hound used for hunting in demanding terrain.
Adults are typically about 17 to 21 inches at the shoulder, with a short, dense, smooth coat. The correct color is black with tan markings, sometimes with a small white chest mark tolerated but not preferred. The breed is built for stamina and scent work rather than decorative showiness.
As a companion, the Montenegrin Mountain Hound needs active owners, secure outdoor routines, and realistic expectations about scent drive. It can be friendly and steady with people it knows, but recall, leash work, and ear care should be routine.
Temperament & Personality
CourageousHardySteadyScent-drivenLoyalDetermined
This breed tends to suit homes looking for a courageous, hardy, steady companion, with daily rhythms shaped by high energy, moderate to high barking, and low drooling.
Coat type
Smooth
Coat length
Short
Shedding
Moderate
Colors
Black and Tan
Lifestyle Compatibility
Family Friendly4/5
Good with Kids4/5
Good with Dogs4/5
Good with Strangers3/5
Apartment Friendly2/5
Exercise Needs4/5
Grooming Needs1/5
Trainability3/5
Good fit if you want
- A family-friendly companion
- Room for routine exercise
- Confidence handling structure and training
Plan ahead for
- 4/5 exercise needs
- moderate shedding and coat upkeep
- moderate to high barking in daily life
Owner Fit & Everyday Behavior
Best for
- active owners familiar with hounds
- homes with secure outdoor space
- people who enjoy hiking or scent work
- multi-dog homes with careful introductions
Not ideal for
- quiet apartments
- owners wanting easy off-leash reliability
- homes with no daily outdoor routine
- people looking for a low-energy companion
Common challenges
- following scent
- hound vocalization
- ear care
- restlessness without enough activity
Barking & behavior
Expect alert and hunting-style vocal behavior. Teach calm check-ins and avoid letting window barking become a habit.
Training style
Use rewards and long-line practice. Build recall and leash skills slowly around scent distractions.
Grooming & shedding
The short coat is easy to brush, but ears and feet need checks after outdoor work.
Care Guide
Exercise
Provide 60 to 90 minutes of daily activity, with scent walks, hiking, tracking games, or controlled running in safe areas.
Grooming
The short coat is easy to maintain with weekly brushing. Check ears, feet, and skin after brushy or wet outings.
Training
Focus on recall foundations, leash manners, and calm handling. Reward-based work is most effective when scent distractions are introduced gradually.
Nutrition
Feed for a lean, active hound. Increase or reduce portions according to work level, weather, and body condition.
Behavior & Environment
Energy level
High
Barking level
Moderate to High
Drooling level
Low
Watchdog ability
3/5
Guard dog ability
1/5
Climate tolerance
Cold weather3/5
Heat tolerance3/5
Health Considerations
Common concerns to discuss with your vet and breeder.
Ear infectionsHip or joint issuesField injuriesObesity
Frequently Asked Questions
What color is the Montenegrin Mountain Hound?
The standard color is black with tan markings. A small white chest mark may be tolerated but is not preferred.
Is the Montenegrin Mountain Hound a large dog?
No. It is usually a medium hound, roughly 17 to 21 inches at the shoulder.
Can a Montenegrin Mountain Hound live in an apartment?
Apartment life is difficult unless the owner provides serious daily exercise and manages barking and scent drive.
Does the Montenegrin Mountain Hound bark a lot?
It can be vocal, especially when excited or following scent. Hound voice should be expected.
Is the Montenegrin Mountain Hound good with other dogs?
Many hounds are social with other dogs when properly raised, but introductions and supervision are still needed.
How much exercise does the Montenegrin Mountain Hound need?
Most healthy adults need at least 60 to 90 minutes of daily activity with scent-rich walks or tracking outlets.
What is the biggest challenge of owning this breed?
Managing scent drive, recall, and vocal behavior is usually the biggest challenge.
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