Montenegrin Mountain Hound
The Montenegrin Mountain Hound (Serbo-Croatian: crnogorski planinski gonič / црногорски планински гонич) is a rare dog breed originating from the mountainous regions of Montenegro. Black and tan, with a smooth coat, the Montenegrin Mountain Hound was called Black Hound in the past. The breed is of the same origin as the other Balkan hounds. It stands 18 to 22 inches (46 to 56 cm) high and weighs 44 to 55 pounds (20 to 25 kg). The breed is used to hunt fox, hare, and small game, occasionally hunting larger animals such as deer or even wild boar. The breed was formerly known as the Yugoslavian Mountain Hound (Serbo-Croatian: jugoslovenski planinski gonič / југословенски планински гонич); the FCI changed the name on July 15, 1997. The first standard dates back to 1924. The breed bears strong resemblance to the Austrian Black and Tan Hound. The breed was first officially recognized on May 8, 1969, in Warsaw. American Rare Breed Association considers the breed endangered. Perhaps the most memorable popular depiction of the Montenegrin Mountain Hound (then called Yugoslavian Mountain Hound) had been as the hand puppet "Triumph the Insult Comic Dog", regularly appearing on the NBC television show Late Night with Conan O'Brien. Although the puppet displays physical characteristics of the breed, and was identified as such during many appearances, the caption identifying Triumph as a Yugoslavian Mountain Hound was promptly removed after NATO military attack ensued against FR Yugoslavia.
| Life Span | 10-14 years |
| Weight | 10-30 kg |
What to Know Before Buying a Montenegrin Mountain Hound
Finding a responsible Montenegrin Mountain Hound breeder requires more than browsing classified ads or responding to social media posts. The USDA requires any breeder who sells dogs commercially — especially those selling online or through third-party dealers — to hold a federal license and submit to regular inspections. A legitimate breeder should be willing to provide their USDA license number, invite you to visit their facility, and show you where the animals are housed and socialized.
Before committing to a purchase, ask the breeder for veterinary health records, vaccination documentation, and any genetic testing results relevant to the Montenegrin Mountain Hound. Reputable breeders will also ask you questions in return — about your living situation, experience with animals, and ability to provide long-term care. A breeder who asks no questions and is eager to ship an animal immediately is a significant red flag.
Use the search tool below to check whether any USDA-licensed facilities breeding Montenegrin Mountain Hounds appear in our database. If they do, review their inspection history carefully. Look for patterns of violations, pay attention to severity levels, and compare their compliance grade with other breeders in the same state. This due diligence takes minutes and can save you from supporting a facility with documented animal welfare problems.
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