Longevity
Life expectancy
Its life expectancy is most often between 12 and 15 years, which is a good longevity for a medium-sized scenthound. An appropriate lifestyle, daily exercise and serious veterinary follow-up help to maintain this lifespan.
Build
A robust breed?
A rustic breed, this dog copes well with an active life and frequent outings. Its harmonious build and its working dog profile make it a generally hardy companion, provided its physical needs are respected.
Watch points
What to watch for
Despite its good overall robustness, joint and ear monitoring remains useful, especially in very active dogs. As with any scenthound, observing locomotion, body condition and comfort after exertion helps to quickly identify a problem.
Hip dysplasia : Orthopedic monitoring is useful in active or breeding dogs, especially in cases of lameness, stiffness, or discomfort during exertion.
Elbow dysplasia : This joint condition can affect locomotor comfort and warrants veterinary advice if discomfort appears in the forequarters.
Epilepsy : Unexplained convulsive seizures require prompt veterinary care to confirm the cause and adjust follow-up.
Hypothyroidism : A drop in condition, weight gain, or changes in the coat may suggest a hormonal disorder to be investigated.
Otitis : Drooping ears require regular checks, especially after outings, in order to limit moisture, debris, and inflammation.
Climate
Cold and heat tolerance
The Chien courant d'Istrie à poil ras shows a moderate tolerance to cold as well as to heat. Its short coat protects less than a fuller coat, which requires avoiding extreme conditions and adapting the intensity of outings according to the weather.
Weight
Tendency to gain weight
Its tendency to gain weight remains moderate, but it increases if its activity decreases. It is important to adjust the ration to the actual expenditure, to monitor its figure and to avoid extras that are too frequent.
Daily life
Good habits to keep it healthy
- Check the ears after outings in nature.
- Monitor any limping or stiffness after exertion.
- Maintain regular daily activity without sudden overload.
- Schedule periodic veterinary check-ups.
Vaccination
Istrian Shorthaired Hound vaccines: vaccination schedule
Which vaccines for a Istrian Shorthaired Hound? Like all dogs, the Istrian Shorthaired Hound receives essential vaccines from 8 weeks old: CHPPi (core vaccine) and Leptospirosis. The puppy primary vaccination for Istrian Shorthaired Hound is given in several injections 4 weeks apart, followed by a first booster at 1 year. Depending on its lifestyle (hunting, hiking, boarding, travel, region), your veterinarian may complete the protocol with vaccines against Rabies, Kennel cough, Piroplasmosis, Lyme disease and Leishmaniasis.
| Vaccine | Primary series | First booster | Then | Who for? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CHPPi (core vaccine)Core Distemper, Rubarth hepatitis, parvovirosis and parainfluenza | 8 weeks · 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | All pets |
LeptospirosisCore Leptospirosis (bacterium transmitted by rodent urine and stagnant water) | 8 weeks · 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | All pets |
RabiesLifestyle-based Rabies | 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | Mandatory for travel abroad, categorized dogs, most boarding kennels and shows |
Kennel coughLifestyle-based Bordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza | 8 weeks | 1 year | every year | Dogs attending boarding kennels, daycares, dog clubs and shows |
PiroplasmosisLifestyle-based Tick-borne babesiosis | 5 months · 6 months | 1 year | every year | Hunting dogs, dogs living in rural or wooded areas, dogs highly exposed to ticks |
Lyme diseaseLifestyle-based Tick-borne borreliosis | 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | Hiking dogs, hunting dogs, forest areas of the East and the Center |
LeishmaniasisLifestyle-based Leishmaniasis transmitted by sandflies | 6 months | 1 year and 6 months | every year | Dogs living or staying in the South of France, Corsica and the Mediterranean basin |
Adult Istrian Shorthaired Hound vaccine boosters are annual for leptospirosis and rabies; for distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus, a booster every three years is often sufficient after the first booster. Your veterinarian will adjust the schedule to your dog’s actual risk.
Which boosters for your Istrian Shorthaired Hound?
Enter your companion’s age: we list the vaccines to do now and the next boosters.
Adopting well
Adopting a healthy Istrian Shorthaired Hound
Orthopedic monitoring is relevant, particularly for the hips in dogs intended for a very active life. Regular veterinary check-ups, combined with monitoring of the ears and locomotion, make it possible to detect early any potential signs of discomfort.
This information is provided for guidance only and does not replace a veterinarian’s advice. If you have any concerns about your pet’s health, consult a professional.
