Russian Harlequin Hound

In the eighteenth century, a hound indigenous to Russia began to develop naturally, but it wasn’t until around 1900 that selective breeding began in earnest, and the first breed standard for the Russian Hound was developed in 1925. Breeders then crossed the Russian Hound with English Foxhounds, sprinkling in a few French scenthounds as well. The result was the Russian Harlequin Hound, a slightly more square dog in appearance with tricolored patches on a white body. The bay of the Russian Harlequin Hound is much deeper and more melodic than that of a Russian Hound, and they frequently have black saddle markings. Until 1951 this new breed of hound was known as the Anglo-Russian Hound, but when it was accepted as a separate breed of its own, it became known as the Russian Harlequin Hound instead. This breed was well known, for not only their melodic voices but also for their speed and stamina when tracking their quarry. They were frequently used as Red Chase dogs meaning that they chased fox and wolves, traditionally referred to as red game, and they are rarely found outside of the Soviet Union. Breeders of the Russian Harlequin Hound are still in the process of improving both the type and uniformity of the breed and the breed is now sometimes seen at Soviet dog shows, and is considered equal in quality to the best Russian Hounds. The Russian Harlequin Hound was also used by William Dunker when he developed his namesake hound the Dunker, sometimes also known as the Norwegian Hound.