Slovakian Rough-haired Pointer

55-70 lbs
22-25"
Czechoslovakia
Slovensky Hrubosrsty Stavac, Ohar

The Slovakian Rough-haired Pointer was created in the 1950's in an attempt to create a good all round gundog that could not only track and point, but also retrieve on both land and water. The breeders achieved their goal, and the result was the Slovakian Rough-haired Pointer. This dog is an excellent worker, and with their eagerness to please makes them an easy dog to train. This determined dog has the unending stamina to work long days and is suited more to country living as they need space to roam, and they do need a lot of exercise. This dog is not the type of canine to snooze on the porch; they have energy to burn. Without enough exercise, you will have one unhappy dog on your hands. But once they have gone for a run, or out on a hunt, they are a happy pooch and love to be with their family. In fact, they crave your company and will get anxious if left alone for long periods of time. The Slovakian Rough-haired Pointer is not a dog you want to have time on their paws; behavioral problems will arise if they are not given a good work out each day. They are a happy, friendly dog who is generally good with children although they can be boisterous, so they do need supervising around small ones.

purpose Purpose
Hunting, Pointing, Retrieving
history Date of Origin
1950's
ancestry Ancestry
Cesky Fousak, German Wirehaired Pointer, Weimaraner, Pudelpointer

Slovakian Rough-haired Pointer Health

Average Size
Male Slovakian Rough-haired Pointer size stats
Height: 24-27 inches Weight: 55-76 lbs
Female Slovakian Rough-haired Pointer size stats
Height: 22-25 inches Weight: 55-70 lbs
Major Concerns
  • Hip Dysplasia
Minor Concerns
  • Allergies
  • Atopic Dermatitis
  • Eye Infections
Occasional Diagnoses
  • Ear Infections such as Otitis interna/media
Occasional Tests
  • Ear Examination
  • Urinalysis
  • Optical Examination
  • Regular Full Physical Examination By Veterinarian
  • Blood Tests and Analysis
  • Skin Scrapings and Biopsies
  • Hip and Elbow X-rays

Slovakian Rough-haired Pointer Breed History

The new breed of dog known as the Slovakian Rough-haired Pointer arose around the mid 1950's in response to a need for a top gundog that was capable of multitasking in the field. In other words, hunters wanted a dog that could track, and then point when out hunting, and retrieve the prey once the hunter had dispatched it. This ability would mean hunters only needed the one dog, rather than several specialist dogs. Koloman Slimak took on the task of developing this special dog at the end of World War II. What he hoped to achieve was a dog breed that had great stamina to be out in the field with their owner, and a dog that could track, point and retrieve a wide range of prey from birds to deer. The Slovakian Rough-haired Pointer was created with the crossing of the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Czech Pointer or Cesky Fousek. At a later date, Weimaraner blood was added to the gene pool, which affected the color of the dog's coat, making it the icy Grey or the Grey Roan that it is today. The first of the Slovakian Rough-haired Pointers arrived in the UK in the late 1990's. More recently the addition of more Weimaraner,as well as Pudlepointer blood has been added to strengthen the breed. The result is a strong, vibrant, energetic dog with a great work ethic. They excel in an active environment either as a working dog for a gundog enthusiast, or as a sporting companion within a family environment. This dog thrives on activity and is better after a hard days work whether that be on a hunt, or as a running or cyclist companion. 

Slovakian Rough-haired Pointer Breed Appearance

The Slovakian Rough-haired Pointer has a sturdy but elegant frame, and is medium to large in size. The length of their body should be slightly longer than the height to the withers. Strong shoulders and a deep chest support a muscular neck. Strong straight legs give the dog flexibility and support over uneven terrain. The back is long and straight with plenty of muscle. The head of this attractive canine is rectangular and quite broad, and a long muzzle meets in a scissors bite. The ears are broad at the base and fold over to hang elegantly by the cheeks. Their almond shaped eyes are often amber in color and are deep set, but have an inquisitive, friendly expression. Puppies and young dogs often start out with a bluish color to their eyes, but this often changes as they mature. The fur is a dense double coat, with the outer coat being wiry and straight. The two colors permitted for registration with the UK Kennel Club are Grey and Grey Roan. Both colors are variations of the silvery color from their ancestor, the Weimaraner.

Eye Color Possibilities
blue Slovakian Rough-haired Pointer eyes
Blue
amber Slovakian Rough-haired Pointer eyes
Amber
Nose Color Possibilities
black Slovakian Rough-haired Pointer nose
Black
Coat Color Possibilities
gray Slovakian Rough-haired Pointer coat
Gray
Coat Length
coat
Short Medium Long
Coat Density
coat density
pin
Sparse Normal Dense
Coat Texture
coat texture
Slovakian Rough-haired Pointer wiry coat texture
Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Slovakian Rough-haired Pointer Breed Maintenance

The Slovakian Rough-haired Pointer requires a good weekly brushing session to keep that lovely wiry, thick double coat in top condition. Although the undercoat is dense and the outer layer should reach about 1 1/2 inches in length, this dog doesn't require the services of a dog groomer for coat clipping or trimming. This pup rarely needs a bath, with a good rubdown with a soft damp cloth being enough. But if your pooch has been out hunting and has traipsed through the mud, they may need an impromptu bath. Use a very mild dog shampoo to protect their coat and prevent skin allergies, to which the Slovakian can be prone. With their long folded ears it is important to check inside the ear to prevent infection going unnoticed. Teeth care is important; most dogs are trained during puppyhood to have their teeth brushed. After a long ramble out hunting, this dog will enjoy all the attention and will enjoy sitting quietly for a good grooming session. Finish off with a nail clipping if required.

Brushes for Slovakian Rough-haired Pointer
Pin Brush
Pin Brush
Slicker Brush
Slicker Brush
Deshedder
Deshedder
Nail Clipper
Nail Clipper
Brushing Frequency
fur daily fur weekly fur monthly
Slovakian Rough-haired Pointer requires weekly brushing
Daily Weekly Monthly

Slovakian Rough-haired Pointer Temperament

With a whiskery face, deep warm eyes, and impressive size, the Slovakian Rough-haired Pointer is an elegant, almost noble dog. They are known for being eager to please and adapt to training easily. Loyal and dedicated to their owner, they will do anything for a kind word or a pat. While they are usually a working dog, they can adapt to being a family companion as long as the family is active. This dog is not a couch potato unless they have just spent six hours working on a hunt. They thrive on activity and have great stamina, and are comical buddies joining in the family games with gusto. This dog forges strong bonds with their master and family, and can fret and get anxiety attacks if left alone for too long. They are best in a country setting where they can run and explore but can adapt to living in an urban area as long as the house has a large yard and they get taken for a challenging run for an hour or so each day. A relative new comer, this breed is not well known outside of their homeland, but they are a dog that has a wonderful nature and are hard working, too. Keeping this dog busy channels their energy in a positive way, and if trained and socialized from puppyhood, the Slovakian Rough-haired Pointer can be a valuable, lovable companion or an accurate, busy and high achieving gundog.

Slovakian Rough-haired Pointer Activity Requirements

Developed to be a working dog, the Slovakian Rough-haired Pointer thrives on activity. At least an hour to an hour and a half of walking each day is needed to keep this dog happy. They love to run free and enjoy games and fun activities. Their willingness to please means that they are easy to train, using praise and a small treat or two to encourage them to learn. They make good friends for children, enjoying games and messing around. But they are a big dog who sometimes gets excited, so that they may knock over a smaller child; therefore, always supervise play. Give them as much exercise as possible: fetching, running, exploring, beach running, and having fun around the waterways. In the case of the Slovakian Rough-haired Pointer, a tired dog is a good dog. They are ideal companions for runners or cyclists as they rarely tire! Beautiful, affectionate and loyal, this canine is a dog who loves physical activity. If you are a not an active person, think about your lifestyle and whether you are willing to put in the effort to keep this dog happy and healthy.

Activity Level
low activity medium activity high activity
Low Medium High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
16 miles
walk mileage
Minutes of Activity Per Day
80 minutes
activity minutes

Slovakian Rough-haired Pointer Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
3 cups
cup per day cost cup per day cost cup per day cost
Daily Cost
$1.50 - $1.90
food bowls daily cost
Monthly Cost
$39.00 - $52.00
food bag monthly cost

Slovakian Rough-haired Pointer Height & Weight

6 Months
Male Slovakian Rough-haired Pointer size stats at six months
Height: 13.0 inches Weight: 16.5 lbs
Female Slovakian Rough-haired Pointer size stats at six months
Height: 11.0 inches Weight: 15.5 lbs
12 Months
Male Slovakian Rough-haired Pointer size stats at 12 months
Height: 18.0 inches Weight: 32.5 lbs
Female Slovakian Rough-haired Pointer size stats at 12 months
Height: 16.0 inches Weight: 31.5 lbs
18 Months
Male Slovakian Rough-haired Pointer size stats at 18 months
Height: 25.5 inches Weight: 65.5 lbs
Female Slovakian Rough-haired Pointer size stats at 18 months
Height: 23.5 inches Weight: 60.0 lbs

Slovakian Rough-haired Pointer Owner Experiences

Book me a walkiee?
Pweeeze!
Sketch of smiling australian shepherd