At a glance the quick version
Coat and looks how to spot one
short, dense coat with undercoat
A light, agile hound with a close-fitting, moderately coarse coat about 2-5 cm long, a little longer on the back, neck and tail, over a dense undercoat that thickens in winter.3
Personality what they are like
A spirited, persistent and brave hunter in the field that is relaxed and good-natured at home. It is clever and trainable, loyal to its family and watchful over its property, and fairly quiet for a hound.324
Daily activity how busy a day looks
High: bred to follow a trail for hours, so it needs long daily walks or runs and scent work or hunting to keep it content.34
Company who they like around
Gets on well with children and bonds with its family, while keeping an eye on the home.2
The story where it all began
Hounds of this type have hunted in the Slovak forests for a very long time, probably shaped by Austrian, Polish and Hungarian hounds. The modern breed was described from the 1870s, the FCI recognised it in 1963, and a breed club was set up in Bratislava in 1988.21
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
It can follow a warm trail for hours, giving voice as it goes, and is prized for wild boar hunting.3
- 2
The breed standard highlights its unusually strong sense of direction, helping it find its way back to the hunter.3
- 3
The name 'Black Forest Hound' used in North America seems to be a marketing name with no link to Germany's Black Forest.2
- 4
It always comes in the same colours: black with rich tan markings.3
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Standard no. 244, Group 6 (Scent hounds), Section 1.2 medium-sized hounds; definitive recognition 16 Apr 1963; subject to a working trial.1
- United Kennel Club (UKC)
- Recognised.2
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Slovenský kopov. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Bathevery 8 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
- Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 8every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- SLOVENSKÝ KOPOV (244) - FCI breed nomenclature fci.beused for recognition, group, working trial
- Slovenský kopov - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for other names, UKC, temperament, history, fun facts
- FCI Standard No. 244 - Slovakian Hound fci.beused for size, weight, coat, colour, temperament, use
- Slovensky Kopov - American Kennel Club akc.orgused for temperament, traits
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.