Lithuanian Hounds are the only Lithuanian dog breed developed for responsible hunting. The statement about hunting may be somewhat narrow, but historically, they are hunting dogs. Through the twists and turns of history, these wonderful dogs have been both widely spread and nearly extinct; however, today we can rejoice that thanks to dedicated people, we still have this remarkable breed.
Dogs were among the first domesticated animals; however, their classification into breeds as we know it today is relatively recent—it developed only in the 20th century. Until the late Middle Ages in Europe, dogs were classified simply as domestic dogs, herding dogs, and hunting dogs. Today, according to the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), all breeds are divided into 10 groups and further into smaller sections. Unfortunately, the Lithuanian Hound belongs to Group 0, that is, the breed is not recognized by the FCI.
The age of the Lithuanian Hound is still a subject of debate. Probably the first broader classification of dogs in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania is recorded in the Statutes of Lithuania. However, it would be naive to expect that the information recorded there would allow us, from today’s perspective, to clearly distinguish the breeds kept in 16th-century Lithuania. Taking other written sources into account, it can be stated that at that time the Lithuanian Hound was already a distinct breed and that in the Statutes these dogs were referred to as local hounds. Lithuanian Hounds were described in greater detail in articles published in 1875 by S. F. Davidovich and in 1876 by D. A. Vilinsky. An illustration of the Lithuanian Hound was also included in V. Korsak’s Rok myśliwego published in 1922. 
The period after the First World War was very difficult for the Lithuanian Hound. Not only did the number of purebred hounds decline, but nature itself had suffered greatly, and very few wild animals remained. As a result, hunting with hounds was restricted, and during the interwar period in Lithuania no organization was established to protect the breed. In fact, there were breed enthusiasts who did their best to preserve these dogs, but it should be emphasized that at the time only working qualities were considered important, not appearance. The breed’s advocates were hunters who had to endure not only hunting bans but also a heavy tax burden. After the Second World War, very few truly purebred hounds remained—almost all Lithuanian Hounds were lost during the war. The restoration of the Lithuanian Hound from the few remaining representatives of the breed began only in 1974.
Nowadays, Lithuanian Hounds are becoming increasingly popular. They are kept not only by hunters but also by breed enthusiasts who try training them for AGILITY competitions, search-and-rescue work, and similar activities. The main advantage of the breed is its friendliness: although these dogs may be wary of strangers, they are devoted to their own people and especially fond of children. Aggression towards humans has been eliminated, as these dogs were bred exclusively for hunting for a long time and were strictly selected for breeding. However, it is important to remember that different individuals may react differently to people, particularly those who are drunk or behave aggressively. Lithuanian Hounds are very fond of children, and no aggressive behaviour toward them has been observed, but this does not mean they enjoy being pulled or mistreated. Considering that Lithuanian Hounds are fairly large and physically strong dogs, they should not be left alone with children, as they could unintentionally injure them. Aggression toward other animals is possible; therefore, proper and early socialization is essential. It is especially important to remember that if a Lithuanian Hound gets into a fight with another dog even once, it is likely to attack that dog every time they meet thereafter. As a result, a reflex may also develop to attack dogs of a particular colour or type.
Within the family, Lithuanian Hounds are extremely affectionate and fairly obedient, yet they often test the limits of their owner’s patience and firmness. Clever and charming, they never miss an opportunity to get what they want (for example, climbing onto the bed). These dogs are kind and very intelligent, but also stubborn. When training, it is important to take the dog’s sex into account. Males are usually more active, tend to roam farther from their owner, and may provoke conflicts with other dogs. They require a somewhat firmer hand, whereas females are best trained through positive methods, without aggression or anger. Like most hunting dogs, Lithuanian Hounds are sensitive—they are easily offended and keenly attuned to human emotions, especially those of their owners. Before saying that a dog performs poorly or has a bad temperament, it is worth analysing yourself first. Young dogs can be broken too easily, which may result in timidity and eventually lead to outbursts of aggression. Lithuanian Hounds are excellent hunting dogs and wonderful family companions, but it is important to understand that they are not service dogs and should be handled differently. When raised properly, a Lithuanian Hound is cheerful and energetic.
(Photos from the personal archive, “Dūdė Foto”, Anifotografia, and from V. Korsakas’ book)