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The Chart Polski was first described in writing in 1600 (Gostomski), and appears in numerous paintings of the 1800's by Juliusz Kossak, Jozefa Brandta, and Alfreda Wierusz-Kowalskiego, and also in sketches by Siemienski and Norblina.
The Chart Polski hunted hare, deer, and wolves in his homeland, and the Chart Polski of today is only a few generations from the working/hunting hounds of Poland. During the chase, besides being extremely fast with great endurance, the Chart Polski is also very skillful and persistent - reacting quickly, confidently, and displaying great courage under fire
Unfortunately during the late 19th Century after many political and economic upheavals in Poland and the surrounding areas, and the fall of the large landholders, hunting with the sighthounds was becoming impossible. The World Wars in the 20th century nearly wiped out the breed completely, and only a small number remained in kennels in Poland, and in a part of the Ukraine (which was once part of Poland).
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Xavier Przezdziecki theorized about the Chart Polski's origin in his book, "Le Destin des Levriers" (1984): (Translation) "At the same time greyhounds in England were being selected and developed for extreme speed on relatively short distances to catch hare, the Poles were selecting their sighthounds to be capable of chasing their prey - hares, foxes, wolves, and bustard - in vast dry steppes."
Most Chart Polski were lost in Poland's turbulent past, including WWII. There remained only a few purebred Charts in Poland when Drs. Malgorzata and Izabella Szmurlo (Celerrimus Kennel) began the effort to revive the breed in 1974. |
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Bartek Szmurlo on the white horse with CH Pl Harap Celerrimus HARAP Celerrimus Polish Junior CH, Polish Coursing CH, Young European Win. Young World Win., Sighthound Club Winner, Polski Chart Club Winner, Best of Polish Breed, Special Polish Breed Clubs show: viceBIS, BOG, ... 4x CACIB, Multi BOB Adam
Warchol is on the paint horse, Beza. Dogs are:
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The Chart Polski is a good-tempered dog - very loyal, devoted, and demonstrative to its family. It should be noted that the breed is also quite protective of its family and territory, and is often suspicious of strangers. This breed requires proper early socialization, firm and fair human leadership, and must never be treated harshly. Like many other sighthounds, the Chart is very intelligent, creative, and can be stubborn. However, they have their own unique breed traits and in many ways are definitely not "typical sighthounds." |
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