Zerdava

The Zerdava is a regional Turkish hunting dog associated with the eastern Black Sea area, particularly the forested mountains and villages of Trabzon, Rize, Artvin, and nearby districts. It is usually described as a small to medium, agile dog with a short coat, keen senses, and a bold temperament suited to rough cover. Local hunters have used Zerdavas for finding and flushing game, including wild boar in some lines, and for alerting around farms and homes.

Outside its home region the Zerdava remains uncommon, so buyers should expect variation in size, color, and documentation. It is best treated as an active working dog rather than a casual lap companion; regular exercise, recall training, and secure fencing are important because prey drive can be strong. Handlers familiar with regional hunting breeds value nerve, sound feet, efficient movement, and stable behavior. Conservation-minded breeding within Turkey has focused on preserving recognizable local type while avoiding unnecessary exaggeration.

Colors: Albino, Apricot, Bicolor, Black, Black and Tan, Black and White, Black Mask, Blue, Blue and Tan, Blue Merle, Blue Roan, Blue Tick, Brindle, Brown, Brown and Tan, Brown and White, Chocolate, Cream, Dapple, Domino, Fawn, Fawn and White, Gold, Gray, Grey, Harlequin, Irish Marked, Leucistic, Liver, Liver Mask, Mantle, Mask, Melanistic, Merle, Mottled, Parti-Color, Piebald, Red, Red and White, Red Merle, Red Roan, Red Tick, Reverse Brindle, Roan, Sable, Saddle, Silver, Speckled, Spotted, Tan, Ticked, Tricolor, Tuxedo, White, Yellow