Alpine Dachsbracke Dog Breed: Pictures, Info & Care Guide
The Alpine Dachsbracke is a small and hardy dog breed originally bred to hunt difficult game in the demanding mountainous regions of the Austrian Alps.
These capable hunting dogs are known for their compact build, strength, and intelligence, as well as their eagerness to please their owners.
Overview of the Alpine Dachsbracke dog breed
| UTILISATION | Working dog used for by mountain huntsman as a tracking hound for wounded deer and a scent hound for hare and fox. |
| FCI-CLASSIFICATION | Scent hound Dark deer red, sometimes black hairs |
| BREED GROUP | Hound |
| COUNTRY OF ORIGIN | Austria |
| HEIGHT | 13.3 and 16.5 inches (34 and 42 cm) tall at the shoulder |
| WEIGHT | 33 and 40 pounds (15 and 18 kg) |
| LIFE EXPECTANCY | 10-12 years |
| TEMPERAMENT | Affectionate, friendly, fearless and intelligent |
| INTELLIGENCE | High |
| SHEDDING AMOUNT | Minimal |
| DROOL AMOUNT | Low |
| EXERCISE AMOUNT | Moderate |
| ENERGY LEVEL | Active |
| BARKING LEVEL | Moderate |
| COAT LENGTH/TEXTURE | The double coat consists of very thick topcoat and a dense undercoat, which covers the whole body and is close fitting. |
| COLORS | Dark deer red, sometimes black hairs |
| SUMMARY | Easy to groom. Super family and kid friendly High potential for weight gain. Cold weather tolerant. Highly intelligent. |
The Alpine Dachsbracke, an Austrian scent hound, originated in the Austrian Alps as a small working dog.
It was in 1881 and 1885 that Crown Prince Rudolf of Habsburg took gamekeepers from Mursteg and Ischl with him to Turkey and Egypt on hunting trips, accompanied by these distinctive dogs.
In 1932, Austria’s top canine organisation recognised the breed as the official third Scenthound breed.
It stands between 13.3 and 16.5 inches (34 and 42 cm) tall at the shoulder and usually weighs between 33 and 40 pounds (15 and 18 kg).
Its double coat can range from a solid black to various shades of brown, with white markings on its muzzle and chest.
The Alpine Dachsbracke is quite independent nature and is known for its loyalty and obedience, making it an excellent hunting companion.
Physical Characteristics of the Breed
The Alpine Dachsbracke is a short-legged, heavily built dog with relatively long ears and round dark eyes.
Its body is muscular, and its limbs are strong, allowing it to traverse any type of terrain. It boasts a thick double coat which can range in colour from red and brown to black and tan.
Its dense fur protects it well in cold climates, making it able to withstand winter weather conditions much better than other breeds.
Temperament and Behavior of an Alpine Dachsbracke Dog
The Alpine Dachsbracke is an affectionate and gentle family dog.
It has a playful nature and is eager to please, making it relatively easy to train and great for families.
This breed does well around children if introduced at an early age and carefully supervised.
The Alpine Dachsbracke enjoys human companionship but can also be independent and can live well in homes with limited space.
As a traditionally bred working dog, the Alpine Dachsbracke is strong-willed and eager to explore and make sure you give it plenty of exercise!
Caring for Your Alpine Dachsbracke Dog
It’s important to dedicate time and energy to ensure your Alpine Dachsbracke dog is living a comfortable and happy life.
Regular brushing and combing are recommended, as well as providing plenty of playtime and daily walks to keep them healthy.
This breed is known for its resilience despite its small size, but it’s still crucial that they have regular health check-ups.
Finally, provide your Alpine Dachsbracke with mental stimulation, like puzzle toys or brain games, this will help with their mental stimulation needs!
Activities to Keep Your Alpine Dachsbracke Engaged and Happy
The Alpine Dachsbracke is an active and agile breed, so it’s important to make sure they get plenty of physical and mental stimulation.
Dog sports such as agility, tracking and flyball are an excellent way to provide them with intellectual and physical challenges.
Walks along different trails can be a great source of new sights, sounds, smells and experiences to explore too!
Be sure to praise your dog when they master a skill or challenge, so this will further reinforce positive behaviors.
Trainability
Smart, attentive, and trainable with the right environment, Alpine Dachsbrackes can make fantastic family pet.
This breed needs plenty of focused training and attention, but they’re usually quick learners in a controlled setting.
However, because they are scent hounds, the Alpine Dachsbracke tends to wander when scents captivate them. This can make exercising off-leash tricky in urban, confined spaces.
Health
The Alpine Dachsbracke has a typical lifespan of 12 years.
Although not much published research exists on the genetic health issues of this breed, there are a number of conditions this dog is susceptible to.
They include hip dysplasia, obesity and intervertebral disc disease. Potential owners should research the breed before making any commitment.
Alpine Dachsbracke Grooming and Maintenance
The Alpine Dachsbracke has a very dense coat that needs to be brushed with a natural bristle brush or soft slicker brush once a week.
During times of seasonal shedding, he may need daily brushing and it is recommended to use a deshedder to help remove all loose hairs.
This breed should not be mistaken for hypoallergenic, however. He only needs occasional bathing – approximately every eight weeks – using a mild shampoo and thoroughly rinsing him after.
In between baths, you can use dry shampoo when needed if he gets smelly from rolling in dirt or something else.
Drooling shouldn’t be excessive apart from long drinking periods, but his ears should be checked regularly and cleaned if necessary as well as trimming his nails as needed.
