Alpine Dachsbracke
- Medium
- FCI Group 6 (Scenthounds)
Bred in the Austrian Alps to track wounded deer over cold trails, the Alpine Dachsbracke is a sturdy, short-legged scenthound. It pairs a strong hunting drive with a friendly, easygoing nature at home.
- Height
- 14 to 15
- inches at the shoulder
- Weight
- 33 to 40
- pounds, adult
- Life expectancy
- 10 to 14
- years, median 12
- Senior from
- 9
- years, about
Senior starts in the last quarter of a breed's expected lifespan, following the 2019 AAHA canine life stage guidelines. Individual dogs vary.
About the breed
- Origin
- Austria
- Recognized
- 1991
The Alpine Dachsbracke is a medium-sized hunting dog with a sturdy build and strong muscles. Standing about 14 to 15 inches tall and weighing 33 to 40 pounds, it carries the short stature and longer ears of a working scenthound.
Though bred for the hunt, these are active, loyal dogs that enjoy the company of people and other dogs. They are friendly and easygoing, get along well with kids, and win people over with their fearlessness and intelligence. Their strong prey drive means they may chase cats or small pets, and a love of following a scent makes a fenced yard essential.
The breed comes from Austria and carries a hound's royal lineage. As the story goes, Crown Prince Rudolf of Habsburg took hunting trips to the Middle East in the late 1800s and had his gamekeepers bring along a dog very similar to, if not actually, the Alpine Dachsbracke.
Descended from an ancient hunting breed, these dogs tracked wounded deer and served as scent hounds for fox and hare. Their build let them follow a trail even after the scent had gone cold, and true to the name, they worked well at high altitude. Austria recognized the breed in 1932, the FCI accepted it as a scenthound in 1991, and a major US kennel registry followed about five years later.
Care
The routines that matter most for this breed. Open one at a time.
Nutrition
Feed a diet formulated for your dog's life stage, whether puppy, adult, or senior. A food made for medium-sized breeds should carry the right blend of nutrients.
You may need to adjust how much you feed based on daily activity level. A dog that hunts all day needs more calories than one that spends most of the day lounging around the house.
Grooming
Most weeks, a brushing keeps the Alpine Dachsbracke's coat free of loose hair and dirt. These dogs blow their coats a couple of times a year, so plan to brush more often during those seasonal shedding periods to keep the hair from taking over your home.
Round out the routine with regular nail trims and ear cleanings. For teeth, pair at-home brushing with professional dental cleanings.
Exercise
Alpine Dachsbrackes need substantial work. An almost-daily outing on foot through hunting terrain suits this breed, and a drive through the area does not replace it. They can work over very difficult terrain as well as flat ground.
Water retrieving offers another activity option. Search-and-retrieve work can also include finding and bringing back shed antlers.
Training
This intelligent breed is very trainable, as long as you hold its attention. Keep sessions short and engaging, and use positive reinforcement to reward the behaviors you want.
Like all dogs, Alpine Dachsbrackes benefit from early socialization. Introducing your dog to different people and situations while young helps it grow into a well-adjusted adult.
Health conditions
1 condition is documented for the Alpine Dachsbracke.
A predisposition is not a diagnosis. Ask your vet which screenings make sense for your dog's age.
- Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis 8Nervous System & Behavioral
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