Alpine Dachsbracke

Alpine Dachsbracke

The Alpine Dachsbracke, known in its native country of Austria as Alpenlandische Dachsbracke, is a small breed of dog of the scent hound family, bred to track wounded deer as well as boar, hare, and fox. It is highly efficient at following a trail even after it has gone cold. Its ancestry can be dated back to the middle of the 19th century. It contains the blood of very old strains of hounds including theAustrian black and tan hound as well as that of the Standard smooth haired Dachshund. It once was a favorite of German royalty. During the 1880s, Alpine Dachsbrackes accompanied Crown Prince Rudolf of Habsburg on hunting trips to Egypt and Turkey.

Description

This small dog has a slight resemblance to a Dachshund, with short legs (although longer than a dachshunds) and a long body. The coat is dense, short but smooth except for the tail and neck. The round eyes have a lively expression.

Valid colors are black and tan, brown, with the most popular being red with or without black.

It weighs from 15 to 18 kg (33 to 40 lb) and stands from 34 to 42 cm (13 to 16 in) at the withers.

Temperament

Used effectively to hunt wounded deer, this breed could work even in harsh terrain and high altitude. It makes a good companion, although it is primarily a hunter and therefore is kept mostly by hunters. It has a fearless, friendly and intelligent personality. Most Alpine Dachsbrackes are excellent with children and good with dogs and other pets, though they may exhibit a strong prey drive typical of many scent dogs.

Other Names: Alpenlandische Dachstracke

Height: 14 - 15 in.
Weight: 33-40 pounds

Color: Deep red with black tips, black and tan; any white is undesirable
Coat: Close fitting, coarse, 1" in length

Temperament: Solid, robust hunting temperament - focused and dedicated.
With Children: - Low

Special Skills: Excellent hunter; able to follow cold scent trails of deer or other animals.

Watch-dog: Low, except when watching and hunting for game
Guard-dog: Low

Training: High - Easily trainable to hunt game and smaller animals
Learning Rate: High for hunting

Country of Origin: Developed in the Austrian Alps
History:  Developed as a short-legged hound for tracking and hunting capabilities in the high altitude of the Alps of Austria.  The Austrian version of this breed is a little bigger than the German relative, the Westphalian.  The breed has a normal hound body, but with short legs, not curved. He was developed from indigenous Austria hounds.