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Alpine Dachsbracke

The Alpine Dachsbracke is a robust, enduring hunting dog with a friendly and balanced temperament.

Weight
15–18.1kg
Height
33–40.6cm
Life Expectancy
12–12years
Size: SmallCoat Length: Short HairCompare
Alpine Dachsbracke
Easy groomingSheds very little

The Alpine Dachsbracke is no sofa dog but a specialist: Austrian hunters bred her as a blood-tracking hound that follows wounded game for hours through steep mountain terrain. At around 17 kg with short legs she is small but tireless. The flip side: her strong hunting drive demands real work, and in training she is headstrong rather than obedient. Are you ready for a passionate tracking hound who quickly becomes a challenge without proper purpose?

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Temperament & Traits: Alpine Dachsbracke

The Alpine Dachsbracke stands out for its temperament and adaptability. Here are the key points at a glance.

For Beginners
For BeginnersExperience needed
Exercise
ExerciseModerate
Child Friendly
Child FriendlyLess suited
Apartment
ApartmentSuitable
Grooming
GroomingLow
Shedding
SheddingLow
Watchfulness
WatchfulnessMedium

Breed Profile: Alpine Dachsbracke

Height
Height33-40.6 cm
33-40.6 33-40.6
Weight
Weight15-18.1 kg
15-18.1 15-18.1
Life Expectancy
Life Expectancy12-12 years
Fact Sheet: Alpine Dachsbracke
BreedAlpine Dachsbracke
FCI GroupScenthounds and Related Breeds
ColorsDeer Red, Brown, Black
CharacterThe Alpine Dachsbracke is a robust, enduring hunting dog with a friendly and balanced temperament.

Pros & Cons: Alpine Dachsbracke

Best suited for:

For owners who are patient with grooming and exercise, and ready for a long-term commitment.

Regular walks and moderate activity
Suitable for apartment living
Experience in dog training

Pros

  • Low-maintenance coat with minimal grooming
  • Sheds very little to none
  • Balanced energy level, adaptable
  • Compact size, ideal for apartments
  • Sheds little and needs minimal grooming: suitable for allergy sufferers

Cons

  • Training requires experience and patience
  • Less suited for families with small children

Did you know? Alpine Dachsbracke

The Alpine Dachsbracke has an independent character and needs consistent training

The Alpine Dachsbracke adapts well to apartment living and doesn't need a large garden

Characteristics

The Alpine Dachsbracke is a compact, sturdily built dog with a robust appearance. Her body is well-muscled and of medium size, giving her remarkable endurance and agility. The dense, weather-resistant coat lies close to the body and usually appears in reddish or deer-red tones, often with darker shading or markings. The medium-sized, slightly rounded ears hang close to the head and underscore the alert expression of the dark, friendly eyes. The breed conveys the impression of an enduring and resilient hunting dog that is perfectly suited for work in the mountains.

Information

The Alpine Dachsbracke is a robust, enduring hunting dog with a friendly and balanced temperament. She is distinguished by her great work enthusiasm, her pronounced sense of scent and her tenacity during tracking. At the same time, she shows herself to be affectionate and loyal toward her handler, making her a reliable companion. Despite her independent character, she is responsive and willing to learn, making her easy to guide with consistent training. In dealing with people and other dogs, she generally behaves socially and amicably, though her hunting drive should always be taken into account.

Nutrition

The Alpine Dachsbracke is an enduring hunting dog that requires a balanced and species-appropriate diet to maintain her health and performance. Particularly important is feeding that is rich in high-quality animal proteins and meets the energy needs of this active dog. High-quality wet food is a good choice, as it usually contains a higher meat content and is better suited to the natural diet of a dog than dry food. Additionally, the high moisture content of wet food contributes to adequate hydration, which supports kidney function and facilitates digestion. Fresh meat or selected vegetables can supplement the feed ration to provide the dog with all important nutrients.

Care

The Alpine Dachsbracke is a robust and enduring hunting dog breed that requires consistent yet empathetic training. Due to her pronounced hunting drive, she is particularly suited for active owners who can provide her with sufficient activity. She feels comfortable in an environment that allows her plenty of exercise, whether during hunting, on long hikes or during mantrailing. A home with sufficient space and ideally a fenced garden accommodates her need for movement. The care of the dense, weather-resistant coat is straightforward, regular brushing is sufficient to keep it clean and healthy. Additionally, the ears should be checked and cleaned at regular intervals, as they can be susceptible to soiling. A balanced diet and regular veterinary check-ups help maintain the health and performance of this resilient dog breed.

Accessories

The Alpine Dachsbracke is an enduring and robust hunting dog that was specifically bred for tracking in difficult terrain. Matching her area of deployment, this breed needs well-fitting, durable equipment. A high-quality, padded chest harness provides comfort and safety during fieldwork, while a sturdy tracking leash gives the dog sufficient freedom of movement without losing control. Since the Alpine Dachsbracke spends a lot of time outdoors, weather-resistant blankets or a well-insulated resting spot are particularly important to offer her recovery after long deployments. Additionally, an ergonomically shaped food bowl ensures a relaxed feeding experience after strenuous outings.

History

The Alpine Dachsbracke has her roots in the Alpine regions and was originally bred as a reliable hunting dog for tracking hoofed game. Early on, hunters valued the breed for her endurance, her pronounced sense of smell and her ability to follow a trail purposefully even in difficult terrain. Particularly in Austria, the Alpine Dachsbracke became widespread and was specifically further developed there to meet the demanding conditions of the mountainous landscape. Her close connection to traditional hunting culture has led her to be regarded as a valued companion of foresters and hunters to this day.

Health

The Alpine Dachsbracke is considered robust and resilient, making her a reliable companion during hunting and in the field. Nevertheless, there are some health aspects that should be considered with this breed. Due to her sturdy build and relatively short legs, she can be prone to joint problems, especially if she is excessively burdened or not kept in a species-appropriate manner. Hereditary diseases that can occur in many hunting dogs are also not excluded, which is why responsible breeding and regular veterinary examinations are important. A balanced diet and sufficient exercise contribute significantly to maintaining the health and fitness of this enduring breed.

Trainability

The Alpine Dachsbracke is an enduring and enthusiastic hunting dog breed known for her persistence and pronounced sense of scent. She possesses a medium to high energy level and therefore needs regular physical as well as mental stimulation. Particularly in hunting deployment, she shows her determination and endurance, yet even in active families she can be a pleasant companion with sufficient exercise and meaningful activity. Her trainability is good, though her independent working style requires consistent and patient training. With clear guidance and varied training, she works along in a motivated manner and shows herself willing to learn.

Frequently Asked Questions

Claudia Weise

Written by

Claudia Weise

Editor-in-Chief, Certified Nutrition Consultant & Animal Welfare Practice

Editor-in-Chief at HundeoCertified Dog Nutrition ConsultantActive in animal welfare and with dogs every day

Claudia has worked closely alongside Enrico on Hundeo since the early days. She is a certified dog nutrition consultant, is active with animal welfare topics and dogs every day, and brings that practical experience into health, care, breed, and accessory content as Editor-in-Chief.

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