Alpine Dachsbracke

About the breed

The Alpine Dachsbracke is a short-legged Austrian scenthound that looks small at first glance but is in fact a sturdy 15–18 kg hunting dog – the short legs simply create the impression of a smaller breed. In Croatia it has for years ranked among the three most popular hunting breeds by new puppy registrations, and in Slovenia it has had its own dedicated breed club since 1929.

History

Dogs resembling the Alpine Dachsbracke were already used for hunting in antiquity, although their exact appearance is not recorded. Between 1881 and 1885, Crown Prince Rudolf of Habsburg included Alpine Dachsbracken from Mürzsteg and Bad Ischl in his hunting retinue and took them on hunting trips to Egypt and Turkey. In 1932, Austria's top canine organisation recognised the breed as the country's third scenthound breed, and the name "Alpenländische Dachsbracke" was adopted in 1975, when the FCI declared Austria the country of origin; the breed was placed in Section 2 (leash/scent hounds) of the FCI nomenclature in 1991. It remains one of the most popular hunting breeds in Croatia today: Croatian Kennel Club figures show it was the third most-registered breed by puppy numbers in 2023 (603), behind only the German Shepherd and the Istrian Shorthaired Hound.

Appearance

A short-legged but sturdy, well-muscled hunting dog with a dense double coat. The ratio of height at the withers to body length is 2:3, giving the breed its distinctive elongated outline. Height at the withers runs 34–42 cm (ideally 37–38 cm for males, 36–37 cm for females), with a weight of 15–18 kg. The ideal coat colour is dark deer red, with or without a scattering of black hairs; black with clearly defined red-brown markings above the eyes (the so-called "four-eyed" pattern), on the chest, legs, feet and underside of the tail is also permitted, and a white star on the chest is allowed. The tail is set high, thick at the root with longer hair underneath, and carried slightly downward.

Temperament and hunting ability

The official standard describes an intelligent, friendly and fearless dog that is receptive to training and obedient, yet also sharp, a strong watchdog and a capable hunter. It is used chiefly as a blood-tracking dog for wounded deer and as a scenthound for hare and fox, and increasingly for wild boar hunting too. Poor upbringing can bring out disobedience, stubbornness or even destructive behaviour, so reliable recall is an essential exercise from puppyhood – the breed is quick to follow any scent its excellent nose picks up.

Family life, housing and everyday life

Sociable and attached to its family, it can make a good companion beyond the hunting field, but its strong hunting drive and loud, far-carrying voice make it a poor fit for a flat or a tightly packed neighbourhood – it does better in a house with a garden, with enough outlets for exercise and scent work. It is not automatically reliable around other pets, particularly smaller ones, because of that same hunting drive. Its stubborn streak can be a handful for an inexperienced owner, so it is not the most obvious first dog, though consistent training turns it into a versatile, loyal family member.

Care and health

The short, dense double coat is low-maintenance – weekly brushing to remove dead hair and post-hunt dirt is generally enough. Sources put the expected lifespan at roughly 12 to 14 years. As with most short-legged breeds, it is worth protecting the spine and joints: avoid letting the dog jump from height, and watch its weight, since extra kilos put additional strain on those short, sturdy legs.

Pros & cons