The Alpenlaendische Dachsbracke dog breed is native to Austria and has always been found in the mountains of Tyrol. Also known as the Erzebirge Alpine Dachshund, they have been classified as bloodhounds and hounds. They are hunting dogs par excellence, strong and robust and at the same time intelligent and alert and brave enough to challenge prey much larger than themselves.
The Dachsbracke was born at the end of the 1800’s in Austria, and was selected to obtain a dog skilled in hunting but smaller, so they crossed Dachshunds with larger dogs and obtained this concentrate of courage, strength and energy.
It has been the favorite hunting breed of many famous historical figures, for example, Crown Prince Rudolf of Habsburg ordered his gamekeepers in Murzsteng to include Alpenlaendische Dachsbracke in his hunting trips to Egypt and Turkey.
This breed is used almost exclusively for hunting, even though it could easily stay in a family as it is a very sweet and affectionate dog, but it needs a lot of movement and every day, so it is a big commitment. In fact, breeders prefer to give these dogs to hunters and forest rangers who can take advantage of the gifts of these dogs practically every day of the year.
Character of the Alpenlaendische Dachsbracke dog breed
The character of this breed is that of a stubborn and determined dog, while instead when it is with its family it is very cuddly, faithful, affectionate and loyal. It is an excellent guard dog because it is territorial, fearless and knows how to face danger with courage and tenacity. It is said that he would give his life for his master, in fact he becomes very attached to a member of the family and tends to follow him everywhere, but he is also very affectionate with all the other family members, indeed given his liveliness and his small size he is very suitable for children, with whom he would never tire of playing.
It is not suitable for elderly people because it really needs a lot of movement and to be outdoors as much as possible. As far as training is concerned, this dog needs an owner with a firm wrist and who knows how to impose himself as a leader. It is a dog with a strong character but gives the owner the same respect that he receives. It is easily educated and socialized by nature, but it necessarily needs not to feel mistreated and denigrated.
The Alpenlaendische Dachsbracke, even when hunting, does not work in a group, and even at home it is good that it is the only animal, unless it is accustomed since puppyhood and grows up together. Besides it is a dominant dog by instinct and tends to command, other animals would only make it very nervous. It is not advisable to place him in a family context where there is a cat, for which he has a natural aversion. It could react very badly and hunt him down as prey.
A great barker, he does not hesitate to use his powerful voice when following a lead or when warning of danger.
Appearance of the Alpenlaendische Dachsbracke dog breed
The Alpenlaendische Dachsbracke is a medium-sized dog, the height at the withers ranges from 34 to 42 centimeters and the weight varies between 15 and 18 kilograms. The body is robust, very muscular and elongated, with an imposing structure, resting on short and muscular paws. The feet are well planted on the ground, the tail, attached high, is wide at the root and in the lower part has a longer hair.
The head is slightly convex, the muzzle is strong with a black colored truffle, the ears are medium height, regular shaped with a rounded tip, are worn low and soft, and are quite long. The regular shaped eyes are dark brown in color, with an expression that is usually calm, but alert.
The coat is short, smooth and close-fitting to the body; the undercoat is thick. Coat colors are usually dark fawn tending to red and black with fire-colored markings.
Health and Care of the Alpenlaendische Dachsbracke Dog Breed
This breed has good health and an average life expectancy of about 12 years. It needs a lot of movement and physical activity, but also a healthy and balanced diet with high quality food. Special attention should be given to the ears which are long and should always be checked and cleaned every time the dog is outside for a long time.
As far as the care of the coat is concerned, the hair should be brushed on average a couple of times a week and once in a while it is necessary to give him a bath, especially if he is outdoors a lot.
