The Alpenlaendische Dachsbracke Dog Breed

The origin of the Alpenlaendische Dachsbracke dog breed, also called the Erzebirge Alpine Dachshund, is Austrian. It is said to be a very old breed because we find depictions of dogs very similar to today's dogs as far back as the Roman-Gallic era and are also found in some paintings from the 12th century.

They were already hunting dogs then, with extraordinary qualities. It is in fact a miniature hunting dog, but very strong and hardy, capable of chasing small but also large game. Prince Rudolf of Habsburg, a great admirer of this breed, took them with him on hunting trips to Egypt and Turkey in the 1880s.

In 1975, it was finally recognised by Austria's most important dog association as the third breed of hunting dog.

Its ancestors are said to have been hunting dogs crossed with dachshunds, when in the mid-19th century, some hunters decided to select a hunting dog that was both strong and faithful. And indeed, this breed is a very strong hunting dog, but also an excellent companion and family dog.

Character of the Alpenlaendische Dachsbracke dog breed

Although it is predominantly an excellent hunting dog, and is usually adopted for this very purpose, it is also an excellent family dog, due to its cheerful and affectionate character. It attaches itself very much to its owner and, being a dog that likes to play a lot, also attaches itself very much to the children in the family.

It is active and intelligent and adapts very well to the rhythms of everyday life. It remains, however, a hunting dog, therefore very energetic. It is therefore not suited to a sedentary life and needs to be constantly stimulated.

Due to its strong sense of protection for the pack, it is also considered an excellent guard dog. For its training, it is necessary to start from a very young age, with socialisation and responding to calls as its instinct leads it to chase prey, so it is very useful to get it to retrace its steps when it perhaps slips into some bush in search of some rabbit or bird.

He is, however, a fast learner, so his training is very easy and he is also suitable for those who have no experience with dogs, although he is certainly a little stubborn. It is not a dog to be left alone for a long time, as it suffers greatly if it feels excluded from its social group. As far as other animals in the house are concerned, the cat is a little difficult, as it sees it as prey, with its own kind it fares a little better provided that early socialisation is adopted.

Appearance of the Alpenlaendische Dachsbracke dog breed

The Alpenlaendische Dachsbracke is a medium-sized dog, its height at withers is between 36 and 38 centimetres and it weighs between 15 and 18 kilograms. The male is slightly larger than the female. This dog has a slight resemblance to the dachshund, in fact it has short legs, although not as short as those of the dachshund, and an elongated body. It is a strong dog with a robust constitution and strong musculature.

The Alpenlaendische Dachsbracke's tail is thick at the base. It has a high hairline but is usually carried low. It must reach all the way to the ground, and the hair must be longer in the lower part.

The skull is slightly convex, the muzzle is strong with a black truffle. The ears, high, are drooping. They are wide and flat with rounded tips and of medium length. The eyes are generally dark brown with an intelligent and friendly expression.

The coat is short, coarse and with a thick undercoat. The colours tend to be dark fawn with black spots, or black coat with red spots. The ideal colour is dark fawn. They can also be found black with red-brown spots on the head, chest, limbs and lower part of the tail. Sometimes they have a white star-shaped spot on their chest.

Care and health of the Alpenlaendische Dachsbracke breed

The health of this dog is truly ironclad. This breed is not prone to genetic and hereditary diseases. It has a life expectancy of about 12 years, but it is not uncommon to find specimens that have reached 15. It bears little intense heat, while its thick, double coat protects it very well from the cold and damp.

The only problem is its ears, which are pendulous and long, the fragility of which can expose it to otitis and infections. A strict check of the paws is advisable after each return to the house to ensure that there are no cuts or wounds that could become infected.

As far as coat care is concerned, hair loss in the Alpenlaendische Dachsbracke is moderate, so a brushing once a week is sufficient to keep its coat in perfect shape. Daily exercise, however, is a great help in counteracting his hyperactivity.

He has no particular tendency to put on weight, not least because his nature dictates constant movement. So the rule is simple: combine a healthy, balanced diet with daily exercise.