Apartment fit
Possible with daily scent work and noise management. The breed is small but still a working hound.
HoundSmall
Austria
AustriaAlpine Dachsbracke
Weight
33-40 lb
Height
13-16 in
Lifespan
10-13 yrs
Coat
Dense Short
The Alpine Dachsbracke is an Austrian short-legged scent hound used by mountain hunters to track wounded deer and hunt hare or fox.
Austrian tracking hound for wounded gameShort-legged, sturdy, and weather resistantIntelligent, friendly expression with fearless characterDense easy-care coat
Breed Names
Official, native, and commonly used variants
Alpenlandische Dachsbracke
DeterminedCalmLoyalBraveSteadyFriendly
Weight
33-40 lb
Height
13-16 in
Lifespan
10-13 yrs
Coat
Dense Short
At A Glance
Daily living snapshot
A quick read on energy, upkeep, and what day-to-day life with this breed usually feels like.
Energy
Moderate
Barking
Moderate
Drooling
Low
Shedding
Moderate
Grooming
1/5
First-time owner
Yes
Overview
The Alpine Dachsbracke is a robust, weather-resistant Austrian working hound. The FCI standard describes it as a short-legged, sturdy hunting dog with strong bone, dense coat, firm muscles, and use as a tracking hound for wounded deer as well as a scent hound for hare and fox. Its body is longer than tall, built for ground-covering work rather than speed.
The breed's expression should be intelligent and friendly, with a fearless personality. In a home setting, that means a practical, steady dog with real hunting instincts. Owners should expect nose-led behavior, a strong interest in trails, and the need for leash control or secure areas rather than casual off-leash freedom.
The double coat is close-fitting, dense, and easy to maintain. The standard favors dark deer red, with or without black hairs, or black with clearly defined red-brown markings. Weight control, ear care, back safety, and regular foot checks matter because this is a long-bodied, low hound built for rough terrain.
Temperament & Personality
DeterminedCalmLoyalBraveSteadyFriendly
This breed tends to suit homes looking for a determined, calm, loyal companion, with daily rhythms shaped by moderate energy, moderate barking, and low drooling.
Coat type
Dense
Coat length
Short
Shedding
Moderate
Colors
Deer Red, Black and Tan
Lifestyle Compatibility
Family Friendly4/5
Good with Kids4/5
Good with Dogs4/5
Good with Strangers3/5
Apartment Friendly3/5
Exercise Needs3/5
Grooming Needs1/5
Trainability3/5
Good fit if you want
- A family-friendly companion
- Room for routine exercise
- A more forgiving first ownership experience
Plan ahead for
- 3/5 exercise needs
- moderate shedding and coat upkeep
- moderate barking in daily life
Owner Fit & Everyday Behavior
Best for
- owners who enjoy scent hounds
- homes that can provide long-line walks and tracking games
- people who want a sturdy small working hound
- families that can keep the dog lean and protect its back
Not ideal for
- owners expecting reliable off-leash recall near wildlife
- homes wanting a silent dog
- people who overfeed or allow frequent jumping from furniture
Common challenges
- following scent despite recall cues
- ear care after wet walks
- weight gain that stresses the back
- barking or baying when excited
Barking & behavior
Expect hound vocalization when excited or on scent. Management should focus on controlled outlets and quiet practice.
Training style
Use rewards and long-line management. Recall needs steady work because the breed was made to follow scent.
Grooming & shedding
The coat is easy to maintain, but ears, nails, paws, belly, and body weight need consistent checks.
Care Guide
Exercise
Most Alpine Dachsbrackes need steady daily walks and scent work. Long-line tracking games, controlled countryside walks, and secure sniffing outlets suit the breed better than repetitive ball play.
Grooming
The short dense double coat is simple to brush. Check ears, nails, pads, belly, and skin after wet cover, snow, burrs, or hunting terrain.
Training
Train with patience and food rewards, especially for recall, leash manners, quiet cues, and leaving wildlife scent. Expect persistence once the dog is on a trail.
Nutrition
Keep portions measured and body condition lean. Extra weight can stress the long back and short legs, so monitor treats, exercise, and joint comfort.
Behavior & Environment
Energy level
Moderate
Barking level
Moderate
Drooling level
Low
Watchdog ability
3/5
Guard dog ability
1/5
Climate tolerance
Cold weather4/5
Heat tolerance3/5
Health Considerations
Common concerns to discuss with your vet and breeder.
Intervertebral disc disease riskObesityEar infections
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Alpine Dachsbracke a good apartment dog?
It can work in an apartment if scent-hound exercise and barking are managed. Size helps, but the breed still needs outdoor tracking-style activity and calm routines.
Does the Alpine Dachsbracke bark a lot?
It may bark or bay when excited, alerting, or following scent. Quiet cues and enough outdoor work help prevent nuisance barking.
Is the Alpine Dachsbracke good for first-time owners?
It can work for prepared first-time owners who understand scent hounds. The key is managing recall, weight, ears, and nose-led behavior.
How much exercise does the Alpine Dachsbracke need?
Most need at least 45 to 60 minutes daily, with extra value from sniffing, tracking games, and varied terrain. Exercise should protect the back and joints.
Is the Alpine Dachsbracke good with kids and other dogs?
It can be friendly and steady with family, but children should avoid rough handling of a long-backed dog. Dog compatibility is often good with socialization, but prey drive around small animals needs care.
Does the Alpine Dachsbracke shed a lot?
The short dense double coat sheds moderately and is easy to brush. Ear checks are important because the breed has hanging ears and often works close to the ground.
What is the biggest challenge of owning the Alpine Dachsbracke?
The biggest challenge is managing scent drive and body condition. A low, long-backed tracking hound needs controlled exercise, secure recall management, and a lean weight.
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