Apartment fit
The Tyrolean Hound is generally a poor apartment fit because of voice and working exercise needs.
HoundMedium
Austria
AustriaTyrolean Hound
Weight
35-60 lb
Height
16.5-20 in
Lifespan
12-14 yrs
Coat
Double Short
The Tyrolean Hound is a medium Austrian mountain scenthound with red or black-and-tan coat varieties and strong tracking drive.
Austrian mountain scenthoundRed or black-and-tan coat varietiesStrong voice and trail driveNeeds long outdoor work
Breed Names
Official, native, and commonly used variants
Tiroler Bracke
HardyScent-drivenAffectionatePersistentLivelyVocal
Weight
35-60 lb
Height
16.5-20 in
Lifespan
12-14 yrs
Coat
Double 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
High
Barking
High
Drooling
Low
Shedding
Moderate
Grooming
2/5
First-time owner
No
Overview
The Tyrolean Hound, or Tiroler Bracke, is an Austrian scenthound from the Tyrol region. It was developed for hunting in mountain terrain, where nose, voice, stamina, and sure-footedness matter more than flashy obedience.
This is a medium hound with a dense double coat that protects it in rough weather. FCI recognizes red and black-and-tan varieties, with limited white markings allowed. The coat is practical but still needs brushing and outdoor checks.
Tyrolean Hounds are usually hardy, affectionate with familiar people, and deeply interested in scent. They are best for hunters, tracking homes, or active owners who can provide long outdoor work and safe handling around wildlife.
Temperament & Personality
HardyScent-drivenAffectionatePersistentLivelyVocal
This breed tends to suit homes looking for a hardy, scent-driven, affectionate companion, with daily rhythms shaped by high energy, high barking, and low drooling.
Coat type
Double
Coat length
Short
Shedding
Moderate
Colors
Red, Black and tan, Limited white markings
Lifestyle Compatibility
Family Friendly3/5
Good with Kids3/5
Good with Dogs4/5
Good with Strangers3/5
Apartment Friendly1/5
Exercise Needs5/5
Grooming Needs2/5
Trainability3/5
Good fit if you want
- A breed chosen for specific lifestyle fit
- Room for routine exercise
- Confidence handling structure and training
Plan ahead for
- 5/5 exercise needs
- moderate shedding and coat upkeep
- high barking in daily life
Owner Fit & Everyday Behavior
Best for
- hunters and tracking homes
- active rural owners
- experienced hound handlers
- homes with secure outdoor access
Not ideal for
- quiet apartments
- low-exercise homes
- owners expecting easy off-leash control
- people who dislike hound voice
Common challenges
- vocal scent work
- following trails
- recall around wildlife
- outdoor ear and tick checks
Barking & behavior
Hound voice is normal during excitement and scent work. Outlets and management are essential.
Training style
Use rewards, scent games, long-line recall, and safe boundaries.
Grooming & shedding
The coat sheds moderately and is easy to brush. Outdoor checks are the main grooming task.
Care Guide
Exercise
Most Tyrolean Hounds need long daily exercise with tracking, hiking, hunting-style work, or scent games.
Grooming
Brush weekly and check ears, feet, skin, and coat after mountain or brush work.
Training
Use scent work, long-line recall, and rewards. The breed is independent on trail, so secure handling matters.
Nutrition
Feed measured meals for an active hound and keep weight lean to protect stamina and joints.
Behavior & Environment
Energy level
High
Barking level
High
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.
Ear infectionsHip dysplasiaField injuriesTick-borne disease exposureObesity
Frequently Asked Questions
What colors are Tyrolean Hounds?
The main varieties are red and black-and-tan, with limited white markings allowed.
Is the Tyrolean Hound good for apartments?
Usually no. It is a vocal working hound with high outdoor exercise needs.
How much exercise does it need?
Most adults need long daily exercise plus scent work or tracking outlets.
Does it bark a lot?
It can be vocal like many scenthounds, especially while working scent.
Is it good for first-time owners?
It is usually better for experienced hound owners or hunters.
Does it need much grooming?
Coat care is simple, but ears, feet, and skin need checks after outdoor work.
What is the biggest challenge?
The biggest challenge is giving enough tracking work and managing recall around wildlife.
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