The Alpenlaendische Dachsbracke breed is particularly suitable for hunting ungulates in mountainous areas. The mountain hunter will be able to avail himself of the help of the Alpenlaendische Dachsbracke as a blood trace dog for the recovery of injured ungulates and in following the hare and fox. Courage and resistance to cold weather complete the picture of the breed.
The Alpenlaendische Dachsbracke is a breed originating from Austria. It belongs to group 6 - bloodhounds and dogs for blood trail, according to the classification of the FCI
In ancient times a breed very similar to the Alpenlaendische Dachsbracke was used as a track dog. This has been the favorite breed of many famous historical figures, such as Crown Prince Rudolph of Habsburg, who arranged for his Murzsteng gamekeepers to enlist the help of the Alpenlaendische Dachsbracke on his hunting trips to Egypt and Turkey. In 1932 the Alpine-Erzgebirgs-Dachsbracke breed was recognized by the highest Austrian associations as the third dog on the blood track, but in 1975 the name was changed to Alpenlaendische Dachsbracke and the FCI declared Austria as its country of origin. In the year 1991 the breed was included in section 2 of Group 6 of the International Federation.
The Alpenlaendische Dachsbracke is a small dog, but despite its size it is considered a robust hunting dog, with a strong bone structure. Its coat is thick and has a well developed and hard musculature. This breed has an excellent proportion and ratios, in relation to the height to the shoulder and the length of the body is 2: 3, while the ratio between the facial region and the cranial region is 9:10.
Its physical structure gives the Alpenlaendische Dachsbracke a remarkable resistance to the cold climate, the point which is mainly used by hunters in the mountains. The Alpenlaendische Dachsbracke finds space in the hunting field both as a track dog for injured deer and as a sniffer dog for rabbits and foxes. His intelligent and friendly expression denotes a courageous and fearless personality. Given its small size, it is also very suitable for being with children.
The Alpenlaendische Dachsbracke is one of the few dogs to be able to identify the cold trace, even after a few days, of injured animals that it can trace without too much difficulty.
The height for the males is between 37 and 38 cm, while for the female specimens between 36 and 37 cm.
The trunk is solid, elongated and muscular. The withers are quite pronounced, with a straight back and a short and wide lumbar region. The buttocks are slightly sloping. The chest, broad and deep, has a well pronounced bib. The head and the muzzle have a straight upper part of the nose with a defined stop. The skull is slightly curved and the muzzle has a pronounced transition to the cranial region, with the frontal sulcus well defined.
The lips are tightly closed and have a black pigmentation, as well as the nose.
The teeth are well aligned and complete in number and development. The closure is the classic pincer or scissor bite.
The ears are hanging, wide and soft and in length they must reach the canines.
The skin is quite tight, elastic, resistant and without wrinkles. All these characteristics give the Alpenlaendische Dachsbracke a remarkable tolerance at low temperatures.
The forelegs are straight and solid, appearing shorter than the body, while the hind limbs are muscular, solid and well angled. The fingers are close together and the pads are strong, allowing the Alpenlaendische Dachsbracke a very secure grip on the ground.
The gait sees a broad, non-hopping stride, with the trot being the preferred step of this breed. The tail has a stronger and stronger attachment at the root, long almost touching the ground and hanging capacity.
The coat is wrapped in fairly short hair. The permissible colors of the Alpenlaendische Dachsbracke are dark deer, with or without a slight splash of black hair. Black with red-brown markings on the head (Vieraeugl), chest, limbs, feet and underside of the tail are also allowed, as is white on the chest.
Ultimately, the Alpenlaendische Dachsbracke is a robust and weather-resistant auxiliary, used by the mountain hunter as a blood track dog for the recovery of injured ungulates and in the follow-up to the hare and fox.
In recent years, many breeders, aware of the potential of this breed and its resistance in all terrains and climatic conditions, are carrying out strenuous programs to further improve the already excellent standard of the Alpenlaendische Dachsbracke.