Alpine Dachsbracke

Take one look at the Alpine Dachsbracke and you may think you’re seeing a dachshund. This breed was developed by crossing Dachshunds with larger Austrian hounds, particularly the Austrian Black and Tan Hound.

It originated in Austria in the mid-nineteenth century. This breed was a favorite with the Austrian royal families. They were bred to track down wounded deer and boar, as well as track foxes and rabbits during a hunting trip. This breed belongs to the hound group.

Loyal and affectionate, a properly socialized Alpine Dachsbracke is an excellent family dog. Though it’s short in stature, this dog has a lot of energy and determination, especially when it comes to following a scent.

3 Pros and Cons of Owning an Alpine Dachsbracke

Size and Weight

An Alpine Dachsbracke is a medium-sized dog that can grow to be 16 inches tall at its withers. Males and females weigh up to 40 pounds fully grown. Alpine Dachsbracke puppies weigh 9 pounds at 8 weeks old and are fully grown at 2 years old.

Evolution and Origins

The Alpine Dachsbracke is a small, sturdy hunting dog that was developed in the Alpine regions of Austria.

The breed is believed to have originated from crosses between the Dachshund and various other European hunting breeds, such as the Basset Hound, the Hanoverian Scenthound, and the Leithund.

The Alpine Dachsbracke was used primarily for hunting small game, such as hares and foxes, and was known for its ability to track scents over rough terrain.

The breed was officially recognized by the Austrian Kennel Club in 1910 and by the German Kennel Club in 1911. The breed is considered a versatile hunting dog and a good companion.

Common Health Issues

As with other breeds, the Alpine Dachsbracke can suffer from certain health issues. One of those issues is hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is the dislocation of the hip joint. Limping and limited movement are both signs of this condition. A balanced diet and weight management can help prevent this condition.

Another health issue of this breed is obesity. This dog has a long body with very short legs. So, any extra weight is going to put excess pressure on the bones in its short legs as well as on its sensitive back. Monitoring the amount of dog food given to this breed is important for preventing obesity.

A third health issue of this breed is intervertebral disc disease. This occurs when the padding between vertebral bones starts to wear away. This is especially dangerous for dogs with long backs. Preventing obesity can certainly help prevent this condition.

Temperament

One of the most well-known traits of an Alpine Dachsbracke dog is its determination. This dog picks up a scent and won’t let it go until the end of the trail. In addition, this breed has a loyal personality, which makes it ideal as a family dog. As a note, an Alpine Dachsbracke needs to be socialized. A dog that isn’t socialized can become agitated at the unexpected behavior of very young children.

Their loyal temperament also makes them great watchdogs.

The behavior of this breed is influenced by its drive to track down a scent. Once again, socialization can help to prevent this dog from wandering while curiously following the scent of another animal.

How to Take Care of Alpine Dachsbrackes

Learning as much as possible about an Alpine Dachsbracke helps an owner to give it the proper care. Giving this pet a nutritional diet that prevents common health issues can extend its lifespan. Whether someone chooses a puppy or an adult dog, factoring in the specific diet, exercise, and grooming needs of this breed can only raise the quality of care.

The Best Dog Food for Alpine Dachsbrackes

Not surprisingly, Alpine Dachsbracke puppies and adult dogs need different amounts and types of nutrients in their diet. Feeding this dog the proper diet supports its overall health and fights against common issues such as hip dysplasia and obesity. Check out a few things to factor into this dog’s diet.

Alpine Dachsbracke puppy food: Calcium is an important nutrient in this puppy’s diet. This puppy needs to develop strong bones to support its long body. In addition, having strong bones can help prevent the development of hip dysplasia. A good balance of protein and fat is another essential in this puppy’s diet. Protein builds muscle, and fat is quickly burned by this high-energy canine. Omega-6 fatty acids contribute to a healthy coat. Giving a puppy a healthy diet and monitoring its weight can prevent obesity.

Alpine Dachsbracke adult dog food: Protein in an adult Alpine Dachsbracke’s diet contributes to healthy muscles. Omega-3s support an adult dog’s immune system. A limited amount of fat provides energy to this active breed. Calcium keeps a growing dog’s bones healthy. Also, fiber helps with the digestive process in adult dogs. Once again, monitoring the amount of food given to an adult Alpine Dachsbracke can certainly prevent obesity. Dog food with real turkey meat and vegetables such as spinach or broccoli is a healthy choice.

Maintenance and Grooming

How much does an Alpine Dachsbracke shed? This breed of dog has a coat with two layers, so it sheds an average amount of hair.

It requires weekly grooming to get rid of loose or dead hair. A brush with soft, boar’s hair bristles helps to remove loose hair. Also, a soft slicker brush is effective at loosening and removing hair located deep in the dog’s coat. Be sure to get a slicker brush with plastic covers on the bristles. These coverings protect the dog’s skin.

The best way to brush this dog is by beginning at its head and moving in the natural direction of its coat toward its tail.

Cleaning the underside of an Alpine Dachsbracke’s ears should be a part of its grooming routine. Use a cleaning solution designed for the underside of a dog’s ears as well as a soft cloth.

One of the advantages of establishing a weekly brushing routine is that an owner can readily spot any skin irritations or bald spots in a dog’s coat. These can be symptoms of an allergy.

Training

These dogs are fairly easy to train due to their intelligence and alert nature. As a note, this dog picks up on a scent very easily. So, it may become distracted when training near a field. It’s best to keep the training sessions short with lots of treats and words of praise.

Exercise

These dogs have a lot of energy and need 30 to 60 minutes of exercise per day to stay healthy. They love to run in the woods and in fields chasing different scents. So, it’s best to give them exercise off the leash in a safe place.

This breed is not a good choice for people who live in apartments. These dogs need lots of space to move around. An Alpine Dachsbracke is a good choice for a family with a large fenced-in yard or one that lives on a farm with plenty of fields to roam.

Puppies

Since this breed is prone to obesity, it’s important to feed Alpine Dachsbracke puppies a nutritional diet without fillers. These fillers add needless weight.

Alpine Dachsbracke and Children

These dogs are known to be good with children as long as it has been properly socialized. Sometimes, the unexpected moves and cries of very young children can be stressful for this dog.

Dogs Similar to Alpine Dachsbracke

Dog breeds similar to these dogs include dachshunds, American foxhounds, and Basenjis.

• Dachshund: Dachshunds and Alpine Dachsbrackes have short legs and long bodies. They are loyal, intelligent, and have the same endearing floppy ears.
• American foxhound: Both the Alpine Dachsbracke and the American foxhound are intelligent hounds with very sensitive noses. Plus, these dogs have a lifespan of up to 12 years old.
• Basenji: Basenjis and Alpine Dachsbrackes are about the same height, though the Basenji weighs less. Both these breeds are loyal and make good watchdogs.

Famous Alpine Dachsbrackes

This breed was a favorite with royals throughout history.

In the 1880s, Crown Prince Rudolf of Habsburg, Austria, took a few Alpine Dachsbrackes with him on hunting trips to Egypt. In fact, these dogs show up in paintings that record these hunting trips made by the Prince.