¶Table of Contents
¶Quick Facts
The Alpine Dachsbracke is a small but powerful Austrian hunting dog used for tracking wounded game and for hunting by scent. It is a recognised breed in FCI Group 6, not a Dachshund–hound cross. The breed was developed through selection among Central European hunting dogs.
- Use: tracking wounded cloven-hoofed game and hunting by scent, particularly hare and fox according to the breed standard. In Sweden, the breed is also used as a short-ranging scenthound for several types of game.
- Height at the withers: 34–42 cm. The ideal height is 37–38 cm for males and 36–37 cm for females.
- Weight: the FCI breed standard does not specify a weight. Adult size, body condition and working ability should therefore be assessed with the breeder instead of relying on a figure that is not in the standard.
- Coat: a short, very dense double coat with strong topcoat and thick undercoat.
- Temperament: the breed ideal is fearless, calm and willing to work, with an intelligent and friendly expression.
- Important health check: both parents must have an official NCL8 status before mating for their offspring to be eligible for registration with the Swedish Kennel Club (SKK).
- Best suited to: a hunter who genuinely needs a dog for tracking wounded game and/or a short-ranging scenthound and wants to invest time in hunting training.
The Alpine Dachsbracke should not be chosen primarily as a companion dog. The breed club's breeding strategy describes it as a dedicated hunting breed. Walks and scent games are not a substitute for purposeful hunting work.
¶Appearance & Coat
The Alpine Dachsbracke should be low-set and long in body, yet robust, strong and agile. The ratio of height at the withers to body length should be about 2:3. The chest is deep, the bone strong and the muscles firm. The dog must be able to work in demanding terrain, so short legs should not result in an extreme or heavy build. Movement should cover ground without being short-stepping.
The coat consists of a very dense, strong topcoat and dense undercoat lying close over the entire body. The two accepted colours are dark deer red, with or without a light interspersion of black hairs, and black with clearly defined reddish-brown markings on areas including the head, chest, legs, feet and underside of the tail. A white star on the chest is permitted. White toes or larger white markings are not part of the standard's description.
The short coat does not need clipping. Brush during shedding and bathe when needed. After a hunt, check the skin, feet, nails, ears and eyes for wounds, grass seeds, ticks and other debris from the terrain.
The breed standard gives no ideal weight. Monitor body condition and muscle tone instead. A clear waist should be visible from above and the ribs should be easy to feel with light pressure. A working dog needs good muscle without excess weight; being either overweight or underweight impairs stamina and movement.
¶Temperament & Personality
The Alpine Dachsbracke should be courageous, calm and willing to work, but its strong hunting drive and independence also show in daily life. The breed was developed to solve scenting tasks, make decisions and work at a distance from the handler. In the right hands, this can produce a steady, focused hunting dog. Inconsistent routines, however, can cause problems in daily life, and a game trail may outweigh the handler's recall.
SKK describes the breed as a friendly family member that may be somewhat reserved with strangers. This is a breed ideal and does not describe every individual. The breed club's latest breeding strategy reported only 43 dogs that had started the Swedish BPH behavioural assessment and calls for a substantially larger data set. The material is therefore too limited to support firm promises about how the breed greets people, reacts in frightening situations or displays sharpness.
An adult should always be present with young children, and the dog needs a protected place to rest. Teach children not to disturb the dog while it is eating, sleeping or has something it values. The breed can live with other dogs, but the individual dog, its social experience and the way food, resting places and valued items are managed matter more than the breed name.
Cats and small animals require caution because hunting drive is central to the breed. Ask how the parents behave around other animals. Make introductions using a physical barrier and lead, and give the cat safe escape routes. Even a calm introduction cannot guarantee that an adult hunting dog will be safe around small animals.
¶Training & Exercise
The Alpine Dachsbracke needs hunting education, everyday engagement and physical conditioning, not a generic number of exercise minutes. The appropriate load depends on age, health, season and terrain. Accuracy on a trail, searching, returning to the handler and the ability to switch between work and rest matter more than the number of kilometres covered.
Start early with engagement, response to name, recall and calm handling. Reward voluntary returns and increase distractions gradually. A long line allows practice without letting the dog reward itself by following game. Harsh corrections and methods based on fear can damage both trust and the calm focus needed for work.
Basic tracking can be introduced early. The aim is calm, reliable and accurate work. Developing a short-ranging scenthound requires planned hunting training and a handler who can interpret the dog's voice, search pattern and return. Seek help from the breeder, breed club or an experienced hunting-dog trainer.
Off-lead access must be assessed in light of hunting drive, recall, location and the law. From 1 March to 20 August, dogs in areas where game is present must be prevented from running loose; in practice, this usually means a lead. At other times, the dog must still be controlled so it does not disturb or chase game. GPS does not replace training or judgement.
Build a young dog's fitness gradually and alternate work with recovery. An adult hunting dog needs both stamina and strength, whereas a growing dog should not follow a ready-made adult programme. After each session, movement, feet and general condition should determine what the dog is ready to do next.
¶Health
The most important paperwork to check for an Alpine Dachsbracke is the parents' official NCL8 status. NCL8 is an inherited, progressive neurological disease associated with the CLN8 gene. Inheritance is autosomal recessive: a clear dog does not have the variant, while a carrier has one copy but will not itself develop NCL8. A dog with two copies is classed as genetically affected and can be expected to develop the disease.
Since 1 January 2025, the breed has been covered by an SKK level 2 health programme. Before mating, the parents must either have an official DNA result from an approved laboratory or be registered as hereditarily clear, meaning clear through documented parents. Two carriers must not be mated. A carrier may only be mated to a dog that is tested clear or hereditarily clear, and a genetically affected dog must not be used for breeding. Ask to see the result in Hunddata or Avelsdata; “DNA tested” does not reveal whether a dog is clear, a carrier or genetically affected.
SKK states that hip dysplasia (HD) occurs in the breed. At the same time, the breeding strategy describes a small number of X-rayed dogs, foreign breeding dogs without results and no recorded clinical HD problems in the material. HD can therefore neither be dismissed nor described as a widespread clinical problem. Ask about the results, function and symptoms of the parents and their close adult relatives.
The breed club is monitoring short ulna, a shortened ulna, and other limb deformities, particularly in the front legs. This does not mean that every dog has an orthopaedic problem. Look at the parents' leg alignment, feet and movement and ask about adult relatives. Wounds and other hunting-related injuries should be assessed as needed.
The Swedish population is small and depends on international breeding exchanges. Ask the breeder to explain relatedness, previous pairings, the health of older relatives and how information on foreign dogs has been checked.
¶History & Origins
The Alpine Dachsbracke was developed in the mountainous regions of Central Europe as a functional hunting and tracking dog. The breed club's history states that the breed was selected from the so-called Segurian hounds and was not created by crossing in Dachshunds or other breeds. Its low build and the word “Dachs” in its name therefore do not document a Dachshund cross.
The FCI's historical summary records Crown Prince Rudolf of Habsburg taking these dogs on hunting trips in 1881 and 1885. In 1932, the type was recognised in Austria as the third breed used for tracking wounded game. The name was changed to Alpine Dachsbracke in 1975, when the FCI also designated Austria as the country of origin. In 1991, the breed was placed in its current section within Group 6.
The first documented imports to Sweden arrived in 1998 and 1999. Use in Sweden has since centred on tracking wounded game, short-ranging hunting and working tests. The breed's development is explained by practical working ability: calm tracking, hunting drive, an audible voice and contact with the handler.
¶Living with the Breed
The Alpine Dachsbracke is best suited to a home where hunting is a real part of the year and someone wants to train and work the dog. A large garden or long walks are not enough. Before buying, you should know what kind of hunting the dog will do and who will be responsible for its training, fitness and safety.
The breed can settle with the family when work, household rules and recovery are in balance. Plan for mud after time in the field, a powerful voice and secure storage of game, food and equipment. A flat can work for an individual that receives appropriate hunting work and is calm indoors, but neighbours and barking must be considered. The type of home does not make the breed suitable solely as a companion.
Being left alone is not a fixed breed trait. Start when the puppy feels secure, leave it for a very short time and increase the duration only when it can settle. Take a step back and seek help if the dog becomes distressed, howls, barks or tries to escape.
Ask the breeder to show and explain:
- the parents' official NCL8 results and how the planned pairing complies with the rules,
- hunting qualifications and how the parents work, return and cooperate in practice,
- HD results where available, along with the health and movement of close adult relatives,
- leg alignment, feet and any reported front-leg problems in the family,
- relatedness in the pairing and how imported or foreign breeding dogs have been followed up,
- the parents' everyday behaviour with people, dogs and the animals in your home.
Finding the right match matters more than falling for the dog's compact appearance. For a hunter who needs its particular combination of accurate tracking, courage and short-ranging hunting, the Alpine Dachsbracke can be a well-considered choice. Someone primarily looking for a small, easy family dog will find more suitable breeds.
¶Characteristics
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Breed Type | Purebred |
| Aggressiveness | 3/5 |
| Child Friendly | 3/5 |
| Energy | 4/5 |
| Hair Shedding | 3/5 |
| Health | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 3/5 |
| Grooming Needs | 3/5 |
| Learning Ability | 4/5 |
| Barking Level | 4/5 |
| Height | 34 – 42 cm |
| Weight | 15 – 18 kg |
| Life Expectancy | 12 – 14 years |
¶Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of temperament does the Alpine Dachsbracke have, especially around family and children?
This breed is typically steady, loyal and affectionate with its family, including respectful children. It is more reserved with strangers and has a strong hunting focus, so it may seem serious outdoors but relaxed and cuddly at home. Good early socialization helps keep its naturally calm, confident nature in balance.
How much exercise does an Alpine Dachsbracke really need compared with other small dogs?
Although short-legged, this is an active scent hound developed to work for long hours in rough terrain. It usually needs at least 1 to 2 hours of daily activity, including brisk walks and off-leash time in secure areas. Mental work such as scent games or tracking practice is important to prevent boredom and restlessness.
Is the Alpine Dachsbracke suitable for apartment living or city life?
It can adapt to an apartment if given enough outdoor exercise and mental stimulation every day. However, it generally thrives in homes with easy access to nature, where it can follow scents and move freely in safe spaces. In cities, sound-proofing and training are helpful, because it may bark when it picks up interesting smells or noises.
What are the most common health issues seen in Alpine Dachsbracken?
Overall this is considered a relatively robust working breed, but its long back and short legs can predispose it to spinal and joint problems if overweight or overstrained. Ear infections can occur due to the drop ears and love of outdoor work, especially in wet conditions. Responsible breeders screen for hereditary issues where possible and emphasize sound structure.
How strong is the Alpine Dachsbracke’s hunting and tracking instinct, and can it live with cats or small pets?
Its tracking instinct is very strong, as it was bred for following cold trails of deer and hare in the mountains. Many individuals can live safely with cats if introduced early and supervised, but small, fast-moving pets may trigger chasing. A secure yard and reliable recall training are essential, since it can easily follow a scent and wander off.
How difficult is it to train an Alpine Dachsbracke, considering its hound background?
This breed is intelligent and learns commands readily, but can be independent and focused on scents rather than the handler. Short, varied sessions with clear rules and plenty of rewards work best. Consistent recall training is very important, as many will follow their nose if given the chance.
What grooming does an Alpine Dachsbracke need and how much does it shed?
It has a dense, weather-resistant double coat that sheds moderately throughout the year and more during seasonal changes. Weekly brushing is usually enough to remove loose hair and dirt, with more frequent grooming during shedding periods. Ears should be checked and cleaned regularly due to the drop shape and frequent outdoor work.
Are Alpine Dachsbracken good hiking or outdoor companions despite their short legs?
They are enduring and sure-footed in rough terrain and were originally bred for work in alpine regions. Many happily accompany their owners on long hikes as long as they are conditioned gradually and kept at a healthy weight. Their back and joints should be protected from repeated jumping from heights or running on hard surfaces for long periods.
What kind of home environment suits an Alpine Dachsbracke best?
It typically does best in an active home that values outdoor time and structured activity such as hiking, tracking or other scent work. A securely fenced yard is helpful, since this hound can follow scents beyond property lines. It is usually happiest when it can live closely with its people instead of being kept in a kennel or isolated outside.
How does the Alpine Dachsbracke compare to a Dachshund in size and behavior?
It is generally heavier, more robust and more strongly built than most Dachshunds, with a stockier frame suited to mountain work. The temperament tends to be steadier and less lively indoors, with a very pronounced tracking drive outdoors. Both share a long-backed, short-legged outline, so similar care is needed to avoid excessive jumping and obesity.¶Comparisons with other breeds
Compare Alpine Dachsbracke with other breeds and see the differences in temperament, activity level, and care to make a confident choice. Show all comparisons
