Are you a fan of confident dogs that can win the show by their mere gratefulness? If so, the Alpine Dachsbracke dog breed might be the one for you!
This remarkable small breed has a beautiful fur coat that shines bright in the sun. Under the coat strong and sturdy nature, lies a gentle breed who demands only cuddles. For return? They will protect you for life!
But knowing just these things is not enough to know before adopting a dog, so to help you with that, we have everything from personality and temperament to grooming and training needs of this majestic breed. By the end of this article, you will be head over paw for them!
Overview
| Height | 12-14 inches |
| Weight | 33-40 lbs |
| Life span | 12-14 years |
| Exercise needs | 1-2 hours daily |
| Temperament | Calm, Nurturing, Reserved |
| Grooming | Moderate maintenance |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
| Origin | Austria |
Origin of the Alpine Dachsbracke
Alpine Dachsbracke have their roots back in the 19th century in Austria. The natives bred them initially for hunting (hunting dogs) and tracking games, as the Alpine Dachsbracke dog breed has excellent scenting powers.
For their strong sense of smell and determination, the natives and people worldwide started adopting them. Most importantly, this German royalty accompanied Rudolf of Habsburg during hunting trips in the 1800s. They used to hunt together in Egypt and Turkey.
These dogs get their genes from the larger Bracken and smaller Dachshund dogs. They have the best genes! This gives the Alpine Dachsbracke superpowers to win hearts through their intelligence and agile body structure. With their willowy movements, these dogs have a graceful walk.
Unlike most breeds, the Alpine Dachsbracke tries to save as much energy as possible, so you won’t find them wasting their time barking.
Appearance and Personality
The Alpine Dachsbracke is an adorable dog that comes in a cute package as well. Here’s all you should know:
1. Can be a lap dog
Alpine Dachsbracke has short legs with drooping/ hanging ears that are a treat for the human eye. They have the cutest little paws and noses, adding to their charming personality. A bonus for you—this breed is not too small to fit in your hands but big enough to be a lap dog!
2. Muscular body
Alpine Dachsbracke dog breed has a muscular body that weighs around 33-40 pounds, whereas they stand at approximately 12-14 inches.
3. Shiny coat
For their coat, they have a beautiful shiny double coat that usually comes in a dark brownish color combination with dark tan markings on their ears, tails, abdomen, and neck. For us, they have the best sun-kissed pictures!
4. Facial features
Their dark, keen eyes compliment their whole appearance, along with ears that dramatically frame their ears. Before we even say anything about their personality, you can tell by the looks of Alpine Dachsbracke that they are vigilant dogs. They are not too much into hopping around and wasting energy.
Personality of the Alpine Dachsbracke
1. Determined
As Alpine Dachsbracke have evolved to hunt diligently for centuries, they have a keen sense of determination even in challenging situations. They have heightened awareness of their surroundings and strangers and stay determined in their goals and task of protecting their owners from predators.
2. Independent thinkers
These fur-midable Alpine explorers have a self-reliant nature that helps them to think for themselves and their owners. They are independent thinkers who can wisely analyze challenging situations and act accordingly. Such an attitude can also pose a problem for inexperienced dog owners, as dealing with stubbornness takes work!
3. Brave and alert
Alpine Dachsbracke are sturdy dogs who are very strong mentally and physically. If it comes to protecting their owners, they can fight off the most muscular dogs! As they have a strong prey drive, the Alpine Dachsbracke dogs love to run after squirrels or other small animals.
When we say they are brave, they live up to that as they can even travel in harsh terrains without fearing for their lives.
4. Playful
The charmers, the Alpine Dachsbracke are playful when it comes to the “cheat days” and playing with children. Their otherwise “serious” personality can make it hard to imagine this breed having fun and interactive activities. In addition, Alpine Dachsbrackes also love to do exercises where they get to jump, roll and hike.
Temperament of the Alpine Dachsbracke
Now that you know the personality of this sturdy little hound, it is time to jump on the temperament of Alpine Dachsbracke that will make you understand better about their demeanor. Also, please note that every dog is unique, and no matter how much we try to put their traits limited in a box saying, “They are introverts,” who knows? Your’s might be a social butterfly!
Hence, it is important not to stereotype any dog. But here are some general temperament traits of Alpine Dachsbracke are we will mention.
1. Calm
Alpine Dachsbracke has a serene nature that you can observe easily. This dog breed is partially hyperactive, believing in saving energy and staying composed in challenging situations. If you want a calm dog that can control emotions, Alpine Dachsbracke might be your paw-mate!
2. Nurturing
Contrary to most pictures online, Alpine Dachsbracke can be very affectionate towards their owners and immediate family members. They are gentle with children and play with them while being the protectors. However, as this breed can be slightly wild, we do not recommend leaving them alone with small kids.
3. Reserved
As you must have guessed from their “mysterious dog” qualities, Alpine Dachsbracke can be reserved, smell your guests, and be quiet until they gain trust. They are very cautious and can be rude to strangers showering their love on these dogs. But overall, if you are also an introvert, you and Alpine Dachsbracke will vibe together a lot!
Grooming Needs of the Alpine Dachsbracke
The Alpine Dachbracke is relatively easy to care for and is of moderate maintenance. With a life expectancy of 12-14 years, this hound breed has natural shiny fur that protects them from harsh weather conditions. It would be a lie to say that they are not high maintenance, but still—they need a lot less than other hound dogs like Afghan Hound. Here’s all about it:
1. Weekly brushing
For their longevity, they require overall hygiene and not just nutrition. Grooming defines their lifestyle standard and can contribute to their quality of life. The most crucial grooming essential in the case of furry dogs is their coat. Alpine Dachsbracke has a short but dense double coat and sheds throughout the year (mostly in shedding season).
With regular grooming, you can also ensure that your dog does not have fleas, ticks, or any potential infections or allergies. Early detection and prevention is the best way to keep your dog healthy.
2. Check for ear infections
As Alpine Dachsbracke have floppy or hanging ears like most hound dogs, they can easily catch ear infections due to sweat, moisture, and wax or dirt buildup. To clear their ears, you can use a damp cotton ball and clear it off.
3. Keep nails clean
In addition, there can be dirt build up in their paw nails; hence you should trim their long crusty nails every 2-4 weeks. Moreover, oral care is also essential by brushing daily with dog-friendly toothpaste and toothbrush to avoid plaque, cavities, and foul odor.
4. Require regular bathing
Rest as it is evident that dogs also need regular bathing. For Alpine Dachsbracke, you can go for about once every few weeks or a month as required with the help of a mild dog-friendly shampoo.
Lastly, there are several common health issues that dogs are susceptible to that you should consider while searching for an ideal dog.
Due to their excellent tracking skills, the Alpine Dachsbracke is an important part of Austria’s hunting heritage!
Are Alpine Dachsbrackes Hypoallergenic?
These dogs are not hypoallergenic (meaning they are unsuitable for people sensitive to allergies), so they require brushing at least twice or thrice a week. You should use a soft bristle brush that enhances their coat luster and maintains their natural oils while clearing off dead hair shed.
Exercise and Training Needs
Hailing from mountainous regions, this breed requires physical and mental exercises to keep its instincts active and healthy. The Alpine Dachsbracke dog breed has evolved with their hunting and tracking abilities. This breed needs stimulation for the well-being.
1. Mental stimulation
For their mental stimulation, you can challenge them with puzzles, different scents, obedience exercises, and even agility training. For this, you will need to study deeper into these exercises and how you can perform them effectively.
In addition to mental engagement for these intelligent lads, teaching dogs obedience and positive reinforcement is highly important, as it will lead to better and more civilized behavior.
2. Early socialization
As the hunting dogs, Alpine Dachsbrackes can be reserved. Basically they take every stranger as a threat, but if you train them, they can learn socialization. Proper socialization classes, putting them into different situations and teaching them to adjust and be flexible to their surroundings, can help Alpine Dachsbrackes to be great companions.
3. Make a routine
Moreover, a routine should make the dog feel more secure for efficient training and exercise. In the daily routine, you can include—walks, off-leash exercise in a fenced area, jogs, agility training or following a scent, etc. Your dog should do it for at least 45 minutes to 2 hours as per their capabilities. (varies by age and sex).
Final Thoughts
So are you head over paw for them or not? We hear a BIG YES!
While you plan to adopt Alpine Dachsbrackes, make sure to understand them and spend some time before bringing them home. This way, instead of stereotyping the dog, you’ll get a deeper understanding and a connection with Alpine Dachsbrackes.
These dogs can indeed be harsh on strangers for a while, but as they get familiar, they are hands-down (or should we say “paws-down”) one of the most nurturing breeds out there!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Alpine Dachsbracke is a scarce breed. One of the reasons is that this breed truly is one of its kind. In the Alpine regions of Austria, their primary purpose is to hunt. Their population and demand have decreased over the years due to a lack of promotion on a global scale. Compared to other hound dogs, Alpine Dachsbracke is one of the rarest ones.
Unfortunately, No. Alpine Dachsbracke has a short but dense hairy coat that protects them from harsh weather conditions. They shed throughout the year and during shedding seasons. If you or someone in your family is sensitive to allergies, you should not adopt the Alpine Dachsbracke dog breed. They can spread infections through their hair and saliva. To test it out, you can spend some time with these dogs and keep an eye on any allergic reactions you may have.
Alpine Dachsbracke have their roots back in the 19th century in Austria, where they were the German novelty. They were a part of hunting games and are still famous for their tracking skills from mere scents.
Contrary to their popular perceived image, Alpine Dachsbracke can be very gentle and nurturing in nature. As they are very mysterious and shy, they do not trust strangers that easily. Lately, even though they can be aggressive to protect their owners, generally, you can often see them having their own time and being calm and composed even in difficult situations.
