
The Austrian Black and Tan Hound, also known as the Vieräugl or Brandlbracke, is a medium-sized scent hound originating from Austria. The breed is known for its friendly and good-natured temperament, making it a great family dog. With its elegant build, the Austrian Black and Tan Hound is a powerful runner with a keen sense of smell, making it a highly capable hunting companion. While the breed is quite rare, it is becoming increasingly popular due to its affectionate and playful nature.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Names | Austrian Black and Tan Hound, Austrian Smooth-Coated Hound, Austrian or Carinthian Brandlbracke or Vieräugl, Kärntener Hunde, Österreichische Bracke, Österreichescher Glatthaariger Bracke |
Origin | Austria |
Size | Medium |
Weight | 15-22 kilograms (33-49 pounds) |
Height | 48-56 cm |
Coat | Short, smooth, shiny, predominantly black with light to dark brown blaze |
Temperament | Friendly, good-natured, intelligent, playful, affectionate, good with children, not aggressive, independent, energetic, obedient |
Health | Generally healthy, no breed-specific genetic diseases, may be prone to hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia |
Life Expectancy | 12-14 years |
Diet | High-quality food with adequate nutrients, vitamins and minerals, quantities adjusted to activity level |
Exercise | Requires a lot of exercise, thrives in rural conditions |
Training | Requires firm, consistent, and early training, more trainable than other hounds, eager to please owner |
Socialization | Socializes well with family and other dogs, may chase small animals |
Work | Hunting dog, used for tracking wounded game (mainly hare) at high altitudes |
What You'll Learn
Other names for the Austrian Black and Tan Hound
The Austrian Black and Tan Hound is known by many names, reflecting its long history and the various languages spoken in the region. The breed's history can be traced back to ancient times when the inhabitants of Austria selectively bred dogs for hunting purposes. The Austrian Black and Tan Hound's ancestors were likely a crossbreed of various Celtic hounds, possibly mixed with Jura hounds from Switzerland.
One of the most common names for the breed is the Austrian Smooth-Coated Hound, which describes the breed's short and smooth coat. The coat is predominantly black, with light to dark brown markings, and is easy to care for, requiring minimal grooming.
Another name for the breed is the Carinthian Brandlbracke or simply Brandlbracke. Brandlbracke is a compound word, stemming from the German "Brand", meaning harmful fire or a fire that went out of control, which refers to the breed's distinctive fawn markings. "Bracke" refers to a type of hunting dog that primarily tracks through scent. The breed is known for its keen sense of smell, which is used to track wounded game, typically hare, in high altitudes.
The Austrian Black and Tan Hound is also sometimes called the Vieräugl, which is the Austro-Bavarian diminutive of "Vierauge", meaning someone or something with four eyes. This name refers to the distinctive fawn markings above the eyes, which give the dog the appearance of having four eyes.
In addition, the breed has several other names in German, including Kärntener Hunde, Österreichische Bracke, and Österreichescher Glatthaariger Bracke. These names reflect the breed's Austrian origins and its characteristics as a hunting dog. The Austrian Black and Tan Hound is a medium-sized scenthound, standing between 19 and 22 inches tall and weighing between 30 and 50 pounds. They are known for their elegant appearance and athletic build, with a long, slender body and a thin, graceful tail.
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The breed's history
The Austrian Black and Tan Hound, also known as the Vieräugl or Brandlbracke, is a medium-sized scent hound originating in Austria. The breed's history can be traced back to ancient times when the inhabitants of Austria selectively bred dogs for hunting purposes.
The Austrian Black and Tan Hound's ancestors were likely a crossbreed of various Celtic hounds, possibly mixed with Jura hounds from Switzerland. The Celtic Bracke, one of its ancestors, is believed to be quite old, dating back to when hunting dogs were essential for our ancestors' survival. In the 19th century, Austrians began advocating for the development of breed standards and purebred registries for their hounds. This led to the foundation of the "Österreichischen Hundezuchtvereins" (Austrian Dog Breeding Club) in 1884, with the first dog registered being an Austrian Black and Tan Hound named "Bergmann".
During this time, various Bracken breeds were created, and in 1883, the Brandlbracke and its characteristics were established in Austria. Two names are mentioned in connection with its breeding: Karl Barbolani from Styria and Duke Ludwig Wilhelm of Bavaria. The breed was officially recognized by the FCI (Federation Cynologique Internationale) in 1954, and later by the United Kennel Club in 2006.
Today, the Austrian Black and Tan Hound remains a hunting dog, covering incredible distances and navigating rough terrain in its strenuous work. It is known for its keen sense of smell, elegant build, and affectionate and good-natured personality. It is well-suited for life in rural areas with ample space to run and work, making it a beloved companion for hunters and a wonderful pet for active families.
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Temperament and behaviour
The Austrian Black and Tan Hound, also known as the Vieräugl or Brandlbracke, is a medium-sized scent hound. It is a versatile, intelligent, and powerful hunting dog, with a slender, athletic build. This breed is known for its affectionate and good-natured personality, making it a great pet. It is a loyal, adaptable dog that thrives in an active household with plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventures.
The Austrian Black and Tan Hound is a working dog, with a strong work ethic and a keen sense of smell. It is used for tracking wounded game, most commonly hares, in high altitudes. The breed is an elegant runner, with a long, thin tail, giving it a graceful appearance. Its short, smooth coat is predominantly black, with light to dark brown markings, which help hunters to spot the dog in dense vegetation.
The temperament of the Austrian Black and Tan Hound is friendly and playful, and it gets along well with children. It is known to be gentle and laidback at home, but it has high energy levels and requires vigorous daily exercise. This breed is intelligent but can be stubborn, and training may be challenging due to its independent nature. It is important to begin socialisation and training from a young age to ensure the dog grows into a well-rounded adult.
As with all scent hounds, the Austrian Black and Tan Hound may easily be distracted by interesting smells and may wander off if it catches a scent. It is prone to taking off after a scent, so it is important to keep the dog on a leash or inside a fenced area when it is not hunting. This breed is also prone to ear infections due to its long, floppy ears, so regular ear cleaning is essential.
Overall, the Austrian Black and Tan Hound is an affectionate, loyal, and intelligent breed, with a strong work ethic and a friendly temperament. It is well-suited to an active household with experienced owners who can provide plenty of exercise and mental stimulation.
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Diet and exercise
The Austrian Black and Tan Hound, also known as the Brandlbracke or Vieräugl, is a medium-sized breed of dog native to Austria. This rare breed is characterised by its black coat and light to dark brown blaze, which gives it its name. It is a hunting dog with high energy levels and a keen sense of smell, requiring regular exercise and mental stimulation to stay happy and healthy.
Diet
The Austrian Black and Tan Hound is not usually a greedy breed, but it should be fed a nutrient-rich diet to meet its dietary needs. It is important to select a dog food that is made for medium-sized dogs and to take into account the stage of life your dog is in. For example, dogs with kidney failure should be fed a diet with moderate protein and low sodium content. Table scraps should be avoided, especially if weight gain is a concern. Always ensure that clean, fresh water is available at all times. If you have any concerns about your dog's weight or diet, it is important to consult your veterinarian for recommendations.
Exercise
The Austrian Black and Tan Hound has very high activity levels and requires a lot of exercise, play, and socialisation. This breed is not suited to apartment or city living and thrives in a rural environment with plenty of outdoor space to run around freely. They are best suited to owners who can provide them with vigorous daily exercise and keep them busy, as boredom can lead to undesirable behaviour. Securely fenced yards or leashes are essential when outdoors, as their strong hunting instincts may lead them to chase prey and get lost.
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Health and care
The Austrian Black and Tan Hound, also known as the Vieräugl or Brandlbracke, is a rare breed of dog native to Austria. While there is no evidence of the breed before the 19th century, it is believed that the Austrian Black and Tan Hound has been in Austria for at least 150 years and is likely much older. The breed was recognised by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) in 1954 and by the United Kennel Club in 2006.
The Austrian Black and Tan Hound is a medium-sized breed with a large skull and brown eyes. The male of the species typically stands at 50-56cm (20-22 inches) and weighs 15-22kg (33-49 pounds). Females are slightly smaller, standing at 48-54cm (19-21 inches) and weighing 13-20kg (30-45 pounds). The breed has a long, thin tail and a predominantly black, short, and smooth coat with light to dark brown markings. This dark coat helps to protect the dog from harsh weather conditions, while the brown markings make the dog easily visible to hunters in dense vegetation.
The Austrian Black and Tan Hound is a healthy breed with no known genetic health problems. This is likely due to the breeding practices of Austrian hunters, who bred the dogs for their working ability. Any health defects would reduce the dog's functionality and were therefore quickly eliminated from the gene pool. However, it is important to note that the breed is prone to allergies and requires adequate exercise and stimulation to stay happy and healthy.
When buying an Austrian Black and Tan Hound puppy, it is important to ensure that the puppy is at least 8 weeks old and has received the necessary vaccinations and deworming treatments. The puppy's parents should also be healthy, and the breeding facility should be clean and reputable.
As a medium-sized breed, the Austrian Black and Tan Hound requires a diet that is specifically formulated for dogs of this size. It is important to choose a food that contains high-quality ingredients and provides a balanced mix of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. The amount of food given should be adjusted according to the dog's activity level, with smaller meals being fed before hunting or exercise to avoid discomfort.
In terms of behaviour, the Austrian Black and Tan Hound is an intelligent, playful, and affectionate breed that is great with children. They require early socialisation and training to ensure they get along with other animals, particularly small animals that may trigger their hunting instincts. They are not well-suited to apartment living or inactive owners due to their high energy levels and need for ample space to run unrestricted.
Overall, the Austrian Black and Tan Hound is a healthy and resilient breed that requires proper nutrition, exercise, and socialisation to thrive. While they may not be suitable for all living situations, they can make excellent family pets for those with an active lifestyle and ample space.
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Frequently asked questions
The Austrian Black and Tan Hound is a medium-sized scenthound originating in Austria, used for tracking wounded game, most commonly hares, in high altitudes.
The Austrian Black and Tan Hound is also known as the Austrian smooth-coated hound, the Austrian or Carinthian brandlbracke or vieräugl, the Kärntener Hunde, Österreichische Bracke or the Österreichescher Glatthaariger Bracke.
Austrian Black and Tan Hounds are good-natured, loving, intelligent, and playful. They are patient with children and other animals but are not ideal for small animals due to their hunting past. They are also not suited for apartment dwellers or inactive owners as they are high-energy dogs that require a lot of mental and physical stimulation.