Austrian Dog Breeds: Their Unique Looks And Characteristics

Austria is home to some of the finest dog breeds in the world. From the Alpine slopes to the rugged mountains, Austrian dogs are known for their hardiness and robust builds. While they may vary in size, shape, temperament, and physical attributes, they are generally energetic, determined, and friendly, making them well-suited to active individuals or families. So, what does an Austrian dog look like? Let's dive into the characteristics of some popular Austrian dog breeds to find out.

Austrian Hound

The Austrian Hound, also known as the Austrian Smooth-Haired Hound, is a breed native to Austria. It is a medium-sized dog, weighing between 33 to 49 pounds and standing about 19 to 22 inches tall. This breed is known for its muscular and robust build, with a short, smooth coat that can come in various colours, including black, yellow, red, and fawn.

The Austrian Hound is an intelligent, brave, and sociable dog, known for its loyalty to its family and friendly nature with children and other pets. However, due to its strong hunting instinct, it may chase after smaller animals. This breed is an active and energetic dog that requires plenty of exercise, such as daily long walks or vigorous play sessions.

When it comes to diet, it is important to provide the Austrian Hound with high-quality dog food suitable for its age, size, and activity level. Their grooming needs are relatively low-maintenance, with weekly brushing being sufficient to maintain a healthy coat. However, regular ear cleaning and teeth brushing are important to prevent infections and maintain good dental health.

The Austrian Hound is a healthy breed with few breed-specific health issues. Regular vet check-ups and vaccinations are essential to ensure their well-being. They have a life expectancy of around 12 to 14 years. Overall, the Austrian Hound is a loyal and friendly companion, well-suited for active individuals or families with spacious living environments.

Austrian Pinscher

The Austrian Pinscher, or Österreichischer Pinscher, is a medium-sized breed of pinscher-type dog. Originally farm dogs, they were used to keep barns free of rats and as home guards, livestock guardians, and drovers.

The Austrian Shorthaired Pinscher was recognised as a breed for the first time in 1928, but the breed was developed from an old type of pinscher found on farms in the Austrian countryside, a mixture of German Pinschers and local dogs. By the end of the 19th century, farm dogs began to die out as their work was no longer needed. In the early 20th century, Emil Hauck began working to restore the breed, and in 1921 he began serious breeding to revive and define the type of the breed.

The Austrian Pinscher is a normally proportioned, strong and sturdy dog, 42–50 cm (17–20 in) at the withers. The breed has button ears and a head shaped like a pear. The double coat is short to medium-long, in a variety of yellow, red or black and tan colours, usually with white markings on the face, chest, feet and tip of the tail. The long tail is held high, and dogs of this breed should look lively and alert.

The Austrian Pinscher is playful, gentle, devoted, and protective. They are very intelligent, but their stubbornness requires a firm and consistent trainer. They make great family dogs, especially if you live in a rural environment or the suburbs. Their tendency to bark and their suspicion of all strangers do not make them good dogs for city living. While they are not aggressive, they will bark loudly at any strange noise or unfamiliar person.

The Austrian Pinscher is an active dog and needs plenty of room to run and play. They like to be outside and will become very destructive if they are bored or lonely. They are also very rare, and there are only a small number of them, with only 6 to 12 breeding animals known.

Alpine Dachsbracke

The Alpine Dachsbracke is a small to medium-sized breed of dog of the scent hound type, originating in the Alpine region of Austria and Germany. They are an active, loyal, and fearless breed with strong hunting instincts. They are known for their friendly and gentle nature, making them wonderful family pets.

The Alpine Dachsbracke has a slight resemblance to a Dachshund, with short legs and a long body. Their coat is dense, short, and smooth, usually in dark rust or red, with some black throughout. They have round eyes with a lively expression, broad hanging ears, and a noticeable furrow in their forehead.

The Alpine Dachsbracke is an excellent tracking dog, often used to hunt deer, boar, hare, and fox. They are highly efficient at following a trail, even after it has gone cold, which is why they are also called cold-nose hounds. They are very sturdy and robust, with strong muscles and a big-boned structure.

This breed is recognised by the United Kennel Club (UKC) in their Scenthound Group and by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) as a Scenthound and a Leash (scent) hound. While they are rare in the United States, they are quite common in Austria, where they are mostly kept by hunters.

The Alpine Dachsbracke is an intelligent, confident, and easy-going breed that gets along well with children and other dogs. However, due to their strong prey drive, they may chase cats or other small pets. They require plenty of regular exercise and mental stimulation and should be kept in a fenced area to prevent them from wandering off.

In terms of care, the Alpine Dachsbracke requires a diet formulated for their life stage and energy level. Weekly brushing is usually enough to maintain their coat, although they do blow their coats a couple of times a year, requiring more frequent brushing during these shedding periods. Additionally, nail trims, ear cleanings, and a dental hygiene program are essential for their overall health.

Overall, the Alpine Dachsbracke is a versatile and adaptable breed, serving as both excellent hunting dogs and loving companion animals.

Austrian Black and Tan Hound

The Austrian Black and Tan Hound is a medium-sized scent hound originating in Austria. It is believed that the breed is a descendant of the ancient Celtic Hound, with a history that can be traced back to ancient times when the inhabitants of Austria selectively bred dogs for hunting purposes.

The Austrian Black and Tan Hound is a muscular dog, standing at 19-22 inches tall and weighing between 15-22 kilograms. It has a short, smooth, dense, and shiny black coat with tan or fawn markings on the legs, chest, and face. Notably, two fawn marks must be present above the eyes. Its tail is long and slightly bent, and its ears are medium-length, hanging flat with rounded tips. The breed has a large skull, brown eyes, and a strong muzzle.

This breed is known for its keen sense of smell, which makes it excellent for tracking wounded game, especially hares, in high altitudes. It is an elegant runner, with a lovely voice, and is known to be affectionate, intelligent, and playful, making it a great pet for active families. However, due to its high energy levels and need for ample space, it is not well-suited for apartment living or inactive owners.

The Austrian Black and Tan Hound is a rare breed, mostly unknown outside of Austria, and its true characteristics are becoming diluted due to breeding with other hound dog breeds. It is also known by several other names, including the Austrian Smooth-Coated Hound, the Carinthian Brandlbracke, and the Vieräugl.

Tyrolean Hound

The Tyrolean Hound is a breed of dog that originated in Tyrol, also called the Tiroler Bracke or Tyroler Bracke. They are scent hounds that descended from the Celtic hounds in the late 1800s and were prized for their hunting skills. They are hardworking, passionate, and independent dogs known for their intelligence rather than their size. This breed is strong, medium-sized, muscular, and sinewy, with a dense, double coat and a flowing outline.

The Tyrolean Hound has a broad, clean, and slightly arched skull, with a moderately deep and straight muzzle. They have dark brown, large, and round eyes that are not deeply set, and their ears are broad, set high on the head, and rounded at the ends. The body of the Tyrolean Hound is rectangular, with a deep chest and muscular fore-chest. Their legs are straight with medium bone structure, and their tail is set high on the back with a saber curve.

The coat of the Tyrolean Hound is thick and double-layered, with a coarse undercoat. The main colours are red, black, and tan, often with white markings. They are highly active, affectionate, and free-spirited, making them excellent hunting companions. While they can be independent and may require early socialisation, they are not known for aggression and are good with children.

In terms of health, the Tyrolean Hound tends to live an energetic life for about 12 to 14 years and is generally a healthy and robust breed. However, they may be prone to common injuries associated with hunting dogs, such as hip dysplasia and ear infections. Regular grooming is recommended, with their coarse double coat needing brushing 2 to 3 times a week to keep it free of loose hairs and to help identify external parasites.

Frequently asked questions