Scenthound / FCI Group 6 · Purebred · Austria's short-legged alpine tracker — a robust, compact scent hound with a powerful nose and the endurance to follow cold blood trails through the most rugged mountain landscape
The Alpine Dachsbracke (Alpenländische Dachsbracke in German) is a compact, short-legged Austrian scent hound bred to track wounded deer, hare, and fox through the steep, rocky terrain of the Eastern Alps. Despite its Dachshund-like proportions — longer body than height, short strong legs — the Alpine Dachsbracke is entirely a working scent hound by character, built for endurance and cold-nose tracking rather than earth work. It was developed in the Austrian highlands to solve a specific problem: hunters needed a dog short enough to navigate dense mountain undergrowth and rocky crevices, yet robust enough to cover miles of steep terrain and brave the harshest alpine weather.
Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria was an early enthusiast of the breed in the 19th century, bringing Alpine Dachsbrackes on hunting expeditions to Egypt and Turkey. The breed received FCI recognition under Group 6 as one of Austria's two native scent hound breeds (alongside the Tyrolean Hound). Today it remains primarily a hunter's dog in Austria, with small but dedicated followings in Germany and neighboring Alpine countries.
Real Alpine Dachsbrackes — browse photos showcasing their distinctive short-legged body, dense dark red coat, and sturdy mountain build.
The Alpine Dachsbracke is courageous, confident, and tenacious — a dog with far more personality and drive than its compact size suggests. It is friendly and affectionate with family while being intensely focused on scent work when outdoors.
The Alpine Dachsbracke is a robust and long-lived breed. As with all short-legged (chondrodystrophic) dogs, spinal health deserves attention, though the breed's body proportions are less extreme than the Dachshund.
The Alpine Dachsbracke is an excellent choice for active owners, hunters, or outdoor enthusiasts willing to manage hound-specific traits — particularly the strong scent drive and independent recall behavior. It packs tremendous working character into a compact body and is a cheerful, devoted family companion when its exercise needs are met. It requires a securely fenced yard, consistent training, and an owner who appreciates and works with its scenthound nature rather than against it.
Alpine Dachsbrackes are adaptable and generally accept boarding well once settled. Inform the facility about its hound vocals — it will bay if bored or anxious, which is normal behavior, not aggression. Provide enrichment toys or a familiar blanket to ease the transition. The breed's sturdy constitution means it handles temperature variation well. Ensure the boarding facility has secure fencing — this dog will follow its nose.
Budget approximately $90–$160 per month for an Alpine Dachsbracke.
Alpine Dachsbracke mixes are very rare even in Europe. The breed is primarily maintained as a working hunting dog with strict registration oversight in Austria. Occasional crosses with Dachshunds or other brackes exist informally in hunting communities.
A compact, determined earth-and-scent dog combining two short-legged Austrian/German hunting breeds — lower to the ground, bold, and intensely nose-driven. The Dachshund side may increase earth-digging drive while the Dachsbracke contributes trailing stamina.
Two short-legged scenthounds from different traditions — a sturdy, slow-and-steady nose dog with extraordinary scenting ability and a surprisingly musical voice. More calm than the Alpine Dachsbracke alone, but equally stubborn on the trail.