Hound Small size 15-18 kg

Alpine Dachsbracke

A sturdy, low-set scenthound bred to trail wounded game, friendly at home but happiest with a nose-led job to do.

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Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Small
Size
15-18 kg · 34-42 cm
Moderate
Exercise needs
Moderate; a daily walk plus some play
Moderate
Alone-time tolerance
Copes with a normal workday if eased in
Moderate
Training
Capable but needs motivation
Low
Coat care
Occasional brushing
Good
Fit with kids
Good, patient family dog
Moderate
Other pets
Usually fine with early socialization
Moderate
Health burden
Back problems (IVDD), Obesity

The Alpine Dachsbracke typically weighs 15-18 kg, stands 34-42 cm, and lives 11-14 years.

Consider this breed if…

you hunt, track, or want to do serious nosework with your dog,
you like long, unhurried walks in any weather,
you want a robust, low-maintenance coat and an even temper at home,
you can offer scent games instead of expecting flashy obedience.

Do not consider this breed if…

you want reliable off-leash recall - a hot scent trail beats your voice,
your home is all stairs and sofas; the long back needs jump management,
you expect a quiet dog; hounds give voice when excited or on scent,
you live outside Europe and want one soon - it is rare and mostly hunter-owned.

A typical day with a Alpine Dachsbracke

  1. 7:00 · Morning
    45 min sniffy walk, nose down the whole way
  2. 9:30 · Midmorning
    Naps after breakfast, solid sleeper
  3. 13:00 · Noon
    Short garden or leash break
  4. 16:30 · Afternoon
    Tracking game or food-search in the yard
  5. 19:00 · Evening
    Couch time with the family
  6. 22:00 · Night
    Sleeps deeply after a day of nose work

Temperament and training

Scent drive Very high
Persistence High
Even temper High
Independence Moderate
Vocality Moderate
Guarding tendency Low
Common owner mistakes
Letting it off leash in open country and learning about scent trails the hard way · Free-feeding a food-motivated hound until the long back carries a belly · Giving it no nose work, then wondering why it excavates the garden

Family and environment

Kids Good
Even-tempered and sturdy; a solid family hound.
Dogs Good
Pack-hound roots make most dog company easy.
Cats Conditional
Raised together works; running cats trigger the chase.
Apartment Conditional
Calm indoors if walked well; watch stairs for the long back.
House with a yard Suitable
A fenced yard plus daily sniff walks is a fine life.
City Manages
Adaptable, but a leash is permanent equipment.
Countryside Ideal
Mountain trails and tracking work are what it was built for.
Health data provided by RealVetCost
Overall health burden Moderate

Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.

View the full health profile
Top health concerns
Back problems (IVDD) Long-backed build; limit jumping, keep weight lean
Obesity Extra weight loads the spine; strict portion control
Hip Dysplasia Screen breeding stock; watch for early lameness
Chronic Ear Infections Keep the ears dry and check them often

Similar breeds - by reason

Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.

The famous long-backed earthdog, smaller and easier to find
Dachshund
A bold, comical scenthound on short legs - charming and apartment-sized, but the long back carries a real spinal-disease risk and the stubborn streak tests first-time owners.
View profile →
German counterpart with nearly the same build and job
Westphalian Dachsbracke
A short-legged German scenthound that is friendly and hardy - the nose and stamina still need daily outlets.
View profile →
Swedish short-legged scenthound, very close working style
Drever
A short-legged Swedish scenthound bred to track - friendly and even-tempered, but a determined nose that needs secure walking.
View profile →

Frequently asked questions

How much does an Alpine Dachsbracke cost in the US?
Honestly: you will struggle to find one. The breed is kept almost entirely by hunters in Austria and neighboring countries, so a US buyer is usually looking at importing - roughly $1,500-$3,000+ with transport, plus patience. Over an 11-14 year life, food and routine vet care typically add $10,000-$16,000 or more, and back surgery, if needed, adds thousands.
Is an Alpine Dachsbracke a good pet for a non-hunter?
It can be - the home temperament is friendly and even - but its whole design is trailing wounded game through mountains. A non-hunting owner needs to replace that with real scent work: tracking classes, mantrailing, food searches. A daily stroll around the block leaves the best part of the dog unused.
Is it related to the Dachshund?
They are cousins in function and shape rather than the same breed. The Alpine Dachsbracke is bigger and sturdier - a proper 15-18 kg hound on short legs - bred in the Austrian Alps for endurance tracking. It shares the long-backed build, which is why the same jumping and weight cautions apply.
Do Alpine Dachsbrackes bark a lot?
They are quiet enough at home, but they are scenthounds: on a trail or when excited they give voice, and it carries. In a detached house with normal walks this is a non-issue; in a thin-walled apartment with a bored, under-sniffed hound, the neighbors will learn what a bracke sounds like.