Scenthound Medium size 16-20 kg
German Bracke
A friendly German scenthound with a strong nose and stamina, well suited to an active rural owner over apartment life.
Match with your household
See match detail → Quick overview
Medium
Size
16-20 kg, 40-53 cm
High
Activity
High; needs real daily exercise and a job
Moderate
Alone-time tolerance
Copes with a moderate stretch alone
Moderate
Trainability
Willing but needs steady guidance
Low
Coat care
Low upkeep; occasional brushing
Very good
Fit with kids
Good family dog with children
Good
Other pets
Usually fine with early socialization
Light
Health burden
Dental Disease, Hip Dysplasia
The German Bracke typically weighs 16-20 kg, stands 40-53 cm, and lives 11-13 years.
Consider this breed if…
you hunt or hike and want an energetic tracking companion,
you live rurally or have secure space and daily exercise time,
you enjoy scent games and consistent, patient training,
you want a friendly, people-oriented hound.
Do not consider this breed if…
you want a low-energy dog for a small flat,
you cannot secure a yard against a nose-led wanderer,
quiet neighbors would object to an occasional hound voice,
you expect reliable off-leash recall around wildlife.
A typical day with a German Bracke
- 6:30 · MorningBrisk walk or run with some trailing
- 9:00 · MidmorningRest; a worked hound settles indoors
- 12:30 · NoonShort walk or garden sniffing time
- 16:00 · AfternoonTraining or scent games, 15-20 minutes
- 18:30 · EveningLonger walk or free run in a secure area
- 21:00 · NightSleeps calmly after enough exercise
Family and environment
Kids Good
Friendly and gentle with children who treat it kindly.
Dogs Good
Pack heritage means it usually gets on with other dogs.
Cats Conditional
Prey drive is present; safest with cats it grows up with.
Apartment Conditional
Only with a lot of daily exercise; the voice can carry.
House with a yard Suitable
A secure fence keeps a scent-following dog safe.
City Conditional
Possible with real daily exercise, but rural life suits it more.
Countryside Ideal
Space and trails match its hunting instincts.
Health data provided by RealVetCost Overall health burden Light
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 profileTop health concerns
Dental Disease Very common; routine brushing and cleanings help
Hip Dysplasia Joint malformation; screen breeding stock
Chronic Ear Infections Drop ears trap moisture; keep them clean and dry
Progressive Retinal Atrophy Inherited retinal disease; DNA test available
Similar breeds - by reason
Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.
Shorter-legged German bracke relative
Westphalian Dachsbracke
A short-legged German scenthound that is friendly and hardy - the nose and stamina still need daily outlets.
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Similar working scenthound temperament
Drever
A short-legged Swedish scenthound bred to track - friendly and even-tempered, but a determined nose that needs secure walking.
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More widely available family scenthound
Beagle
A merry, kid-proof scent hound that follows its nose over your commands - and tells the whole street when left alone.
View profile →Frequently asked questions
How much does a German Bracke cost?
The Deutsche Bracke is uncommon and bred mainly by German hunters, so availability outside Germany is limited and you may face a waitlist or import. A puppy plus any transport can run into the low thousands of dollars. As always, the lifetime cost is the larger figure: routine care, food, and vet bills for a medium hound add up to many thousands of dollars over its life, so budget for the long term, not just the purchase.
Is a German Bracke good with children?
Yes, it is generally friendly and gentle with children who treat it well. It is still an energetic hunting hound, though, so it does best in an active family that can meet its exercise needs rather than a sedentary one.
Can it live in an apartment?
It can manage in a flat only if it gets substantial daily exercise, and even then its hound voice may carry to neighbors. It is far happier with a securely fenced yard and access to open space and trails.
Is it easy to train?
It is willing and people-oriented but, like most scenthounds, independent once it catches a scent. Consistent, patient training with plenty of scent work goes well; expect off-leash recall to stay unreliable near wildlife.