Scent hound Medium size 15-22 kg

Tyrolean Hound

A hardy Alpine tracking hound best suited to active rural homes - the nose and stamina need an outlet.

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Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Medium
Size
15-22 kg, 42-50 cm at the shoulder
High
Exercise needs
Built for long tracking days
Moderate
Alone-time tolerance
Copes with a normal work day
Moderate
Training
Independent worker; scent wins out
Low
Coat care
Dense coat, occasional brushing
Good
Fit with kids
Good-tempered with children
Moderate
Other pets
Social but has a strong hunting drive
Light
Health burden
Generally hardy breed

The Tyrolean Hound typically weighs 15-22 kg, stands 42-50 cm, and lives 12-14 years.

Consider this breed if…

you hunt, track or hike and want a working scenthound partner,
you live rurally with secure space and cool Alpine-type weather,
you can offer long daily exercise plus nose work,
you want a hardy, good-tempered dog that is steady with family.

Do not consider this breed if…

you want a low-energy pet for short urban walks,
you have no secure fencing to contain a nose on a trail,
you keep small pets the hunting drive may target,
long days away would leave a working hound bored and vocal.

A typical day with a Tyrolean Hound

  1. 6:30 · Morning
    Long walk, run or tracking work outdoors
  2. 9:00 · Midmorning
    Rests after exercise, chews
  3. 12:30 · Noon
    Sniffy walk or scent games
  4. 16:00 · Afternoon
    Training or an outdoor task
  5. 18:30 · Evening
    Second walk, then calm family time
  6. 21:00 · Night
    A worked hound settles and sleeps

Temperament and training

Scent drive Very high
Energy High
Independence High
Friendliness High
Trainability Moderate
Vocality Moderate
Common owner mistakes
Relying on recall once the dog has locked onto a scent · Under-exercising a stamina-built working hound · Keeping it where a baying voice disturbs close neighbors

Family and environment

Kids Good
Even-tempered and friendly with children.
Dogs Good
A pack hound, generally social with other dogs.
Cats Conditional
Strong hunting drive; care around cats and small pets.
Apartment Conditional
Only with heavy daily exercise; tends to bay.
House with a yard Suitable
Needs secure fencing to hold a determined nose.
City Conditional
Manages with enough activity, but built for the field.
Countryside Ideal
Space, trails and cool weather suit it best.
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 profile
Top health concerns
Hip dysplasia Screen breeding stock; watch for limping
Chronic ear infections Drop ears trap moisture; keep them clean and dry
Dental disease Plaque buildup; routine cleanings help
Obesity Weight gain if exercise falls short of the drive

Similar breeds - by reason

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

Alpine tracking hound with the same working purpose
Bavarian Mountain Hound
A focused Bavarian tracking hound built to follow wounded game, bonded and calm indoors but wired for serious scent work outdoors.
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Larger German scent tracker, similar drive
Hanoverian Hound
A serious tracking hound bred to follow wounded game - devoted to one handler and best suited to working homes, not casual pet life.
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Friendlier, more common nose-driven pack hound
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 Tyrolean Hound cost in the US?
The breed is very rare outside the Alpine region, so US availability is limited and usually means imports or long waitlists; when available, puppies commonly run $1,000-$2,000. Over a 12-14 year life, food, routine vet care and typical medium-dog costs add roughly $10,000-$15,000 or more.
Is the Tyrolean Hound a good family pet?
It can be, for an active rural family. The breed is good-tempered and steady with children, but it is first and foremost a working scenthound that needs serious daily exercise and mental work. Without that, expect restlessness and baying.
Can a Tyrolean Hound be trusted off-leash?
Only in secure, enclosed areas. Its powerful nose and tracking instinct can override recall the moment it finds a trail. A fenced yard and a long line in open country are the practical way to keep it safe.
Does the Tyrolean Hound need a lot of exercise?
Yes. It was bred to track over rough Alpine terrain for hours, so a short walk will not satisfy it. Plan for long daily exercise plus scent games or work; an under-exercised individual becomes bored, vocal and prone to weight gain.