Tyrolean Hound
Other names: Brachet Tyrolien, Austrian Brachet, Running Dog from Tyrol, Tiroler Bracke, Tyroler Bracke
The high spirited Tyrolean Hound is always full of life, even when he’s not hunting. Even as a working dog, he is also an all-round family dog too. This breed is often used as a watchdog in their native country, Austria, yet his lack of any aggressive qualities means he’s certainly not an effective guard dog. An added advantage to his hunting skills is his ability to follow the scent of his prey, even through heavily wooded or mountainous regions.
Key facts about the Tyrolean Hound
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Origins and history
This breed is thought to be a descendant from the ancient Celtic canine family, with ancestors dating back to the 16th Century. Documentation reports that the Emperor Maximilian I owned one of these hunting dogs. Around 1860, one of the very first Tyrolean Hounds was noted in its home country, Austria. These canines were recognised as a breed in 1908, then in 2006 they were accepted by the UK Kennel Club in the scent hound registry. Although still very popular in his home country, Austria, the Tyrolean Hound is sometimes found in other countries within Europe, mainly as a working dog.
FCI breed nomenclature
FCI Group
Group 6 - Scent hounds and related breeds
Section
Section 1 : Scent hounds
Physical characteristics of the Tyrolean Hound
Adult size
Female : Between 17 and 19 in
Male : Between 17 and 20 in
Weight
Female : Between 40 and 44 lb
Male : Between 40 and 44 lb
Coat colour
Red, red-deer to red-yellow, black, fire (blck with fire-like marks on head, belly, chest and limbs), or tri-colour.
Type of coat
The Tyrolean Hound sports a short, thick, dense and double-coated hair, coarse and not fine.
Eye colour
Dark brown
Description
A medium-sized dog with a robust constitution. His body is a rectangular shape with a slightly domed, broad skull. With flat ears, dark brown eyes and a straight, long tail. Females of the Tyrolean Hound are usually smaller in size, however both sexes are fairly muscular.
Good to know
A Tyrolean Hound generally gives birth to 6 to 8 puppies in each litter. This is quite a high number for a working hound dog of this type.
Temperament
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Affectionate
Just like many other hunting hounds, the Tyrolean Hound is a free-spirited canine, very active and affectionate.
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Playful
This breed does need lots of exercise, but assuming this need is met, the dog will be happy to live as a family pet, and likewise, take part in play times and activities.
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Calm
At times, this hound will be quite calm, until he gets into the hunting field, when his high energy kicks in.
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Intelligent
With a pleasing character, very smart and also intelligent, the Tyrolean Hound has an agile mind. He can sometimes be rather stubborn when it comes to training routines.
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Hunter
Certainly a working and hunting dog, excellent over all terrains. The breed is generally used to hunt fox and hare and will alert his owner to the prey by giving voice and barking loudly.
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Fearful / wary of strangers
On the whole, the Tyrolean Hound is lively and alert but he will possibly be wary around strangers.
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Independent
An independent canine, capable of hunting alone, using his fantastic scenting skills.
Behaviour of the Tyrolean Hound
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Tolerates solitude
This dog certainly needs plenty of mental stimulation, playtimes, activities and exercise, to keep him engaged. Likewise, he doesn’t like to be confined or left alone.
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Easy to train / obedience
On the whole, the Tyrolean Hound is relatively easy to train. He needs a consistent and firm hand from his master. As with most hounds, he might be somewhat stubborn at times.
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Barking
As a scenting and hunting dog, he is taught to track game and then to bark to alert his master. He has a loud, strong bark.
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Tendency to run away
As with the majority of hunting dogs, if he catches sight of quarry in the distance, there is a chance he will give chase, even without instruction to do so.
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Destructive
As a very intelligent canine, it’s important to keep him occupied with plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Failure to do so can result in nuisance behaviour.
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Greedy / Gluttony
The Tyrolean Hound needs to be fed a diet high in protein and nutrients, to satisfy his energy and stamina requirements. He won’t be averse to taking extra food when it’s available.
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Guard dog
Although the Tyrolean Hound certainly isn’t an aggressive dog, which limits his success as a guard dog, his loud bark will alert you to any strangers in the vicinity.
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First dog
This breed almost has a dual personality. He is capable of hunting all day long, then when he returns home he is equally happy to be a family pet. Providing he is given plenty of exercise and engagement in play and activities, he will make a good choice for a first time dog owner. Be aware that he can often be quite stubborn.
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Is the Tyrolean Hound right for you?
take the testLifestyle
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Tyrolean Hound in a flat
The Tyrolean Hound is a high-energy dog who needs lots of outside space to run around. Providing he is walked several times a day, he will settle into home-life very well, although perhaps not in a small apartment.
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Need for exercise / Sporty
The Tyrolean Hound definitely needs lots of exercise. These robust dogs need an active lifestyle with daily walks.
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Travelling / easy to transport
Not really suitable for travelling on public transport, but this hound will accept travelling in the rear of a car, or in a dog crate, on route to the hunting field.
Compatibility
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Tyrolean Hound and cats
This breed is generally used for hunting small game, and as such isn’t the best type of dog to have around cats.
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Tyrolean Hound and dogs
This hound dog is fine around other dogs in the home or pack, especially if they have been raised and socialised together from a young age.
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Tyrolean Hound and children
If you have plenty of time and sufficient space to devote to the Tyrolean Hound, he will be an excellent family dog. He will relish spending time with the family and will often form a strong bond with a child.
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Tyrolean Hound and the elderly
As this hound needs lots of exercise and to be kept active, he’s not the best choice for an elderly person.
Price
After your initial purchase of the hound, on average between £400 to £500, expect a monthly budget of £50 to £80 for his food, insurance and veterinary costs.
Grooming
As the Tyrolean Hound has a short, smooth coat, his grooming routine is relatively easy. Brushing once or twice a week, together with ear and dental cleaning should suffice. It is only necessary to bathe the hound if he gets really dirty when out hunting.
Shedding
Moderate shedder.
Nutrition of the Tyrolean Hound
A Tyrolean Hound puppy will need a dry feed, high in nutrients for the first 12 months of his life. As an adult, he will be suited to an adult dry kibble, preferably one manufactured for high-energy working breeds.
Health of the Tyrolean Hound
Life expectancy
Although generally a healthy breed, as a hunting dog you can expect some common injuries sustained while working. Their average life expectancy is 11 to 13 years.
Strong / robust
A very strong, energetic dog with the stamina to keep hunting all day long, over many rough terrains.
Withstand heat
The Tyrolean Hound is able to hunt during all weathers, during the heat of the summer too, without any problems.
Withstand cold
Likewise, this hound dog is well used to hunting in the mountainous regions during the winter and cold weather, especially in his home country, Austria.
Tendency to put on weight
As a dog that needs lots of exercise, if he spends too much time lying around in the home, he may gain excess weight quite easily.
Common illnesses
- Hip dysplasia
- Osteoarthritis
- Hunting injuries
- Ear infections