Coarse-haired Styrian Hound

Red, fawn, or pale yellow.

Harsh, rough coat hair. Shorter hair on head; coat never shaggy looking.

Brown.

The Styrian Coarse-haired Hound has a body shape with a broad back and a deep chest. His muscular build allows him to hunt and run over any difficult terrains. His overall appearance is of confidence and strength. The ears hang down, lying close to the dog’s head. His eyes are medium sized, dark in colour with dark eye edging. 

This breed is generally not kept as a family pet, but the dog does show affection when he bonds with his master. Those that are kept as house pets show affection to the family.

Even though they are mainly hunting dogs, those kept as companion pets can show playful tendencies.

Providing this breed receive consistent training routines, the dog will have a well-balanced temperament. A well-trained and socialised canine will certainly display tolerance and gentleness to the children in the family, when he lives as a companion pet.

This rare Austrian breed is a passionate, hardworking, and very intelligent hunting dog. 

The Styrian Coarse-haired Hound is absolutely a hunting dog. He has filled this role for centuries, rather than as a family pet. The dog will hunt until the end, despite discomfort, cold, heat, hunger or thirst.

In the home, the Styrian Coarse-haired Hound is very attached to his master, and will be naturally wary of any strangers. 

Certainly an independent breed of canines, who is capable of hunting on all types of terrain. 

As a working breed of dog, the Styrian Coarse-haired Hound needs to be actively engaged, or hunting, to prevent boredom. If left alone, without any tasks for a long period, he will morph into a destructive, hard-to-handle dog. 

This dog’s training must begin at a very young age and be consistent to emphasise to the dog exactly what you expect from him. Obedience and socialisation skills need to be taught, as this hound is quite stubborn and independent. He must understand the “recall” command, particularly when he is hunting in the field, and picks up the scent of something interesting. 

The Austrian Hound is quite a vocal dog, who will show his displeasure at something by howling or barking.

It only takes one sniff of an interesting quarry scent and this hunting dog will give chase. To avoid incidents such as this, he must understand the “recall” command.

This high-energy, very active dog must be kept actively engaged or exercised, to prevent any destructive behaviours.

The Styrian Coarse-haired Hound needs to receive an adequate, highly nutritious diet to meet his energetic and vigorous lifestyle. Providing his dietary needs are met, he isn’t a greedy dog.

In the home environment, the Styrian Coarse-haired Hound will alert his master to any suspicious events or people.

As it’s vitally important that the breed is trained and socialised at a very young age, this dog is not the ideal choice for a first time owner. He is certainly better suited to an owner who lists hunting as one of his pastimes. 

As a hunting dog, with not only the need to run, but also a high prey drive, the Styrian Coarse-haired Hound isn’t suited to apartment life or small yards.

This dog has such a high energy drive that he needs a minimum of 2 hours daily exercise. He needs a firm handler who can show him who is the master. The dog will be even happier if much of his exercise routine is off the lead running. 

The Styrian Coarse-haired Hound will travel in a dog cage in the rear of a vehicle, on route to the hunting field. Certainly not a dog to take on public transport. 

As a dog breed with a very high hunting instinct, living in the same vicinity as a cat isn’t recommended. 

Although the Styrian Hound is a very independent dog and not generally a pack animal, he will tolerate sharing space with canines he has been raised with.

Of course, providing this energetic dog has been socialised from an early age with children, he will get along fine with an older child. Care and monitoring should be taken with younger children. 

It’s unlikely that an older person could keep up with the vigorous and high-energy training and exercise routine required for this dog breed. 

Copious shedder throughout the year. Shedding is particularly heavy during the Spring and Autumn seasons. 

The Styrian Hound is generally a robust and healthy dog, with no reported genetic health issues to date. Common health problems that might arise, however, are ear infections, cancer, hip dysplasia and sensitivity to anaesthesia. The majority of problems will arise from hunting incidents, such as broken limbs, gun wounds and bites. The average life expectancy of this breed is 11 to 13 years.

A very hardy, strong breed. His muscular body is able to hunt his prey over even the most difficult, harsh terrain. 

The robust Styrian Hound can certainly endure any discomfort, in any climate, especially when trailing his quarry. 

As a dog that has been bred in the mountains of Austria, where the climate is usually very cold, the Styrian Coarse-haired Hound has no problems in chilly weather or situations.

This breed tends not to gain weight, as they are such active, high-energy dogs. However, once his working life is over and he relaxes more at home, he may start to gain weight. 

• Hip dysplasia
• Cancer
• Anaesthesia sensitivity
• Bloat
• Ear infections
• Progressive retinal atrophy
• Obesity

The Styrian Hound breed was initiated in Austria when a coarse-haired Istrian Hound and a Hanoverian Scenthound were mated. The finest pups from this litter were kept and from these select puppies, the Styrian Coarse-haired Hound evolved. The breed was first recognised in 2006 by the UK Kennel Club.