Rappahannock Hound & Performance Club

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The Alpine Drachsbracke

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Alpine Drachsbracke

The Alpine Drachsbracke is a rare breed of dog that is thought to have originated in Austria. They look like someone merged a Dachshund and a scent hound. They have long backs and short legs and the traits of a scent hound. They were bred to track all sorts of different animals, including deer, boars, hares, and foxes.
Their short legs allow them to track on the ground efficiently. They also move through mountainous and heavily forested terrain with ease. In general, they can go just about under everything.
Usually, these dogs aren’t kept as family pets. They are typically found with hunters around their native region. In America, they can be difficult to find. However, they do make great family dogs and tend to get along exceedingly well with children. They’re confident and fearless, which usually prevents aggression problems.
They do have a decently strong prey drive, so they do best in homes without other non-canine pets. As pack animals, they get along well with other dogs, though.
In the late 19th Century, the gamekeepers for Crown Prince Rudolf were using a hunting/shooting dog that bore a strong resemblance to the modern Alpine Drachsbracke. The breed was used as a tracking dog for wounded deer and a scenthound for hare and fox. In 1932 the breed was recognized in Austria, and in 1991 it was accepted as a Scenthound by FCI.
The Alpine Drachsbracke was recognized by the United Kennel Club January 1, 1996