Tyrolean Hound

In Austria's Tyrolean mountains this scenthound was developed to track game over steep, rocky slopes, where toughness and persistence mattered more than raw speed. The frame is medium sized, up to 22 kilograms, compact and suited to alpine terrain. The short, dense coat needs no complicated grooming. The breed is used almost exclusively for hunting and is rarely seen outside Austria. The voice is loud, kept up throughout a trail so the hunter can track the dog's position across broken mountain ground. It has a working dog's independent streak that doesn't suit a sedentary life. Life expectancy runs 12 to 14 years.

Browse dog food sized right for this breed

Tyrolean Hound: how old in human years?

40–50 cmHeight
13–22 kgWeight
12–14 yrsLife expectancy

Westphalian Dachsbracke

FCI group: Scenthounds and Related Breeds
FCI section: Section 1.2: Scenthounds, Medium sized
FCI: 68
Country of origin: Austria

Energy level

4/5
Trainability

3/5
Family friendly

3/5
Grooming need

1/5

At a glance

Height

Males 40–50 cm

Females 40–46 cm

Weight

Males 15–22 kg

Females 13–20 kg

Life expectancy

12–14 yrs

Coat

short, dense (short)

Temperament & Family Life

Tyrolean Hound's average temperament and family-life score for this breed is moderate.

Family friendly 3/5
Good with children 3/5
Good with other dogs 3/5
Friendly with strangers 2/5
Intelligence 4/5
Trainability 3/5

Exercise, Energy & Space

Tyrolean Hound's energy and exercise needs are high.

Energy level 4/5
Exercise need 4/5
Apartment friendly 1/5
Prey drive 5/5
Hunting instinct 5/5

Guarding & Alertness

Tyrolean Hound's guarding and alertness traits are moderate.

Guarding instinct 2/5
Watchfulness 3/5
Barking level 3/5

Grooming & Care

Tyrolean Hound's grooming needs are low.

Shedding 2/5
Drooling 2/5
Grooming need 1/5

Living with the Tyrolean Hound

In the Austrian Alps this compact hound would follow the trail of a hare or fox for hours across steep slopes, and neither his legs nor his nose have forgotten it. The Tyrolean Hound is lively, tough and loves to move: he needs long daily walks, hikes or runs, and a weekend in the mountains or the forest is the best present you can give him. The hunting drive is very strong, so only let him off the lead where he can't follow a scent into the next valley.

He is clever and learns quickly, but like any good hound he develops opinions of his own the moment he catches a scent. Short, varied lessons with treats work best, along with tracking games where he can show what he can do. He is friendly and affectionate with his family, usually gets along with other dogs, and looks strangers over carefully from a distance first. He'll let you know about unusual noises, but he is no real guard dog.

A flat is cramped for him, especially when the days pass without proper exercise: then the energy turns into barking or boredom mischief. The Tyrolean Hound suits people who like being outdoors in any weather themselves and want a travelling companion rather than a sofa ornament. He may see small pets as quarry, so that kind of household needs care.

Grooming and coat

The Tyrolean Hound's coat is short and dense, made for mountain slopes, wet snow and thorny scrub rather than the grooming table. Once a week, go over it with a rubber brush or mitt and it stays clean and glossy; shedding is light, so hair on your clothes is more the exception than the rule. Bath him only when you really must, say when he comes back from the woods muddy to the belly.

After every longer outing, set aside a few minutes for a once-over. Lift the drop ears and check the inside is dry and clean, run your hands over the body for ticks and scrapes, and look at the paw pads, which sharp stones or ice can nick. Trim the nails when they stop wearing down on their own.

How to do it:

By age:

Health and possible conditions

We don't have reliable health information specific to this breed, so we don't list conditions here. Keep up regular vet check-ups, and if you are getting a puppy, ask the breeder about the parents' health testing.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.

Food for medium breeds — cheapest per kg

This list is chosen by the breed's weight (22 kg) rather than the breed itself: shops label food by dog size, so every breed of the same size gets the same list. Prices are updated daily.

≈ 250 g of dry food a day, from €13,83 a month For a neutered, normally active 17,5 kg dog. Calculate for your dog