Alpine Dachsbracke

		Alpine Dachsbracke
		FCI standard Nº 254

Origin		Austria
Translation		C. Seidler
Group		Group 6 Scenthounds and related breeds
Section		Section 2 Leash (scent) hounds
Working		With working trial
Acceptance on a definitive basis by the FCI		Sunday 01 June 1975
Publication of the official valid standard		Tuesday 10 October 1995
Last update		Tuesday 18 June 1996
En français, cette race se dit		Basset des Alpes
Diese Norm ist in deutscher Sprache sichtbar		Alpenländischen Dachsbracke
En español, esta raza se dice		Dachsbracke de los Alpes
In het Nederlands, wordt dit ras gezegd		Alpenlandse Dasbrak
This breed is also known as		Alpine-Erzebrigs Alpine Basset Hound

Usage

A robust, weather resistant working dog used by the mountain huntsman. The Alpine Dachsbracke is used as a tracking hound for wounded deer and as scenthound for hare and fox.

Brief historical summary

Already in ancient times, a hunting/shooting dog was used which bore a remarkable resemblance in appearance to the Alpine Dachsbracke. Crown Prince Rudolf of Habsburg in 1881 and 1885 made his gamekeepers from Mursteg and Ischl include Alpine Dachsbracken on his hunting trips to Turkey and to Egypt. In 1932 the “Alpine- Erzgebirgs- Dachsbracke” was recognized by the top canine organisations in Austria as the third Scenthound breed. In 1975 the name was altered to “Alpenländische Dachsbracke” and the F.C.I. declared Austria as the country of origin. In 1991 the Alpenländische Dachsbracke was included in Section 2 of Scenthounds in the FCI nomenclature.

General appearance

A short legged, sturdy hunting dog with a robust, strong boned body structure, dense coat, firm muscles.

Important proportions

• Relation of height at shoulder to length of body = 2 : 3.
• Relation of facial region to cranial region = 9 : 10.

Behaviour / temperament

Expression intelligent and friendly. Fearless personality.

Head
Cranial region
Skull		Lightly arched. Well defined furrow in fore-head, lightly emphasized occiput.
Stop		Pronounced.

Facial region
Nose		Black.
Muzzle		Strong.
Lips		Close fitting with black pigment, moderately rounded curve of lips.
Jaws and teeth		Strong complete teeth with scissor or pincer bite. A complete set with 42 teeth is sought after; the absence of totally two PM1 or PM2 (premolar 1 or 2) is tolerated; the M3 (molar 3) are not taken into account.
Eyes		With dark brown iris. Eyelids close fitting to eyeballs with black pigment.
Ears		Set on high without folds, hanging broad and smooth, medium length (should reach to the canines), well rounded at tips.

Neck

Muscular, not too long.

Body
Body		Trunk strong and well muscled, elongated.
Withers		Moderately emphasized.
Back		Straight.
Loin		Short and broad.
Croup		Barely sloping.
Chest		Deep and broad with pronounced forechest. Depth of chest should be about half the height at shoulder.
Underline and belly		Belly moderately tucked up.

Tail

Set on high, thick at root. Longer hair on underside (brush tail); reaching barely to ground, carried slightly downward.

Limbs

Forequarters
Generality		Front legs are straight and strong; they appear short in relation to the body.
Shoulders		Shoulder blade close fitting, long, sloping and strongly muscled.

Hindquarters
Generality		Muscular, strong and well angulated. Seen from the rear, the axis of the legs is straight.

Feet

Front and hind feet strong, round, toes tight against each other. Strong pads and black nails.

Gait and movement

Movement is ground covering, not tripping. Preferred gait : Trot.

Skin

Elastic and strong, without wrinkles.

Coat
Hair		The double coat consists of very thick top coat and a dense undercoat, which covers the whole body and is close fitting.
Colour		The ideal colour is dark deer red with or without black hairs lightly interspersed. Also black with clearly defined red-brown markings on head (Vieräugl), chest, legs, feet and underside of tail. White star on chest permitted.

Size and weight
Height at withers		34-42 cm. Ideal height for dogs 37-38 cm, Ideal height for bitches : 36-37 cm.

Faults

• Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and its ability to perform its traditional work.
• Faults listed should be in degree of seriousness.

General faults

Weak bone.

Lack of muscle.

Too pointed, too short or too long in muzzle.

Too light eye, lids not close fitting.

Short or pointed leathers.

Loose shoulders.

Wrong stance of front or hind legs.

Coat too thin or too short.

Slight departure from correct colour.

Disqualifying faults

Aggresive or overly shy.

Any deviation which will hinder ability to hunt.

Lack of more than two premolars 1 or 2 (the M3 are not taken into account).

Height at withers less than 34 cm and more than 42 cm.

Weakness in temperament.

NB :

• Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.
• The above mentioned faults when occurring to a highly marked degree or frequently are disqualifying.
• Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
• Only functionally and clinically healthy dogs, with breed typical conformation should be used for breeding.

Bibliography

https://www.fci.be/

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Alpine Dachsbracke