Overview
The Bavarian Mountain Hound is a medium-sized German scenthound bred to trail wounded game. It is agile enough for broken mountain ground and has a gifted nose.
Most are still kept by hunters and trackers rather than as pets, and they are happiest with real work to do.
History
The breed was developed in the 1800s by crossing the Hanover Hound with the Tyrolean Hound and other hunting dogs, aiming for a smaller, more agile tracker for the mountains.
It specialises in following blood trails of big game such as deer. A breed club was founded in Munich in 1912, and the dog later gained followers in Austria and Hungary.
Appearance
A strong, slightly long-bodied dog with an elongated head, a pronounced stop, hanging rounded ears and a dark nose. Males stand about 47 to 52 cm and females 44 to 48 cm.
The short, thick, glossy coat is red, fawn with a black mask, or brindle, sometimes with a white chest mark.
Temperament
Calm, poised and strongly attached to its family, yet reserved with strangers. At work it is determined, hard and persistent, and it follows a trail with great focus.
Care and exercise
This is a working scenthound that needs meaningful outdoor activity and tracking work. The short coat needs only simple brushing. It does best with hunters or very active owners.
Health
A study of registered dogs found a low inbreeding coefficient of 4.5%, the lowest among three scenthound breeds compared.
