Overview
The German Hound, or Deutsche Bracke, is a small to medium scenthound from Westphalia in Germany. It is a classic Bracke: a tricoloured, rectangular, elegant dog with a fine nose and a strong sense of direction.
It is almost exclusively a working hunting dog, valued for persistence and a clear voice that tells the hunter where the game is. It is rarely seen outside its homeland.
History
Several local Bracke types of northwest Germany, including the Olper, Sauerländer and Westphalian Bracken, were merged into a single breed around 1900. The Deutsche Bracken Club, founded in 1896, still oversees breeding and hunting tests.
Bracken were traditionally used in the Brackade, a hunt on foot with firearms, where the hounds give tongue and the hunter reads their cries. Today the breed hunts deer, hare and fox, often as a single leash hound.
Appearance
A neat, rectangular hound standing about 40 to 53 cm at the withers, with a long, rather narrow head, long drooping ears and a long, slim tail.
The coat is short, hard and slightly bristly. It is usually red to yellow with a black mantle and white Bracke markings on the muzzle, chest, legs, collar, tail tip and a blaze.
Temperament
Affectionate and loyal with its family, yet a determined and independent tracker in the field. It has a very good sense of direction and does not give up a trail easily.
It does better living in the house with its people than in a kennel.
Care and exercise
This hound needs plenty of exercise and mental work, ideally scent tracking or hunting. A fenced garden and secure leash walks matter, since its nose can lead it far away.
Coat care is minimal: an occasional brush and routine ear checks.
Health
No specific hereditary problems are documented. Check the drop ears regularly and keep the dog fit and lean.
