Discover Everything About Brandlbracke
Learn about the breed characteristics, health, history, and find trusted breeders
At a glance
Brandlbracke overview
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Health grade
Relative to other breeds
The Brandlbracke is considered an exceptionally robust working breed for which there are currently no specific mandatory genetic tests. Nevertheless, buyers should look for hip dysplasia (HD) and elbow dysplasia (ED), which can occasionally occur in hunting dogs of this size but are well-controlled through performance-based breeding. Overall, the breed exhibits excellent functional health with no known breed-specific hereditary diseases.
Lifespan
12–14 yrs
Height
48–56 cm
Weight
15–20 kg
Practical
- Puppy price: 1,200 – 2,500 €
- Coat: Short, smooth, dense (no undercoat)
- Origin: Austria
Typical coat colors
- Black with light brown markings
Temperament
Daily life
What matters most
Especially with a Brandlbracke, choosing the right breeder is the single most important decision you'll make. Serious breeders consistently test the parents for inherited conditions, prioritize healthy early socialization, and stay accountable long after handover. A cheap puppy without health screening tends to become the most expensive dog later on.
See HonestDog breeder standards →Is the Brandlbracke right for you?
The Brandlbracke is an athletic, long-legged scenthound and a specialist in tracking by scent—bred for demanding blood-tracking work in the mountains, where it can follow a trail for hours completely independently.
Perfect for you if:
- You are an active hunter or can offer them professional-level nose work, such as ambitious mantrailing.
- You live in a rural area, ideally with a securely fenced garden, far away from busy roads.
- You spend hours outdoors in any weather and are looking for a tireless athlete by your side.
- You value independence and provide confident leadership rather than demanding blind obedience.
Less ideal if:
- You expect them to have perfect recall when they catch a fresh game scent—they were selectively bred to tune out the rest of the world in that exact moment.
- You are looking for a pure companion dog that is satisfied with relaxed walks and a bit of ball-playing.
- You live in an apartment with thin walls—as a passionate scenthound, they have a powerful voice that they will use when excited.
The real vibes check
At home, the Brandlbracke is often a gentle, unobtrusive shadow—but as soon as their nose touches the ground in the woods, a switch flips. You aren't getting a dog that constantly checks in with you on a walk, but a highly specialized professional who takes their job more seriously than anything else. If you don't channel this uncompromising hunting passion into constructive outlets, they will find their own work.
Breed Profile
The Brandlbracke, also known as the Austrian Smooth-Haired Hound or Austrian Black and Tan Hound, is an elegant and powerful dog with balanced proportions. Her bright, deep brown eyes and the remarkable black and brown fur color, which also gave her her name, give her an unmistakable look. The FCI lists them in Group 6: scent hounds, bloodhounds and related breeds. The Brandlbracke's body structure is perfectly tailored to the needs of a hunting dog that must also be able to perform well in mountainous terrain. It is compact and athletic, but also elegant and agile. Their ears are medium long and drooping, their expression alert and intelligent. There is no distinction between performance and show lines in the Brandlbracke, which is due to its heavy use as a working dog rather than a show dog.
| Height | 48 - 54 cm (Female), 50 - 56 cm (Male) |
| Weight | 15 - 18 kg (Female), 17 - 20 kg (Male) |
| Life Expectancy | 12 - 14 years |
| Character | Loyal, active, focused |
| Coat | Short, smooth, dense (no undercoat) |
| Coat Color | Black with light brown markings |
| Price | 1200 - 2500 € |
History
The Brandlbracke, also known as the Vieräugl, is a traditional Austrian dog breed with roots reaching deep into the history of alpine hunting. It is widely believed to be a direct descendant of the so-called Celtic Bracke, tracing its origins back to eras long before the Middle Ages. Starting in the 19th century, more targeted breeding of these robust scenthounds began in the Austrian Alps. Originally, the Brandlbracke was bred for the loud hunting of hares and foxes, as well as a reliable bloodhound for tracking wounded game in rugged, mountainous terrain. Its remarkable stamina, keen sense of direction, and courage made it an indispensable companion for hunters in the high mountains. The breed is particularly noted for its sure-footedness and ability to follow trails under difficult climatic and topographical conditions. The official and definitive recognition of the Brandlbracke as an independent breed by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) took place on August 28, 1954. While it remains highly valued and utilized as a specialized hunting dog in its Austrian homeland, it has remained a rare sight outside of the Alpine republic.
The Brandlbracke was bred for hunting hares and other game in mountainous terrain and is known for its stamina.
Austria
1800
Character & Temperament
The character of the Brandlbrack is influenced by its work as a mountain hunting dog. She is an active and persistent dog who needs a lot of exercise and mental activity. Their original use as a bloodhound has made them a focused and independent dog, also capable of making independent decisions and working independently. Her temperament is rather calm and balanced, but she also has an active and playful side. She is very people-oriented and forms a strong bond with her caregiver. However, she can also learn to stay alone for short periods of time as long as she gets enough exercise and activity. The Brandlbracke shows pronounced hunting behavior and is particularly good at tracking and pointing out tracks. Therefore, she should only be kept in an environment where she can express this behavior without endangering herself or others. Even though the Brandlbracke can work independently, she is still very focused on her caregiver and enjoys working with her. She is alert and attentive, but not overly barky. Their intelligence and willingness to please make them a versatile and adaptable dog that can fit well into family life. As with all dogs, socialization and training should begin in puppyhood. Positive and consistent training will help her to develop her full potential and become a happy and well-balanced dog. She is a loyal and reliable companion who wants nothing more than to be with her family and work.
| Trainability Has its own ideas and will test limits. | Strong-willed |
| Watchfulness Strong territorial instinct — may actively confront intruders. | Very high |
| Openness to Strangers Neither pushily friendly nor suspicious. | Neutral |
| Hunting or Herding Drive This drive runs deep — no amount of training eliminates it. | Very strong |
Fun Fact!
The Brandlbracke is a national treasure in Austria and is often referred to as the "national dog" designated.
What Awaits You
The Brandlbracke is a lively and enduring hunting dog, especially valued for its excellent sense of smell. These dogs are very eager to work and need meaningful activities to fully realize their potential. They are friendly with people and are well suited for active families who spend a lot of time outdoors. The Brandlbracke impresses with its versatility and strong hunting instinct.
Housing & Care
The Brandlbrack is an active and lively dog that needs a lot of space and exercise. Therefore, she is not necessarily suitable for city or apartment living unless you can provide her with enough daily exercise and mental stimulation. She is known for her friendly and social behavior and usually gets along well with children and other pets. However, it is always important to teach children how to interact with dogs and supervise all interactions to ensure they are respectful and safe.
| Family Friendly Loves family life and thrives in a group. | Family-oriented |
| Child Friendly Gets on well with children — with adult supervision. | With supervision |
| Dog Friendly Actively enjoys the company of other dogs. | Dog-friendly |
| City Friendly Can manage in the city, but only with very active owners. | Difficult in cities |
Owning a dog is not only a privilege, but also a responsibility. If you want to bring a dog into your life, you must be aware of the commitment that dog ownership entails!!
Training & Education
As a working dog, the Brandlbrack requires a lot of mental and physical stimulation. Training that meets these needs, such as tracking or agility, can be very beneficial for them. She is intelligent and eager to learn, which usually makes training easier. It is important to make sure that you do not “over-occupy” the dog. Despite its activity, the Brandlbrack also needs rest times to relax and regenerate. The Brandlbrack, like many other hunting dogs, can become a ball junkie if it is not sufficiently exercised. It is therefore important to keep them busy in a variety of ways and not just with ball games. Frustration tolerance and impulse control are important skills that should be trained in the Brandlbracke. She tends to be very focused and goal-oriented, which can sometimes lead to impulsive behavior.
Nutrition & Care
The Brandlbracke needs a balanced and healthy diet that is tailored to their size, age and level of activity. A mixture of high-quality dry or wet food and occasional fresh components such as meat, vegetables and fruit can be a good basis for a healthy diet. In terms of care, the Brandlbrack is an easy breed to care for. She has short, smooth and dense fur without an undercoat. Their coat sheds moderately, so regular brushing will help remove dead hair and keep the coat clean and shiny. Despite its thick fur, the Brandlbrack is well adapted to the climate in Germany and can tolerate both hot summers and cold winters well.
| Care Level Minimal effort — occasional brushing and bathing. | Low-maintenance |
| Exercise Needs Needs several hours of serious exercise every day. | Very active |
| Shedding Barely any shedding — occasional vacuuming is enough. | Minimal |
| Trainability Has its own ideas and will test limits. | Strong-willed |
This information is currently being reviewed by experts. If you discover an error, please send an email to info@honestdog.de!!
Health
Robust
Health grade
The Brandlbracke is considered an exceptionally robust working breed for which there are currently no specific mandatory genetic tests. Nevertheless, buyers should look for hip dysplasia (HD) and elbow dysplasia (ED), which can occasionally occur in hunting dogs of this size but are well-controlled through performance-based breeding. Overall, the breed exhibits excellent functional health with no known breed-specific hereditary diseases.
Grade is relative to other breeds — AI-generated by our veterinary-genetics model.
In daily life this can mean
You should ensure the dog is raised in a way that protects their joints and regularly check and clean their floppy ears to prevent painful infections early on.
The breeder's role
Reputable breeders have the hips, elbows, and eyes of the parent animals tested and pay attention to healthy ear conformation to reduce risks within the bloodline.
No Health Tests Available
No specific health tests are currently available for this breed.
Experiences with the Brandlbracke
Wolfgang P., Jäger und Züchter aus der Steiermark (mehrere Hunde, seit 1983)
Ich führe meine Brandlbracke nun schon seit einigen Jahren intensiv auf der Schweißfährte und bin von der Arbeitsleistung absolut begeistert. Die Rasse steht den klassischen Schweißhunderassen in Sachen Finderwille und Spurtreue in absolut nichts nach. Im anspruchsvollen Revier ist sie ein extrem dynamischer, ausdauernder und fokussierter Partner, auf den ich mich bei jeder Nachsuche blind verlassen kann.
Man darf aber nicht vergessen: Die Brandlbracke ist ein Vollblut-Gebrauchshund. Sie fordert ihren Führer extrem und will wirklich intensiv bejagt und gefordert werden. Als reiner 'Sofa-Hund' verkümmern diese Tiere. Zudem muss man bei der Erziehung Fingerspitzengefühl beweisen. Sie sind sehr feinfühlig und sensibel gegenüber ihren Menschen, zeigen bei der Jagd aber eine enorme Passion und Schärfe. Diese Balance muss man erst einmal zu führen wissen.
G. K., Halter aus Österreich (Hündin, seit 2008)
Als wir unsere junge Brandlbrackenhündin bekommen haben, war mir klar, dass viel Arbeit auf uns zukommt. Die Rasse hat einen enormen Bewegungsdrang und einen extrem ausgeprägten Jagdtrieb. Gerade in den ersten Monaten war das Spazierengehen eine echte Herausforderung. Sobald sie eine Fährte in die Nase bekommt, ist sie im Tunnel.
Ich habe die Erfahrung gemacht, dass man in der Jugendphase extrem konsequent sein muss. Die alte Weisheit 'Soll die Bracke nicht jagen, bleibt sie an der Leine' bewahrheitet sich im Alltag immer wieder. Wir arbeiten viel mit der Schleppleine, um den Gehorsam abzusichern. Gleichzeitig zeigt sie sich zu Hause als unglaublich liebevoller und sensibler Familienhund, der sehr eng an uns gebunden ist. Man braucht einfach viel Zeit, Geduld und eine liebevolle, aber konsequente Hand.
sinngemäß aus echten Halterberichten
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Frequently asked questions about the Brandlbracke
Is a Brandlbracke the right dog for me?
The Brandlbracke is an active dog that needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Research the temperament, grooming needs, and space requirements before deciding.
How long does a Brandlbracke live?
The average life expectancy of a Brandlbracke is 12-14 years. With proper care and regular vet visits, your dog can live a long, healthy life.
How much grooming does a Brandlbracke need?
Brandlbracke grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
Is a Brandlbracke good for families with children?
The Brandlbracke can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
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