Discover Everything About German Hound
Learn about the breed characteristics, health, history, and find trusted breeders
At a glance
German Hound overview
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Health grade
Relative to other breeds
The Deutsche Bracke has an above-average genetic burden, requiring ten mandatory health tests. The primary focus is on neurological and sensory issues such as epilepsy and congenital deafness, as well as eyelid defects like ectropion. While these risks are being actively managed through strict breeding requirements, prospective puppy buyers should carefully review the test results of the parent dogs.
Lifespan
10–14 yrs
Height
40–53 cm
Weight
15–23 kg
Practical
- Puppy price: 1,200 – 2,500 €
- Coat: Short, dense, slightly shiny
- Origin: Germany
Typical coat colors
- Red to yellow with black covers
Temperament
Daily life
What matters most
Especially with a German Hound, 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 German Hound right for you?
The Deutsche Bracke is an elegant, keen-nosed scenthound—bred for independent, baying work in the forest over long distances. This uncompromising hunting specialization makes them a thoroughbred worker that will wither away as a purely family-oriented pet.
Perfect for you if:
- Ideally, you are an active hunter or can provide a full-fledged substitute for forest hunting through intensive mantrailing and blood tracking work.
- You live in a rural area, ideally with a secure garden, far away from heavy city traffic.
- You spend hours out in nature in all weather conditions and are looking for a tireless, weather-resistant companion.
- You appreciate a dog that makes decisions completely independently outdoors while showing a gentle, unobtrusive nature indoors.
Less ideal if:
- You expect them to turn around immediately when called if they have a fresh hare trail in their nose—they were bred to do the exact opposite.
- You live in a noisy environment and value absolute quiet—as a baying hunter, they have a piercing, persistent voice.
- You are looking for an easily trainable companion for agility, trick dogging, or relaxed strolls through the city park.
The real vibes check
In the living room, the Deutsche Bracke acts like a gentle, affectionate deer that would prefer to sleep on the sofa for hours—but as soon as you head into the forest, they flip a switch. Their nose locks onto the ground, their ears tune out, and the calm housemate turns into an uncompromising tracker. You aren't getting a companion who reads your every wish from your eyes, but a highly specialized colleague with their own profession.
Breed Profile
The German Hound is a medium-sized hunting dog with an elegant and muscular build. She has a friendly and alert appearance that reflects her observant and intelligent nature. With her bright, dark eyes and drooping ears, she creates a gentle yet expressive facial expression. Their robust constitution and short-haired, dense coat with an undercoat prepare them ideally for their original tasks as a hunting dog. She belongs to FCI Group 6: Running and Bloodhounds. The German Hound is a very uniform breed with little distinction between performance and show lines. A notable feature of this breed is the distinctive color of its coat - typically it is black with bright 'burn' markings, giving it a unique and attractive appearance.
| Height | 40 - 53 cm (Female), 40 - 53 cm (Male) |
| Weight | 15 - 22 kg (Female), 16 - 23 kg (Male) |
| Life Expectancy | 10 - 14 years |
| Character | Lively, friendly, persistent |
| Coat | Short, dense, slightly shiny |
| Coat Color | Red to yellow with black covers |
| Price | 1200 - 2500 € |
History
The German Bracke, also known as German Bracken or "Olper Bracke", has its roots in Germany and is one of the few breeds that is still referred to as a Bracken dog. The Bracken breeds are traditional hunting dogs known for their strong tracking skills and their loud barking when they follow a trail. The exact origin of the German Hound is not entirely clear, but it is believed to have been developed in the 18th or 19th century by crossing local German hunting dogs with various breeds of Bracke. It was originally used for hunting smaller wild animals such as hares and foxes and was particularly popular with hunters in the mountainous and forested regions of Germany. The German Bracke was officially recognized as a separate breed by the German Canine Association in 1955. Although relatively well known in its homeland, it is still a fairly rare breed outside of Germany.
The German Hound was bred for tracking and tracking game in wooded areas.
Germany
1896
Character & Temperament
The German Hound is an active and lively dog that loves being in the fresh air and using its nose. Their keen sense of smell and natural curiosity make them excellent sniffer dogs. They are known for their ability to work on both land and water and are known for their ability to follow the scent even in difficult terrain or in poor weather. This breed is very people-oriented and bonds closely with its family. They are friendly and open-minded towards people and generally get along well with children. Their lively and friendly nature makes them a happy companion and family dog. However, it should be noted that their hunting instincts may make them prone to chasing smaller pets, so it is advisable to socialize them early and well. The German Hound is an active dog that needs lots of exercise and mental stimulation. They love to sniff and explore on walks, and they are also happy when they have chores or jobs to do. Although they have a strong urge to work and hunt, they can also learn to enjoy quiet times as long as their needs for exercise and stimulation are met. With their strong alertness and guarding instinct, German Brackens also make good watchdogs. They are always attentive and quickly notice when something is wrong in their environment. Despite their friendly nature, they can bravely defend their family and home when necessary. When it comes to their independence, German Hounds are more cooperative and people-oriented. They enjoy working with their humans and value time together and interaction. Although they are capable of making decisions and working independently, especially when following a scent, they still prefer the company of their humans and enjoy being part of family life. When it comes to being alone, German Brackens should be accustomed to it early on in order to prevent any fears of separation. They greatly value the company of their humans and can become unhappy and stressed if left alone for long periods of time. However, with good upbringing and adaptation, they can learn to stay alone sometimes. The German Hound is an enthusiastic and dedicated dog who loves to keep busy and complete tasks. They are intelligent and eager to learn, which makes training easier, and they are usually willing and enthusiastic to learn and discover new things. However, they are not couch potatoes and require an active and engaging home that can provide them with the exercise, activity and stimulation they need. With their strong hunting instincts and natural curiosity, German Brackens also make excellent sniffer dogs and tracking dogs. They are excellent swimmers and climbers and love using their noses and tracking. However, they can have a tendency to follow their noses and run away if they come across an interesting trail, so a securely fenced area or a leash is recommended when they are outside. Overall, the German Bracke is a lively, active and friendly dog, suitable for active people who enjoy spending time outdoors and appreciate the intelligence and eagerness of this breed. With the right training, socialization and guidance, she can become a wonderful family dog and reliable companion.
| Trainability Has its own ideas and will test limits. | Strong-willed |
| Watchfulness A natural watchdog with real protective instinct. | 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!
Although the German Hound is an excellent sniffer dog, it was originally known for not only tracking down game, but also being able to kill it on its own!
What Awaits You
The German Hound is an enduring and hunting-motivated dog, especially valued for tracking and pursuing game. It is friendly in interaction but also independent and requires consistent leadership. The German Hound is active and needs a lot of exercise as well as meaningful activity. It is well suited for experienced dog owners who want to promote its hunting abilities.
Housing & Care
The German Hound is an active dog that needs lots of exercise and mental stimulation. It is more suitable for living in the country or in a house with a large garden than for purely urban living. She gets along well with children and is usually also friendly with other dogs. However, with cats and smaller pets, their hunting instinct can come through, so keeping these animals should be carefully considered.
| Family Friendly Lives for its family — the born family companion. | Ideal family dog |
| Child Friendly Takes boisterous and affectionate children in its stride. | Patient with children |
| Dog Friendly Usually gets on fine with other dogs. | Generally tolerant |
| 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
The German Hound is an intelligent and willing to learn dog. She needs consistent and loving upbringing. Due to its origins as a working dog, it needs a lot of activity and tasks that it can solve. It is well suited for various dog sports such as agility, obedience or tracking. Here she can fully utilize her skills and enthusiasm. There is definitely a risk that the German Hound will become a ball junkie. It is therefore important that playing with the ball is well measured and controlled and that the dog also gets to know other activities and games. Frustration tolerance and impulse control are also important in this breed, as they can sometimes have difficulty controlling their impulses due to their hunting instincts. Therefore, care should be taken in upbringing to ensure that she learns to wait for signals and not to give in to every temptation immediately.
Nutrition & Care
The German Hound has a robust build and is used to an active life. She needs a balanced diet that meets her needs. The nutrients, vitamins and minerals should be supplied in the right amount and in the right ratio. It is important that their food contains enough protein to support their muscles and enough carbohydrates for energy. She also needs a good amount of fat for a healthy coat and skin. Grooming the German Bracke is relatively easy because it has a short and smooth coat. It has an undercoat that protects it from the elements and therefore copes well with the German climate. She sheds moderately and requires regular brushing to remove dead hair and keep skin healthy.
| 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
Solid, watch carefully
Health grade
The Deutsche Bracke has an above-average genetic burden, requiring ten mandatory health tests. The primary focus is on neurological and sensory issues such as epilepsy and congenital deafness, as well as eyelid defects like ectropion. While these risks are being actively managed through strict breeding requirements, prospective puppy buyers should carefully review the test results of the parent dogs.
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 is gentle on their joints and regularly check and keep their heavy, pendulous ears dry to prevent painful infections.
The breeder's role
Reputable breeders have the hips, elbows, and eyes of the parent animals tested and use targeted screening to avoid hereditary neurological diseases in their lines.
No Health Tests Available
No specific health tests are currently available for this breed.
Experiences with the German Hound
Gerhard S., Jäger aus dem Sauerland (Rüde, seit 2021)
Ich führe meinen Brackenrüden nun seit drei Jahren intensiv im Jagdbetrieb, hauptsächlich bei Drückjagden auf Schwarzwild und für Nachsuchen. Im Haus ist er ein absolut feiner, ruhiger und anhänglicher Kerl, der die Nähe zur Familie sucht. Aber sobald wir im Revier sind und er geschnallt wird, explodiert seine Arbeitsfreude. Er jagt mit enormer Ausdauer, Finderwillen und einem hervorragenden Spurlaut.
Allerdings muss man sich als Führer einer Deutschen Bracke auf ihre enorme Eigenständigkeit einstellen. Sie jagen sehr weit und sind oft stundenlang auf sich allein gestellt. Letztes Jahr hat sich mein Rüde in einem fremden Revier völlig verjagt und fand nicht mehr zurück. Erst nach drei bangen Tagen bekamen wir den erlösenden Anruf, dass er kilometerweit entfernt wohlauf aufgegriffen wurde. Seitdem ist ein GPS-Ortungsgerät für mich absolute Pflicht. Zudem reagiert die Rasse sehr sensibel auf Härte; man braucht bei der Ausbildung eine konsequente, aber extrem feinfühlige Hand.
Christian T., Halter aus Bayern (Hündin, seit 2022)
Wir halten unsere Hündin als reinen Familienhund, was im Vorfeld für viele Diskussionen sorgte, da seriöse Züchter die Rasse meist nur an aktive Jäger abgeben. Eins vorweg: Als reiner Begleithund für nebenher eignet sich die Deutsche Bracke definitiv nicht. Wir lasten sie täglich intensiv über die Nase aus, vor allem durch Mantrailing und anspruchsvolle Fährtenarbeit. Wenn man ihr keine solche Aufgabe gibt, wird sie schnell unglücklich und sucht sich im Haus selbst Beschäftigung.
Dank der konsequenten Auslastung ist sie drinnen ein absoluter Traum – extrem ruhig, kinderlieb, sauber und sehr verschmust. Draußen ist der extreme Jagdtrieb jedoch allgegenwärtig. Ein entspannter Freilauf im Wald ist ohne Leine schlicht unmöglich, da sie sofort jeder Fährte nachgeht und eigenständig Entscheidungen trifft. Ein gut eingezäunter Garten und die ständige Arbeit an der Schleppleine gehören für uns einfach zum Alltag dazu.
sinngemäß aus echten Halterberichten
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Frequently asked questions about the German Hound
Is a German Hound the right dog for me?
The German Hound 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 German Hound live?
The average life expectancy of a German Hound is 10-14 years. With proper care and regular vet visits, your dog can live a long, healthy life.
How much grooming does a German Hound need?
German Hound grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
Is a German Hound good for families with children?
The German Hound can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
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