Styrian Coarse-Haired Hound

Stephens’ CurSwiss Hound

Styrian Coarse-Haired Hound – General Description

The Styrian Coarse-haired Hound, (German: Steirische Rauhhaarbracke) is a breed of medium-sized hound dog originated in the Austrian province of Styria. It is bred as a scenthound, for hunting boar in mountainous terrain. The breed is one of the large Austrian Bracke.

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Classification and Standards

• FCI Group 6, Section 1.2, #62
• UKC Scenthound Group

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Character & Temperament

As with many breeds bred for work, they are not generally kept as a companion dog and do not make good pets; they require a lot of space and exercise, and can be dominant and destructive.

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History

The breed was created in the 1870s by Karl Peintinger, an industrialist from Styria.[3] Peintinger crossed his “Hela 1”, from an old type of Hanoverian scent hound, with an Istrian Hound, and continued selective breeding until a rough-coated, hardy hunting dog was achieved.[1] The breed is used by Austrians and Slovenians to hunt wild boar. It can also be used to track wounded animals through rough terrain and in high altitudes.

Recognition

The Styrian Coarse-haired Hound is sometimes called the Peintinger Bracke after the creator of the breed in the 1870s. The breed was first recognized in 1889.[3] It is recognized in its home country by the Österreichische Kynologenverband (Austrian Kennel Club) and internationally by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale as a medium-sized scenthound, breed number 62. The breed is also recognized in North America by the United Kennel Club in the Scenthound Group. In Austria, breeding is overseen and hunt testing done by the Österreichischer Verein Brack (hunt club).[4] The breed may also be listed by various minor kennel clubs and organizations under its original name, the English translation, alternate names, or various combinations of those, and promoted as a rare breed for those seeking an unusual pet.

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Size & Appearance

The Styrian Coarse-haired Hound is a medium sized hound, with height at the withers of 45-53 cm (17.5-21 in), and weight between 15-18 kg (33-40 lbs) with a well muscled body and a serious expression.[1]

The breed name refers to the coat, which is harsh and rough (although not shaggy). Coat colours are red and fawn; a white mark on the chest may be present. The breed tolerates extremes of temperature well, and has remained a healthy breed through “refresher breeding” (Auffrischungszucht, outcrossing).[2]

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Health & Maintenance

No unusual health problems or claims of extraordinary health have been documented for this breed.

References

1. Breed Standard – http://www.fci.be/uploaded_files/062gb2001_en.doc
2. (German) Steirische Rauhhaarbracke – http://www.steirische-rauhhaarbracke.de/
3. Clark, Anne Rogers; Andrew H. Brace (1995). The International Encyclopedia of Dogs. Howell Book House. pp. 96, 97. ISBN 0-87605-624-9. – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Rogers_Clark
4. (German) Breeding and hunt tests information – http://www.bracken.at/index.php?id=verein

Photo Credits

1. Baslerfauves (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
2. Author releases image by license [GFDL (www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], via Wikimedia Commons

This article is licensed (except where noted) under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
It uses material from the Wikipedia article Styrian Coarse-Haired Hound

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Breed Standard

Styrian Coarse-Haired Hound (Steirische Rauhhaarbracke)

FCI-Standard N° 62/ 18.06.1996 / GB

TRANSLATION : C. Seidler.

ORIGIN : Austria.

DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE VALID ORIGINAL STANDARD : 10.10.1995.

UTILIZATION :

The breed’s work does not only consist in hunting with giving tongue but very often in purely tracking wounded game in difficult mountain territory.

F.C.I. CLASSIFICATION :

• Group 6 Scenthounds and related breeds .
• Section 1.2. Medium-sized hounds

With working trial.

BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY :

Carl Peintinger, industrialist in Styria, began breeding in 1870 by crossing the Hanoverian Scent Hound bitch “Hela 1” with a coarse-haired male Istrian Hound, which excelled in hunting qualities and appearance. The best puppies from this litter were reared and selective breeding from them was continued. Their rough coats made the dogs resistant to the inclemencies of the weather.

GENERAL APPEARANCE :

Medium size, strong muscles. Expression serious but not vicious.

BEHAVIOR / TEMPERAMENT :

A passionate, tough hunting dog which unceasingly giving tongue; a firm and determined tracker.

HEAD

CRANIAL REGION :

Skull : Slightly rounded. Occiput well developed.
Stop : Clear.

FACIAL REGION :

Nose : Black.
Muzzle: Strong and straight.
Lips : Not pendant.
Jaws/Teeth : Strong scissor 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 brown iris.
Leathers : Not too large, lying flat, covered with fine hair.

NECK :

Strong, not too long .

BODY :

Back : Straight and broad.
Loins : Moderately tucked up.
Croup : Falling away obliquely.
Chest : Deep and broad.

TAIL :

Medium length, strong at root, well coated, never curled but carried upwards in slight sickle shape. Brush, with no plume, on underside.

LIMBS

FOREQUARTERS :

Legs straight in position, muscular with good angulation.
Shoulders : Well laid back.

HINDQUARTERS :

Muscular, strong, well angulated. Straight position when seen from rear .

Feet : Not too large. Toes well arched, close together. Pads hard, not too large .

MOVEMENT :

Ground covering, elastic.

COAT

HAIR :

Rough coat, not shaggy, without gloss, harsh and coarse. Coat on head is shorter than on body, forms a mustache.

COLOR :

Red and fawn. White mark on chest permitted.

HEIGHT :

Height at withers :

Males 47-53 cm
Females 45-51 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.

• Head too fine.
• Leathers folded or too pointed.
• Tail too short, too thin or curled too much upwards, forming a plume.
• Weak legs.
• Coat too long, thin, curly or soft.
• Shy in temperament.

ELIMINATING FAULTS :

• Aggressive odor ängstlich.
• Under or overshot mouth ; more than two premolars (PM1 or PM2) missing.
• Any color other than mentioned in the standard.

Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioral abnormalities shall be disqualified.

N.B. : Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

© Fédération Cynologique Internationale