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View 8 More +The Austrian Black and Tan Hound is a really rare breed. They are basically unknown outside of Austria. Even though this breed is not very popular, they are super loving, intelligent, and playful. This is a great breed to select if you have children and want an active companion.
On the other end of the spectrum, Austrian Black and Tan Hounds are not an ideal choice for apartment dwellers or inactive owners. Other than that, the Austrian Black and Tan Hound is a breed of dog that most people will love.
Breed Overview
Height:
19 – 22 inches
Weight:
33 – 49 pounds
Lifespan:
12 – 14 years
Colors:
Black with fawn-colored markings
Suitable for:
Active families who want a kid-friendly dog
Temperament:
Energetic, friendly, intelligent
Of course, there’s much more to the story than simply your activity levels. For example, you have to think about what other animals live in your household. To find out if an Austrian Black and Tan Hound is right for your home, keep reading. In this guide, we cover everything you need to know before buying an Austrian Black and Tan Hound.
Austrian Black and Tan Hound Characteristics
Austrian Black & Tan Hound Puppies
Austrian Black and Tan Hounds are considered a pretty rare breed. Because they aren’t a common dog breed, you might have a bit of trouble finding a puppy. At the same time, their prices are not that expensive since there isn’t a lot of competition and the birthing process is not difficult for the females.
Of course, you will need to pay for more than just the puppy whenever you buy one. You will also need to pay for licensure, vet visits, food, and toys.
When you first buy an Austrian Black and Tan Hound, make sure to buy one from a reputable breeder. Make sure the facility is clean and that the sire and dam of the pup are healthy. The puppy should be at least 8 weeks old if not 12. The puppy should also have the necessary vaccinations and be dewormed. Never buy a dog that was bred at a puppy mill, no matter the breed.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Austrian Black and Tan Hound
The Austrian Black and Tan Hound is the type of dog people think of when they imagine a friendly and good-natured breed. These dogs have a lot of energy that gets them excited to explore the world and meet new people. They can be a bit independent, causing them to have a wild side, but they are playful, loving, and intelligent.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪
If you are looking for a great family dog, the Austrian Black and Tan Hound may be the dog for you. This breed is very affectionate and loves kids. It also has great stamina, allowing the dog to keep up with your children while wearing off some of its energy.
At the same time, Austrian Black and Tan Hounds are good with strangers. The breed isn’t known to be aggressive or wary to people they don’t know. With that being said, the dog will not make a great guard dog because it isn’t wary against strangers and isn’t naturally vocal, unless it is lonely.
Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?
Austrian Black and Tan Hounds are not considered a super dog aggressive breed. They will likely get along with other dogs and large animals. However, this breed is not great for small animals because of its hunting past. Austrian Black and Tan Hounds may chase cats, guinea pigs, and rabbits.
Additionally, the dog can wander off whenever it sees a squirrel or some other animal that it wants to chase. This is where training comes in handy. The same goes for the dog’s interaction with all animals. Early socialization is key to a friendly dog, no matter the breed.
Things to Know When Owning an Austrian Black and Tan Hound:
As with any other dog breed, there are some things you should know before owning an Austrian Black and Tan Hound. Its diet, exercise, training, grooming, and health conditions are just a few examples of things you need to know before owning this breed. Let’s take a look.
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
As a medium-sized breed, you should select a dog food that is made for dogs of this size. Additionally, select dog food depending on the stage of life your dog is in. Food that is targeted to medium-sized dogs of its age group will be formulated specifically for your breed.
If your dog has any other health conditions, keep that in mind when picking out its food. For example, dogs with kidney failure should have a moderate protein and low sodium content. Talk to your veterinarian for recommendations for dogs with special needs.
If you notice that your dog is gaining weight rather quickly, you likely need to cut back on the food, though this isn’t a large issue for this breed. Make sure not to feed your Austrian Black and Tan Hound table scraps if weight gain is a concern. Once again, talk to your vet for diet-friendly recommendations.
Exercise 🐕
One area that you especially need to be knowledgeable about before owning an Austrian Black and Tan Hound is its exercise requirements. This breed has a very high activity level. Don’t just take your dog on a short walk a day and expect it to be happy. Instead, this breed needs a lot of play, socialization, and exercise.
We do not recommend this breed for someone who lives in an apartment or expects to crate train their dog. Additionally, we do not recommend this breed for someone who does not want to be active and play. Instead, Austrian Black and Tan Hounds are best when around people often and exercised a lot.
Training 🎾
Austrian Black and Tan Hounds are pretty easy to train since they are highly intelligent. Using positive reinforcement, treats, and training aids can make training a breeze with this breed. Do not use negative reinforcement because the breed can become sensitive in the process.
As we mentioned above, we do not recommend crate training for Austrian Black and Tan Hounds either. These dogs do not like being left alone, and they are likely to bark a lot if left in a crate by themselves.
Grooming ✂️
One of the biggest perks of getting an Austrian Black and Tan Hound is that their grooming is pretty minimal. The dog has a short coat. You should only brush their coat about once a week. You do not need to go to a groomer to keep this dog looking healthy.
One thing we do recommend in terms of grooming is cleaning out its ears and checking its paws. Hound ears especially can get a bit funky because they have less ventilation than short eared dogs. Cleaning the ears keeps everything clean and smelling nice.
Health and Conditions 🏥
Austrian Black and Tan Hounds Are a pretty healthy breed. Most health conditions develop whenever they are overbred at a puppy mill, but this isn’t much of an issue with this breed. Skin conditions, ear infections, and joint issues are the main conditions you need to watch out for.
- Skin conditions
- Ear conditions
- Allergies
- Joint issues
Male vs Female
Male and female Austrian Black and Tan Hounds are pretty similar in both size and temperament. It ultimately is up to your preference. You may want to think about the sex if you want to breed your dog, but it may be difficult to find a mate for this breed since it is so rare.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Austrian Black and Tan Hound
1. Its nickname is Brandlbracke.
Austrian Black and Tan Hounds have multiple nicknames, but one of the most popular is brandlbracke. This nickname is really telling about the dog’s personality. The nickname is German, and it is a compound word containing the words brand and bracke.
Brand means fire in German. Etymologists believe that this name either refers to the dog’s speed or the fawn markings above its eyes. The second word, bracke, refers to a type of hunting dog, which explains this dog’s original purpose.
2. Its origins are a bit fuzzy.
Unlike other breeds, the Austrian Black and Tan Hound does not have a known history. It wasn’t until the mid-19th century that this dog was found at all. During this time, the breed became popular for tracking wounded game animals in high altitudes. It was an especially common dog for hunting hares.
Some articles suggest that the Austrian Black and Tan Hound has origins in the Celtic Hound, but it is unclear whether or not this is true.
3. There are NO celebrity Austrian Black and Tan Hounds.
It is really common for famous people to select dogs that are unknown to other people. Because of this dog’s scarcity but friendly personality, you would think many celebrities would want this dog. This is not true. In fact, there are absolutely no celebrity Austrian Black and Tan Hounds today. Hopefully, that will change soon.
Final Thoughts
Even though Austrian Black and Tan Hounds are not very popular, they are a great breed of dog for many families. Their intelligent nature and loyalty make them great family dogs. If you have a large backyard and intend to be active, this is the breed for you.
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Featured Image Credit: ktm-zu, Shutterstock
