The Tyrolean Hound temperament is loyal and affectionate, making him a great family dog. He can be moderately challenging to train and needs a firm leader.
If you hunt or live an active lifestyle and would also like a loving companion at home, the Tyrolean Hound (Tiroler Bracke in his homeland of Austria) may be just the breed for you.
Tyrolean Hound Temperament
Intelligent
This is a highly intelligent breed. He is moderately easy to train for the beginning dog owner. However, an experienced dog trainer will likely find training easy.
Independence
Some call it stubborn, and others call the Tyrolean Hound temperament free-spirited. Either way, hunters appreciate this trait because it helps him to do his job well as a solitary hunter. He does this often with no human supervision.
Luckily, he is generally less stubborn than many other scenthounds. He is likely to be obedient when properly trained.
Loving
Devotion is one of the hallmarks of the Tyrolean Hound temperament. He forms strong bonds with his family, especially his trainer.
Easygoing
As long as he gets enough exercise, the Tyrolean Hound temperament is relaxed and well-behaved indoors.
Affectionate
He is affectionate to all members of his family and enjoys being with people.
Lively
This guy’s personality is charming and enthusiastic. He may have difficulty getting serious for training sessions.
Gentle
The Tyrolean Hound has a sweet disposition. He is usually good with children, but he should be socialized to them when he’s young.
Adaptable
This dog is able to comfortably hunt in any climate. He also adapts easily to working outside or relaxing inside, as long as his exercise needs are met.
People-oriented
The Tyrolean Hound temperament is quite social toward people. If you leave him alone for too long, he may develop separation anxiety.
Stranger-wary
He is not aggressive to them, but without early socialization, he will probably be aloof and reserved with strangers.
Energetic
The Tyrolean Hound temperament is high-energy but not hyperactive. He needs 45 minutes to an hour a day of vigorous exercise. Otherwise, you may see some negative Tyrolean Hound behaviors.
Hardy
In his homeland of Austria, he works in cold weather and mountainous, wooded terrain.
Determined
Hunters appreciate the Tyrolean Hound traits of tenacity and unwillingness to give up. They have great stamina.
Strong Work Ethic
The Tyrolean Hound temperament is hard-working and enthusiastic about his job.
Solo Hunter
This means that he is not as good with other dogs as pack hunters might be. He will need socialization to them. This will be especially important if there are other dogs in his household.
Alert
He is watchful and likely to bark when strangers approach, so he is a good watchdog. However, he is not at all aggressive, so the Tyrolean Hound temperament is not suited to guard dog duties.
Strong Prey Drive
As a highly skilled scenthound, this dog is likely to chase anything that smells interesting. He may do well with a cat if he is raised with it. He is probably not a good choice for a home with other small pets.
Tyrolean Hound History
The Tyrolean Hound is a highly skilled Austrian scenthound. He was bred to hunt in the snow of the Alps. Most historians believe that the breed descended from ancient Celtic hounds.
He is one of three Grand Brackes, or large dogs, from the Tyrol region of western Austria. (The others are the Austrian Black and Tan Hound and the Styrian Coarse-haired Hound.)
Like many European hunting dogs, he has a regal heritage from the time when hunting was a sport of the nobility. Historians believe that Emperor Maximillian I owned Tyrolean Hounds in the 1400-1500s.
Controlled breeding of the Tyrolean began in the 1860s. The Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) accepted this breed in 1954, and the United Kennel Club (UKC) recognized it in 2006.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) has not yet recognized the Tyrolean Hound.
Today the Tyrolean Hound is still popular in Austria. They keep them mostly as hunters. The breed is rare outside of Europe.
Tyrolean Hound Training
The Tyrolean Hound is a very smart dog who can learn sophisticated tasks quickly. However, his independent streak and his lively nature can make the training process challenging.
He needs a firm hand and positive reinforcement methods. He also needs the training to begin at an early age.
This breed also needs socialization to children. He can be very good with kids, but he needs to learn how to behave around them.
As with all working dogs, exercise is one of the keys to successful training. Be sure that he gets enough exercise before training sessions. This will go a long way toward gaining his cooperation.
Socialization to strangers is also important for the Tyrolean Hound. He is not an aggressive dog, but he is stranger-wary. Early socialization will keep him from becoming overly shy and reserved with them.
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Tyrolean Hound Appearance
General Appearance
The Tyrolean Hound is a medium-size dog with a rectangular shape (longer than he is tall). He is deep-chested with a lean but athletic, muscular build. There is a slight slope to his back and strong hind legs.
He has a dense double coat. His outer coat is medium in length, dense, straight, and coarse. His under coat is also coarse, which is unusual in a double-coated breed. The coarse undercoat helps him to adapt to different climates.
His head is broad and arched slightly. The ears are high-set, wide, and rounded. He has dark brown eyes and a black nose.
His tail is high-set, tapered and curled like a saber.
Tyrolean Hound colors can be red, brown, black, tan, or tricolor. Some have white markings.
Tyrolean Hound Size
- Average Tyrolean Hound weight is 35 to 60 pounds.
- Tyrolean Hound height averages 17 to 20 inches for males and 16 to 19 inches females.
Tyrolean Hound Must-Knows
Other Names
- Tiroler Bracke
- Tyroler Bracke
- Tyrolean Hound Dog
- Tyrolean Scent Hound
- Brachet Autrichien a Poil Lisse
Tyrolean Hound Lifespan
The life expectancy of the Tyrolean Hound is 12-14 years.
Hunting with the Tyrolean Hound
This breed has the reputation of a brave and noble hunter. He is passionate about his job and gives it his all.
He was bred to hunt in mountainous and wooded conditions, in the harsh cold and high altitude of the Alps. His prey is small game. He also tracks wounded animals.
He is fast and agile and adaptable to any weather. His scenting skills are exceptional, even when he’s tracking a nearly cold trail. He also has an extraordinary sense of direction.
With his great stamina and determination, he will track a scent or a wounded animal for very long distances.
Unlike many scenthounds, the Tyrolean prefers to work alone. He is not a pack hunter.
Tyrolean Hound Health Issues
The Tyrolean Hound is a healthy breed with no major health problems. Occasional issues include hip dysplasia (common in working dogs), and ear infections (common in breeds with pendulous ears).
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Caring for the Tyrolean Hound
Tyrolean Hound Grooming
Because of its unusual coarse double coat, the Tyrolean Hound needs to be brushed two to three times a week if he is hunting. If not, then once a week may be enough.
He should not be bathed often to protect his coat and skin from loss of their natural oils.
Because of his pendulous hound’s ears, you will need to check his ears frequently and clean them regularly.
Like any breed, of course, they need their teeth brushed and nails trimmed routinely.
Tyrolean Hound Diet
The Tyrolean has no specific dietary needs. He should do well on any high-quality commercial food.
If you are hunting your Tyrolean Hound, you may want to feed him an active-breed formula. Keep an eye on his weight, though, to be sure he isn’t getting too many calories.
Tyrolean Hound Exercise
Tyrolean Hounds have a fairly high energy level. They were bred for hunting, so they do best with a hunting family or one who is involved in other outdoor activities.
A short walk every day would not be enough to keep this breed happy. They need at least 45 minutes to an hour of vigorous exercise every day.
A rural area with acreage would be the ideal home for a Tyrolean. At the very least, they should have a large yard or other area to run and play in.
Because of his intelligence, the Tyrolean Hound also needs a lot of mental stimulation. Interactive toys, hide-and-seek, nose work are all great choices.
Another great option is involve your Tyrolean Hound in organized dog sports. Rally, agility, or hunting trials would all satisfy the Tyrolean’s need for both exercise and mental stimulation.
A Tyrolean Hound who is bored or restless is likely to chew, dig, or bark excessively.
Finding a Tyrolean Hound
Buying a Tyrolean Hound from a Breeder
The Tyrolean Hound is a rare breed outside of Austria, though there are some in other parts of Europe.
If you would like to find a Tyrolean Hound for sale, you will need patience. At the time of this writing, an Internet search found no North American breeders.
We did turn up a user group or two on Facebook, however. That may be a good place to connect with people who own or breed Tyrolean Hounds.
There are also user forums online for nearly every breed. This may be another good place to get a recommendation for a reputable breeder of Tyrolean Hound puppies.
YouTube is yet another possibility. Many dog lovers and breeders post videos of their dogs, and some publish contact information.
You might also try contacting the UKC. They recognize this breed and may know of North American breeders.
If all else fails, you may want to consider importing a Tyrolean Hound puppy from Europe.
The FCI would also be a possible source for breeder names.
According to the best estimate we could find, Tyrolean Hound cost is about $600. You would also need to add shipping charges from Europe if you are able to have one shipped.
Tyrolean Hound Rescue/Adoption
If you would prefer to adopt an adult dog, finding a Tyrolean Hound for adoption will also be challenging. You’re unlikely to find one at your local shelter.
We were not able to find any rescue organizations in North America, but the organizations mentioned above may also have information on rescues.
You may have better luck if you broaden your search to hound or hunting dog rescues.
If you would consider a mixed-breed, you may have a better chance of finding the dog you want. It’s certainly possible to find a Tyrolean Hound mix that will have the qualities you’re looking for.
These dogs would be more likely to turn up in shelters or rescues.
Is the Tyrolean Hound the Right Breed for You?
The Tyrolean Hound is a dog bred for hunting, but it is an adaptable breed. They can make fine household companions if you can commit to their exercise and socialization needs.
If you choose not to hunt yours, you would need to supply a substitute activity to help him burn his energy. Otherwise, you will probably end up with an unhappy dog and have to deal with nuisance behaviors.
If your family hunts or is active outdoors, or you’re willing to get involved in some type of organized canine activity, the Tyrolean Hound temperament could fit very nicely into your home.
Paula is an experienced writer who loves dogs and had many of them through the years. Her family always had large dogs—Border Collies, Labs, and Golden Retrievers. When her beloved Golden died of cancer, she decided to practice what she preached and do some research before choosing her next breed. She now shares this knowledge with thousands of dogtemperament.com readers worldwide.