Westphalian Dachsbracke

Westphalian Dachsbrackes have a strong hunting drive and high need for exercise, so they need to be extensively occupied every day.

These animals enjoy long walks and are ideally suited for demanding activities such as mantrailing and tracking work due to their keen sense of smell.

And they truly thrive during playtime together. The most important thing is to keep it interesting!

Diverse Working Opportunities

The Westphalian Dachsbracke feels most at home in the forest. These compact hunting dogs are preferably used in small hunting grounds where larger dogs cannot easily navigate. Their specialties include flushing out games such as hares, rabbits, and foxes. They also perform loyal service in driven hunts for game like deer and wild boar. Blood trailing – the search for downed game – as well as finding and retrieving small game are also among their tasks.

The short coat doesn’t require much care. Regular, preferably daily brushing is sufficient to keep the fur free from dirt. Good to know: This breed doesn’t experience very pronounced shedding.

As for its diet, this four-legged friend isn’t too fussy. Like all dogs, it requires high-quality, nutrient-dense food, with portion sizes adjusted to its activity level. Whether dry or wet food ends up in the bowl, or if BARFing is considered, is up to the discretion of the owner.

This breed is considered robust and not prone to diseases. Breed-specific ailments are not known. However, their medium-length, wide floppy ears can sometimes cause problems, as they can be prone to infections.

Intense itching accompanied by frequent scratching at the head indicates painful otitis externa, which should be medically treated as quickly as possible.

Since these dogs don’t cope well with high temperatures, they shouldn’t have to exert themselves on hot days. Instead of challenging hunting outings, shorter walks in the early morning and later evening hours are recommended.

How old can Westphalian Dachsbrackes get?

With proper care, the life expectancy of this breed is 10 to 15 years. Plenty of exercise, a healthy diet, and regular vet visits contribute to a long, happy canine life.

The Westphalian Dachsbracke is a hunting dog from the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The breed came about in the 1880s when hunters began crossing short-legged German Brackens with Steinbracke dogs.

However, the Steinbracke is no longer a separate breed – it has merged into the German Bracke. The goal of this breeding was to produce a sturdy, efficient low-legged dog well-suited for use in small hunting areas.

The March Revolution of 1848 brought about societal changes, including the reduction in hunting areas. The term “Dachsbracke” was first used in 1886. Since 1954, the breed has been officially recognised.

Highly Endangered Hunting Dog Breed

Due to a narrow breeding base, the Westphalian Dachsbracke is one of the most endangered hunting dog breeds. In Germany, on average, only about 35 puppies per year are born. To expand the gene pool and secure the survival of the breed, Drevers are occasionally crossed in. This Swedish dog breed originated from the Westphalian Dachsbracke.