Styrian Roughhaired Mountain Hound

Breed Rating

Breed Details

General

The Styrian Roughhaired Mountain Hound is a medium size scenthound breed that originated in Styrian province of Australia. Also known as Styrian Coarse Mountain Hound, the dog is an excellent hunter and tracker of wounded game. It is one of the three dog breeds that were given collective name of Grand Brackes due to excellent hunting skills under the most adverse mountainous conditions. Developed in 1870s from a Hanoverian scenthound and an Istrian Hound by an industrialist, Karl Peintinger, selective breeding was continued till rough-coated, hardy dog was achieved. This lithe dog is extremely agile and energetic as well as passionate and tenacious hunter. It will not give up the quarry once a hot scent is found, no matter how hard conditions are. This intelligent hunter will be silent while trailing but when it is pursuing a hot scent, the dog is noted to be very vocal. It is used to hunt Rabbits, Hares and other small games as well as wild boar and other big game.

The dog stands between 18-20 inches and weighs about 33-40 pounds. It comes with a muscled body and well angulated limbs that allow this dog to cover difficult mountainous terrain in pursuit of its quarry. It has slightly rounded skull and strong muzzle. Brown eyes have serious expression. Moderate length ears lie flat. It has broad back, slightly tucked-up loin and deep and broad chest. The dog is so named for its coat that is rough, harsh and coarse. It comes in red or fawn colouring with or without white markings on chest.

This breed is NOT recognized by AKC however this dog is recognized by FCI and UKC.

Color

Coat colors are red and fawn; a white mark on the chest may be present.

Coat

This dog has harsh and rough, coarse coat that helps the dog sustain harsh mountainous weather.

Personality

The Styrian Roughhaired Mountain Hound is first and foremost a hunter. It has a typical hound stubbornness and independent nature and as such, this breed is not easy to train. The dog will be wary and suspicious of nature. It forms strong bond with its master and generally gets along well with older children and other dogs specially if it is raised with them. Other non-canine pets should not be left alone with this dog as it has high prey drive. This breed tends to manifest its dominant nature. This dog will need obedience training and socialization from young age. It is a very devoted dog to its master and will benefit from consistent training given by its owner to whom the dog is very docile and eager to please. With proper training, this intelligent breed can turn into an excellent and well balanced family pet. As a working breed, this dog is used to working hard and has high energy levels which call for lots of exercise. It will best suit in a house with a large yard. The all weather coat will allow the dog to remain outside most of the time. The dog should be provided with sufficient opportunities to play and run or to perform some task. Under exercised or bored Styrian Roughhaired Mountain Hound can become destructive and hard to handle.

Care

As the dog is more valued for its hunting prowess rather than its looks, the coarse coat would need only weekly brushing to remove dirt and foreign objects that may have cling to the coat during hunting expedition. Ears should be regularly checked for infection.

Training

This dog is hard to train due to its stubborn and willful nature. It is devoted to and eager to please its master and should be trained by him in a positive, consistent and firm manner. The dog should be obedience trained.

Activity

The Styrian Roughhaired Mountain Hound will require lots of physical and mental stimulation when it is not hunting. This breed should be provided with ample playing opportunities in a large, open and secure place. This breed is not for apartment dwellers.