Styrian Coarse-Haired Hound
Developed in the late 1800s, the Styrian Coarse-Haired Hound is a mixture between the Hanover Hound and the Istrian Coarse-Haired Hound. A medium-sized dog with a robust body, the most notable feature of this hound has to be its dishevelled, wiry brown coat. While their face may give off a stern expression, this is a dog with a heart of gold.
Traditionally used as boar hunters since the end of the 19th century, their role has not changed to this day and they are renowned for their hunting ability. Never one to shy away from hard work, the Styrian Coarse-Haired Hound is talented at what it does. Their high exercise requirements mean they are not suited to city life or to a sedentary lifestyle.
About & History
Unlike most dog breeds, the history of the Styrian Coarse-Haired Hound is easily traced and undisputed. It is known that this breed was developed in 1870 by a man named Karl Peintinger, who wished to create a breed that was hardy and would hunt boar over mountains. Karl Peintinger was from Styria, in southern Austria, and he decided to achieve his desired dog by breeding together the Hanover Hound and the Istrian Coarse-Haired Hound. Over time, and with multiple breedings, the Styrian Coarse-Haired Hound was born. Interestingly, to some people, this breed is known as the Peintinger Bracke.
Today, the Styrian Coarse-Haired Hound is used both in its native Austria, and in neighbouring Slovenia, as a wild boar hunter. They are well-liked for their determination, their dedication to the job and their strength of character. Despite the often-unpredictable weather and hilly terrain of southern Austria, the Styrian Coarse-Haired Hound excels when outdoors and has no problem traversing even the most uneven of ground. Their sense of smell is superb, and they have the ability both hunt healthy animals and track wounded prey.
It was not long after their creation, in 1889, that this breed was first recognised in their homeland. However, it took until 2006 before the UKC accepted them into their scent hound group. Nowadays, the Styrian Coarse-Haired Hound is a rare dog that is seldom seen outside of Austria and Slovenia.
Appearance
A ‘rough and ready’ dog, the Styrian Coarse-Haired Hound is a medium-sized canine with an athletic build and a coarse, unkempt coat. In fact, they are such a good example of their species, that if a child was asked to draw a dog, their picture would probably closely resemble the handsome Styrian Coarse-Haired Hound!
As a working dog, it is important that the Styrian Coarse-Haired Hound have a muscular physique and not have any exaggerated features that could impact their movement. They have a curved skull that leads to a long muzzle with tight lips. Inside their mouth, their teeth should meet in a scissors bite and it is acceptable for them to be missing their first pre-molars. Their black nose sits prominently on their face. Their light brown eyes are quite deep-set and give the dog a solemn expression.
Their medium length ears sit flat and close to their cheeks. Their limbs are strong and straight, while their robust body is composed of a deep chest, flat back and a croup that slants moderately. Their feet are arched, allowing for good springiness in their gait. They must also have tough pads to prevent injury when working on rough land. Their tail is of an average length and ends in a curve.
As the name suggests, the coat of the Styrian Coarse-Haired Hound is rough and wiry. While their facial fur is shorter than that on their body, they should still have enough to form a ‘moustache’. Their tail displays a moderate brush underneath. The fur itself is a fawn or red colour and some small patches of white are permitted. Styrian Coarse-Haired Hounds stand at between 46cm and 53cm and weigh from 15kg to 18kg.
Character & Temperament
This dog’s passion is for hunting and this is reflected in their personality. They devote themselves to the job they are given, not stopping until they’ve achieved the goal set to them. Their undeniable tenacity means that they have got themselves a reputation for tirelessly pursuing their prey, even in the face of hunger, thirst and poor weather.
Despite the fact that this breed is primarily a working dog, the Styrian Coarse-Haired Hound will show their owner both affection and loyalty. They can make a loving family pet in the right circumstances. They get on best with older children and are unlikely to tolerate very young kids. While they can live alongside other dogs it would be unfair to expect them to accept small animals, such as cats and rabbits, as they will see these pets as prey and have a strong urge to chase them.
A dog that is happy to act as the family lookout, they will always alert their owner of any new arrival and show a natural suspicion towards strangers. They love to bark and howl, so any intruder will be greeted with a very noisy reception! They would not typically be used as a guard dog, however, and would not be suited to this role.
Trainability
The Styrian Coarse-Haired Hound likes to be the dominant one in the relationship and needs to be taught from a young age who is the boss. They benefit from steady and consistent training methods and from having one dedicated trainer. While they are generally eager to please, they can be stubborn in certain circumstances so would benefit from plenty of positive reinforcement.
It is vitally important that this dog be socialised from day one if they are to interact well with all family members. They should be exposed to a variety of people and situations, both inside and outside of the home.
Health
A working hound that enjoys good health, there are just a couple of conditions that an owner should be aware of:
Ear Infections
Keep the floppy ears of the Styrian Coarse-Haired Hound clean and dry to prevent chronic infections.
Bloat
A swollen abdomen that appears suddenly may be an indication of ‘bloat’, a condition in which the stomach swells and fills up with food, fluid and gas. A true emergency, any dog with suspected bloat should be brought to a vet immediately.
Exercise and Activity Levels
Bred to hunt, the Styrian Coarse-Haired Hound needs a large amount of exercise and would not cope well in an environment where this was not provided. Not only do they need to live within a large house, they also require access to a big, fenced garden. On top of this, it is very important to allow them to exercise freely outside of the home, ideally on a hunt. To truly meet their needs, it is advised that they be kept in the countryside rather than the city.
Of course, failure to provide the recommended exercise will have consequences. An under-stimulated Styrian Coarse-Haired Hound is likely to start destroying furniture and acting out within the home. When problematic behaviours do arise, an owner should assess the lifestyle of the dog and determine if they need more activity in their routine (the answer is almost always yes!).
Grooming
Groom the Styrian Coarse-Haired Hound once to twice a week, ensuring a firm brush is used that is capable of removing any tangles. It is particularly important that they are brushed through after returning from a hunt, to remove any brambles or grass awns. Similarly, owners should check the spaces in between their toes for any debris.
Regular baths are not advised for this dog, as they may remove the weather-proofing from their coat. If absolutely necessary, they can be bathed infrequently in a light, dog shampoo.
For most breed members, their ears will need to be cleaned out weekly. This helps to prevent a build-up of wax and also allows an owner the opportunity to check the ears for early signs of an infection. Any skin redness, odour or unusual build-up in the ear should be brought to the attention of a vet.
Famous Styrian Coarse-Haired Hounds
The Styrian Coarse-Haired Hound is a very rare breed and is mainly isolated to Austria. No breed members are currently in the limelight.
Cross-Breeds
The Styrian Coarse-Haired Hound is itself a cross between the Hanover Hound and the Istrian Coarse Haired Hound.