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Bavarian mountain scent hound

The Bavarian Mountain Hound was developed in Bavaria in the nineteenth century for one specialised job: tracking wounded game across difficult mountain terrain, often hours after the shot, on a cold blood trail.

It is still used almost exclusively for that work.

It stands 44 to 52 centimetres, weighs 20 to 25 kilograms and lives twelve to fourteen years, with a short dense coat in deep red to brindle. It is calm and quiet in the house and utterly single-minded on a trail. This is not a general-purpose pet breed: most national clubs will only sell to registered hunters or foresters, and the breed is genuinely unsuited to a life without tracking work.

Origin
Bavaria, Germany, 19th century
Size
44–52 cm; 20–25 kg
Lifespan
12–14 years
Coat
Short, dense, deep red to brindle
Purpose
Tracking wounded game on cold blood trails
Temperament
Calm at home; absolutely single-minded on a trail

Related: Afghan hound · American leopard hound · Basset hound · Bernese mountain dog · Entlebucher mountain dog

2 bavarian mountain scent hound photos, newest first

  • Yarrow III, a bavarian mountain scent hound

    Yarrow III

    Yarrow III was promoted to gardener confronting a wheelbarrow full of one enormous vegetable; unfortunately, a miniature umbrella turns inside out.

    FrostyOtter · 1 week ago

  • Yarrow III, a bavarian mountain scent hound

    Yarrow III

    Nothing about Yarrow III's expression is an accident.

    GentleFinch · 2 weeks ago

Living with a bavarian mountain scent hound

This breed needs tracking work. Many breed clubs restrict sales to working hunters and foresters for good reason — a Bavarian Mountain Hound without a trail to follow is a frustrated dog, and the drive does not redirect into fetch.

If you have one, mantrailing or blood-tracking sport is the closest substitute available to a non-hunter.

Recall is poor once tracking. Long lines, secure fencing.

They are reserved with strangers and strongly bonded to their handler, and they are quiet indoors — genuinely easy company when their working need is met.

Grooming is minimal. Check ears weekly and ask for hip scores.

General guidance, not veterinary advice. Individual dogs vary, and anything about a specific animal is a question for a vet who has seen it.

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