The Bavarian Mountain Hound belongs to the hound dog family, which makes them one of the oldest dog breeds. They were primarily bred for hunting purposes and are known for their incredible sense of smell, sharp eyesight, and impressive speed.
Hound dogs are known to be tough and independent. Their inquisitiveness helps them find their way into whatever they are trying to discover.
As the Bavarian Mountain Hound is a hound dog, they are highly trainable and this means that they make good pets for an experienced dog owner. This breed is also an excellent companion for gamekeepers and hunters.
The Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound breed was officially recognized by The United Kennel Club (UKC) in 1996. Much later in 2016, The American Kennel Club (AKC) inducted this breed into its Foundation Stock Service. If you plan to offer a home to a puppy hound, you can buy them from reputed breeders for between $800 and $1000.
If you enjoyreading about the Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound, do check out these facts about the pocket pitbull and the American water spaniel too!
Bavarian Mountain Hound Interesting Facts
What type of animal is a Bavarian Mountain Hound?
The Bavarian Mountain Hound belongs to a dog family from Germany that is a mix of the Bavarian Hound and the Hanover Hound. Both parent breeds are among the best hunting dogs.
The Bavarian Mountain Hound is famous for its sense of smell and its perseverance in finding prey. Thanks to these exceptional skills, Bavarian Mountain Hounds are commonly used by foresters, game wardens, and rescue crews to help with their work.
What class of animal does a Bavarian Mountain Hound belong to?
The Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound belongs to the class Mammalia. This means that they are mammals, as all of these species have hair on the body and, the female of the species has mammary glands. The female dog produces milk for its pups once they have been born.
How many Bavarian Mountain Hounds are there in the world?
As there are many breeders, mainly in the United States, Great Britain, and Germany, there are plenty of Bavarian Mountain Hounds in the world, but we do not know the specific number.
Where does a Bavarian Mountain Hound live?
As Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound is a pet dog, it lives with its owner in their home. However, like many larger pet dogs, they will not thrive in small spaces and feel uncomfortable being confined to the house for long periods of time.
They are driven mainly by scent and can get carried away following a particular scent, so it is important to allow them to explore this regularly (within reason: keep this furry friend on a leash or in an enclosed outdoor space at all times! ).
What is a Bavarian Mountain Hound's habitat?
Bavarian Mountain Scent Hounds were initially bred to live in the mountainous regions in Germany but are now commonly seen in households around the world, particularly in Germany, the UK, and the US.
They need a lot of open space for their daily exercise and stretching and are best suited to owners who have a lot of time to devote to playing and walks.
This dog breed is not recommended for families living in apartments as this scenthound needs lots of space to walk and run around in throughout the day. Due to their short fur, they are better suited to warmer climates than extreme cold weather conditions.
They also generally live better in mountains and countryside regions than in a busy city.
Who do Bavarian Mountain Hounds live with?
The Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound is popularly known to be a hunter's best friend. While they are highly loyal and attached to their owners, this dog breed is wary of strangers. Usually, they will pick one family member and become very attached to them.
How long does a Bavarian Mountain Hound live?
The typical lifespan of Bavarian Mountain is between 10 and 14 years long. It is uncommon for this breed to have significant health issues, so if a healthy lifestyle is maintained, you and your hound should be able to enjoy an active lifestyle for a long time.
How do they reproduce?
The Bavarian Mountain Hound reproduces by sexual reproduction and follows the same estrus cycles that every dog breed follows. A Bavarian Mountain Hound's mother's litter size is normally between four to six puppies, with an average of five puppies being born in one litter.
What is their conservation status?
Bavarian Mountain Hound has remained a rare breed, but the conservation status remains Not Listed due to a lack of sufficient information about the breed's prominence. In 2017, The Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound Society of America was formed to protect and promote this breed's dogs.
Bavarian Mountain Hound Fun facts
What do Bavarian Mountain Hounds look like?
Bavarian Mountain Scent Hounds are slender, lean, and of medium size. They have an elongated back and elevated rear, helping them stand steady on uneven terrain whilst still keeping their nose to the ground. A Bavarian Mountain Hound's strong jaws have thick, drooping lips.
How cute are they?
The Bavarian Mountain Hound's gentle temperament is seen in their soft, brown eyes and long ears that hang low. They also come in different colors such as red, reddish-brown, reddish-grey, tan, and brindle. These puppies can spend an entire day roaming a mountainside happily or playing games like fetch with you, now that's cute!
How do they communicate?
Like other dogs, Bavarian Mountain Hounds communicate primarily through barking. They bark loudly to seek their owner's attention. The barking can be controlled with the right training and mental stimulation. This breed is an independent dog that keeps to itself most of the time but makes great company while hunting or tracking.
How big is a Bavarian Mountain Hound?
The Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound is typically a medium-large sized dog, weighing in at around 45 to 55 lb (20-25 kg), with females being slightly lighter. Males average 19 to 20 in (47-52 cm) tall, while females are about 17-19 in (44-48 cm) tall.
This breed stands on very proportionally sized legs with his rear slightly more elevated than his front, which gives him speed and sure footing on uneven terrains.
How fast can a Bavarian Mountain Hound run?
Naturally, being a hunting dog, the Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound can run very fast, and faster than an average dog.
They are not the largest breed among hound dogs, but they do need off-leash running space secured by fences to meet their exercise needs. An owner with previous experience will be able to efficiently train the Bavarian Mountain Hound through positive reinforcement, while new owners might get frustrated by its typical hound-like stubbornness.
Unfortunately, the dog loses interest in the trainer when they sense that the owner is getting annoyed through the process so a patient approach will be successful in managing a hound puppy.
How much does a Bavarian Mountain Hound weigh?
Bavarian Mountain hunting dogs weigh anywhere between 44-55 lb (20-25 kg), while females may weigh slightly less than their male counterparts.
If compared to a Plott Hound, the Bavarian Mountain Hound is smaller in size. In the hound category, the Irish Wolfhound is the largest breed (it is known as a war dog and is good at chasing moving prey).
The Bavarian Mountain Hound is known to put on weight if it does not receive enough exercise and activity each day, requiring at least an hour of high-intensity exercise like running each day to keep them engaged and manage their weight.
What are their male and female names of the species?
There are no specific names for the male and female species for a Bavarian Mountain Hound. When a Bavarian Mountain Hound has puppies though, the female parent is referred to as a dam, and the male parent is called a sire.
What would you call a baby Bavarian Mountain Hound?
A baby Bavarian Mountain Hound is called a puppy hound. In general, any dog breed tends to take the common name of 'puppy' for their little ones.
You should be mindful if you bring home a hound puppy that you need to give it enough space to run around and to secure anything you don't want the puppy to damage.
What do they eat?
The Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound is a high-energy hunting dog that eats kibble. Bavarian Mountain puppies require high-quality dog food to provide good nourishment and proper muscle growth.
When they are fully grown, it is essential to monitor the amount of food you give to ensure that they stay at a healthy wieght. You should consult your veterinarian to know more about age-appropriate nutrition requirements for Bavarian Mountain Hounds.
Are they slobbery?
The Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound is an average drooler. Most owners of this breed do not find the drooling troublesome but instead, find that it is easily manageable. These dogs are mostly slobbery after running, or if they are feeling unwell or hungry.
Would they make a good pet?
The Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound is very loyal and bonds well with their family during playtime. They are brilliant dogs and have a calm personality, making them excellent pets for large families.
They generally not very outgoing with strangers but do get along well with children. They will do better with a family member around, rather than being left alone at home as separation anxiety is commonly seen among this breed when they are kept away from their families for prolonged periods.
Did you know...
Being a Scenthound has its advantages and its drawbacks. They are well known for being persistent and stubborn as these are vital traits for hunting and tracking.
But, when these dog breeds are placed in a human’s world it’s a different story entirely. If you expect them to be content behind a fence or spend all day indoors, this may not be the breed for you.
Personality and health issues
You are unlikely to see significant health issues in these breeds, but sometimes these dogs may suffer from genetic disorders from their parents. It is essential to research honest breeders thoroughly before taking this athletic hound home.
Some possible health problems include the risk of elbow and hip dysplasia as they age. They can also experience a loss of vision due to progressive retinal atrophy.
Getting your own Bavarian Mountain Hound
The Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound is known for being cool and calm. They are pretty poised and hard-working compared to other hounds, they boast a bright and lively temperament, and are very athletically inclined. The Bavarian Mountain Hound is usually reserved and aloof with strangers, but its gentle temperament makes it a good choice for families with children.
Although they are heavy shedders, they are relatively easy to groom, you simply need to brush their coat daily to remove any dirt or loose hairs. Their nails also need clipping very often as they grow very fast.
If you would like to adopt or buy (from breeders or shelters) this intelligent dog, you should consider your abilities to handle a breed that demands a lot of exercise. They may need some time to adjust to their new home, but once they do, you won't find another loyal pooch like them.
Ideally, more than one person should be available to take care of their exercise as it is impossible to get these hounds over-worked, except perhaps during hot weather.
New owners should also make an appointment with their vet to understand the care and dietary requirements of this breed.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other mammals including the Shiloh Shepherd, or Cheagle.
You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our Bavarian mountain hound coloring pages.