German Hound

The German Hound, or Deutsche Bracke, is a medium-sized scent hound from western Germany, especially the Sauerland and Westphalian hunting regions. It descends from old Bracke hounds used to trail hare, fox, and hoofed game by scent, giving voice on the line. The breed has a clean, athletic body, long ears, a narrow head, and a tricolor pattern, typically red to yellow tan with a black saddle and white markings such as a blaze, collar, chest, feet, and tail tip.

A German Hound is happiest when its nose has a job. Hunting homes, tracking work, mantrailing, or scent sports help channel its drive, while ordinary walks rarely replace time spent following odor. It is usually friendly with people and other dogs, but recall can be unreliable once game scent is found, so leashes and secure fencing are important. The short coat is simple to keep, though ears and feet need attention after wet cover. Breeders tend to value usable hunting ability and a clear, carrying voice as much as appearance.

Colors: Albino, Apricot, Bicolor, Black, Black and Tan, Black and White, Black Mask, Blue, Blue and Tan, Blue Merle, Blue Roan, Blue Tick, Brindle, Brown, Brown and Tan, Brown and White, Chocolate, Cream, Dapple, Domino, Fawn, Fawn and White, Gold, Gray, Grey, Harlequin, Irish Marked, Leucistic, Liver, Liver Mask, Mantle, Mask, Melanistic, Merle, Mottled, Parti-Color, Piebald, Red, Red and White, Red Merle, Red Roan, Red Tick, Reverse Brindle, Roan, Sable, Saddle, Silver, Speckled, Spotted, Tan, Ticked, Tricolor, Tuxedo, White, Yellow