Bavarian dog: Dog Breed Information, Facts and Pictures

Scientific name: Canis lupus familiaris
Origin: Germany
Temperament: Spirited, Agile, Loyal, Quiet, Calm, Courageous
Weight: Male: 44–55 lbs (20–25 kg), Female: 44–55 lbs (20–25 kg)
Height: Male: 19–20 inches (47–52 cm), Female: 17–19 inches (44–48 cm)
Colors: Brindle, Tan, Black-tipped Fawn, Biscuit

Calm and balanced presents the Bavarian mountain sweat dog, if he is properly challenged and allowed to work. He is a very hard-working dog, showing neither shyness nor aggressiveness. Extremely affectionate to his owner, he nevertheless shows a healthy restraint towards strangers. If he is employed according to his passion for hunting, then he is within the family a pleasant companion, which, however, is not suitable as a pure family or companion dog.

Like all guidebooks and sweat dogs, the Bavarian Mountain Sweat Dog is descended from the primitive hunting dogs, the Bracken. The breed originated at the end of the 19th century, as the Hanoverian sweat dog proved to be too heavy for work in hilly terrain. For this reason, the Baron Karg-Bebenburg crossed the red mountain rift to create a particularly mobile dog. Over time, the Bavarian mountain sweat dog displaced the other breeds from the mountain areas and became the classic companion of foresters and professional hunters. In 1912, the "Club for Bavarian Mountain Sweat Dogs" was founded in Munich, the only recognized breed club of this breed to date.

The size of a full-size male is 47 to 52 cm according to the standard and 44 to 48 cm for a bitch. The standard emphasizes that there are no tolerances for bitches and males at the height at the withers. A significant weight is not specified, but this should be in healthy proportion to the size of the dog and is between 25 and 35 kg.

The coat of the Bavarian mountain welder dog is of deep red, reddish brown, reddish yellow, reddish-red or pale yellow color. In addition, the shades may appear reddish gray, darkened or flamed. The base color often appears more intense on the back, besides, hangings and catch are dark. A small bright pleura, the so-called bracken stain, is allowed, his tail is usually darkly chiselled dar. The hair itself is smooth-fitting, dense and moderately rough. It shows a finer structure on the head and the hanging.

The overall appearance is characterized by a light, harmonious and muscular body of medium size. The upper line rises slightly from the withers to the hindquarters. The withers themselves are not very pronounced, so that the neck flows smoothly into the strong back. The relatively short lumbar section also presents well muscled and goes into the long and shallow expiring croup, from which springs the medium-long rod. High set this reaches at most to the ankle, it is either horizontally or slightly obliquely worn down.

The fore-hand is parallel and straight when seen from the front. The upper arm is well muscled and the elbow is close to the body. Forearm and forefoot root are strong and well muscled. Likewise, the hind legs are parallel to each other and have strong bones. All four paws appear spoon-shaped with arched toes lying close together.

The Bavarian mountain sweat dog is a light-headed and intrepid dog, with a distinct hunting drive. For this reason, puppies from the "Club for Bavarian Mountain Sweat Dogs" are handed over exclusively to hunters who work as sweat-dog guides. This approach is recommended for the Bavarian mountain sweat dog, as he is indeed considerate and calm within the family, but only if he was allowed to work before hunting. For this reason, it is mainly found in rural areas and is in no way suitable as a city or housing dog. On the mountain, he distinguishes himself as a skilled climber and shows in the hunt as a safe seeker.

In education, the Bavarian mountain sweat dog usually makes few problems if it receives enough attention from its owner and is given sufficient employment and movement. When these factors are right, he quickly takes the confidence in his owner and accepts the ranking assigned to him. On the hunt, he then convinces by his reliability, self-assurance and pronounced hunting instinct. He shows his owner and his family very affectionate, but reserved and rather quiet compared to strangers.

Due to the decidedly targeted breeding of the Bavarian mountain sweat dog, he is a reliable companion in high mountain hunting. He was specially bred to search freely, to hunt loudly and to bark dead game. He follows with great certainty the trail of the game. The breed is strictly regulated and puppies are given by the official breeding sites only to hunters. Other directions of use such as keeping as a rescue or search dog or even as a pure companion dog are not suitable for this breed.