Westfälische dachsbracke

FCI:

Westphalian  Dachsbracke - Group VI. - Scenthounds and related breeds, Section - Small sized Hounds.

General Appearance:

Character is friendly and affectionate, very sensitive, sometimes a little shy dog. It depends mainly on the environment in which it lives there is always interrelation between dog and the owner. In essence it is socially based and it should not all its life live in an outdoor kennel. It needs human ´s contact.

It is curious, properly separate also quite obedient, in proportion as quality of education it received.

It gets well with children. To strangers it is distrustful and dog chooses with whom to socialize. It is a watch dog, although it usually announces by barking. It usually gets well with other dogs, cats and other domestic animals it is tolerated, but it should know all pets from its young age.

Temperament/Behaviour:

If someone does not have any experience with hounds, this breed, its education, training for owner will not be easy. It must be consistent, kind and patient. Dog cannot be treated harshly, dog could be easily betray. Owner must always act calmly and understandably, owner may not issue commands that the dog cannot understand, because nobody taught it.

Body:

It is generally lighter dog with limbs of normal length (not shorted), elegant but sturdy body, a noble, relatively light head, hanging auricle and powerful tail, which is very important for its overall appearance. Height at withers is 40-53 cm and a slight excess is acceptable.

The head is light, dry, elongated when viewed from the front long and narrow. Its length is the medium-sized individuals of about 21 cm, while the length of the muzzle, measured from the tip of the nose to the corners of the junction of the inner eye is about 9 cm.

Jaws are strong and symmetrical. Upper teeth closely overlapping their rear sides down front incisors, scissor bite is desirable. Canines have to be particularly robust. Colour is dark, bright, friendly expression. Ears have to be suspended, long (about 14 cm) wide (about 9 cm) on the tops rounded. The leading edge is tightly fitting to the cheeks.

The tail should be long, very thick at the base, against injury at work in the bushes and undergrowth protected by a thick long hair so it looks stronger than it actually is. Protrudes into the tip and has a slightly "brushy" appearance. It is carried by hanging or slightly bent upward arch.

The forelegs are high, straight, slender bones, dryly muscled, sinewy. Hind legs well angulated, have a wide and when viewed from the rear rounded thighs and long, not too wide of the leg.

The coat is short haired dog long enough, very dense, hard and almost bristled. It covers the entire underside of the body and also on the belly is dense. On the underside of the tail is a little bit longer and forms a very distinctive "brush". Rear thighs the hint of "pants".

Colouration may be red to yellow with black "saddle" or "shell" and white markings. These consist of a continuous "bald" linking white muzzle with a "collar" on the neck (which should be "closed") and a white bib front chest, white markings on the legs and tail tip.

Defects include elongated (long rectangular) body frame (caused shortness of limbs), head resembling Dachshund, ears pointed at the tops, hung in folds or short tail, sabre or a circle curled incorrect position of limbs.