Bavarian Mountain Hound

The Bavarian Mountain Hound is a dog of German descent that was originally bred in the Alps. They are powerful and muscular scent hounds that have a fun-loving zest for adventure and love being part of the action. Loyal, loving, and ready to work, they make excellent companions for active families.

Bavarian Mountain Hound Breed Overview

The Bavarian Mountain Hound is a cross between two European breeds, the Hanoverian Scent Hound and the red Mountain Scent Hound. They were first bred in the late 19th century to assist with hunts as a powerful, agile gun dog. They are strong and steadfast dogs, dedicated to their work as tracking dogs. They can be reserved around strangers. If they get enough mental and physical stimulation, they are wonderful companion dogs that enjoy family life.

Bavarian Mountain Hound Facts

• Originally bred in Germany in the late 19th century from two German hound dogs
• A relatively rare breed in America
• They have a “cold nose,” which gives them a sharp sense of smell and allows them to follow cold scents. 
• They can dig and climb if given the chance.
• These dogs were specifically developed to withstand rugged mountain terrains.
• They sometimes will have white markings, black masks, or even black hairs on their tails.

How to Care for Your Bavarian Mountain Hound

Here’s what you need to know about caring for your Bavarian Mountain Hound, including nutrition and feeding, health and wellness, grooming and hygiene, and living with the breed. 

Nutrition & Feeding

What to Feed a Bavarian Mountain Hound

Aim for a dog food that has high-quality protein as the first ingredient, along with moderate healthy fats and balanced carbohydrates. Bavarian Mountain Hounds are active dogs that will require enough calories to get them through the day. Consider food specifically made for high-energy breeds, such as Purina Pro Plan Sport foods.

How Much to Feed a Bavarian Mountain Hound

Your Bavarian Mountain Hound can range in weight from 44 to 55 pounds, so check with your vet or dog food label to find the appropriate amount based on your dog’s weight. Active breeds are prone to bloat. To reduce this, and to maintain a healthy weight, feed your dog on two daily scheduled feeds versus free feeding. Keep in mind that if your dog is very active, they might need more calories to keep them full and healthy. To get an accurate amount of food based on your dog’s weight, activity level, age, and more factors, head to the Purina Feeding Calculator.

Treats & Supplements

It’s likely your Bavarian Mountain Hound will be food motivated, which is great for training – just be sure to use low-calorie, high-protein treats and make sure that they don’t account for more than 10% of the dog’s daily calories. Use them in conjunction with positive reinforcement training. Your dog might need supplements, such as glucosamine for healthy joints or omega-3 fatty acids for skin and coat health – all things to discuss with your vet.

Health & Wellness

Veterinary Care

Bavarian Mountain Hounds benefit from preventive care. Schedule regular vet checkups to discuss parasite prevention, vaccine schedules, dental care, and spaying or neutering your dog. Like many large dogs, being overweight can put pressure on their joints, leading to conditions like hip dysplasia and arthritis. You can come up with a preventive plan with your vet to keep an eye on your dog for these issues.

Bavarian Mountain Hound Enrichment & Exercise Needs

These dogs were bred to work and have boundless energy and enthusiasm. They are happiest if they are serving their original purpose, but also enjoy lots of long walks, free running, hiking, swimming, and other physical activities. Tracking games, scent work, and any instance where they are using their nose will stimulate them mentally and play to their strengths. They enjoy training to stimulate them mentally and deepen the bond with their owners. Keep in mind that bored Bavarian Mountain Hounds can be destructive if not stimulated enough, so it’s important to consider how much time and attention you can pay to their enrichment and exercise needs before considering one.

Understanding Your Bavarian Mountain Hound’s Behavior

When indoors and relaxing with their families, Bavarian Mountain Hound dogs are calm and serene. When outside, they are “on” and ready to go. Owners should play to their strengths and give them outlets for their strong desire to track scents, such as tracking games, and to redirect them away from chasing scents. If bored and outside, Bavarian Mountain Hounds can become mischievous, digging or climbing, so it’s important to have a secure, fenced-in yard and not to leave them unsupervised. Gentle and consistent positive reinforcement training can help them understand what is expected of them.

What to Expect as Your Bavarian Mountain Hound Ages

Bavarian Mountain Hounds that are healthy can live to be 12 to 15 years old. Talk to your vet about when you can switch them to a senior dog food. These formulas sometimes have ingredients added to help with things like mental clarity and joint health.

Grooming & Hygiene

Skin & Coat Health

The coat of the Bavarian Mountain Hound is short and dense and is relatively low maintenance. Brush them regularly to remove loose and dead hairs, especially during their seasonal sheds. They can be bathed as needed.

Ear, Paw & Dental Care

Bavarian Mountain Hounds have the classic floppy hound ear, which means they are susceptible to ear infections. Check your dog’s ears regularly for signs of infection, such as redness or discharge, and clean them with a vet-approved regimen. These dogs are outside a lot, so check their paw pads for scrapes, cuts, and signs of irritation, and be sure to trim their nails to prevent splitting and cracking, which can affect the way they run. Good dental hygiene is part of being a responsible dog owner and can help your dog live longer. Establish a dental care routine to prevent tartar buildup and gum disease.  

Anal Gland Care

It’s likely your Bavarian Mountain Hound will be able to express their anal glands naturally. If you suspect a blockage that could lead to an abscess, you’ll need to call in professional help from a vet. Your dog is having trouble if they are emitting a foul-smelling odor, scooting, excessively licking, or straining to go to the bathroom.

Living With a Bavarian Mountain Hound

Living Space

These medium-size dogs are incredibly active and were bred to be outdoors. They do best in rural and suburban areas where they have plenty of space to run and roam in a fenced-in area. Ideally, they would have access to woods or trails where they could explore with their owners.

Socialization

They can be a little standoffish towards strangers, but utterly devoted to their families. You can try to help them open up by socializing them early and frequently, introducing them to new places and people. Bavarian Mountain Hounds are excellent family dogs, so long as the family is highly active and can include the dog in many activities. They do best with children who are older or families with no children. Scent hounds like these might not do as well with smaller animals, like small dogs, cats, hamsters, rabbits, and more – their instincts to chase are hardwired. Socialization may be able to help with this.

Climate Considerations

The short and dense coat of the Bavarian Mountain Hound has long protected the breed in the rugged, mountainous climates of Germany. Similar cooler climates are ideal for them, although they do well in moderate temperatures as well. Avoid keeping them outside in extreme temperatures of any kind, and exercise them during the coolest part of the day if you live in a warmer place. Always offer plenty of shade and water.

Potential Challenges

The Bavarian Mountain Hound is an outdoor lover’s dream. They love exploring and need owners who can devote a lot of time to their high physical and mental needs and who live in an area that is conducive to lots of time outside. Once satisfied, though, these dogs are calm. They do have a strong scent drive, which can be relentless. Instead of trying to correct them, give them healthy outlets for these instincts, such as tracking games or scent work.

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