Standard Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound /
Bayerischer Gebirgsschweisshund
TRANSLATION: C. Seidler, revised by Christina Bailey,
latest corrections & revisions by
STANDARD FCI N°217 November, 1959 update 22.08.2017
Official version: (DE) ORIGIN: Germany.
ORIGINE: Germany
Old to confirmation: 15 months
UTILIZATION
In accordance with the hunting requirements as a specialist for the search of hoofed game, the Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound has to show all the of him required abilities to be useful for the more difficult search. This usefulness must be confirmed by the relevant working trials.
FCI-CLASSIFICATION
Group 6 Scenthounds and related breeds. Section 2 Scenthounds/Leash Hounds. With working trial.
BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY
All Liam Hounds (Leithunde) and Leashhounds (Schweisshunde) are descended from the original hunting dogs, the “Bracken”. All pure “Bracken” have the finest nose for following ground scent and trail; they are firm on scent, have a strongly developed will to follow a trail and are readily giving tongue on scent.
Only the most reliable and perseverant Bracken were chosen from the pack to be used on the leash to search for the lost trail of the hunted game. From those most calm and biddable Bracken, the Liam Hounds (Leithunde, working only on natural, cold scent) and the “Scent Hounds” (Schweisshunde, the so called “spoilt Liam Hounds”, working the trial of wounded game) were later bred. Through crossing of genetically fairly close breeds at the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th century, the present day Hanoverian Scenthound evolved.
After the Revolution in 1848, in fact, after the break up of the large hunting estates and the replacement of the previous hunting methods by stalking and hiding (waiting for the game) and at the same time with the improvement of the firearms, the dog was needed “after the shot”.
Specialized in firmly working on the leash, one could not dispense with the loud chase, perseverance and keenness, especially in mountain regions. There the Hanovarian Scenthound proved too heavy.
To achieve the desired accomplishments, even in difficult mountain territory, Baron Karg-Bebenburg, Reichenhall, bred the racy and ennobled lighter Mountain Scenthound after 1870, by crossing Hanovarian Scenthounds and red Mountain Scenthounds. More and more these dogs ousted other breeds from the mountain regions so that the Bavarian Mountain Scenthound is, today, the classical companion for the professional hunter and gamekeeper. In 1912 the Club for Bavarian Mountain Scenthounds was founded with its seat in Munich. It is the only recognized Club for Bavarian Mountain Scenthounds in Germany.
GENERAL APPEARANCE
An altogether balanced, somewhat light, very mobile and muscular, medium size dog. The body is slightly longer than high, slightly higher at rear, standing on not too long legs. Head carried level or slightly upwards, tail level or slanting downwards.
IMPORTANT PROPORTION
a) Length of body to height at withers: 1,15 at 1,25 to 1
b) Depth of chest to height at withers: the chest should reach down to the elbow.
BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT
Calm and balanced, devoted to his owner, reserved with strangers. Required is a sound, selfassured, unafraid, biddable dog, neither shy nor aggressive.
HEAD
CRANIAL REGION
Skull: Relatively broad, slightly arched. Clear rise to forehead. Superciliary arches well developed; occiput not pronounced.
Stop: well defiined.
FACIAL REGION
Nose: Of good size, not too broad. Nostrils well opened. Black or dark red.
Muzzle: Somewhat off-set from the eyes, of equal length or slightly shorter than skull, sufficiently broad, never pointed. Nasal bridge slightly convex or straight.
Lips/Flews: Pendulous, medium thickness. Corner of lips clearly visible.
Jaws/Teeth: Strong jaws with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite in which the upper incisors overlap the lower incisors without any gap and with the teeth set vertical to the jaw. 42 healthy teeth, according to tooth formula. Pincer bite permitted.
Cheeks: Only moderately pronounced.
Eyes: Clear, alert expression. Not too large or too round. Dark brown or slightly lighter. Well fitting, pigmented lids.
Ears: Somewhat over medium length but at most reaching to nose. Heavy, set on high and broad, rounded at tips. Hanging close to head without any twist.
Neck: Of medium length, strong. Skin somewhat looser on throat.
BODY
Top line: Slight rise from withers to hindquarters.
Withers: Barely defined, flowing transition from neck to back.
Back: Strong and supple.
Croup: Long and fairly level (drooping by 20 – 30 º is seen to be ideal).
Loins: Relatively short, broad, very well muscled.
Chest: Moderately broad, well developed forechest, oval ribcage, deep and long, with ribs reaching far back. Chest reaching down to elbow joint.
Under line and Belly: Gradually rising towards rear. Belly slightly tucked up.
TAIL: Medium length, reaching, at most, to hocks. Set on high, carried horizontal or slightly slanting downwards.
LIMBS FOREQUARTERS
General appearance: Legs seen from the front, straight and parallel; seen from the side, standing well under the body. Good angulations.
Shoulder: Well slanting, laid back shoulder blade. Strongly muscled.
Upper arm: Long, with good and lean muscles. Scapulo-humeral angulation 90 - 100º.
Elbows: Close fitting to body, turning neither in nor out.
Forearm: Lean, vertical and straight. Strong bone, very well muscled.
Pastern joint: Strong. Pastern: Slightly oblique.
Front feet: Spoon shaped with well arched, tight toes as well as sufficiently cushioned, coarse, resistant and well pigmented pads. Feet move parallel; in stance and movement turning neither in nor out. Nails black or dark brown to brown.
HINDQUARTERS
General appearance: Strong bone. Seen from rear, straight and parallel. Good angulations.
Upper thigh: Broad and very muscular.
Stifle: Strong (stifle angulation 100 - 110º)
Lower thigh: Relatively long, muscular and sinewy.
Hock joint: Strong.
Rear pastern: Short, standing vertical.
Hind feet: Spoon shaped, with well arched, tight toes as well as sufficiently cushioned, coarse resistant and well pigmented pads.Feet move parallel; in stance and movement turning neither in nor out. Nails black or dark brown to brown.
GAIT/MOVEMENT
Ground covering, with good reach in front and strong drive from the rear. Fore- and hind legs straight and parallel; lightly springy gait. Preferred movement when in action: walk and gallop.
SKIN
Strong, tight fitting.
COAT
Hair: Dense, close fitting, moderately harsh with little gloss. Finer on head and leathers, harsher and longer on belly, legs and tail.
Colour: Deep red, deer red, reddish brown, tan, also clear fawn to biscuit colour, reddish grey as the winter coat of a deer, also brindled or interspersed with black hairs. The basic colour on the back is generally more intense, muzzle and leathers dark. Tail, mostly, interspersed with dark hair. Small light-coloured patch on chest (“Bracken Star”) permitted.
SIZE AND WEIGHT
Height at the withers: Males: 47-52 cm / Females: 44-48 cm.
Weight: Males: 20–30 kg / Females: 17-25 kg.
FAULTS
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.
• Very loose eyelids.
• Marked hollow or roach back.
• Very in or out at elbows.
• Distinctly overbuilt hindquarters.
• Very flat or barrel shaped chest.
• Hind legs very close, cow-hocked or bow-shaped, in stance or movement.
• Too fine or too thin coat.
• Strong deviation in colour, black colour with red markings.
• Flesh coloured nose.
• Deviation in size.
DISQUALIFYING FAULTS
• Aggressive or overly shy.
• Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.
• Not showing clear sexual dimorphism.
• Under and oversized dogs.
• Not recognized coat colour.
• Incorrect bites. Over- or undershot, wry mouth, Palisade bite, wry mouth, partial pincer, slanted bites.
• Missing teeth (except P1 ; M3 must be present).
• Ectropion, entropion.
• Tail kinked from birth.
N.B.
• Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
• Only functionally and clinically healthy dogs, with breed typical conformation should be used for breeding.
UTILIZATION
In accordance with the hunting requirements as a specialist for the search of hoofed game, the Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound has to show all the of him required abilities to be useful for the more difficult search. This usefulness must be confirmed by the relevant working trials.
FCI-CLASSIFICATION
Group 6 Scenthounds and related breeds. Section 2 Scenthounds/Leash Hounds. With working trial.
BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY
All Liam Hounds (Leithunde) and Leashhounds (Schweisshunde) are descended from the original hunting dogs, the “Bracken”. All pure “Bracken” have the finest nose for following ground scent and trail; they are firm on scent, have a strongly developed will to follow a trail and are readily giving tongue on scent.
Only the most reliable and perseverant Bracken were chosen from the pack to be used on the leash to search for the lost trail of the hunted game. From those most calm and biddable Bracken, the Liam Hounds (Leithunde, working only on natural, cold scent) and the “Scent Hounds” (Schweisshunde, the so called “spoilt Liam Hounds”, working the trial of wounded game) were later bred. Through crossing of genetically fairly close breeds at the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th century, the present day Hanoverian Scenthound evolved.
After the Revolution in 1848, in fact, after the break up of the large hunting estates and the replacement of the previous hunting methods by stalking and hiding (waiting for the game) and at the same time with the improvement of the firearms, the dog was needed “after the shot”.
Specialized in firmly working on the leash, one could not dispense with the loud chase, perseverance and keenness, especially in mountain regions. There the Hanovarian Scenthound proved too heavy.
To achieve the desired accomplishments, even in difficult mountain territory, Baron Karg-Bebenburg, Reichenhall, bred the racy and ennobled lighter Mountain Scenthound after 1870, by crossing Hanovarian Scenthounds and red Mountain Scenthounds. More and more these dogs ousted other breeds from the mountain regions so that the Bavarian Mountain Scenthound is, today, the classical companion for the professional hunter and gamekeeper. In 1912 the Club for Bavarian Mountain Scenthounds was founded with its seat in Munich. It is the only recognized Club for Bavarian Mountain Scenthounds in Germany.
GENERAL APPEARANCE
An altogether balanced, somewhat light, very mobile and muscular, medium size dog. The body is slightly longer than high, slightly higher at rear, standing on not too long legs. Head carried level or slightly upwards, tail level or slanting downwards.
IMPORTANT PROPORTION
a) Length of body to height at withers: 1,15 at 1,25 to 1
b) Depth of chest to height at withers: the chest should reach down to the elbow.
BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT
Calm and balanced, devoted to his owner, reserved with strangers. Required is a sound, selfassured, unafraid, biddable dog, neither shy nor aggressive.
HEAD
CRANIAL REGION
Skull: Relatively broad, slightly arched. Clear rise to forehead. Superciliary arches well developed; occiput not pronounced.
Stop: well defiined.
FACIAL REGION
Nose: Of good size, not too broad. Nostrils well opened. Black or dark red.
Muzzle: Somewhat off-set from the eyes, of equal length or slightly shorter than skull, sufficiently broad, never pointed. Nasal bridge slightly convex or straight.
Lips/Flews: Pendulous, medium thickness. Corner of lips clearly visible.
Jaws/Teeth: Strong jaws with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite in which the upper incisors overlap the lower incisors without any gap and with the teeth set vertical to the jaw. 42 healthy teeth, according to tooth formula. Pincer bite permitted.
Cheeks: Only moderately pronounced.
Eyes: Clear, alert expression. Not too large or too round. Dark brown or slightly lighter. Well fitting, pigmented lids.
Ears: Somewhat over medium length but at most reaching to nose. Heavy, set on high and broad, rounded at tips. Hanging close to head without any twist.
Neck: Of medium length, strong. Skin somewhat looser on throat.
BODY
Top line: Slight rise from withers to hindquarters.
Withers: Barely defined, flowing transition from neck to back.
Back: Strong and supple.
Croup: Long and fairly level (drooping by 20 – 30 º is seen to be ideal).
Loins: Relatively short, broad, very well muscled.
Chest: Moderately broad, well developed forechest, oval ribcage, deep and long, with ribs reaching far back. Chest reaching down to elbow joint.
Under line and Belly: Gradually rising towards rear. Belly slightly tucked up.
TAIL: Medium length, reaching, at most, to hocks. Set on high, carried horizontal or slightly slanting downwards.
LIMBS FOREQUARTERS
General appearance: Legs seen from the front, straight and parallel; seen from the side, standing well under the body. Good angulations.
Shoulder: Well slanting, laid back shoulder blade. Strongly muscled.
Upper arm: Long, with good and lean muscles. Scapulo-humeral angulation 90 - 100º.
Elbows: Close fitting to body, turning neither in nor out.
Forearm: Lean, vertical and straight. Strong bone, very well muscled.
Pastern joint: Strong. Pastern: Slightly oblique.
Front feet: Spoon shaped with well arched, tight toes as well as sufficiently cushioned, coarse, resistant and well pigmented pads. Feet move parallel; in stance and movement turning neither in nor out. Nails black or dark brown to brown.
HINDQUARTERS
General appearance: Strong bone. Seen from rear, straight and parallel. Good angulations.
Upper thigh: Broad and very muscular.
Stifle: Strong (stifle angulation 100 - 110º)
Lower thigh: Relatively long, muscular and sinewy.
Hock joint: Strong.
Rear pastern: Short, standing vertical.
Hind feet: Spoon shaped, with well arched, tight toes as well as sufficiently cushioned, coarse resistant and well pigmented pads.Feet move parallel; in stance and movement turning neither in nor out. Nails black or dark brown to brown.
GAIT/MOVEMENT
Ground covering, with good reach in front and strong drive from the rear. Fore- and hind legs straight and parallel; lightly springy gait. Preferred movement when in action: walk and gallop.
SKIN
Strong, tight fitting.
COAT
Hair: Dense, close fitting, moderately harsh with little gloss. Finer on head and leathers, harsher and longer on belly, legs and tail.
Colour: Deep red, deer red, reddish brown, tan, also clear fawn to biscuit colour, reddish grey as the winter coat of a deer, also brindled or interspersed with black hairs. The basic colour on the back is generally more intense, muzzle and leathers dark. Tail, mostly, interspersed with dark hair. Small light-coloured patch on chest (“Bracken Star”) permitted.
SIZE AND WEIGHT
Height at the withers: Males: 47-52 cm / Females: 44-48 cm.
Weight: Males: 20–30 kg / Females: 17-25 kg.
FAULTS
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.
• Very loose eyelids.
• Marked hollow or roach back.
• Very in or out at elbows.
• Distinctly overbuilt hindquarters.
• Very flat or barrel shaped chest.
• Hind legs very close, cow-hocked or bow-shaped, in stance or movement.
• Too fine or too thin coat.
• Strong deviation in colour, black colour with red markings.
• Flesh coloured nose.
• Deviation in size.
DISQUALIFYING FAULTS
• Aggressive or overly shy.
• Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.
• Not showing clear sexual dimorphism.
• Under and oversized dogs.
• Not recognized coat colour.
• Incorrect bites. Over- or undershot, wry mouth, Palisade bite, wry mouth, partial pincer, slanted bites.
• Missing teeth (except P1 ; M3 must be present).
• Ectropion, entropion.
• Tail kinked from birth.
N.B.
• Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
• Only functionally and clinically healthy dogs, with breed typical conformation should be used for breeding.
BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY
Hanoverian blood research dogs are the almost identical offspring of the Leashed Bloodhound of the early Middle Ages. This search dog from the group of scent hounds played a major role in the days of the barbarian kingdoms (circa 500 AD). With the advent of firearms, hunting techniques were adapted to large game. A dog to search for injured game was now needed. The bloodhound demonstrating the best skills, the German bloodhound was gradually trained to become the German blood search dog. This breed designation persisted until the hunting administration of the kingdom of Hanover appropriated it. The direction of the hunts continued the development of this breed within the kingdom of Hanover and acquired conclusive training techniques. The German blood research dog became the Hanover blood research dog. As a breeding, the Hirschmann eV club has been perpetuating this breed since 1894. Since that date, the breeding of these dogs has been continued according to strict performance codes and only in large game areas as a specialist in ungulate research. The dissertation by Dr. Wolf-Eberhardt Barth at the Forstlichen faculty of the Georg-August-Universität in Göttingen on the topic "The Hanoverian blood research dog as an example of the evolution of a German hunting dog" [ 1] is the scientific material which provides an insight into the history of this ancient breed of hunting dogs, which can rightly be called part of the German heritage (German-blooded research dog).
GENERAL ASPECT
The Hanoverian Blood Research Dog is generally medium in size, well proportioned. He is a powerful and efficient dog. It benefits from great endurance thanks to its well positioned and powerfully muscular front and rear limbs. Its too high limbs, and particularly its overbuilt forearm, hamper the work from the nose to the ground and are characteristic of the type. Its wide and deep chest offers plenty of room for the lungs and allows endurance over long races. His slightly furrowed forehead and light, dark eyes give the Hanoverian Blood Search Dog his distinctive expression of seriousness. Its red dress (red fawn) is also a particular sign of this breed. It can vary in color from light fawn to dark brindle, almost black.
IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS
a) length of body / height at withers: 1.4 to 1
b) height of the chest / height at the withers: 0.5 to 1
c) muzzle length / head length: 0.5 to 1
BEHAVIOR / TEMPERAMENT
Quiet and reliable character, sensitive to its owner, and selective / reserved with strangers. Great capacity for concentration when searching for game, pack relation to the hunter who leads.
HEAD
Slightly pleated front.
CRANIAL REGION
Skull: Broad, widening towards the rear, clearly domed. Occipital protuberance little marked. Seen from the side, eyebrow arches clearly visible.
Stop: Rather very marked, particularly in the male.
FACIAL REGION
Nose: Large, most often black, rarely dark brown. Nose, large, broad, well open nostrils. Slightly arched or almost rectilinear muzzle. More pronounced hooked aspect in the male. Going thinning towards the forehead.
Muzzle: Powerful, broad and low. Well marked, in line with its function (approximately 50% of the length of the head). Strong mandibles.
Lips: Wide, full and well rounded.
Jaws and Teeth: Jaws normally developed, very strong, straight, spacious for full dentition. 42 teeth. Articulated in scissors or pincers.
Cheeks: Strongly muscled and very powerful.
Eyes: Neither prominent nor too deep; the eyelids follow the shape of the eyeball. Dark brown iris. Absence of ectropion and entropion.
Ears: Moderately long, set high and broad at the base, rounded at their tip, smooth and without being curled, they hang flat along the head.
Neck: Long and powerful, gradually widening towards the chest. Full, supple throat skin, slight dewlap tolerated.
BODY
Topline: Long, often a little overbuilt.
Withers: Normal ancestry, strong base of the neck.
Back: Powerful.
Loin: Large with a slight curvature and supple.
Croup: Long and broad, gently descending towards the tail.
Chest: Well let down and developed, deeper than wide.
Bottom line and belly: Line which rises gradually, belly noticeably raised.
Tail: Set high, long and slightly arched, powerful at the base and gradually thinning out towards the tip.
PREVIOUS MEMBERS
Overall view: Seen in profile, square under the body and straight. Seen from the front, straight, often tight. Well proportional to the body.
Shoulder: Scapula firmly placed against the chest wall, firmly muscled, well inclined backwards.
Arm: Long.
Elbow: Close to the body and well placed behind.
Forearm: Straight, well muscled.
Carpus (wrist): Broad, almost straight.
Pastern: Never completely stiff.
Forefeet: Powerful, round, toes well curved, tight, pads broad and firm, powerful claws.
POSTERIOR LIMBS
Overall view: Seen in profile, position under the body or slightly tilted back. Good angulation.
Seen from the rear: straight. Ratio to normal body, in a medium-sized dog longer than leggy.
Basin: Wide and deep.
Thigh: Strongly muscled.
Stifle (knee): Joint with an angulation of more than 120 °.
Leg: Straight and lean.
Hock: Broad and powerful.
Metatarsus: Almost vertical position.
Hind feet: Rounded, tight toes.
GAIT / MOVEMENT
Ease at all gaits with a lot of momentum, flexible, great amplitude at the gallop. At work, preferably at a walk and at a gallop.
SKIN
Thick, particularly supple, especially puckered at the head and sometimes on the throat. Pleated forehead typical of the breed.
DRESS
Coat: Short, close, dry to harsh, a little longer and thicker on the back of the thighs. The tail cover is tight and dry, longer and thicker on the underside.
Color: Light to dark deer red, more or less brindle, with or without mask. Small white marks on the chest are tolerated.
HEIGHT AND WEIGHT
Height at withers: Dogs: 50 - 55 cm / Females: 48 - 53 cm.
Weight: Males: 30 - 40 kg / Females: 25 - 35 kg.
DEFAULTS
Any deviation from the above must be considered as a defect which will be penalized according to its seriousness and its consequences on the health and well-being of the dog.
• Square morphology.
• Thin framework.
• Defective dentition: absence of the first premolars or other teeth.
• Higher or lower prognathism.
• Entropion, ectropion.
• Wavy or small ears.
• Substantially overbuilt hindquarters.
• Saddleback or piked back.
• Barrel rib cage.
• Tail thin or strongly curved.
• Shoulder stiff or too flexible.
• Clearly pronounced cow or barrel hocks.
• Sagging feet, hare's feet.
DEFAULTS TRAINING EXCLUSION
• Aggressive or overly shy dog.
• Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioral abnormalities.
• Any fault listed above of a very pronounced or repetitive nature results in exclusion.
NB
Males should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum. Only dogs which are healthy and capable of performing the functions for which they have been selected, and whose morphology is typical of the breed, may be used for breeding.
[1] Der Hannoversche Schweißhund als Beispiel der Entwicklung eines deutschen Jagdhundes, (Schriftenreihe des Landesjagdverbands Freie und Hansestadt Hamburg eV, Landesjägerschaft, Heft 2, Hamburg 1970, 96 S.)