The Bavarian Mountain Retriever was developed in the 19th century for tracking and hunting animals. This hound dog is known for its excellent sense of smell, even temperament and devotion to its owners. The coat is weather resistant, therefore, it is able to work in various weather conditions.
General details
The dogs of the breed are medium sized and light in appearance. The weight ranges between 20 and 30 kilograms in males, while in females the ideal is between 17 and 25 kilograms. Males show a height of 47-52 centimeters, and females measure between 44 and 48 centimeters. Their life expectancy is long and varies between 12 and 15 years. The breed belongs to Group 6 of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), which groups hounds, scent hounds and similar breeds.
Breed history in brief
The Bavarian Mountain Tracker was developed in the 19th century in Germany. Bavarian hunters were looking for a dog capable of tracking animals in the mountainous terrain of the Bavarian Alps. To this end, they decided to crossbreed Hanoverian trackers with red mountain hounds, with the aim of obtaining a dog that was skilled in tracking and hunting, as well as being light in weight.
During World War II, as a result of the destruction of breeding records and the loss of many dogs, the breed was on the verge of extinction. Breeders' groups dedicated to the promotion of the breed managed to keep it alive, and to this day it continues to perform tracking tasks in Germany and other European countries. However, in recent years it has become a popular companion dog because of its friendly and loyal personality.
Breed characteristics
The body of the Bavarian Mountain Tracker is slightly elongated and elevated at the rear, supported by long, straight limbs. The eyes are medium-sized, dark or light brown in color, while the ears are characterized by medium length, set high and hanging without folding. The tail is of medium length, carried horizontally or slightly inclined downwards.
The coat is short, dense and smooth, of rough texture with little gloss. The coat is somewhat longer and coarser on the limbs, abdomen and tail. The breed is usually red, beige or brindle in color, as well as reddish-gray or interspersed with black hair. The back, muzzle and ear areas are usually darker in shade than the rest of the body.
Personality traits of the Bavarian Mountain Tracker include loyalty, self-assurance and calmness. They may be distrustful of strangers, however, they are affectionate and affectionate with family members. Their hunting instinct and independent nature make firm and constant training necessary, along with early socialization to avoid unwanted behavior.
Common health problems
Generally, the Bavarian Mountain Retriever is in excellent health. However, they may be predisposed to certain diseases or disorders such as achondroplasia, volvulo-gastric dilatation, epilepsy, factor VII deficiency, hemolytic anemia, severe combined immunodeficiency, glaucoma, hemophilia A, Addison's disease, hypothyroidism, von Willebrand's disease or progressive retinal atrophy.
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