BAVARIAN MOUNTAIN SCENTHOUND

(Bayerischer Gebirgsschweisshund)

TRANSLATION : 

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 game keeper.
     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, lightish, 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.  
 BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT : Calm and balanced, devoted to his owner, reserved with strangers.  Required is a sound, self assured, unafraid, biddable dog, neither shy nor aggressive.  
 HEAD
CRANIAL REGION :
Skull : Relatively broad, flatly arched.  Clear rise to forehead.  Superciliary arches well developed; occiput not pronounced.
Stop : Well defined. 
FACIAL REGION : Nose : Of good size, not too broad.  Nostrils well opened.  Black or dark red.
Muzzle : Somewhat off-set from eyes, 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.
Leathers :  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 and strong.  Skin somewhat looser on throat.  
BODY :
Upper profile : Slight rise from withers to hindquarters.
Withers : Barely defined, flowing transition from neck to back.
Back : Strong and supple.
Croup : Long and fairly level.
Loins : Relatively short, broad, very well muscled.
Chest : Moderately broad, well developed forechest, oval ribcage, deep and long, with ribs reaching far back.
Lower profile and Belly : Gradually rising towards rear.  Belly slightly tucked up.

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