About Bavarian Mountain Hounds
Here's some general information & facts about the Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound breed...
How are Bavarian Mountain Hounds with Children & as family dogs?
In our experience the Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound enjoys time with people of all ages, they are loyal, desiring to be with you and eager to please. Some may favor one family member, however, they are not aggressive towards other members.
We selectively breed not only on tracking ability, health history, but demeanor is crucial to our program as well. Socialization from an early age is favorable for their future interactions with other dogs and family members. Our pups come well socialized. From the time their eyes open they are exposed to our 6 children (ages 1-12 years old). As they grow they are also exposed to farm animals, other dogs, etc. It’s important to imprint them young. At Glenny tracking we strive to do excellent foundational work during our time with the pups.
In our opinion their demeanor, lower shed level, desire to be with family, cleanly feeling (no baseline odors like some hounds), and their seemingly medium energy level paired with their ability and love for tracking makes them the ultimate option for a family dog.
What can I expect from a Bavarian Mountain Hound's nose & it's ability to track scent?
A Bavarian Mountain Hound has one of the best "cold" noses out of any dog breed. The longest track we’ve successfully completed was 5 days old! A lot of factors played a role in making a track that old possible. Weather is certainly a factor. When we started the track there was a real light rain almost like a mist that helped magnify the scent and bring it to life.
5 days is not our standard by any means, however, we very frequently do tracks over 48 hrs old. This has certainly come in handy when our phones are overloaded with calls most Saturdays of archery season. At times we line up several per day based off location and are able to complete a lot more given their high success rate even 48 hrs out.
This is significantly different from a warm nose dog, which needs to be on the track relatively quick after the animal is wounded. The Bavarians exceptional cold nose provides opportunity for the animal time to expire vs jumping wounded game.
We primarily provide pups to people who scent track, however, this breed is becoming increasingly popular amongst search & rescue, drug detection, locating and treeing mountain lions and bears, and even finding truffles under ground. Their nose is being put to use in a variety of ways as more people are learning about their abilities.
How does a Bavarian Mountain Hound do with other dogs?
As long as the Bavarian Mountain Hound is exposed to other dogs at a young age, they do fine with other dogs. That's something we do our part with as we have them for the first 8 weeks of their lives, where they'll be exposed to lots of different dogs outside of their litter mates. As long as the BMH continues to get exposure to other dogs with it's new owner, there shouldn't be any problems socializing.​
Does a Bavarian Mountain Hound shed hair?
Bavarians are low maintenance when it comes to grooming. In general we have not experienced the smells that some hounds have. Their hair is somewhat silky feeling and is not nearly as high shed as for example a lab. They feel cleanly, without insane grooming routines and bathing frequently. They also are not ones to drool, bonus!
How to discipline a Bavarian Mountain Hound?
Disciplining a Bavarian can be somewhat different than you’d expect considering they have “hound” in their name. Hounds are known for being stubborn and resistant. Bavarians are so eager to please that at times they can be a bit sensitive. Being too harsh can result in the dog shutting down and becoming too timid to perform. They thrive on positive reinforcement. As with any pup, boredom can lead to mischievous behavior, providing opportunities for stimulation is beneficial. Showing them love, encouragement, getting excited with them when they listen, really can go a long ways. You can do small treats at a young age when it comes to obedience training, but giving them the love and encouragement will be key for an eager to please dog, like the Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound.
Are Bavarian Mountain Hounds Intelligent?
We cannot ignore the Bavarian Mountain Hound's intelligence. Known as some of the smartest dogs, they will love partnering with you in the job you’ve trained them for. While working, they can be very focused, however nature provides ample opportunities time and time again for possible distractions. In training, I’ve found it important to teach certain commands. For example, “leave it”. There will be times that you come upon coyote scat, porky pines, or other dead animals. When I give the command “leave it” my BMH should know the command and continue on the track. Mature bucks can be very smart. I once had a track where the buck apparently was trying to throw off any predators that may track him while wounded. The buck tracked over five different dead animals, multiple species. Had we not learned the command “leave it” I know this multiple various obstacles could have lead us to an unsuccessful track. Fortunately my BMH was able to stay focused/minimally distracted and successfully complete the task at hand.
Does a Bavarian Mountain Hound get separation Anxiety?
Due to the Bavarian Mountain Hounds strong devotion and attachment to their owner(s), they can develop separation anxiety when left alone for longer periods of time. Since it is much easier to prevent separation anxiety than to treat it later, starting early is crucial.
Preventing Separation Anxiety in Puppies:
-
Encourage independence. Start from the time you bring your puppy home. Use baby gates to separate yourself from the puppy in another room for short periods while you are still in the house. This teaches them that being alone is okay and that you will return.
-
Crate train effectively. A crate can be a safe and cozy retreat, but it should never be used for punishment. Help your puppy associate the crate with positive things by offering them treats and toys inside. Gradually increase the time they spend in the crate alone.
-
Make departures and arrivals low-key. When you leave or come home, avoid over-the-top, emotional greetings and goodbyes. This prevents your dog from viewing your comings and goings as a major, anxiety-inducing event.
-
Desensitize departure cues. Act out your departure routine—like picking up your keys or putting on your coat—without actually leaving. This teaches your dog not to panic at these triggers.
How big does a Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound get?
A Bavarian Mountain Hound can weigh between 35-65 pounds depending on it's genetics and diet. They usually range in height from 17 to 21 inches.
What's the life expectancy of a Bavarian Mountain Hound?
A Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound can live for 12 to 15 years if healthy.
Are their any health concerns with Bavarian Mountain Scent Hounds?
There's several things to look for when selecting a breeder to get a Bavarian Mountain Hound puppy. A responsible breeder should be testing their hounds for healthy hips to reduce the risk of hip dysplasia within the breed. The two diseases we're really trying to breed out of the BMH is Epilepsy and Addisons Disease. There's a big discussion over these two diseases being hereditary in the Bavarian Mountain Hound or whether they'll always be present within the breed. Short answer, if a dog has those diseases or is producing puppies that do, they should no longer breed. A responsible breeder that loves this breed shouldn't be looking at their puppies as just a monetary gain, but should be striving to better the breed. There is talk of genetic testing specific for Bavarian Mountain Hounds coming out at some point, which would really help this process. Do your research on the genetics being used when selecting a breeder for a puppy. The hope is, if we do things right, Hip Dysplasia, Epilepsy, and Addisons will no longer be a problem for the Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound.