Description of a Westphalian Dachsbracke.

Just as the French developed their bassets for closer or slower hound work, the Germans created their dachshunds and dachsbrackes. Short-legged versions of the bracke have been known for a very long time in the western German areas of Westphalia and the Sauerland. Modern authorities feel his development included short-legged mutations of the larger brackes, as well as crosses to the dachshunds of the time. Cynol-ogists Ludwig Beckmann and Otto Grashey first officially described and named the breed in 1886, although portraits from the Middle Ages show the little dog. The Westphalian Dachsbracke was recognized by the German Kennel authorities in 1935, and is fostered and protected today under the umbrella of the Deutsche Bracken Club.

This Dachsbracke has been recruited for hunting hare, fox, wild boar and rabbit in the central high mountains. Hunting in the mountain woods is impossible without dogs. He searches for game, is especially good for the "circle chase" with rabbits and is employed for blood-trailing as well. Often the prey is not as fearful of the smaller Dachsbracke and allows the dog to approach closer before fleeing.