COUNTRY: Austria
WEIGHT: 33-40 pounds
HEIGHT: 17V2-23 inches
COAT: Rough but not wiry; short and straight, without shine
COLOR: Red or reddish yellow
OTHER NAMES: Steirischer Rauhaarige
Group: Hound
Hochgebirgsbracke, Peintinger Bracke
Ancient Middle Eastern hounds aboard Phoenician and Greek vessels were traded to Celtic and Germanic tribes. This stock, coming down through the centuries, is the basis for these and other Austrian hounds.
Much of Austria is mountainous with extreme climatic variations., and the Austrian hounds have been adapted for these conditions. Hoch-gebirgs means high mountains, and the Rauhaarige is especially adapted to that environment. St-yria, the land of lederhosen and embroidered capes, is in the south of Austria on the Yugoslavian border. The rough-coated hound from that area is a cross of schweisshund-type trackers with the wirehaired hounds of Istria. This blend created a tough utility scenthound for use in the highest elevations.
One of the first crosses was done by Herr Peintinger in 1870, through mating his Hanoverian bitch, "Hela I," to an Istrian dog. Many other crosses and experiments occurred before the breed was stabilized, but soon Peintinger was exhibiting and hunting the third-generation pure type. The breed was recognized by its official name in 1889, but is still often called by the name of its founder.
The Styrian is of robust build, and is muscular and sturdy. The head is straighter with a bit more stop than the Brandl. He has small feet with high, arched toes. The rough hair is never very long and he sports no moustaches. His head and coat give him "a serious . . . nearly a threatening facial expression." Yet, he is not a vicious dog at all, but calm and gentle.
Competent in silent trailing as well as the vocal pursuit on a hot scent, he is both serious and intelligent. He is particularly noted for being an easy keeper and for his ability to overcome cold, damp, heat, thirst and other discomforts while following his prey through the mountains. Modern hunters from Austria and Yugoslavia prize this resistant, tough, but good-natured hound.
A strict breed club that requires proof of ability as well as health and soundness before approving a breeding helps to assure that these dogs retain their attributes.