Bracken

Here you will find comprehensive information about Bracken, probably one of the oldest groups of hunting dog breeds. Bracken are also often referred to as hunting dogs or scent hounds and include eight different representatives. Although they form a smaller group in terms of the number of breeds, they are of great relevance due to their historical significance.

Contents: What you should know about Bracken.

• Bracken – oldest group of hunting dogs
• What characterizes a Bracke?
• Applications of Bracken
• Differences of Bracken
• Tests for Bracken
• No tasks from Bracken
• Family suitability
• Conclusion

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Bracken – oldest group of hunting dogs

Bracken or Hounds are often the choice of experienced dog handlers. They are believed to be the ancestors of many hunting dog breeds that have drooping ears. They are highly valued for their characteristic hunting style. In this article you will find comprehensive information about Bracken or Hounds and an overview of the recognized breeds within this important hunting dog group .

What characterizes a Bracke?

Brackens are extremely valuable dogs when hunting furred game. They are characterized by their excellent will to find, their excellent sense of smell and their persistent search, even in large areas. Their use has given the Bracken hunt its name, which is a special form of driven hunt for hares. This takes advantage of the hare's natural tendency to always return to its nest. A Bracken that is loud on the scent follows the hare while the hunter waits at the nest and kills the returning hare.

In Germany, brackish fishing is only permitted in hunting grounds that cover an area of ​​more than 1,000 hectares.

In addition, the dogs are often used in driven hunts, for example to track down red deer and wild boar and bring them to the shooters. Thanks to their moderate speed and reliable tracking, the dog breed does not chase the game, but leads it to the shooters at a controlled speed.

Due to their abilities, the dogs are also well suited for tracking and pursuing injured game.

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Applications of Bracken

Bracken are extremely hardworking dogs that can work efficiently both in the field and in the forest. They are particularly hardworking and can be used in a variety of tasks both before and after the shot.

Tasks of the Bracken before the shot:

• Bracking
• Browse
• Hunting with a trail

Tasks of the Bracken after the shot:

• Welding work
• Lost and Found
• Retrieve

Brackens are specialists in independent hunting and make their own decisions. They usually hunt without direct visual contact with the dog handler and are ideally suited to flushing out game over large areas and leading it to the shooters.

Differences of Bracken

The different breeds differ primarily in their size, speed, hunting instinct, weight and external appearance. The Westphalian Dachsbracke is the smallest recognized breed of hound with a shoulder height of 30 to 38 cm, while the Styrian Rough-haired Hound and theBrandlbracke are the largest representatives of this hunting dog group, reaching up to 58 cm.

All of these breeds are versatile and are suitable for searching and tracking as well as for providing reliable tracking. In addition, they are all generally suitable for tasks such as finding lost animals, retrieving and tracking.

Tests for Bracken

• SFT: Shot resistance test
• SPL: Tracking test
• SchwK: Blood tracking test on artificial tracking
• SchwN: Blood tracking test on natural tracks
• APB: Plant inspection

No tasks from Bracken

Because of their size, Bracken are not suitable for hunting in dens and they lack the natural ability to point. Although they have excellent stamina, they are not sprinters and are therefore not ideally suited to quickly pursuing and killing sick game.

Family suitability

Basically, Brackens can be kept as family dogs. However, it is important to note that they require a lot of exercise, consistent training and a clear hierarchy. If you are a first-time Bracken owner, it is advisable to get support from experienced dog owners to meet the dog's needs.

Conclusion

In summary, this breed is a remarkable group of hunting dogs known for their independent hunting ability and reliable tracking. They are able to be used successfully in a variety of tasks, such as sniffing, tracking, lost and found, retrieving and tracking. However, due to their size and hunting nature, they are not suitable for all hunting disciplines, and consistent training and sufficient exercise are crucial when they are kept as family dogs. Working with experienced dog owners can be of great benefit in such cases.

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