Its second name describes a face: a tan spot above each eye makes the Austrian Black and Tan Hound (Brandlbracke, Vieräugl) appear to have four eyes. The FCI standard makes these Vieräugl markings compulsory. Without them, the dog is disqualified, however well built otherwise.
| FCI | Group 6 (Scent hounds and related breeds), Section 1.2 Medium-sized scent hounds, Standard No. 63, with working trial (scent-trailing and blood-tracking tests) |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Austria |
| Size (height at the withers) | Males 50 to 56 cm, females 48 to 54 cm |
| Weight | not specified in the FCI standard |
| Life expectancy | no reliable study figure found (N/A) |
| Coat | smooth, close-fitting, dense, full and elastic with a silky sheen, around 2 cm long |
| Colours in the standard | black with limited, sharply defined light- to dark-brown tan markings; the two tan spots above the eyes (Vieräugl) are compulsory; any other colouring disqualifies |
Descendant of the Celtic hound
The standard regards it as a true descendant of the Celtic hound, while openly acknowledging no verified origins before the mid-19th century. The reason is simple: breeding was not regulated earlier. The FCI definitively recognised the breed on 3 September 1954. The same country produced the Tyrolean Hound (Tiroler Bracke) with its double coat and the Styrian Coarse-haired Hound (Steirische Rauhhaarbracke).
Vocal on the hare trail
The dog should have a fine nose, give voice particularly on hare trails, follow willingly and reliably, and have a pleasant temperament. Giving voice on a trail means the hunter can hear where the pursuit is taking place. Shyness is a fault; aggressive or excessively fearful dogs are disqualified. The aim is a calm mind with great stamina on the trail.
Built for steep slopes
The standard names demanding work in high mountains as well as lowlands, both as a scent-trailing and blood-tracking hound. Its body fits: strong, elongated and elastic, with a broad, deep chest, round, arched feet, strong black nails and large pads. Movement should be ground-covering and elegant. The working trial is compulsory, so breeding focuses on performance in hunting grounds.
Without hunting grounds, it needs another task
Long walks alone do not fulfil this dog. Blood trails, mantrailing or woodland search games give the nose work. Practise recall early and with distractions, because a fresh hare trail is stronger than any treat. Until recall is secure, a long line is your best friend. Also expect the dog to use its voice as soon as it catches a scent.
Short hair, limited evidence
The smooth coat, around two centimetres long, needs little work: use a rubber grooming mitt once a week and check ears and paws for ticks and grass awns after outings. Health figures are lacking. McMillan and colleagues do not list the breed, and Europe PMC features it only as individual dogs in studies of entirely different questions. No frequency can be inferred from that. The standard requires only functionally and clinically healthy dogs to be used for breeding. Ask the breeder exactly which examinations the parents have had.
Hunting dog first, family dog second
The best home is with hunters practising scent-trailing hunts or tracking wounded game, or very active people offering sustained tracking work. Little time, no access to woods and fields, or an expectation of off-lead freedom everywhere make things difficult. This dog belongs where someone wants to see a trail followed to its end.
Our breed quiz checks in a few minutes whether a vocal scent hound fits your life; our book goes into more depth: “Welcher Hund passt WIRKLICH zu dir?” (book in German). For the first weeks with a puppy, there is the free Puppy Starter Pack. Those Vieräugl markings look lovely as a dog portrait poster in a wooden frame , with more ideas in our dog portraits from your own photo.
Further reading
- Beagle: a nose with a dog attached, and what that means day to day
- Dog pulling on the lead: 5 mistakes almost everyone makes
- The first 30 days with a puppy: a plan for weeks 1 to 4
Sources, accessed on 20.10.2026: FCI-Standard Nr. 63 Brandlbracke (Vieräugl) (fci.be, German version dated 18.06.1996, original language German, valid original standard published 10.10.1995; English version dated 18.06.1996) and FCI breed page No. 63; McMillan KM et al., Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death, Scientific Reports 2024 (breed not included); Europe PMC literature search without reliable breed data.
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