Short-Legged Hounds

Hounds with short legs aren’t just adorable, but they have many advantages over their long-legged counterparts. While each specific breed is different typically shorter dogs can get into areas where bigger canines can’t and they’re also slower, which allows them to be easily followed by hunters on foot. That being said, here are some of the most popular short-legged hounds, and what you’ll want to know about each of them

Dachshund

The Dachshund is one of the most iconic dogs with short legs. In fact, they are often called “weiner dogs” for their hotdog-like appearance. These dogs were traditionally used to track and flush out badgers and other tunneling animals. Their little legs and long bodies are the perfect size and shape for pursuing these animals underground!

The breed’s curved tail is actually used as a handle to help pull the dog out of a burrow it gets stuck when doing so. Its tail also serves as a way for hunters to keep track of these short hounds when they are in tall grass and their bodies cannot be easily seen. The Dachshund has an excellent nose and is just as capable of hunting above ground as under it.

It is sometimes used to track wounded game such as deer and in large packs can be used to hunt wild boar. Today, however, Dachshunds are most often employed as a companion.

Drever

In the early 1900s, a variety of small hounds known as Westphalian Dachsbrackes were brought to Sweden from Germany. These were mixed with several other hound dog breeds to create the slightly larger Swedish breed we know today as the Drever. In Swedish drev means to drive, and that’s exactly what this short-legged hound dog was created to do, track and drive game towards hunters.

More specifically its function is as a slow-driving dog for hunting deer, fox, hare, and other game animals. And its legs help to limit its speed. The slow driving style of the Drever is important when hunting game such as Roe deer (a popular game species in Sweden) in particular as they are very skittish and slowly pushing them forwards helps to prevent them from being spooked and bolting.

The Drever’s stamina along with its short legs yet medium-sized body make it perfectly suited for hunting in Sweden’s rough terrain and snowy conditions. This is a very popular hunting dog and companion breed not just in its home country of Sweden but in the surrounding Scandinavian countries as well. However keep in mind that it is known for being quite vocal, so may not be the best choice if you’re seeking a quiet dog.

Alpine Dachsbracke

The Alpine Dachsbracke is a determined, short-legged hound dog that is famous for being able to follow a trail long after it’s gone cold. It is highly skilled at tracking and locating wounded game, especially wounded deer but also hare, fox, and boar. The Alpine Dachsbracke is well-muscled and visibly sturdy.

The dog’s short legs are believed to be the result of breeders crossing larger Austrian hounds with Dachshunds. This created a short hound breed that could track in rough terrain and thick brush where hounds with longer legs couldn’t. They also have a thick and dense coat that is perfect for keeping out the cold in their native Alpine regions even at very high altitudes.

The Alpine Dachsbracke makes a wonderful family dog and is highly affectionate towards children and other dogs. However because of its hunting background, this Austrian breed naturally has a very high prey drive, so it should not be kept in a home with rabbits, mice, or other small non-canine pets.

Westphalian Dachsbracke

This Westphalian Dachsbracke is considered to be a smaller, more compact, and more powerful version of the German Hound (Deutsche Bracke). Whether its original creation was due to a natural mutation of the German Hound or accomplished with crossbreeding of Dachshunds is unknown. However, this short hound breed was developed to hunt in low undergrowth, caves, and underground burrows.

It’s also ideal for smaller hunting areas and slower-paced hunts on foot The Westphalian Dachsbracke is often used to hunt fox, rabbit, hare, badger, and deer. This short-legged hound can both drive game towards awaiting hunters but also be used to find wounded game as well. While it may be small in size it is well-known for having a big personality. The breed is not related to the Alpine Dachsbracke

Donar15/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 4.0

Basset Hound

The Basset Hound is easily one of the most recognizable and well-known hounds with short legs. Their short legs, caused by genetic dwarfism, were viewed as favorable by breeders, who then selectively used that dwarfism to become a hallmark of the breed.

This ensured that pursuing hunters could keep up with the Basset Hound on foot while it followed the scent trail of small game and most often the hare. While they were bred to move at a slower pace than longer-legged hounds, at the same time they also do have great endurance and can travel steadily over all sorts of terrain.

Having short legs has the added advantages of both allowing this English hound dog to keep its nose close to the ground when tracking and letting it easily move through dense cover. The Basset’s long droopy ears actually help the dog when on the hunt as well, by trapping scent.

Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen

This is a compact and shaggy French breed. It was specifically developed to hunt rabbits, hare, birds, and other small game animals in the Vendée region of western France which has rocky terrain along with thick and thorny undergrowth. The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen would find and then flush the game into the open so the hunters could get a shot.

These short-legged hound dogs are directly related to the Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen and were in the past actually born in the same litters. However, since they were recognized as separate breeds the two have been forbidden to be bred together.

The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen has a confident and extroverted personality and is famous for being an incredibly happy canine with a distinctively loud bark that can carry long distances.

Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen

Considered to be the fastest of all the basset breeds, the Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen is the larger version of the Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen. This medium-sized dog is strongly built. It was created to have the ideal proportions and size for hunting not only small game but animals of all sizes.

This working canine typically hunts in packs and is still a popular choice for hunters in France today. Full of courage and tenacity, the Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen like many other hunting breeds can also be stubborn.

Basset Artésien Normand

At first glance, the Basset Artésien Normand (Norman Artesian Basset) may look a lot like a Basset Hound, however, this short-legged hound dog from France is lighter boned, and has a less wrinkly face. This breed is vivacious and determined when in the field. It used on its own or in packs to hunt rabbits and other small game, and in addition, is fully capable of being used for larger animals as well.

In the home, it is incredibly gentle and affectionate, particularly towards children. Like many hounds, this breed may be tempted to wander and follow a scent trail, so it’s good to keep your Basset Artésien Normand on a leash at all times or in a yard that is securely fenced-in.

Basset Bleu de Gascogne

Of all the short hounds, the Basset Bleu de Gascogne also known as the Blue Gascony Basset is one of the rarest. This is a French breed that is incredibly difficult to find outside its native country. Still, its stunning tricolor and flecked coat are a sight to behold.

This attractive canine originated in the middle ages and is a direct descendant of the Grand Bleu de Gascogne, a large French scenthound. Like other bassets, the Basset Bleu de Gascogne is a superb rabbit and hare hunter. This breed is known for being quiet and calm at home. When it does bark, however, you’ll find that its melodic howl is actually quite beautiful.

 Basset Fauve de Bretagne

The Basset Fauve de Bretagne or Fawn Colored Brittany Basset has a solid fawn-colored, shaggy coat. These small and stocky short-legged hounds are not only fast for their size but are also agile with great amounts of energy. The breed comes from the Brittany region of France and was developed using the now extinct Grande Fauve de Bretagnes (Fawn Hound of Brittany).

Originally used to hunt game of all sizes, these brave and loyal dogs also make excellent family pets that love to play with children and cuddle up on the couch. However, they have a mischievous and disobedient side, so proper training for puppies is a must, to prevent them from becoming too headstrong in adulthood.

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