The Bavarian requires regular brushing. His coat is dense, close fitting and harsh, with little gloss, and is finer on the head and ears, and harsher and longer on the belly, legs and tail.
The breed’s strong, fast-growing nails should be trimmed regularly with a nail clipper or grinder to avoid overgrowth, splitting and cracking. Their ears should be checked regularly to avoid a buildup of wax and debris, which can result in infection. Teeth should be brushed regularly.
As a working breed, the Bavarian Mountain Hound has very high needs for exercise. This breed requires a long daily walk and will also appreciate having some outdoor space in which to run. If this breed doesn’t get enough daily exercise he is prone to boredom and may develop destructive behavior. The Bavarian Mountain Hound is happiest when he has a job to do.
As a hunting dog, the Bavarian Mountain Hound should be fed a high-quality dry food formulated for active or working breeds. Make sure that your dog’s diet is rich in animal protein with moderate to high-fat content depending on his activity level.
The Bavarian Mountain Hound is a healthy breed in general but, like all dogs, is prone to certain health problems. Their drop ears predispose them to ear infections and they are at risk for sustaining injuries in the field.
This breed may also be affected by musculoskeletal issues like hip and elbow dysplasia as well as eye problems like progressive retinal atrophy and entropion.
Bavarians are social, intelligent dogs, and, much like other breeds, if not kept mentally stimulated they will become bored, unhappy and destructive. Continued proper training, conditioning and patience are required. During training, they do best with positive reinforcement, never punishment.
