Prepare for unexpected vet bills
German Hounds are adorable doggos that originate from Westphalia in Germany. These lovely puppers are categorized as scent hounds, which means that they rely on their sense of smell to hunt large and small game, which is what they were originally bred for. Most of the time they are referred to as Deutsche Bracke but are also known as Olper Bracke, and Westphalian Bracke. Since they are hunting dogs, they do need quite a bit of exercise daily, and they also love being around their humans, showered with love and care.
Your German Hound is a scent hound type, which means that they are really good at scent trail games and generally use their sense of smell to hunt and track animals. You can utilize this talent of theirs and play various games that use their sensitive nose to their advantage. One of them is a classic scent trail game, super easy to play, and loads of fun for you and your dog. Start by playing indoors and when you see that your pup is getting better and figuring out what they are supposed to do, get out into a bigger field for additional challenges.
Your lovely scent hound just loves to hunt, so why not make their dinner time more interesting than usual? Normally, when you call your dog for dinner they know exactly where their bowl will be, and most of the time what they will get for their meal. However, that can get a bit boring; even you sometimes like to go out for a meal or eat in the living room instead of the dining table. So, mix it up and spice up the dinner time! Instead of their usual dining spot, try to move their bowl to another room!
As a German Hound owner, you already know that this dog does require a lot of physical exercise and mental stimulation to stay healthy and sane and to prevent them from ransacking your house because they are bored. If you are not a huge runner and not a fan of jogging, whether because you just find it horrible or are unable due to health reasons, but you still want to give your dog the exercise they need, you can try with the good old bicycle! Get on a bike, strap a bike lead on it, and go for an energetic ride and run session with your doggo!
Since your pup needs at least 80 minutes of exercise per day, incorporate a workout session in your days. Take them on a power hike or a jog at least three times a week!
One more activity that will satisfy your pup’s need for exercise is swimming! It is easy on the joints, super fun, and exercises the muscles perfectly!
German Hounds or Deutsche Bracke are energetic and smart scent hounds that deserve all the love in the world. With all these activities, make sure to include a lot of praise to reward good behavior, include your doggo in your daily exercise sessions, and just let them be a happy and joyful doggo that they are! You will see that they are a perfect companion for an active person, and a friend you will have for a lifetime!