Bruno Jura Hound: Characteristics, Appearance, Price and Pictures

The Bruno Jura Hound is a scent hound first bred in the Jura Mountains on the Swiss-French border. These charming dogs are excellent hunters, pursuing their prey right to the end. But they also make great companion pooches for active families and singles. 

These intelligent, boisterous, and dedicated dogs have a thick and protective coat that keeps them warm whilst on a hunt but that also requires minimal grooming. This breed is more common in their area but is not yet accepted by the American Kennel Club, meaning they’re pretty rare over here.

Although it might be more difficult to get your paws on one of these dogs in America, we still think they’re worth learning about. If you do manage it, you’ll be getting an excellent and adorable companion that will follow you out into the wild every time.

The History and Origin of the Bruno Jura Hound 

These dogs were originally bred in Switzerland in the Middle Ages to hunt small prey such as hares, rabbits, foxes, and baby deer. As you can tell by their acute noses and large floppy ears, these cute pups are closely related to the Bloodhound, the Hubert Jura Hound, and the St Hubert Hound.

These dogs were slowly bred to adapt to the rough terrain and temperature of the Jura mountains and they’re surprisingly agile and quick. 

Throughout the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries they became increasingly popular as word spread of what exceptional hare hunters they are. They were loved not only for their hunting capabilities but because of their affectionate and loyal personalities too.

Personality and Character of the Bruno Jura Hound

When it comes to the Bruno Jura Hound temperament, many people are often surprised. These dogs are very sweet-natured and incredibly mellow – not really something you’d expect from a fierce hare hunter. 

As is the case with many hunting dogs, Bruno Jura Hounds are very loyal and tend to bond more with one member of the family (probably the hunter or the one who takes them out for walks). By nature, they’re not aggressive dogs at all but they can be protective of those they love. If they perceive a fear, they certainly won’t hesitate to jump into action to make their presence known.

These pups are very energetic and active and it’s essential they get enough mental and physical stimulation. They love to explore new places and have the freedom to run and roam. If they don’t get all the stimulation they need, they may develop behavioral problems.

Can the Bruno Jura Hound Live in an Apartment?

This medium-sized breed is not suitable for apartment living. Like other Swiss hounds, they need a secure yard to play in and a lot of daily exercise. They're an active breed and small apartments don’t give them the space they need to burn up energy. 

Can the Bruno Jura Hound Live with Children?

The Bruno Jura Hound breed is an excellent choice for families with children. They have a really gentle temperament and nothing really fazes them, meaning they’re happy to put up with lots of cuddles and playtime with kids.

They’re also very active dogs and having a child to play with can be a great way of keeping them entertained. They’re loyal and will always keep a protective eye out for the younger ones in the family.

Although a companion dog, this hunting breed needs to be well-socialized before they are allowed to play with kids. When they are, they’ll be great playmates and best friends.

As with all dogs, it’s really important to teach kids how to safely play with animals. Even the gentle Bruno Jura Hound has its limits and his space really needs to be respected. 

Are They Aggressive Dogs?

No! Although incredible hunters, and I’m sure hares and foxes find them aggressive, Bruno Jura Hounds are not naturally aggressive dogs towards humans or other pups. In fact, they’re quite the opposite. They’re gentle, sweet, affectionate, and very mellow dogs that love to accompany their family wherever they go.

However, this Swiss hound is very active and if they don’t get enough exercise per day they may start to develop more aggressive tendencies. They need one (and preferably two) long walks a day to keep them happy and satisfied.

Do They Get Along Well With Other Animals?

Bruno Jura Hounds tend to get along really well with other dogs in the home. As hunting pups, they’re used to working as a group and like other canine company. A well-trained and well-socialized dog is also likely to get on with cats. 

Given their hare and rabbit-hunting roots, it’s best not to get one of these dogs if you have small, floppy-eared animals at home. Even well-trained dogs can succumb to their strong prey drives.

Appearance of the Bruno Jura Hound

Just one look at these dogs tells you that they’re scent hounds. They’re longer than they are tall, have pronounced noses, very long and floppy ears, and classic scent-hound coloring. Their bodies are muscular and built for endurance.

Size and Weight

These dogs usually grow to be 17 to 23 inches and weigh 33 to 43 pounds. Unlike some other dog breeds, there’s not much difference in size between male and female pups.

How Long Does It Take for a Bruno Jura Hound to Reach Adult Size?

On average, Bruno Jura Hounds take around 12 months to reach their full size and weight. Smaller dogs may take less time.

Colors

These pups can be black, brown, or fawn and it’s likely they’ll have a two-tone coat (black fading into brown, two brown, or brown and fawn). They don’t have white markings but may have black ones.

Coat

Bruno Jura Hounds have short, dense, and relatively easy-to-care-for coats that don’t need much grooming.  They’re average shedders and only need to be brushed every week.

Morphology

This breed has a strong and muscular body that can withstand holding prey and quickly running over difficult landscapes. They have a well-defined muzzle that’s neither pointed nor square and a nasal bridge that’s slightly rounded. Bruno Jura hounds should have a wide and deep chest and a straight back.

Just like many other scent hounds, these pups have very large ears which should never be attached to the head at their widest part. They should be long enough to reach at least the tip of the pup’s nose. They should also be round at the tips.

Eyes

Bruno Jura Hounds usually have black, brown, or amber eyes depending on the color of their coat. They should be medium-sized and oval in shape.

Head

They have a pronounced and slightly rounded head that, according to the FCI, should never have a frontal furrow or wrinkles.

Tail

These dogs have a medium-length tail that’s thin and has a slight upward curve at the tip.

Grooming and Hygiene of the Bruno Jura Hound

In terms of coat care, these doggos are quite easy to care for. They don’t shed much and have short coats that only need to be brushed once a week. They don’t have much doggy smell and only need to be bathed once a month or if they’ve been on a particularly muddy hunt.

Because these dogs have very long ears, it’s important you clean them regularly and remove any wax. It’s also essential to make sure their ears are dry so that they don’t get infected.

How to Brush a Bruno Jura Hound?

These dogs are easy to brush thanks to their short coats. A quick brush will be enough to remove dried mud, dead skin cells, and hair and also distribute oils that help them to grow healthy coats.

Introduce your dog to a grooming routine as a puppy. That will help them to get accustomed to brushing and (hopefully) make them enjoy it more. It’s a great way for you to bond with your pup.

What Brush for a Bruno Jura Hound?

A bristle brush is a good option for a dog with a short, dense coat. Consider nylon or rubber bristles as these are usually gentler on your pup's skin.

How Do You Wash a Bruno Jura Hound?

Bruno Jura Hounds are medium and strong dogs, so it’s probably a good idea to wash them outdoors. 

Make sure you buy a shampoo that’s suitable for short coats. Apply warm water to your dog’s coat and use a small amount of shampoo. Lather the shampoo all over your pooch’s body, making sure you avoid their eyes and ears. And don’t forget their underbelly!

Rinse well and apply conditioner if using. Once rinsed, use a hair dryer or specific dog coat dryer to thoroughly dry your pup’s coat. This helps to stop their skin from getting infected.

Use a damp cloth to gently clean your dog’s ears and, again, make sure they’re completely dry to stop infection.

Is It a Hypoallergenic Dog?

The Bruno Jura Hound doesn’t shed a lot but they’re not considered a hypoallergenic breed. In fact, no dog is 100% hypoallergenic because it’s dander rather than hairs that really cause the allergy.

There are, however, more hypoallergenic dog breeds that are better for allergy sufferers.

Bruno Jura Hound Training and Education

These hounds are very intelligent dogs and respond well to training. A Bruno Jura hound that hasn’t been well trained is likely to become over-excitable and badly behaved.

These dogs were specifically bred to be hunters, so they won’t need a great deal of hunt training. In fact, even if you’re not a hunter, these dogs will do well in dog sports and classes. It’s a great way for them to socialize, learn new skills, and use up their energy.

Socialization and training should happen from puppyhood. It’s really important that a Bruno Jura Hound puppy is exposed to new things.

What Is the Price of a Bruno Jura Hound?

These dogs are not a very common breed in the US, so you should expect to pay around $500 – $900. The exact price will depend on demand in your town, the dog’s health, and the parent pups.

On top of that, you can expect to pay between $600 – $1400 in vet bills.

Bruno Jura Hound Feeding

These dogs need to eat good-quality pup food that’s full of nutrients. They’re a very active breed so need to be consuming enough calories per day to maintain their muscles and body shape. However, these dogs can easily put on weight, which means they shouldn’t be eating too much food or too many treats.

Their food requirements will be different between puppyhood and when they’re a senior dog, so make sure you’re feeding them appropriately. Consult with a canine nutritionist or a vet if you’re unsure.

Bruno Jura Hound Health

Bruno Jura Hounds are usually very healthy and robust dogs that don’t have many known hereditary diseases. Even so, they can still suffer from health problems common in large hounds.

Common Diseases/Health Problems

• Bloat. This can often be fatal so it’s essential you familiarize yourself with the common signs. 
• Field injuries (including fractures, sprains, and bites)
• Ear Infections
• Obesity

What Is the Life Expectancy of the Bruno Jura Hound?

With adequate exercise, care, trips to the vet, and good quality dog food, these pups should have a life expectancy of 11 to 13 years. Genetics will also play a part, which is why it’s so important to get your dog from a responsible breeder. 

What Is the Best Climate for a Bruno Jura Hound?

Bruno Jura Hounds are versatile dogs that can adapt to most climates. They were first bred in the Swiss mountains which can be snow-covered in winter and very warm in summer. In the summer months, it’s important to make sure your pup has enough shade and water to be healthy and comfortable. 

Breeds Similar to Bruno Jura Hound

These dogs have a particular look and personality, but there are a couple of other pooches that are very similar to them. 

• Bloodhound. The Bloodhound is a bigger scent hound than the Bruno Jura Hound and arguably has the best nose in the canine kingdom.
• Basset Hound. These iconic dogs have long bodies and little legs. They’re not as active as other hounds but they’re great hunters too.
• Bracco Italiano. These Italian hounds are similar to the Bruno Jura but, unlike the Bruno Jura, they can be white, orange, and chestnut.
• Coonhound. These pups are a little more athletically built than the Bruno Jura Hound and their ears are a little shorter – but they certainly have the hound look!

Conclusion

The Bruno Jura Hound is a wonderful dog that has not yet been accepted by the AKC. It is, however, recognized by the FCI. They’re active and excellent scent hounds that will love being in a family that enjoys going out exploring. They get on well with kids and other dogs but need to be trained well so their energy levels don’t get the better of them.

Not convinced that the Bruno Jura Hound is the one for you? Why not take our fun quiz to find the perfect pup?