Rache
The Rache is a rare dog breed with unknown origins. Individual Raches vary, so treat this as a general guide rather than a guarantee.
Breed at a glance
About the Rache
The Rache is a rare dog breed with unknown origins. Characteristics and history of the Rache are not well-documented.
Overview
Rache / ˈ r æ tʃ / , also spelled racch , rach , and ratch , from Old English ræcc , linked to Old Norse rakkí , is an obsolete name for a type of hunting dog used in Great Britain in the Middle Ages . It was a scenthound used in a pack to run down and kill game, or bring it to bay. The word appears before the Norman Conquest . It was sometimes confused with ''brache'', (also ''bratchet'') which is a French derived word for a female scenthound. In medieval hunting in England and Northern Europe, pursuit of the hart or wild boar involved using a '' limer '' or ''lyam hound'' (a hound handled on a leash or ''lyam'') to trace the animal from its footprints or droppings to where it was browsing or lying up. This became known as ''harbouring'' the animal. When this had been done, the huntsman reported back to his lord, who then brought the pack of raches to chase it down on its hot scent when it had been unharboured, ''rowsed'' or ''upreared''. Sometimes, pairs of raches were held at strategic points along where the quarry was expected to run, to be uncoupled when the huntsman blew the signal, or when the quarry was seen to come close. The Bloodhound was typically used as a limer, and the raches were normally smaller hounds. A lord''s pack would include one or two limers to about 20 or more raches. A king or lord would want to hunt a great stag, a ''hart of ten'', or ''warrantable'' stag, or a powerful boar, partly for the extra fat it carried when in prime condition in the hunting season, but mostly for the prestige. In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight , Bloodhounds announce the presence of a great boar hiding in a thicket, which then rushes out and plays havoc among the raches of the knight''s pack. Not all game was hunted using the limer. Dame Juliana Berners , writing in The Book of Saint Albans (1486) writes (translation): ''My dear sons, I will now teach each one of you how many kinds of beasts must be upreared with the limer in wood or in fields - both the hart and the buck and the boar so wild. All other animals which are hunted must be sought and found with free-running raches ( "ratches so fre" ).'' Other writers might include the hare, bear, or wolf among animals to be harboured with the limer, but clearly raches could be hunted simply as a pack, as in modern hunting, if chasing ''lesser'' game. After c. 1530 the term ''rache'' was hardly used in England, ''running hound'' (tr. of chien courant ), or mostly just ''hound'', being preferred, but the term was still used for a while in Scotland , where the Bloodhound was called the sleuth hound . Hector Boece (1536) describes the rache in Scotland as a versatile scenthound, able to find flesh, fowl, or even fish among the rocks, by smelling. His translator, Bellenden, says that it is not a large as the sleuth hound. The picture below, though it did not appear in Boece''s original, was first published to illustrate his account when it was summarised in Conrad Gessner
Frequently asked questions
What are the key characteristics of the Rache?
The Rache is an extinct type of hunting dog, a scenthound used in packs to hunt game. Its characteristics are not well-documented, but it is likely to have shared traits with other medieval scenthounds, such as a strong prey drive, endurance, and a keen sense of smell. Physical characteristics are also unknown, but it may have resembled other medieval hunting dogs.
Is the Rache a good family dog?
Since the Rache is an extinct breed, it is not possible to determine its suitability as a family dog. However, as a scenthound, it may have been energetic and required a lot of exercise and attention. If you are considering a similar breed, look for a dog with a calm and gentle temperament that is suitable for family life.
What health problems do Raches have?
As the Rache is an extinct breed, there is no information available on specific health problems it may have had. However, scenthounds are generally prone to certain health issues, such as hip dysplasia, eye problems, and allergies. Regular veterinary care and genetic testing can help identify potential health issues in modern breeds.
How much does a Rache puppy cost?
Unfortunately, it is not possible to purchase a Rache puppy as the breed is extinct. If you are interested in a similar breed, the cost of a puppy can vary greatly depending on factors such as bloodlines, breeder reputation, and location. Research the specific breed you are interested in to get an idea of the typical cost.
Related breeds
Breed information on this page is based on the Wikipedia article on the Rache, supplemented with additional research. Reviewed for accuracy.