JagdterrierCharacteristics, history, training and care

The FCI standard says that after the First World War a group of active hunters broke away from the powerful Fox Terrier Club, aiming to create a breed intended exclusively for hunting. Rudolf Frieß, Walter Zangenberg and Carl-Erich Grünewald wanted a black and tan dog suited to hunting underground.

The zoo director Lutz Heck gave Zangenberg four black and tan terriers that were said to come from pure Fox Terrier lines. These became the foundation of the breed. Through crosses with the Old English Wirehaired Terrier and the Welsh Terrier, they fixed the breed's appearance and bred a versatile, easy-to-train, tough dog that gives tongue on the trail and loves water.

How the breed developed

• After 1918 – The hunters break away from the Fox Terrier Club.
• The breed's beginnings – The zoo director Lutz Heck gives four black and tan terriers, the foundation of the breed.
• Years of breeding – Crosses with the Old English Wirehaired Terrier and the Welsh Terrier.
• 2 December 1954 – The FCI recognises the breed.
• 19 March 2015 – The current FCI standard is published.

Indicative rating: 5 stars means the highest level. It is based on the ratings the American Kennel Club gives the breed and on the FCI standard.

The AKC says it is especially suited to hunting underground and to flushing game, and that it is relatively small, compact and well proportioned.

General appearance

The head is long and slightly wedge-shaped, with a flat skull. The dense coat may be rough or smooth and hard. The mask may be light or dark.

The colour is black, dark brown or greyish black, with clearly defined yellowish-red markings on the eyebrows, muzzle, chest, legs and at the root of the tail. Small white patches on the chest and toes are tolerated.

The standard describes it as brave and tough, with a love of work, hardy, full of vitality and temperament, reliable, sociable and easy to train, neither shy nor aggressive.

As it was bred only for hunting, it has a very strong instinct. It suits hunters above all and needs a firm, consistent owner.

Tips for effective training

• Give it work to do. It was bred only for hunting.
• Be careful with small animals. It has a very strong instinct.
• Be firm and consistent. It is tough and full of temperament.
• Let it swim. The standard says it loves water.

The AKC recommends play in a fenced yard, walks several times a day and activities such as swimming, hiking or fetching. Search games make use of its instinct.

Tips for a balanced life

• It is best suited to hunters.
• The fence must be solid and sunk into the ground.
• Do not leave it unsupervised with small animals.

Coat and skin care

The AKC says it needs brushing once a week and a bath from time to time. The nails grow quickly and should be trimmed regularly, and the ears should be checked for wax and dirt.

Common health problems

The AKC says most Jagdterriers are healthy. There are no known breed-specific diseases. It is worth watching for:

Other care

• Check it for wounds after hunting.
• Trim the nails regularly.
• Check the ears weekly.

The AKC says some dogs gain weight easily, so calories and weight should be watched.

Tips for a healthy diet

The table gives a starting estimate, calculated with the formula from the Merck Veterinary Manual. The first two calorie columns show the calories per day for a healthy adult dog. The last column shows what this means in dry food with 3,500–4,000 kcal per kilogram.

• Give it its food in two meals a day.
• Training treats count towards the daily portion.
• A dog is at the right weight when you can feel its ribs without pressing hard.

Foods to avoid

Some human foods are dangerous for dogs: chocolate, coffee, grapes and raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol (a sweetener used in chewing gum), macadamia nuts and alcohol.

Physical and emotional maturity

In dogs, sexual maturity usually comes between 6 and 12 months. Small breeds become adults faster than large ones, usually at around one year.

Mating and pregnancy

Pregnancy lasts about 63 days, counted from ovulation. Mating a female on her first heat is not recommended. The FCI standard requires that only healthy dogs of typical breed appearance are used for breeding.

Caring for the puppies

In small breeds, a litter has 3–4 puppies on average. The puppies are very small and fragile in the first weeks, so they must be kept warm and handled with care. Socialisation starts early: gentle handling, everyday noises and new people.

• Created only for hunting. This was the breeders' only goal.
• Dogs from the zoo. The first four dogs came from a zoo director.
• It loves water. The breeders wanted a dog that enjoyed water.
• It gives tongue on the trail. It signals game by barking.
• It hunts underground. It is especially suited to earths.

What does “Jagdterrier” mean?

It means “hunting terrier” in German.

How big does it get?

It measures 33–40 cm; males weigh 9–10 kg and females 7.5–8.5 kg.

Is it a family dog?

It is first and foremost a hunting dog, suited to hunters.

How long does it live?

The AKC gives 10–12 years.