Dogs Dog Breeds Terrier Dog Breeds

Jagdterrier: Dog Breed Characteristics and Care

History, Care Tips, and Helpful Information for Pet Owners

By
Adrienne Kruzer
Adrienne Kruzer, RVT, LVT
Adrienne Kruzer
Adrienne Kruzer is a veterinary technician with more than 15 years of experience providing healthcare to domestic and exotic animals. She is trained as a Fear Free Certified Professional to prevent and alleviate fear, anxiety, and stress in pets.
Learn more about The Spruce Pets' Editorial Process
Published on 10/05/23
Jagdterrier lying in the grass.
Jagdterriers are smart and courageous hunters.

Getty Images/DevidDO

In This Article

Pronounced as "Yahk" terrier and also known as the German hunting dog, the jagdterrier is a compact, highly sociable, and trainable terrier. Bred to hunt and flush out rabbits, raccoons, foxes, and other wild animals, this German breed may not be prevalent in the states, but they have a following with those that value their prey drive.

Read more to find out if this breed is right for your lifestyle.

Breed Overview

Group: Terrier (United Kennel Club)

Height: 13-16 inches

Weight: 17-22 lbs

Coat: Wirey and rough or smooth, short

Coat Colors: Black, black and gray, or dark brown

Life Span: 10-12 years

Temperament: Active, alert, brave, vocal

Hypoallergenic: No

Origin Country: Germany

Characteristics of the Jagdterrier

 Affection Level High
 Friendliness Medium
 Kid-Friendly Medium
 Pet-Friendly Medium 
 Exercise Needs Medium 
 Playfulness High
 Energy Level Medium
 Trainability Medium
 Intelligence High
 Tendency to Bark Low
 Amount of Shedding Low

History of the Jagdterrier

Bred from strategic crosses with black and tan fox terriers, Welsh terriers, and Old English wirehaired terriers, the jagdterrier was eventually developed in Germany for hunting. In 1926, the German Hunter Terrier Club was formed and the group focused on specific desirable traits and features that they wanted from this breed. Affectionate kissers, water-loving, social, trainable, and courageous are traits valued in this sturdy breed.

By the 1950s, the breed was brought to the US and the Jagdterrier Club of America was formed. This club unfortunately didn't last long as the interest in the breed didn't grow as the members had hoped. Jagdterriers are still found in the US among avid hunters who appreciate the breed's personality and size.

Jagdterrier Care

Compared to some breeds, jagdterriers may seem lower maintenance, but they still require a good amount of exercise and training along with some routine grooming.

Exercise

Jagdterriers were bred to hunt and chase prey. Their size is designed to go underground into burrows and they are very smart. Because of these qualities, exercise for both their bodies and minds is of the utmost importance. If hunting is not an activity a jagdterrier's owner partakes in, agility, flyball, scent work, and other events that allow the breed to exercise their skills are necessary. This breed is not an ideal fit for a family that isn't active.

Grooming

Wirey or smooth but always short, the fur of a jagdterrier is easy to care for. This breed does not shed much and does not need haircuts but routine ear cleaning, brushing, baths, and nail trims are necessary. Daily teeth brushing should also be done to help prevent dental disease.

Training

Jagdterriers are very affectionate, social, and they love to please their owners. They are very intelligent and are easily trainable, especially if their prey drive is utilized in the training process. Consistent positive reinforcement training will help these dogs be happy, balanced members of your family.

Common Health Problems

Health problems are not common in jagdterriers, especially if you purchase a dog from a reputable breeder, but that doesn't mean they are completely exempt from all issues. Some health issues that may occur in jagdterriers include:

Yearly check-ups with your veterinarian can help keep your terrier healthy and catch any underlying issues before they become a major problem.

Diet and Nutrition

Jagdterriers should eat a high-quality, nutritionally complete diet formulated for dogs by veterinary nutritionists. The major dog food brands will usually meet these criteria, but foods designed for high-activity dogs may be needed to provide appropriate protein and caloric content. If you aren't sure what your jagdterrier should be eating, ask your veterinarian for recommendations and guidance on how much to feed as well.

How to Choose the Right Dog Food

Where to Adopt or Buy a Jagdterrier

Because jagdterriers are not a very popular breed in the United States, they aren't commonly found in rescues or shelters. However, you may be able to find a reputable jagdterrier breeder in the states. The American Kennel Club (AKC) Marketplace is one place to look for breeders, otherwise attending a dog show to find breeders that specialize in this hunting breed is a great way to see the parents of a potential puppy. Be sure to do thorough research on breeders before purchasing a puppy to avoid backyard breeders.

Jagdterrier Overview

Pros

  • Low shedding

  • Doesn't bark much

  • Compact size

Cons

  • Needs a high level of mental stimulation

  • Requires a lot of physical activity

  • Not good for apartments

10 Best Small Dog Breeds for Limited Space

More Dog Breeds and Further Research

If you’re interested in other small hunting breeds, check out:

FAQ
  • What’s the difference between a jagdterrier and a fox terrier?

    Fox terriers are a British breed that can have either smooth or wire hair and can have a primarily white coat with black and tan markings. Jagdterriers are a German breed that are black, tan, dark brown, or grayish-black and may occasionally have small white markings on their chest and toes.

  • Are jagdterriers good family dogs?

    Jagdterriers are good hunting dogs and are very prey driven. As long as they are allowed to do what they were bred to do and exercise their instincts, they can be good family dogs, too.

  • Are jagdterriers good apartment dogs?

    Jagdterriers are very playful and smart so they will get bored and act out if they don't have enough space to explore and exercise their minds. However, if you are committed to giving your dog enough exercise and mental stimulation, they could be happy in an apartment.

The Spruce Pets uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Harvey, Colin, Laurie Serfilippi, and Donald Barnvos. “Effect of Frequency of Brushing Teeth on Plaque and Calculus Accumulation, and Gingivitis in Dogs.” Journal of Veterinary Dentistry 32, no. 1 (March 2015): 16–21. https://doi.org/10.1177/089875641503200102.

  2. Gould, David, Louise Pettitt, Bryan McLaughlin, Nigel Holmes, Oliver Forman, Anne Thomas, Saija Ahonen, et al. “ADAMTS17 Mutation Associated with Primary Lens Luxation Is Widespread among Breeds: ADAMTS17 Mutation Is Widespread among PLL Breeds.” Veterinary Ophthalmology 14, no. 6 (November 2011): 378–84. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1463-5224.2011.00892.x.

  3. Butković, V., et al. "Dental diseases in dogs: a retrospective study of radiological data." Acta Veterinaria Brno 70.2 (2001): 203-208.