Jagdterrier

Terrier

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Height: 33 - 40cm M | 330 - 40cm F

Weight: 9 - 10kg M | 9 - 10kg F

Life Expectancy: 12 - 15 Years

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Introduction

The Jagdterrier was developed in the 1920s in Germany as a tenacious hunting dog. Weighing 17 to 22 pounds and standing 33 to 40 centimetres, it is a small, compact and sturdy breed. Like a full-fledge Terrier, it is alert, courageous and bold. It has not been recognised by The Kennel Club and remains a rare breed outside Germany until this day.

Has the unique appearance of the Jagdterrier caught your attention? Here is a brief background of this energetic and friendly dog.

History

The Jagdterrier is relatively a new breed developed in the 1920s in Germany. It was bred by a small group of game managers and hunters who left the Fox Terrier Club with the intention of breeding a tenacious hunting dog. Its ancestor breeds are believed to be Old English Fox Terrier, the Black and Tan Hunting Terrier, the Fox Terrier, the English Wirehaired Terrier, and the Welsh Terrier.

The small-statured Jagdterrier turned into a fierce hunter that bravely took on small animals like badgers and foxes, as well as large prey like wild boars, bobcats and cougars. It slowly became popular outside Germany as an excellent working dog and companion. However, its number remains to be low. Although the Jagdterrier is recognised by various major international organisations like the American Kennel Club and United Kennel Club, it is not registered with The Kennel Club.

Appearance and Grooming

The Jagdterrier is small breed that is sturdy and compact. Weighing 17 to 22 pounds and standing 33 to 40 centimetres, it boasts of an athletic and alert appearance while at work, at the same time a regal look when at rest. It has a long wedge-shaped head, prominent cheeks, short muzzles, and a strong jaw with a perfect scissor bite. It has black or brown eyes that give off a vigilant and fiery expression, a black nose (brown is acceptable for brown coats), and V-shaped ears.

Jagdterriers can have a harsh or smooth coat, or even have a texture in between the two. Their coats are thick and dense, protecting them from harsh weather conditions and rough terrains. They come in the following colours: black and brown, black and grey, and dark brown. These colours usually have red, yellow or lighter markings on the eyebrows, chest, legs, and back-ends.

This breed has low grooming needs because its coat is water and dirt repellent, which means bathing is a rare occurrence. Weekly brushing is necessary to remove dead hair and avoid matting, which should be more frequent during the spring and autumn when they shed more. Its teeth should also be brushed twice a week, ears cleaned when necessary since wax build-up causes infections, and nails trimmed when there is a clicking sound while walking.

Temperament and Intelligence

It is worth mentioning that Jagdterriers are true-blue terriers, therefore, they are bold and courageous. People also need to know that although they can be great companions and family pets because they are warm and friendly, they are not as placid as other breeds. This fact makes them more suitable for experienced dog owners who know how to handle active and independent breeds. They are determined dogs with above-average hunting abilities. Once they set themselves to do something, they won’t stop until their goals are achieved. These characteristics may be carried over to their home environment, which can be challenging for new owners.

If you live a laidback and sedentary life in a city apartment, this breed may not be for you. Jagdterriers are suited for active and outdoorsy families and would thrive in rural environments. They love being around people, including kids. In fact, they are calm and patient toward children but because they are extremely active, they may be too much for toddlers. They are better for families with older children while keeping in mind that all interactions must be supervised so playtime aren’t too rowdy. Surprisingly with its high prey drive, it can get along with other dogs especially when raised together. However, cats and other smaller animals can prove challenging for them to resist them so it is wise to avoid them altogether.

Nutrition and Feeding

A typical serving for an adult Jagdterrier is 1/2 to 1 cup of excellent quality dry dog food per day. The amount of food and frequency of feeding will depend on your pet’s size, age, build, activity level, and metabolism. Understanding basic nutritional needs of breeds is helpful but all dogs are unique. Talk to your veterinarian and ask for advice to ensure you are feeding your Jagdterrier appropriately.

Typical calorie needs of adult Jagdterriers per day:

Senior and less active: up to 590 calories daily
Typical adults: up to 660 calories daily
Physically active/working dogs: up to 730 calories daily

Like most breeds, Jagdterriers thrive on a diet rich in protein especially from animal meat (lamb, beef, chicken, and turkey). Although dogs can assimilate grains, too much carbs could do more harm than good especially those that come from simple sources like corn, wheat and soy.

Health and Exercise

The Jagdterrier is generally a robust and healthy breed that is not prone to suffer from a lot of hereditary illnesses. However, it may also have something to do with the fact that there are not enough studies made regarding its health because its number is low.

As mentioned above, the Jagdterrier has extremely high energy needs, plus, it is an intelligent and determined dog. Owners need to tire it out, spending at least two hours outdoors. It will be very happy to accompany you in your runs, hunting expeditions and other interesting activities. If its exercise needs are not met, it may find more interesting things to do to amuse itself in destructive and unpleasant ways.

Cost of Ownership

If you are set on getting a Jagdterrier, be ready to go on a waiting list as very few puppies are bred and registered each year. You also need to prepare pay at least £500 for a well-bred puppy. To ensure it stays healthy at whatever age, you will need to feed your dog high quality dog food and treats, which can set you back £20-£30 a month. You would also need to spend on dog accessories such as leads, collars, bowls, crates, beds, and toys. The combined initial cost for these things is estimated at £200.

Moreover, you may have to consider paying for pet insurance to offset veterinary bills in case your dog suddenly falls ill or gets into an accident. Depending on where you live and your dog’s health and age, a time-limited cover can cost £20 a month while a lifetime one can cost up to £45 a month. Generally, insurance companies do not cover routine veterinary consultations, initial vaccinations, boosters, and neutering or spaying, so you may also have to spend an additional £800-£1000 annually for these services.

On average, the minimum cost to care for a Jagdterrier is £50-£80 per month depending on your pet insurance premium. Lastly, this estimate does not include the rates for other services such as walking and grooming.

Jagdterrier Breed Highlights

The Jagdterrier is a friendly and personable breed.
It is an energetic breed with high exercise needs.
Because of its energy level, it is not ideal for first-time dog owners or families with babies or toddlers.
The breed is low maintenance in the grooming front.
It has not been recognised by The Kennel Club.