GERMAN HUNT TERRIER

COUNTRY: Germany

WEIGHT: 20-22 pounds

HEIGHT: 16 inches

COAT: Short and coarse, or harsh wire, broken

COLOR: Black/tan, chocolate/tan or red

OTHER NAMES: Deutscher Jagdterrier

GROUP: Terrier






During the 1940s, four German sportsmen aspired to establish their own breed of all-purpose game terrier for hunting and going to ground. C.E. Gruenwald, Chief Forester R. Fiess, Dr. Herbert Lackner and Walter Zangenbert, who was also a writer on hunting, used dogs of the old Broken-haired Black and Tan type from England, probably similar to what is now called Patterdale. This type was crossed with German-bred Wire Fox Terriers. The progeny had both smooth and wire coats. With careful selection, type was quickly cemented. FCI recognized the Jagdterrier in a remarkably short period of time. This breed is a pure hunting machine, not recommended for use as a house dog. He is so aggressive that some label him as cruel to prey. Any animal is fair game: badgers, fox, even the dangerous wild boar.
This belligerence can make him cantankerous with cats or other dogs. The German Hunt Terrier is also utilized for tracking and retrieving, as well as working underground. Guarding of his master's home and property comes naturally. Those who know him well warn that he may not tolerate friendly advances from anyone other than his master. He is a one-person dog, and even that person has to earn his respect, but once earned, he is devoted. This is a dog that can only fully be appreciated by serious hunters or professional foresters, who have great admiration for his courage and ability.

In Germany, specimens of this breed must pass working tests prior to being granted club approval to reproduce. With the breed club refusing to register offspring of non-working parents, casual fanciers are discouraged to insure maintenance of working qualities. The Jagdter-rier is only rarely exhibited.

Some specimens were brought to the USA in the 1950s. For a time, a breed club was in exis-tencej but interest does not seem to have been maintained.

The tail is usually docked to about half the original length, but the ears are left intact to tip forward. At this time, only the rough coat is acceptable.