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Are you looking for a small, lively dog to adopt as a family companion? Do you like to hunt and take part in an active lifestyle? If so, then you may want to consider the Jagdterrier!
In case you’re not familiar with this dog breed, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve put together some information about these dogs so you can decide whether this is a great companion for you and your family. Let’s get started!
What is a Jagdterrier?
The Jagdterrier (Yak-terrier, also known as the German Jagdterrier) is a very lively dog that originally hails from Germany! The dogs were developed to be a hunting and working dog breed. The dogs are small and belong to the terrier family.
Jagdterriers are famous for hunting bobcats, badgers, foxes, and cougars. So, there’s no wonder these small dogs are known for being courageous hunters! They also have a very strong work ethic.
These small dogs are not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) yet; however, they have made the dog breed a part of their Foundation Stock Service. That means when enough Jagdterriers have been registered with the AKC, they will recognize and accept Jagdterriers. Right now, the dogs are accepted by the FCI (Federation Cynologique Internationale), the UKC (United Kennel Club), and the ANKC (Australian National Kennel Council).
Jagdterriers usually stand between 13 to 16 inches tall and weigh between 17 to 22 lbs. They have a life expectancy between 10 to 12 years.
Jagdterrier Appearance
The Jagdterrier has a rectangular body, with a head that’s long and a short muzzle with strong jaws. There’s no doubt these dogs were bred for hunting!
Their coat may be smooth or wiry and short, coming in colors that are black, graying black, or liver brown with tan markings. The grayish-black color is most often seen in Jagdterriers who have wiry coats.
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Ask a Vet Live NowJagdterrier Temperament
Jagdterriers are highly intelligent dogs that have a ton of energy. And we’re not exaggerating about the energy levels of this small dog breed!
The dogs are loving and loyal to their families; however, they don’t get along well with smaller pets. That’s because the dogs have a very strong prey drive. Jagdterriers tend to chase after anything that moves, including wild animals.
In addition, the dogs are very protective and make great watchdogs. They’ll let you know when anything is amiss—the dogs have a loud “baying” bark. Everyone in the neighborhood will know your fur baby has seen something and is protecting his territory!
Are Jagdterriers Good for Families?
The Jagdterrier can be a good match for some families. The family must have an active lifestyle that includes plenty of time with the dogs. They need consistent training and socialization, along with plenty of exercise.
When these dogs don’t get enough exercise and/or become bored, they will become destructive. However, the dogs can make great playmates with kids.
But we can’t stress enough that Jagdterriers need LOTS of exercise and playtime.
Can Jagdterriers Get Along with Other Pets?
These dogs can get along well with other dogs. It’s best if the dogs are first introduced when they’re both young and can grow up together.
However, Jagdterriers are not suited for families that have cats and small pets. The dogs were bred to be hunters, and they continue to have a very strong prey drive. Even if you have a small rodent in a cage, the dog will try to get to it. Small animals and cats must be kept in a separate part of the home, away from the dogs.
We can’t stress this enough—Jagdterriers have a strong prey drive and are not suited to families with cats and other small pets.
Diet
The Jagdterrier is a small dog, active dog breed and requires high-quality dog food formulated for small, highly active dogs. They need dog food that contains plenty of protein. Your dog’s diet should be right for his weight, size, and life stage.
Treats can be used in training; however, these should be kept to a minimum.
Exercise Requirements
As we noted earlier, the Jagdterrier is a very active dog breed! These small dogs are packed with a ton of energy! They need at least 90 minutes of exercise a day, though more is better.
The dogs were bred for hunting in different terrains, so they’re very durable, strong, and have plenty of stamina. Your fur baby will want to keep going even when you’re pooped out!
Jagdterriers excel at swimming, agility, hunt trials, and other dog competitions. This is an excellent way to help your dog get rid of excess energy.
When you’re out walking a Jagdterrier, it’s important to never let him off the leash. That’s because these dogs will chase after anything that gets their attention. The dogs have a strong prey drive and will chase after cats and other small animals.
Training
Jagdterriers are highly intelligent dogs that learn quickly and easily. They are also eager to please, though the dogs are notorious for having a stubborn streak. So, it’s essential to keep your dog focused on training, or he may just head off on his own little jaunt!
The dogs respond best to positive reinforcement training, and they love a challenge! So, dog competitions are extremely beneficial for these little dogs. They love agility, flyball, and other dog competitions and sports.
Grooming
These small, energetic dogs have smooth or wiry fur, though the wiry fur is most common in the Jagdterrier. For this reason, they require only one brushing a week to keep their fur healthy and shiny.
Health
Jagdterriers are usually very healthy dogs; however, they are prone to developing primary lens luxation. This is a genetic condition that can be inherited from both parents. Unfortunately, primary lens luxation can lead to blindness in these lively, small dogs.
The dogs are also prone to developing the following conditions:
- Hypothyroidism
- Legg-Calve Perthes disease
- Cataracts
- Glaucoma
Summing It Up
The Jagdterrier is a small, exuberantly energetic dog that prefers to have a job to do! The dogs are also highly intelligent and have a strong prey drive. For these reasons, the dogs are best suited to families that have an active lifestyle. In addition, Jagdterriers do not get along well with cats and other small pets.
If you’re thinking about adopting a Jagdterrier, make sure you have a lively, active lifestyle and can spend plenty of time with your fur baby! We’re pretty sure he’ll still keep going, even when you’ve pooped out!
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Kim
Kim is a talented author, who loves animals especially dogs. She engaged in writing books and articles relating to animals a decade ago. Kim resides in Chicago with her husband and son. The family is the proud owner of a dog and a parrot (Jack and Lily). Kim wanted more than these two pets, but her husband put his foot down... She often visits elementary schools to talk to the kids about what she learned about pets and how they could learn from them.
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