Page 206 - (DK) The Dog Encyclopedia

CATALOG OF BREEDS | TERRIERS

German ALL-AROUND TERRIER

Hunting Terrier The German Hunting Terrier was created by
four Bavarian dog breeders just after World
War I to be an all-around, world-class terrier.
At that time, Fox Terriers were popular in
HEIGHT WEIGHT LIFE SPAN
Germany but were bred more for looks than
13–16in 18–22lb 13–15 years
(33–40cm) (8–10kg) for utility. The breeders started with four Fox
Terriers, which had the desired black and tan
coloring but lacked in hunting prowess.
This fearless dog is a tenacious hunter, but can be a faithful They then crossed these dogs with the hunting
Wire Fox Terrier (see p.208), old English wire-
companion given sufficient mental and physical activity haired terriers, and the Welsh Terrier (see p.201).
The result was a hardy, courageous,
This modern hunting dog (Jagdterrier lives underground, such as fox, multipurpose hunting dog (below).
in German) was developed in the early weasel, and badger; to flush rabbit
20th century. It was hardly known or wild boar out of thickets; and to
outside Germany until the 1950s, when track the blood trails from wounded
a few of the dogs were brought to the animals such as deer.
US. The dogs are still widely used for A brave, active dog, the German
hunting in Germany, and are becoming Hunting Terrier needs to work, ideally
popular in North America for hunting in the hunting field. Kept active, it can
squirrels and birds. be a loyal family pet as well as an effective
The German Hunting Terrier is happy guard dog; it is friendly and willing to
to sleep outdoors by night and hunt all day, learn, but needs to be socialized early
above or below ground and in all types and have clear leadership. It must have
of terrain. It will also work in water. The vigorous exercise every day. There are
breed can be used to pursue quarry that two coat types: rough and smooth.

Slight
stop
Small, oval,
Black and tan
dark eyes
Triangular,
button ears
Long,
straight back

Strong neck

Tan markings
on chest
Rough, wiry coat

ROUGH-COATED SMOOTH-COATED

Forefeet often
broader than
hind feet

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