Selected to concentrate, in a single dog, strength, courage, combativeness, very sensitive sense of smell and lack of fear with larger prey. The Hunting terriers it is the result of careful selection work, which led to the birth of one of the best hunting breeds.
Lo Hunting terriers, also known by the name of German Jagdterrier, German hunting terrier e German Hunt Terriers, is a fairly recent breed, resulting from the selection made by German breeders, who started from the British Terrier. The intent of the breeders was to discover a specimen exclusively prepared for hunting, rustic and instinctively determined to fearlessly attack prey even larger than itself, finding them in their lairs.
His "fathers" were Rudolf Frieb, Walter Zangenberg, Varl-Erich Grünewald and Herbert Lackner, all experienced German hunters and dog lovers, who set out to create a species capable of surpassing the British Terriers. The selection began in the 20s, when Walter Zangenberg received as a gift from a friend of his, four black and tan puppies of a coarse-haired Fox Terrier female, Oacroyd Darkie, a breed characterized by a unique passion and hunting skills. These particularities were sought by the aforementioned breeders, who did not pay much attention to the search for the aesthetic factor of the breed they wanted to select and create. In this way, with the aim of enhancing the hunting potential, some standards were set for the breed, such as the rough and black or tan-brown coat, the size slightly larger than the Fox and, above all, the more tenacious character. In the blood of the Deutscher Jagdterrier flows that of the Welsh Terrier, the Pinscher and other English working Terriers, in particular the Cathedral and the Fell Terrier. Also, the Old English Wirehaired Terrier and Schnauzer appear to have been used during the breeding process. 1926 is the year of the foundation of the Deutscher Jagdterrier Club , but only in 1968 the breed was recognized by the FCI and on 1 January 1993 by the United Kennel Club. From the 60s, this breed began to score enormous successes both as a working dog, both in the den and in hare hunting, foxes, wild boars, badgers and weasels. In the United States, the German hunting terrier it has taken on the nickname of "tree dog", literally "tree dog", due to its ability to hunt raccoons and squirrels. The Deutscher Hunting terriers it is a small dog, morphologically classified as a wolfid, characterized by strength and will despite its small size. The trunk has a large thorax that is enclosed in the rectangle. The proud and sharp gaze, ready to catch any movement of the prey, stands out under the thick eyebrows on a skull with a flat shape, with a little pronounced stop and a long jaw with powerful scissor teeth, the latter predisposed to hold steady the prey. The skull of the Jagdterrier, wider between the ears than that of the Fox, thins a lot near the nose. The ears, folded back on themselves forming a "V", are set high and the tip just rests on the head. The neck is also robust, slightly arched, with a broad base. The tail is carried horizontally, hardly upwards. The bristly coat, very rough and dense, protects it very effectively from water, from sudden changes in temperature and from brambles; it is generally black and tan, with white admitted, although black-gray specimens can be found. The Hunting terriers underground, in open spaces and in the water, it reaches and grabs prey larger and stronger than itself. The sharp teeth, the powerful neck and the sturdy limbs are at the service of capturing the prey to hunt.
His fearlessness allows him to launch fearlessly against foxes or wild boars. One of its particular characteristics also resides in being a large barker, allowing the hunter to continuously follow its movements, whether it is chasing the prey hidden among the brambles, whether it is facing the harmful meters underground. He also does not hesitate to engage in retrieve, even if starting from the water. Very combative, belligerent, distinctly intelligent and sensitive to pain to a limited extent, he seems to be unable to stop him, neither the raging boar, nor the intruder in the house. His original character and temperament lead him to put his own life at risk in cases of danger or difficult hunting situations, if not properly trained. The Hunting terriers he is also hyperactive and frenetic, characteristics that allow him to go to serve even alone. Despite being small in size, the Jagdterrier is an excellent guardian and, in certain circumstances, intolerant to coexistence with other dogs, with which it is highly competitive, and show its dominant temperament with children, for which the presence is recommended. of an adult. The owners of the Hunting terriers they know his acute intelligence and willingness to learn, but also his elusive propensity for independence, which must always be strictly contained by a strong and consistent master. This little "warrior" adapts to apartment life, as long as you are willing to give him great freedom of movement. The Jagdterrier is very resistant to diseases.
We end the article with the list of morphological characteristics: the height is between 33 and 40 cm, while the weight ranges from 9 to 10 kg for males and from 7,5 to 8,5 kg for females. The trunk has a strong and straight back, not exactly short, very muscular loins and rump; the thorax is deep and circled. The muzzle is somewhat shorter than the skull when measured from the occiput to the stop. The powerful muzzle presents pronounced cheeks, the jaw is robust, with a well-designed chin. The teeth are regularly aligned and complete in number, with scissor bite. The powerful neck, not too long, is slightly. The straight forelegs are well muscled and have a slightly sloping pastern; the skeleton is quite powerful. The hind limbs are long, well angulated and muscular. The hocks are set low and also have strong bone: the front feet are larger than the hind feet. The gait is very quick and easy, never stiff. The main color is black, black mixed with gray, or even dark brown with lighter shades, brown-red-yellowish in the eyebrows, muzzle, chest, limbs and around the anus. A light or even dark mask are equally tolerated. A little white on the chest and fingers is allowed. In our country we are witnessing a gradual spread of this breed, considering its behavioral characteristics and its hunting skills. In conclusion, the Hunting terriers turns out to be one of the best auxiliaries for those who hunt in the woods, in the mountains and in the plains.