German Hunting Terrier

A smallish, generally black and tan, compact, well proportioned working hunting dog.

After the first world war a group of active hunters separated from the numerically strong Fox Terrier Club. It was their aim to create a breed, the sole purpose of which would be hunting performance.

The experiences hunters and cynologists Rudolf Frieb, Walter Zangenberg and Carl-Erich Grunewald decided to select a black and tan hunting dog in particular suitable for the hunt under the ground.

A coincidence came in support of their efforts. A zoo director, Lutz Heck/ Hagenberg presented Walter Zangenberg with four black and tan terriers which were said to come from pure-bred Fox Terrier lines. These dogs became the foundation stock of the German Hunting Terrier. At the time Dr Herbert Lackner joined the founders. After many years of intensive breeding efforts, and through skilful crossings with the Old English Wirehaired Terrier as well as the Welsh Terrier, they succeeded to fix the appearance of their breed.

At the same time they put great emphasis on breeding a multitalented, well trainable, hard, tongue giving and water happy dog with an explicit hunting instinct. The German Hunting Terrier Club (Deutscher Jadgterrier-Club e.V.) was founded in 1926. As ever, the breeders continued to value most carefully their breed for its usefulness as a hunting dog, its steadiness of character, its courage and drive.

A versatile hunting dog, suited in particular for the hunt under the ground and as a flushing dog. Courageous and hard, takes pleasure in work, enduring, vital, full of temperament, reliable, sociable and trainable, neither shy or aggressive.

It is only necessary to keep the coat tidy and comfortable for the dog with brushing and the occasional bath. These dogs are rarely stripped and trimmed like other typical broken coated terriers.