Breeds / Small
Jagdterrier puppies
The Jagdterrier is a small, hard German hunting terrier bred to work fox and badger underground. It is fearless, focused and very high in prey drive, and it needs real work rather than a companion role.
The facts
- Size class Small
- Country of origin Germany
- Adult weight 7.7 to 10 kg
- Adult weight in pounds 17 to 22 lb
- Adult height 33 to 41 cm
- Energy level Moderate
- Grooming Low
- Coat type Short rough and smooth and wiry
- Typical lifespan 10 to 12 years
- Good with children Fine with supervision
- Good with other dogs Fine with supervision
Where these come from:
About the Jagdterrier
The Jagdterrier, or German Hunting Terrier, was created in Germany after the First World War by breeders who wanted a hard, black and tan working terrier that would go to ground on fox and badger and also work above ground on game. It is small and compact, 7.7 to 10 kg at 33 to 41 cm, in a harsh coat that comes rough, smooth or broken. The temperament was selected for nerve rather than charm: fearless, focused, tough with pain and very high in prey drive.
This is a working dog first. It needs daily physical work and a mental outlet, whether that is hunting, earthdog trials, agility or serious training sessions, and a bored one takes the house apart. Grooming is a weekly brush plus nails, ears and teeth. Fencing must be secure and dug in, because it will follow anything into a hole, and it is not safe with rabbits, rodents or birds. The mistake is choosing one on its small size and expecting a family pet.
What to expect at eight weeks
At eight weeks a Jagdterrier puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A small breed puppy at eight weeks is light enough to carry everywhere, which is exactly how you get it socialised before the vaccination course finishes. It will still need four meals a day. Expect moderate energy, in short bursts separated by long naps. Grooming is straightforward, but start handling the coat, feet and ears in week one anyway so it is never a fight later. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything it meets calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of its life.
Health worth knowing about
Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.
- Few breed specific inherited diseases are recorded, so ask to see hip and eye screening on both parents
- Patellar luxation, a slipping kneecap, found on a patella evaluation
- Working injuries and ear infections, which is why the ears, eyes and skin should be checked after a day in cover
From Jagdterrier breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/jagdterrier/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
Your Jagdterrier puppy's first six months
- Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
- Worming and parasite schedule.
- Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Small for a Jagdterrier.
- Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 7.7 to 10 kg adult range.
- Puppy names and the first week checklist.
Other small breeds
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Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.