Jagdterrier
The Jagdterrier or German Hunting Terrier is a small, energetic and fearless dog breed originally bred for hunting purposes in Germany.


Jagdterrier Breed overview
Jagdterriers are high-energy hunting dogs that require plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Although they are loyal companions, they are not suitable for all households and may require extra training and socialization to get along with other pets and strangers. With proper exercise and care, this breed can make a great companion for experienced dog owners who are looking for an active and loyal companion.
Explore other breeds
What To Expect When Caring For a Jagdterrier
Exercise
The Jagdterrier is a highly active breed that requires plenty of regular exercise to stay healthy and happy.
Daily walks, playtime and training sessions are recommended, as well as providing them plenty of opportunities to run and explore in a secure, fenced area.
They do best when they have a job to do, such as hunting or agility training, and are not suited for apartment living or families who cannot commit to providing them with enough exercise and stimulation.
Grooming
The Jagdterrier's coat is short, shiny and relatively easy to maintain, requiring only occasional brushing to keep it looking its best.
Their nails should be trimmed regularly to prevent overgrowth and their ears should be checked and cleaned to avoid infections.
Bathing should be done only when necessary, as overbathing can strip their coat of natural oils and cause skin problems.
Training
The Jagdterrier is a highly intelligent and independent breed that requires consistent training and socialization from a young age.
Positive reinforcement training methods using rewards and praise work best with this breed, as they are sensitive to harsh punishment and may become willful if they perceive their handler as unfair or inconsistent.
Training should focus on obedience, agility, and scent work, as these are all activities that fulfill their natural instincts and give them a sense of purpose.
Health
Overall, the Jagdterrier is a healthy breed, with a lifespan of 12 - 15 years.
However, like all breeds, they may be susceptible to certain health conditions such as hip dysplasia and eye diseases.
Regular vet checkups, a balanced diet, and plenty of exercise can help keep your Jagdterrier healthy and happy.
Nutrition
Feeding a balanced and nutritious diet is essential to keeping your Jagdterrier healthy and happy.
High-quality dog food that is appropriate for their age, size, activity level and overall health should be selected, and treats should be given in moderation.
It is important to monitor their weight and adjust their diet as necessary to avoid obesity, which can lead to health problems.
Open your heart and home to a furry friend eagerly waiting to become your loyal life companion. By choosing to adopt, you are giving a deserving dog a second chance at happiness and supporting the fight against pet overpopulation.
Jagdterrier Traits & Characteristics
The ideal height for a Jagdterrier is 33 - 40 cm at the shoulder and they should weigh between 7 - 10 kg.
Their coat is usually thick, short and shiny and accepts varied color combinations, including black, brown, or grey, with or without white markings.
They are a sturdy breed, with a muscular and strong body and exhibit an alert and confident demeanor.
Affection
The degree to which a breed shows love and affection towards its human family members.
Jagdterriers are independent, strong-willed dogs that can form a close bond with their family. While they are generally loyal, they do not show excessive amounts of affection and may be aloof at times.
Children
How well a breed interacts with children, including tolerance for play and energy level.
Jagdterriers may not be the best choice for families with young children as they have a high energy level and may inadvertently knock over or play too roughly with small children. This breed is better suited for homes with older children who understand how to interact with dogs.
Dogs
The breed's friendliness and sociability towards other dogs.
Although Jagdterriers can get along with other dogs if they are socialized properly, they have a strong prey drive and may be aggressive towards other small animals. This breed is not recommended for homes with multiple dogs or pets.
Strangers
The breed's reaction to unfamiliar people, including whether they tend to be wary or friendly.
Jagdterriers are generally reserved or aloof with strangers and may require proper socialization to interact with unfamiliar people. This can make them good watchdogs but not good for homes that have a lot of visitors.
Playfulness
The breed's activity level and tendency to engage in play and games.
Jagdterriers are energetic and playful dogs that require plenty of exercises. They love to play, so interactive toys and games can be used to stimulate their mind and keep them entertained.
Alertness
The breed's level of awareness and vigilance, which can affect their ability to perform certain tasks or jobs
Jagdterriers are extremely alert and vigilant dogs. They are always aware of their surroundings and will bark to alert their owners of any potential threats.
Adaptability
The breed's ability to adjust to new environments and situations, including whether they are adaptable or may become stressed.
Jagdterriers can adapt to different living environments, but they need plenty of space to exercise and burn off their energy. They are not well-suited for apartment living and need daily physical exercise and mental stimulation.
Shedding
The amount of hair a breed sheds, which can affect allergies and cleanliness.
Jagdterriers have a short, thick coat that sheds moderately year-round with heavier shedding during seasonal change. Weekly brushing can help reduce shedding, but this breed still requires moderate maintenance.
Grooming
The amount of maintenance required to keep a breed's coat healthy and clean.
Jagdterriers have a low-maintenance coat that should be brushed once or twice a week to keep it healthy and clean. They may also require occasional ear cleaning and nail clipping.
Drooling
The amount of saliva a breed produces, which can affect cleanliness and potential drool-related issues.
Jagdterriers are a dry-mouthed breed and do not drool excessively.
Size
The breed's overall size, including their weight and height.
Jagdterriers are a medium-sized breed, typically weighing between 15-20 pounds and standing 12-16 inches tall at the shoulder.
Energy
The breed's overall activity level, including their need for exercise and play.
Jagdterriers are energetic and need plenty of exercise to burn off their energy. They are not well-suited for sedentary owners and require at least an hour of daily exercise.
Exercise
The breed's need for physical activity and exercise to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Jagdterriers require plenty of exercise to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Daily walks and playtime in a securely fenced yard can help them burn off their energy and prevent boredom.
Working
The breed's suitability for working and performing certain tasks or jobs.
Jagdterriers are bred for hunting and excel at tasks such as tracking, scenting, and retrieving. They can also make great working dogs in fields such as search and rescue or therapy.
Hunting
The breed's natural hunting abilities, including their prey drive, scenting abilities, and tracking skills.
Jagdterriers are a hunting breed and have a strong prey drive. They are well-suited for activities such as hunting, tracking, and searching for small game.
Vigor
The breed's physical stamina and endurance, including their ability to maintain high levels of activity and energy.
Jagdterriers have high energy and endurance levels, making them well-suited for physically demanding work and exercise.
Health
The breed's overall health and potential health issues, including whether they may be prone to certain illnesses or conditions.
Jagdterriers are generally healthy but may be prone to certain health issues such as hip dysplasia and ear infections. Regular veterinary check-ups can help prevent and treat these common health issues.
Obesity
The breed's tendency to gain weight and become overweight or obese, including whether they require extra monitoring and exercise.
Jagdterriers are energetic dogs that require plenty of exercise to maintain a healthy weight. However, they may be prone to overeating and can become overweight if not properly supervised or exercised.
Cold
The breed's ability to tolerate cold weather conditions, including whether they require extra warmth and protection.
Jagdterriers have a short, dense coat that provides good insulation in cold weather. However, they may still require a jacket or sweater in extreme cold weather conditions.
Heat
The breed's ability to tolerate hot weather conditions, including whether they require extra cooling and protection.
Jagdterriers can tolerate hot weather but should not be overexerted or left in direct sunlight for extended periods of time. They may benefit from access to shade and cool water during warm weather.
Apartment
The breed's suitability for new or inexperienced dog owners, including their trainability and temperament.
Jagdterriers are not well-suited for apartment living as they are energetic and need plenty of space to burn off their energy. They require a home with a securely fenced yard to exercise and explore.
Wanderlust
The breed's tendency to wander or roam, including whether they may become lost or require a lot of supervision.
Jagdterriers have a strong hunting instinct and may wander off if not properly supervised. They require a securely fenced yard and should always be kept on a leash when outside of a secure area.
Sensitivity
The breed's sensitivity to criticism or negative reinforcement, including whether they may become stressed or anxious.
Jagdterriers can be sensitive to negative reinforcement and may require positive training methods to prevent stress or anxiety.
Separation
The breed's tolerance for being left alone, including whether they may become anxious or destructive.
Jagdterriers do not tolerate being left alone for long periods of time and may become destructive or vocal if bored or anxious. They benefit from having a companion or regular exercise to keep them occupied.
Barking
The amount of barking a breed tends to do, including whether they may be vocal or prone to excessive barking.
Jagdterriers are active dogs and may bark more than some other breeds. Proper training can help keep their barking under control.
Mental
The breed's need for mental stimulation and engagement, including whether they are intelligent and require challenging activities.
Jagdterriers are intelligent and require plenty of mental stimulation. They enjoy playing with interactive toys and participating in challenging games and activities.
Novice_owners
Some dogs are simply easier than others; they take to training better and are fairly easygoing. They're also resilient enough to bounce back from your mistakes or inconsistencies.
Jagdterriers are independent and may be challenging for novice owners to train. However, with proper socialization and training, they can make a great companion for an experienced dog owner.
Trainability
The ease of training a breed, including whether they are intelligent, obedient, and willing to learn.
Jagdterriers are intelligent and can be trained easily if started at an early age. However, they have a strong prey drive and may require extra training to prevent them from chasing after small animals.
Affection
The degree to which a breed shows love and affection towards its human family members.
Jagdterriers are independent, strong-willed dogs that can form a close bond with their family. While they are generally loyal, they do not show excessive amounts of affection and may be aloof at times.
Children
How well a breed interacts with children, including tolerance for play and energy level.
Jagdterriers may not be the best choice for families with young children as they have a high energy level and may inadvertently knock over or play too roughly with small children. This breed is better suited for homes with older children who understand how to interact with dogs.
Dogs
The breed's friendliness and sociability towards other dogs.
Although Jagdterriers can get along with other dogs if they are socialized properly, they have a strong prey drive and may be aggressive towards other small animals. This breed is not recommended for homes with multiple dogs or pets.
Strangers
The breed's reaction to unfamiliar people, including whether they tend to be wary or friendly.
Jagdterriers are generally reserved or aloof with strangers and may require proper socialization to interact with unfamiliar people. This can make them good watchdogs but not good for homes that have a lot of visitors.
Playfulness
The breed's activity level and tendency to engage in play and games.
Jagdterriers are energetic and playful dogs that require plenty of exercises. They love to play, so interactive toys and games can be used to stimulate their mind and keep them entertained.
Alertness
The breed's level of awareness and vigilance, which can affect their ability to perform certain tasks or jobs
Jagdterriers are extremely alert and vigilant dogs. They are always aware of their surroundings and will bark to alert their owners of any potential threats.
Adaptability
The breed's ability to adjust to new environments and situations, including whether they are adaptable or may become stressed.
Jagdterriers can adapt to different living environments, but they need plenty of space to exercise and burn off their energy. They are not well-suited for apartment living and need daily physical exercise and mental stimulation.
Shedding
The amount of hair a breed sheds, which can affect allergies and cleanliness.
Jagdterriers have a short, thick coat that sheds moderately year-round with heavier shedding during seasonal change. Weekly brushing can help reduce shedding, but this breed still requires moderate maintenance.
Grooming
The amount of maintenance required to keep a breed's coat healthy and clean.
Jagdterriers have a low-maintenance coat that should be brushed once or twice a week to keep it healthy and clean. They may also require occasional ear cleaning and nail clipping.
Drooling
The amount of saliva a breed produces, which can affect cleanliness and potential drool-related issues.
Jagdterriers are a dry-mouthed breed and do not drool excessively.
Size
The breed's overall size, including their weight and height.
Jagdterriers are a medium-sized breed, typically weighing between 15-20 pounds and standing 12-16 inches tall at the shoulder.
Energy
The breed's overall activity level, including their need for exercise and play.
Jagdterriers are energetic and need plenty of exercise to burn off their energy. They are not well-suited for sedentary owners and require at least an hour of daily exercise.
Exercise
The breed's need for physical activity and exercise to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Jagdterriers require plenty of exercise to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Daily walks and playtime in a securely fenced yard can help them burn off their energy and prevent boredom.
Working
The breed's suitability for working and performing certain tasks or jobs.
Jagdterriers are bred for hunting and excel at tasks such as tracking, scenting, and retrieving. They can also make great working dogs in fields such as search and rescue or therapy.
Hunting
The breed's natural hunting abilities, including their prey drive, scenting abilities, and tracking skills.
Jagdterriers are a hunting breed and have a strong prey drive. They are well-suited for activities such as hunting, tracking, and searching for small game.
Vigor
The breed's physical stamina and endurance, including their ability to maintain high levels of activity and energy.
Jagdterriers have high energy and endurance levels, making them well-suited for physically demanding work and exercise.
Health
The breed's overall health and potential health issues, including whether they may be prone to certain illnesses or conditions.
Jagdterriers are generally healthy but may be prone to certain health issues such as hip dysplasia and ear infections. Regular veterinary check-ups can help prevent and treat these common health issues.
Obesity
The breed's tendency to gain weight and become overweight or obese, including whether they require extra monitoring and exercise.
Jagdterriers are energetic dogs that require plenty of exercise to maintain a healthy weight. However, they may be prone to overeating and can become overweight if not properly supervised or exercised.
Cold
The breed's ability to tolerate cold weather conditions, including whether they require extra warmth and protection.
Jagdterriers have a short, dense coat that provides good insulation in cold weather. However, they may still require a jacket or sweater in extreme cold weather conditions.
Heat
The breed's ability to tolerate hot weather conditions, including whether they require extra cooling and protection.
Jagdterriers can tolerate hot weather but should not be overexerted or left in direct sunlight for extended periods of time. They may benefit from access to shade and cool water during warm weather.
Apartment
The breed's suitability for new or inexperienced dog owners, including their trainability and temperament.
Jagdterriers are not well-suited for apartment living as they are energetic and need plenty of space to burn off their energy. They require a home with a securely fenced yard to exercise and explore.
Wanderlust
The breed's tendency to wander or roam, including whether they may become lost or require a lot of supervision.
Jagdterriers have a strong hunting instinct and may wander off if not properly supervised. They require a securely fenced yard and should always be kept on a leash when outside of a secure area.
Sensitivity
The breed's sensitivity to criticism or negative reinforcement, including whether they may become stressed or anxious.
Jagdterriers can be sensitive to negative reinforcement and may require positive training methods to prevent stress or anxiety.
Separation
The breed's tolerance for being left alone, including whether they may become anxious or destructive.
Jagdterriers do not tolerate being left alone for long periods of time and may become destructive or vocal if bored or anxious. They benefit from having a companion or regular exercise to keep them occupied.
Barking
The amount of barking a breed tends to do, including whether they may be vocal or prone to excessive barking.
Jagdterriers are active dogs and may bark more than some other breeds. Proper training can help keep their barking under control.
Mental
The breed's need for mental stimulation and engagement, including whether they are intelligent and require challenging activities.
Jagdterriers are intelligent and require plenty of mental stimulation. They enjoy playing with interactive toys and participating in challenging games and activities.
Novice_owners
Some dogs are simply easier than others; they take to training better and are fairly easygoing. They're also resilient enough to bounce back from your mistakes or inconsistencies.
Jagdterriers are independent and may be challenging for novice owners to train. However, with proper socialization and training, they can make a great companion for an experienced dog owner.
Trainability
The ease of training a breed, including whether they are intelligent, obedient, and willing to learn.
Jagdterriers are intelligent and can be trained easily if started at an early age. However, they have a strong prey drive and may require extra training to prevent them from chasing after small animals.
Similar breeds
History of the Jagdterrier
The Jagdterrier was originally created in Germany by crossing the Fox Terrier with the Old English Wirehaired Terrier, the Welsh Terrier, and the Black and Tan Terrier.
The breed was developed for hunting purposes and used for pursuing game in a variety of terrain, including dense forests and rugged mountains.
Since their creation in the early 20th century, the Jagdterrier has remained a popular breed among hunters and families alike.

Jagdterrier Puppies
When selecting a Jagdterrier puppy, it is important to choose one that has been raised in a socialized environment and has received proper training and care from a reputable breeder.
Early training and socialization is critical for this breed, and it is recommended that they begin obedience training at a young age to ensure they grow up to be well-behaved adults.