Jagdterrier
德國獵㹴
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Jagdterrier (Deutscher Jagdterrier) is a small, compact, black-and-tan German hunting terrier created after the First World War by hunters who broke away from the Fox Terrier club to breed purely for work — above all hunting underground and flushing game. The FCI standard describes it as courageous and hard, taking pleasure in work, enduring, vital, full of temperament, reliable, sociable and trainable, neither shy nor aggressive. It is a working dog first, with a rough or smooth weatherproof coat that needs little grooming; the AKC says the majority are healthy and breeders use genetic testing, and OFA lists the breed among those affected by primary lens luxation, for which a DNA test exists.
Facts
| Size | Small |
|---|---|
| Height | 33–41cm |
| Weight | 7.7–10kg |
| Life expectancy | 10–12years |
| Breed group | AKC: fss FCI: 3 |
| Role | Terrier |
| Coat | Wire coat |
| Shedding | 2/ 5 |
| Exercise | 45–90min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 3 hours |
| Companionship need | 5/ 5 |
| Trainability | 3/ 5 |
| Barking | 1/ 5 |
| Good with children | 3/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 3/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 3/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 3/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
General health screening
The AKC says the majority of Jagdterriers are healthy dogs and that good breeders use genetic testing of their breeding stock to reduce the likelihood of disease; neither the AKC page nor the FCI standard names other breed-specific conditions. Ask your vet about routine screening appropriate to a small, hard-working terrier, and about eye checks.
Glaucoma
OFA lists the Jagdterrier among the breeds affected by primary lens luxation (PLL), in which the lens dislocates when its supporting ligaments break down; a DNA test identifies carriers and affected dogs. Ask your breeder about PLL status and your vet urgently if an eye becomes cloudy, red or painful.
Behaviour
Courageous, hard, and happy at work
The FCI standard describes the Jagdterrier as courageous and hard, taking pleasure in work, enduring, vital, full of temperament, reliable, sociable and trainable, neither shy nor aggressive, and particularly suited to hunting under the ground and as a flushing dog. The AKC repeats that it always takes pleasure in its work and describes a relatively small, compact, well-proportioned dog whose dense coat — hard and rough or coarse and smooth — is usually black and tan.
Bred for performance, not the sofa
The AKC's history explains that the breed was founded by experienced hunters whose sole aim was hunting performance, and its trait chart shows the result: mental-stimulation needs 4/5, playfulness 4/5, watchdog nature 4/5, but barking only 1/5 and affection with family 5/5. Give it real work or dog sports, fenced play and several walks a day; grooming is minimal beyond a weekly once-over, nail trims and ear checks.
Temperament
The AKC summarises the breed's temperament as "intelligent / courageous / hardworking".
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 3/5, barking level 1/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — Jagdterrier
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
FCI nomenclature — German Hunting Terrier (standard no. 103, group 3)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Jagdterrier — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]German Hunting Terrier — FCI standard no. 103 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]FCI-Standard No. 103 — Deutscher Jagdterrier (German Hunting Terrier), 26.05.2015 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [6]Primary Lens Luxation — Orthopedic Foundation for Animals — Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) (Accessed 2026-09-09)
Still have questions?
Ask owners on the PawMunity forum — every breed has its own board.
Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.