Post by critterkiller81 on Jun 25, 2009 17:34:54 GMT -5
The below article has been prepared for hopeful publication in a hunting magazine. Feel free to post it in any working dog site you like. This is only a small step in starting something official.
Jagdterriers in America
A breed who's future lies in its' past
Are you a hunter? Do you like dogs? My guess is that if you are reading this you are and you do. So do we and we have chosen the Jagdterrier for the simple fact that they fit our liking. We are Jagdterrier enthusiasts. We use Jagdterriers on virtually any and all game that we hunt. Some of us specialize on certain game while others simply hunt at every opportunity or invitation and we rely on our dogs to increase our success as well as enjoyment. The Jagdterrier was created for folks like us and we want the best we can get. More importantly, we are committed to the breed and are taking steps to help insure the breed’s long-term viability and quality here in America. Below are some things we believe and support. We are committed to securing a strong future for this breed and believe it’s past is the key to its future.
The Deutsche Jagdterrier has been in the USA since the early ‘50s. Over the years the popularity of the breed has come and gone. They have become popular to hunters who have seen the outstanding qualities of the breed. With popularity comes demand and with demand comes pups from breeding practices that range from the best available in the country to nothing short of unscrupulous, as is the case with any popular breed. As it goes with hunters, there are many camps evolving on the scene. This article is merely an attempt to explain the position of one camp.
The Deutsche Jagdterrier is a German breed. It originated in Germany and they own the breed. The standard for the breed can be found at:
www.fci.be/uploaded_files/103gb98_en.doc
________________________________________________
TRANSLATION: Johan Gallant / Walter Schicker.
ORIGIN: Germany.
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE VALID ORIGINAL STANDARD: 05.02.1996.
UTILIZATION: Versatile hunting dog, suited in particular for the hunt under the ground and as a flushing dog.
FCI CLASSIFICATION: Group 3 Terriers.
Section 1 Large and medium sized Terriers.
With working trial.
BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY: 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 experienced hunters and cynologists Rudolf Frieß, Walter Zangenberg and Carl Erich Grünewald 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 with 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 Jagdterrier 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.
GENERAL APPEARANCE: A smallish, generally black and tan, compact, well proportioned working hunting dog.
IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS: Proportion of chest circumference to height at the withers: The circumference of the chest is 10 to 12 cm more than the height at the withers.
Body length to height at the withers: The body is insignificantly longer than the height at the withers.
Depth of chest to height at the withers: Circa 55 60 % of the height at the withers.
BEHAVIOUR / CHARACTER: Courageous and hard, takes pleasure in work, enduring, vital, full of temperament, reliable, sociable and trainable, neither shy nor aggressive.
HEAD: Elongated, slightly wedge shaped, not pointed, the muzzle slightly shorter than the skull from occiput to stop.
CRANIAL REGION:
Skull: The skull is flat, broad between the ears, narrower between the eyes.
Stop: Slightly marked.
FACIAL REGION:
Nose: In harmony with the muzzle, neither too narrow nor too small, not cleft. Black, but when the color of the coat is dominantly brown, a brown nose is also permitted.
Muzzle: Strong, distinct under jaw, strongly pronounced chin.
Cheeks: Well pronounced.
Lips: Tight and well pigmented.
Jaws/Teeth: Big teeth. Strong jaws with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, whereby the row of upper incisors, without gap, perfectly locks over the lower incisors, and with the teeth standing vertically to the jaws. 42 teeth in accordance with the teeth formula.
Eyes: Dark, small, oval, well placed in such a way that injury is hardly possible; the eyelids are tight. Resolute expression.
Ears: Set high, not explicitly small, V shaped; slightly touching semi drop ears.
NECK: Strong, not too long, well put on and blending strongly into the shoulders.
BODY:
Topline: Straight.
Withers: Well defined.
Back: Strong, straight, not too short.
Loin: Well muscled.
Croup: Well muscled and flat.
Chest: Deep, ribs well sprung, not too broad, long breastbone with ribs well reaching backwards.
Underline: Elegantly curved backwards; short and firm flanks, belly slightly drawn up.
TAIL: Well set to the long croup, docked for circa 1/3. Is rather carried slightly raised than steeply erected, but should never incline over the back. (In countries where tail docking is prohibited by law, it can be left in its natural state. It should be carried horizontally or slightly sabre formed.)
LIMBS
FOREQUARTERS:
General: Seen from the front the forelegs are straight and parallel, viewed from the side they are placed well under the body. The distance from the surface to the elbows is approximately equal to the distance from the elbows to the withers.
Shoulders: The shoulder blade lies well oblique and backwards; it is long and strongly muscled. There is good angulation between shoulder blade and upper arm.
Upper arm: As long as possible, well and dry muscled.
Elbows: Close to body, neither turned inward nor outward. Good angulation between upper arm and forearm.
Forearm: Dry, straight and upright with strong bones.
Pastern joint: Strong.
Pastern: Slightly angulated to the ground, bones rather strong than fine.
Forefeet: Often broader than the hind feet, the toes lying close to each other with sufficiently thick, hard, resistant and well pigmented pads. They are parallel, in stance as well as in movement neither turned inward nor outward.
HINDQUARTERS:
General: Viewed from behind straight and parallel. Good angulation between upper thigh and lower thigh and also at the hocks. Strong bones.
Upper thigh: Long, broad and muscular.
Stifle: Strong with good angulation between upper and lower thigh.
Lower thigh: Long, muscular and sinewy.
Hock joint: Strong and placed low.
Hocks: Short and vertical.
Hind feet: Oval to round, the toes lying close to each other, with sufficiently thick, hard, resistant and well pigmented pads. They are parallel, in stance and in movement neither turned inward nor outward.
GAIT / MOVEMENT: Ample ground covering, free, with good reach in the front and powerful drive from the rear. In front and hindquarters parallel and straight; never stilted.
SKIN: Thick, tight, without folds.
COAT
HAIR: Plain, dense; hard rough hair or coarse smooth hair.
COLOUR: The colour is black, dark brown or grayish black, with fawn (yellow red) clearly defined markings at the eyebrows, muzzle, chest, and the legs and at the base of the tail. Light and dark mask is equally permitted; small white markings on chest and toes are tolerated.
SIZE AND WEIGHT:
Height at the withers: Dogs: 33 to 40 cm, or 13 to 15 ¾ in.
es: 33 to 40 cm, or 13 to 15 ¾ in.
Weight (desired ideal weight for working):
Dogs: 9 to 10 kg, or 19 ¾ to 22 lb.
es: 7,5 to 8,5 kg, or 16 1/2 to 18 ¾ lb.
FAULTS: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.
Missing of one or both M3 (Molars) is not to be considered a fault.
SERIOUS FAULTS:
· Narrow skull, narrow and also pointed muzzle.
· Falling away under jaw, narrow jaws.
· Weak bite, any slight irregularity in the placing of the incisors.
· Light or spotted nose.
· Light, too big or protruding eyes.
· Erected, flying, too small, set too low or heavy ears.
· Steep forequarters.
· Soft or roached back, too short back.
· Short breastbone.
· Too narrow or too wide in front.
· Steep hindquarters, overbuilt.
· Elbows clearly turned in or out.
· Too close or spread toes; cow-hocked, bow-legged or narrow hocks, in stance as well as in movement.
· Ambling, stilted or tripping gait.
· Splayed feet, cat feet.
· Tail inclining over the back, tail set too low or hanging.
· Short, woolly, open or thin hair, bald at the belly or at the inner sides of the thighs.
DISQUALIFYING FAULTS:
· Aggressive or overly shy.
· Weak in temperament and character, shot or game shy.
· Over and undershot bite, wry mouth, pincer and partial pincer bite, irregularly placed teeth, missing teeth except for M3.
· Incorrect pigmentation.
· Entropion and ectropion, eyes of different color, blue or spotted eyes.
· Any departure of the described coat color.
· Over and under size.
Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioral abnormalities shall be disqualified.
N.B.: Male animals must have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
It is important that we recognize the purpose of the breed as developed. After the First World War, the majority of Europe was not exactly in a state of “wealth”. It was not a popular decision and for the most part economically infeasible to keep many dogs. The need for a smaller dog capable of being trained for many purposes was very popular. The primary quarry species below ground were, and still are, the fox and badger. Hunters wanted a dog that could be used below ground and later decided that they wanted the same dog to work as a flushing and tracking dog for the abundant wild pigs. So started their quest for the versatile Jagdterrier. Over the years, as laws have changed, many also began to train the dogs for water work as well as to flush / retrieve upland game. The conformation was set to support the function and expectations of the breed. So too were the required instincts and traits expected of the breed. The breed has been maintained and possibly improved by adhering to very strict rules governing breeding practices up to and including the requirement to applying for breeding approvals through the governing club. Permission is granted only if a series of requirements are met. Some of these requirements include:
· Complete registration of both Dam and Sire
· Both Dam and Sire must have passed the ZP or Natural Hunting Instinct Test
· Both Dam and Sire must have been inspected and approved on conformation
(German Hunting Terrier Natural Instinct Test)
Underground Work
Work underground; search, aggressiveness, persistence and voice.
SEARCH: Before this discipline, dog can be encouraged until he finds the quarry. Handler has to stay at the entrance of the tunnel and is not allowed to leave. A good dog will not go in the tunnel if its was not used. Fox or badger is guided all the way until is closed in one of the dens. Dog has 5 minutes to search the tunnel. Exiting lowers his score for one point and if he leaves the tunnel 3 times and is not going back in time leads to disqualification.
VOICE: After finding its quarry dog has to start barking continually and persistently. Real voice has to be distinguished from false voice where there is no quarry or the quarry has not even entered. Time is 5 minutes and not giving any voice leads to disqualification.
AGGRESSIVENESS: Gates are lifted and quarry is given 10 seconds to find its place. (Direct contact) Gate is lifted in front of the dog and he has 2 minutes to work. Dog has to hold the quarry for 10 seconds. If the dog is not making contact and stays 1+ meter in front of its quarry, it is disqualified.
PERSISTENCE: Scored from the time when dog enters the tunnel. Every time the dog leaves the quarry 1 point is taken off the total and if the dogs does not go back after 3 times or is not going back in time it is disqualified.
Field Work
NOSE: Work is tested on Jackrabbit, rabbit, or game bird tracks (last resort). Difficulty is taken into consideration while testing. Dog is tested only in the field.
CONFIDENT TRACKING: Tested on Jackrabbit, rabbit, or game bird tracks in the field. Nose and confident tracking are in most cases dependent categories.
PERSISTANCE: Constant following with hard work to find lost track. High level of persistence has no effect on obedience in the field.
SCENT VOICE: Done in the field after game has gone out of sight. It is not recommended to start the track from the beginning and handler is allowed to walk with the dog on the leash for the first 30 meters. Every dog has the chance to be tested on two Jackrabbit or rabbit tracks. . Dogs with a false bark without the tracks are not used for breeding.
SIGHT VOICE: Dogs must be reported as sight tracking dogs before they are tested. If scent-tracking dog fails on two Jackrabbit or rabbit tracks, it cannot be tested as sight tracking dog.
Love For Water
Test for natural desire to work in the water. Test is done in steady or slow running ponds or rivers with easy access and deep enough for dog to swim. Training for water work has to be distinguished from desire to go in the water.
Handling Scored through the whole test.
Gun Shy Test
Tested at the beginning and two shots are fired 20-30m from dogs walking with their handlers in the circle. Dogs showing some fear are tested again at free range. Scores are pass or fail and disqualification is also a cause for a ban for breeding.
Recently, a group of dedicated, like-minded people gathered in Michigan to conduct informal testing of their dogs to ZP (Natural Hunting Instinct). The event may well have been the first of its kind in the US. This group of people is of the belief that the Jagdterrier is a very special breed and should be maintained to its original type. The dog is not for all hunters. The true type is described in the standard as “Courageous and hard, takes pleasure in work, enduring, vital, full of temperament, reliable, sociable and trainable, neither shy nor aggressive.” The true type is a tremendous amount of dog in a small frame. They are high energy and extremely driven. The good ones will absolutely require a dedicated handler to get the dog to reach their potential. Before getting into the breed, learn and research about the breed as well as any potential breeder. Before getting a dog, ask very specific questions about the instincts and traits of the Dam and Sire. Better yet, ask about test results. Breeders that are serious about breeding quality Jagdterriers should be able to talk to you about instincts and traits of the dogs they selected for breeding. The reality is that shy of importing, the availability of tested dogs and facilities / events to test dogs are very limited. Another reality is that as our dogs become farther removed from tested stock, the likelihood of breeding weaker instincts and traits becomes greater. It is up to each of us to know and understand the standards of performance, instinct and conformation. It is important that we know exactly what is producing pups and the quality of those pups as compared to the documented standards.
In short, you, the dog buyer, will ultimately determine the fait of this incredible breed. You are the demand. No hunter or hunting dog owner would consciously contribute to the demise of a great breed. Don’t fall for a sales pitch about improvements being made if the fact is that the original requirements are not being met. Show me a dog that passes testing / conformation standards and points birds. I will be first on the list get one. For clarity, what I mean is if someone is adding to the breed something that is not currently required while retaining everything that is required, the breeder should be commended! Get the real facts and don’t be sold an incomplete version of the original. The future of this breed lies in its past.
A Collaborative Article by Jagdterrier Enthusiasts:
Joe Wilson, Stephen Harger, Steve Meurer, Justin Ryder, Ivan V. Valchev, Dave Hafner, Dana Stone, Cyndi Stone, Scott Alls, Goran Canadic
Jagdterriers in America
A breed who's future lies in its' past
Are you a hunter? Do you like dogs? My guess is that if you are reading this you are and you do. So do we and we have chosen the Jagdterrier for the simple fact that they fit our liking. We are Jagdterrier enthusiasts. We use Jagdterriers on virtually any and all game that we hunt. Some of us specialize on certain game while others simply hunt at every opportunity or invitation and we rely on our dogs to increase our success as well as enjoyment. The Jagdterrier was created for folks like us and we want the best we can get. More importantly, we are committed to the breed and are taking steps to help insure the breed’s long-term viability and quality here in America. Below are some things we believe and support. We are committed to securing a strong future for this breed and believe it’s past is the key to its future.
The Deutsche Jagdterrier has been in the USA since the early ‘50s. Over the years the popularity of the breed has come and gone. They have become popular to hunters who have seen the outstanding qualities of the breed. With popularity comes demand and with demand comes pups from breeding practices that range from the best available in the country to nothing short of unscrupulous, as is the case with any popular breed. As it goes with hunters, there are many camps evolving on the scene. This article is merely an attempt to explain the position of one camp.
The Deutsche Jagdterrier is a German breed. It originated in Germany and they own the breed. The standard for the breed can be found at:
www.fci.be/uploaded_files/103gb98_en.doc
________________________________________________
TRANSLATION: Johan Gallant / Walter Schicker.
ORIGIN: Germany.
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE VALID ORIGINAL STANDARD: 05.02.1996.
UTILIZATION: Versatile hunting dog, suited in particular for the hunt under the ground and as a flushing dog.
FCI CLASSIFICATION: Group 3 Terriers.
Section 1 Large and medium sized Terriers.
With working trial.
BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY: 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 experienced hunters and cynologists Rudolf Frieß, Walter Zangenberg and Carl Erich Grünewald 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 with 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 Jagdterrier 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.
GENERAL APPEARANCE: A smallish, generally black and tan, compact, well proportioned working hunting dog.
IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS: Proportion of chest circumference to height at the withers: The circumference of the chest is 10 to 12 cm more than the height at the withers.
Body length to height at the withers: The body is insignificantly longer than the height at the withers.
Depth of chest to height at the withers: Circa 55 60 % of the height at the withers.
BEHAVIOUR / CHARACTER: Courageous and hard, takes pleasure in work, enduring, vital, full of temperament, reliable, sociable and trainable, neither shy nor aggressive.
HEAD: Elongated, slightly wedge shaped, not pointed, the muzzle slightly shorter than the skull from occiput to stop.
CRANIAL REGION:
Skull: The skull is flat, broad between the ears, narrower between the eyes.
Stop: Slightly marked.
FACIAL REGION:
Nose: In harmony with the muzzle, neither too narrow nor too small, not cleft. Black, but when the color of the coat is dominantly brown, a brown nose is also permitted.
Muzzle: Strong, distinct under jaw, strongly pronounced chin.
Cheeks: Well pronounced.
Lips: Tight and well pigmented.
Jaws/Teeth: Big teeth. Strong jaws with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, whereby the row of upper incisors, without gap, perfectly locks over the lower incisors, and with the teeth standing vertically to the jaws. 42 teeth in accordance with the teeth formula.
Eyes: Dark, small, oval, well placed in such a way that injury is hardly possible; the eyelids are tight. Resolute expression.
Ears: Set high, not explicitly small, V shaped; slightly touching semi drop ears.
NECK: Strong, not too long, well put on and blending strongly into the shoulders.
BODY:
Topline: Straight.
Withers: Well defined.
Back: Strong, straight, not too short.
Loin: Well muscled.
Croup: Well muscled and flat.
Chest: Deep, ribs well sprung, not too broad, long breastbone with ribs well reaching backwards.
Underline: Elegantly curved backwards; short and firm flanks, belly slightly drawn up.
TAIL: Well set to the long croup, docked for circa 1/3. Is rather carried slightly raised than steeply erected, but should never incline over the back. (In countries where tail docking is prohibited by law, it can be left in its natural state. It should be carried horizontally or slightly sabre formed.)
LIMBS
FOREQUARTERS:
General: Seen from the front the forelegs are straight and parallel, viewed from the side they are placed well under the body. The distance from the surface to the elbows is approximately equal to the distance from the elbows to the withers.
Shoulders: The shoulder blade lies well oblique and backwards; it is long and strongly muscled. There is good angulation between shoulder blade and upper arm.
Upper arm: As long as possible, well and dry muscled.
Elbows: Close to body, neither turned inward nor outward. Good angulation between upper arm and forearm.
Forearm: Dry, straight and upright with strong bones.
Pastern joint: Strong.
Pastern: Slightly angulated to the ground, bones rather strong than fine.
Forefeet: Often broader than the hind feet, the toes lying close to each other with sufficiently thick, hard, resistant and well pigmented pads. They are parallel, in stance as well as in movement neither turned inward nor outward.
HINDQUARTERS:
General: Viewed from behind straight and parallel. Good angulation between upper thigh and lower thigh and also at the hocks. Strong bones.
Upper thigh: Long, broad and muscular.
Stifle: Strong with good angulation between upper and lower thigh.
Lower thigh: Long, muscular and sinewy.
Hock joint: Strong and placed low.
Hocks: Short and vertical.
Hind feet: Oval to round, the toes lying close to each other, with sufficiently thick, hard, resistant and well pigmented pads. They are parallel, in stance and in movement neither turned inward nor outward.
GAIT / MOVEMENT: Ample ground covering, free, with good reach in the front and powerful drive from the rear. In front and hindquarters parallel and straight; never stilted.
SKIN: Thick, tight, without folds.
COAT
HAIR: Plain, dense; hard rough hair or coarse smooth hair.
COLOUR: The colour is black, dark brown or grayish black, with fawn (yellow red) clearly defined markings at the eyebrows, muzzle, chest, and the legs and at the base of the tail. Light and dark mask is equally permitted; small white markings on chest and toes are tolerated.
SIZE AND WEIGHT:
Height at the withers: Dogs: 33 to 40 cm, or 13 to 15 ¾ in.
es: 33 to 40 cm, or 13 to 15 ¾ in.Weight (desired ideal weight for working):
Dogs: 9 to 10 kg, or 19 ¾ to 22 lb.
es: 7,5 to 8,5 kg, or 16 1/2 to 18 ¾ lb.FAULTS: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.
Missing of one or both M3 (Molars) is not to be considered a fault.
SERIOUS FAULTS:
· Narrow skull, narrow and also pointed muzzle.
· Falling away under jaw, narrow jaws.
· Weak bite, any slight irregularity in the placing of the incisors.
· Light or spotted nose.
· Light, too big or protruding eyes.
· Erected, flying, too small, set too low or heavy ears.
· Steep forequarters.
· Soft or roached back, too short back.
· Short breastbone.
· Too narrow or too wide in front.
· Steep hindquarters, overbuilt.
· Elbows clearly turned in or out.
· Too close or spread toes; cow-hocked, bow-legged or narrow hocks, in stance as well as in movement.
· Ambling, stilted or tripping gait.
· Splayed feet, cat feet.
· Tail inclining over the back, tail set too low or hanging.
· Short, woolly, open or thin hair, bald at the belly or at the inner sides of the thighs.
DISQUALIFYING FAULTS:
· Aggressive or overly shy.
· Weak in temperament and character, shot or game shy.
· Over and undershot bite, wry mouth, pincer and partial pincer bite, irregularly placed teeth, missing teeth except for M3.
· Incorrect pigmentation.
· Entropion and ectropion, eyes of different color, blue or spotted eyes.
· Any departure of the described coat color.
· Over and under size.
Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioral abnormalities shall be disqualified.
N.B.: Male animals must have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
It is important that we recognize the purpose of the breed as developed. After the First World War, the majority of Europe was not exactly in a state of “wealth”. It was not a popular decision and for the most part economically infeasible to keep many dogs. The need for a smaller dog capable of being trained for many purposes was very popular. The primary quarry species below ground were, and still are, the fox and badger. Hunters wanted a dog that could be used below ground and later decided that they wanted the same dog to work as a flushing and tracking dog for the abundant wild pigs. So started their quest for the versatile Jagdterrier. Over the years, as laws have changed, many also began to train the dogs for water work as well as to flush / retrieve upland game. The conformation was set to support the function and expectations of the breed. So too were the required instincts and traits expected of the breed. The breed has been maintained and possibly improved by adhering to very strict rules governing breeding practices up to and including the requirement to applying for breeding approvals through the governing club. Permission is granted only if a series of requirements are met. Some of these requirements include:
· Complete registration of both Dam and Sire
· Both Dam and Sire must have passed the ZP or Natural Hunting Instinct Test
· Both Dam and Sire must have been inspected and approved on conformation
(German Hunting Terrier Natural Instinct Test)
Underground Work
Work underground; search, aggressiveness, persistence and voice.
SEARCH: Before this discipline, dog can be encouraged until he finds the quarry. Handler has to stay at the entrance of the tunnel and is not allowed to leave. A good dog will not go in the tunnel if its was not used. Fox or badger is guided all the way until is closed in one of the dens. Dog has 5 minutes to search the tunnel. Exiting lowers his score for one point and if he leaves the tunnel 3 times and is not going back in time leads to disqualification.
VOICE: After finding its quarry dog has to start barking continually and persistently. Real voice has to be distinguished from false voice where there is no quarry or the quarry has not even entered. Time is 5 minutes and not giving any voice leads to disqualification.
AGGRESSIVENESS: Gates are lifted and quarry is given 10 seconds to find its place. (Direct contact) Gate is lifted in front of the dog and he has 2 minutes to work. Dog has to hold the quarry for 10 seconds. If the dog is not making contact and stays 1+ meter in front of its quarry, it is disqualified.
PERSISTENCE: Scored from the time when dog enters the tunnel. Every time the dog leaves the quarry 1 point is taken off the total and if the dogs does not go back after 3 times or is not going back in time it is disqualified.
Field Work
NOSE: Work is tested on Jackrabbit, rabbit, or game bird tracks (last resort). Difficulty is taken into consideration while testing. Dog is tested only in the field.
CONFIDENT TRACKING: Tested on Jackrabbit, rabbit, or game bird tracks in the field. Nose and confident tracking are in most cases dependent categories.
PERSISTANCE: Constant following with hard work to find lost track. High level of persistence has no effect on obedience in the field.
SCENT VOICE: Done in the field after game has gone out of sight. It is not recommended to start the track from the beginning and handler is allowed to walk with the dog on the leash for the first 30 meters. Every dog has the chance to be tested on two Jackrabbit or rabbit tracks. . Dogs with a false bark without the tracks are not used for breeding.
SIGHT VOICE: Dogs must be reported as sight tracking dogs before they are tested. If scent-tracking dog fails on two Jackrabbit or rabbit tracks, it cannot be tested as sight tracking dog.
Love For Water
Test for natural desire to work in the water. Test is done in steady or slow running ponds or rivers with easy access and deep enough for dog to swim. Training for water work has to be distinguished from desire to go in the water.
Handling Scored through the whole test.
Gun Shy Test
Tested at the beginning and two shots are fired 20-30m from dogs walking with their handlers in the circle. Dogs showing some fear are tested again at free range. Scores are pass or fail and disqualification is also a cause for a ban for breeding.
Recently, a group of dedicated, like-minded people gathered in Michigan to conduct informal testing of their dogs to ZP (Natural Hunting Instinct). The event may well have been the first of its kind in the US. This group of people is of the belief that the Jagdterrier is a very special breed and should be maintained to its original type. The dog is not for all hunters. The true type is described in the standard as “Courageous and hard, takes pleasure in work, enduring, vital, full of temperament, reliable, sociable and trainable, neither shy nor aggressive.” The true type is a tremendous amount of dog in a small frame. They are high energy and extremely driven. The good ones will absolutely require a dedicated handler to get the dog to reach their potential. Before getting into the breed, learn and research about the breed as well as any potential breeder. Before getting a dog, ask very specific questions about the instincts and traits of the Dam and Sire. Better yet, ask about test results. Breeders that are serious about breeding quality Jagdterriers should be able to talk to you about instincts and traits of the dogs they selected for breeding. The reality is that shy of importing, the availability of tested dogs and facilities / events to test dogs are very limited. Another reality is that as our dogs become farther removed from tested stock, the likelihood of breeding weaker instincts and traits becomes greater. It is up to each of us to know and understand the standards of performance, instinct and conformation. It is important that we know exactly what is producing pups and the quality of those pups as compared to the documented standards.
In short, you, the dog buyer, will ultimately determine the fait of this incredible breed. You are the demand. No hunter or hunting dog owner would consciously contribute to the demise of a great breed. Don’t fall for a sales pitch about improvements being made if the fact is that the original requirements are not being met. Show me a dog that passes testing / conformation standards and points birds. I will be first on the list get one. For clarity, what I mean is if someone is adding to the breed something that is not currently required while retaining everything that is required, the breeder should be commended! Get the real facts and don’t be sold an incomplete version of the original. The future of this breed lies in its past.
A Collaborative Article by Jagdterrier Enthusiasts:
Joe Wilson, Stephen Harger, Steve Meurer, Justin Ryder, Ivan V. Valchev, Dave Hafner, Dana Stone, Cyndi Stone, Scott Alls, Goran Canadic