German Jagdterrier Registry of America Breed Standard
First and foremost what is important is the German Jagdterrier in America has a good set of brains between the ears. It knows when to engage on game and when to bay. Handles good when hunting and content at home when not.
General Appearance: The German Jagdterrier in America appears tense, determined and fearless. He serves in hunting as a fighting/bay dog under and above ground, as a trailing and flushing dog above ground and in water. He is a “blood” hound and retriever of small game. His height permits keeping in the house and as a companion in automobiles. He needs a lot of activity. He is unmindful of injuries obtained from counterattack of marauding game. He is a hardy dog.
Head: The skull is flat, and broader between the ears than is the head of a fox terrier. The German Jagdterrier head narrows in width at the eyes. From the stop to the muzzle the head tapers gradually. The fore face should be shorter that the skull proper.
Nose: The nose is black except for the Chocolate and Liver color.
Eyes: The eyes are dark except for the Chocolate and Liver color, small and recessed in to the head with good closing eyelids and a determined expression.
Ears: The ears are in the form of a ‘V’ set high on the skull, not to small and touching the cheek lightly.
Neck: The neck is strong not long, set a little high with a stronger tapering towards the shoulder.
Shoulder: The shoulder is long, sloping. Fore-legs straight and muscular. The pastern having slightly curved bones (i.e. “knuckled over”) and well developed.
Back: The back is strong and straight and not to short.
Chest: The chest is strong and deep. Well arched.
Croup: The area of the kidneys and rump are well developed and muscular.
Hind Leg: The upper thigh is long and the stifle is well angled and muscular. The hock joint is set deep. Strong bones.
Feet: The feet are not cat-like. They are well formed and set straight. The front feet are larger than the hind feet. The toes are close together. The front feet are placed in shoulder width.
Note: All dewclaws should be removed, front and back (if any)
Tail: The tail is set well on a long rump.
Note: Tail should be docked to 1/3 off leaving a handle.
Coat Type:
Smooth: Smooth Hair
Smooth Dense: Smooth hair, no long hair, dense hair.
Broken: Dense hair, facial hair, longer hair on back of legs and belly.
Rough: Dense longer hair all over the body.
Colors:
Preferred Color - Black and Tan. The main or body color is solid black; the tan or red-rust, is lustrous and well defines on the feet, at breeching, on side of cheek, above eyes and on inside ears as in Dachshund and Doberman. Body and makings may be of lighter colors. A little white on chest and toes is permissible.
High Tan: Main Body Color: Black with Tan Points and a Tan Mask that runs above the eyes.
Not Preferred - Liver or Chocolate: Main Body Color: Liver or Chocolate with Light Tan Points.
Height: 11” to 17.6” tall at the withers.
Preferred Height 13” to 16” at the withers
Weight: Suggested weight: 10 to 34 pounds
Preferred Weight:
Males 18 to 22 pounds - Suggested working weight
Females 15 to 18 pounds - Suggested working weight
Faults:
Missing Testicles, overshot and undershot jaw. Light to partially shaded nose—except in the Chocolate and Liver Color. Pricked ear.
Over aggressiveness towards dogs and people. Overly shy towards people.
Straight fore and hind legs. Short back (should be proportionately longer in body than in height). Stiff movements.
Major Faults:
Any defect from birth that hinders the dog to perform in hunting is a Major Fault and the dog is not recommended for breeding.
To this day you can still have salt and pepper color pups in a litter. This is not a recommended color and should not be bred to produce this color.
Note: The German Jagdterrier Preferred Breed Standard was set and published in the United States in 1962. This same breed standard was used and refined for the German Jagdterrier Registry of America Breed Standard.
Revised 10/10/07
