Breed Standard

Introduction

The breeding of the German Hunting Terrier is a hobby that some people pay more for than others. However, love of animals is always the basic prerequisite. Breeding does not mean multiplying and earning, but improving and refining. The breeder has to constantly invest, risk and select the best. He is responsible for the breed standard and his conscience and must observe the relevant provisions of the club statutes, the examination regulations and the breeding regulations. The breeding goal is the hereditarily healthy and stable German hunting terrier, which stands out at hunting tests and breeding shows and proves itself especially in hunting practice. Even as a house and companion dog, it is always human-friendly and fearless.

"Only the best is good enough for breeding!" this old and proven principle is the key to successful breeding. The breeder must be clear about his goal, which must not simply culminate in the one word "top dog". However, there is also no point in including 30 or more traits in the future breeding plan, which he will never be able to get to grips with because of the large number of traits because the genetic relationships and combinations become too complicated.

The breeder should focus on the following characteristics:

Hardness, nose, track sound, joy in water, dressage ability, strength of character (shooting ability, standing calmness, social compatibility), body size, colour, hair (smooth or rough), teeth, and health. Details are regulated by the breeding regulations of the German Hunting Terrier Club e.V.

Terms from hunting cynology:

Sharpness

Sharpness is defined as the degree to which aggressive behavior can be triggered. Hunting dogs that show a high level of aggressiveness against predators, but also hoofed game (especially wild boar), are aggressive in their prey. This is referred to as predatory game or game sharpness. However, this sharpness has nothing to do with biting or a high willingness to act aggressively against conspecifics or humans. The essence of this sharpness lies in the fact that the whole energy of the dog is devoted to the pursuit of game and that when it reaches the prey it passes into a firm grip (grasping) and, if necessary, into a resolute stalling.

Courage

A dog that remains steadfast in every situation despite the unexpected influence of strong stimuli can be described as courageous. He has a good nervous system and will rarely react with jumpiness. Some dogs, on the other hand, are only courageous to a limited extent, e.g. in the kennel or in the house, on a leash or in the immediate vicinity of the master. In other situations, however, they can run away or react clearly in a frightened way. Pronounced courage, just like pronounced toughness, has its limits, otherwise the preservation of the individual and the species would be endangered.

Hardness

A dog is described as hard if it is very insensitive to physical and stressful emotional irritations. Certain hunting dog breeds, and in particular the German hunting terrier, are known for their pronounced hardness. This insensitivity is irreplaceable, especially when hunting ground and hunting wild boar.

Handling

Führig is a dog that willingly subordinates itself to its master and has a high degree of predisposition to such behavior, which allows it to live effectively and smoothly together with its master but also with other dogs.

Every living being as a whole has its own environment, which is built on the interaction of stimulus, influences of the environment and activity. These influences are inextricably linked.

Essence

Dogs that react to the stimuli occurring in their environment in such a way that excitation and inhibition run in normal channels can be described as stable in character. Firmness of character is therefore a general term for the designation of an overall physical and mental state, which is always immediately restored as a kind of equilibrium within exciting and inhibiting environmental influences.

Kennel Protection, Kennel Inspection and Breeding Rights

Protection of a kennel name must be applied for with the responsible state breeding warden (LZW) at the studbook office. The LZW or a person appointed by them must (using the mandatory form "Kennel Inspection") check whether the conditions for the proper care of dogs and the proper rearing of puppies (according to the mandatory regulations of the German Hunting Terrier Club e. V. for puppy rearing) are guaranteed. The results of the inspection must be recorded in writing and sent to the studbook office together with the application. Breeding rights and kennel protection are only granted to members who hold a valid German annual hunting license. They must ensure the animal welfare-compliant and proper care of dogs as well as the animal welfare-compliant and proper rearing and care of a litter. A certificate of competence from the DJT Club for breeders, sufficient supervision time, and the means to properly care for and supervise puppies beyond the usual time of handover are also required. The granting of kennel protection by the studbook office must occur before mating. The granting and revocation of kennel protection are published in the newsletter. After the breeder relocates, changes the breeding facility, takes a breeding break of more than five years (reference date is the birth date of the last litter), and/or after a breeding ban, a new kennel inspection is required. The costs incurred for this are borne by the breeder.

Registration

The parent dogs must have acquired the necessary prerequisites for breeding before mating. If the litter complies with the breeding regulations, it will be entered in the DJT-Club studbook, and the puppies will receive pedigrees. If the litter does not meet the breeding regulations, the puppies will receive pedigrees with the note "breeding ban." The breeding ban can be lifted upon written application to the studbook office in agreement with the breeding committee and the chief breeding warden after the breeding requirements have been met.

Stud Dogs Certification

Performance Certificates

A male dog may only be approved for breeding if he has successfully participated in a ZP I (den suitability test) and a ZP II (above-ground work). The stud dog must have the den performance certificate with a rating of 4 for digging, the track barking mark, water affinity rating of 2, and the prize star.

Coat and Conformation

The stud dog must have at least a “very good” rating in both coat and conformation. The rating can be obtained twice at a state breed show and once at a national breed show as well as at international breed dog shows judged by DJT-VDH specialist judges or comparable specialist judges abroad. The most recent rating is binding.

Teeth

The stud dog must have a strong, complete, and flawless scissor bite. The absence of M3 is not considered a fault.

Diseases and Genetic Defects

Stud dogs must be free of diseases and genetic defects and must not show any abnormalities of the sexual organs. Dogs with inherited defects or those that pass them on must be excluded from breeding. The owner of the stud dog is obliged to report any genetic defects (eye defects, etc.) of his stud dog to the breed registry office. Failure to do so is considered detrimental breeding behavior and will be sanctioned accordingly.

Female Breeding Certification

Performance Certificates

The female dog may only be admitted to breeding if she has successfully participated in a ZP I (den suitability test) and in a ZP II (above-ground work), provided that she has at least 3 (three), water joy 2 (two) and the track dash as her explosive score. A lower grade in blasting is compensated by the hardness stroke. From the age of 4 (36 months + 1 day), the breeding must have a natural performance mark (burrow or sow). Equivalent performance marks acquired abroad are recognised.

Coat and Conformation

The breeding female must have been rated at least "good" in terms of coat and conformation. The evaluation can be obtained twice at a state breeding show and once at a national breeding show, as well as at international pedigree dog shows, which are judged by DJT-VDH special breed judges or comparable special judges from abroad. The last rating is binding.

Teeth

The breeding female must have a strong, complete, and flawless scissor bite. The absence of M3 is not considered a fault.

Diseases and Genetic Defects

The breeding female must be free of diseases and hereditary defects. Those that have or inherit hereditary defects must be excluded from breeding. The breeder is obliged to report any hereditary defects (eye defects, etc.) occurring in his breeding to the studbook office. Failure to do so is considered detrimental breeding behavior and will be sanctioned accordingly