The Kromfohrländer is a rare and ancient dog breed that originated in Germany. They were bred to hunt small game.
This breed is known for its distinctive appearance, with a short, smooth coat that comes in a variety of colors. Their coat can be black and tan, black and red, or any combination of these colors.
Kromfohrländer are a medium-sized breed, with males weighing between 18 and 22 pounds and standing between 16 and 18 inches tall at the shoulder.
Characteristics
The Kromfohrländer is a medium-sized dog with a height at the withers ranging from 38 to 46 cm.
They weigh between 11-16 kg, with bitches weighing about 2 kg less.
This breed comes in two types of coat: a rough-haired (Rauhaar) and a smooth-haired (Glatthaar).
The rough-haired coat is coarse and bearded, with longer hair on the muzzle and face, while the smooth-haired coat is soft and lies close to the body.
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The coat is thick in both types, with a soft undercoat, and the hair length ranges from 3 to 7 cm.
The Kromfohrländer's coat is white with patches of brown, ranging from light brown to dark brown.
Here are the different types of coats the Kromfohrländer can have:
- Long-haired
- Short-haired
- Wire-haired
The Kromfohrländer is a very clean dog and doesn't have a strong "doggy" smell.
Physical Appearance
The Kromfohrländer's physical appearance is quite charming. They are a small to medium-sized dog, with males and females both ranging in height from 38-56 cm and weighing between 9-16 kg.
Their coat can be either rough or smooth, with the rough-coated variety sporting a beard-like facial hair. The rough coat is thick and rough in texture, with the hair on their withers and back reaching up to three inches in length, while the smooth coat is thick and smooth without a beard.
The Kromfohrländer's ears are set high on their head, triangular in shape with rounded tips, and lie close to the head. Their body is slightly longer than tall, with a moderately broad and deep chest that reaches down to their elbows.
Their tail is medium-long, strong at the base, and carried saber-like over their back. The basic color of their body is white, with patches or a saddle of tan or light to dark brown markings.
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Appearance of the Kromfohrländer
The Kromfohrländer is a small to medium-sized dog with a charming appearance. They have a height at the withers of 38-56 cm for both males and females.
Their weight is relatively consistent, ranging from 9-16 kg for both males and females. The Kromfohrländer can have either a rough or smooth coat, which is thick and textured.
Rough-coated dogs have a distinctive bearded face, while smooth-coated dogs have a shorter, smoother coat. Both types of coats have a short and soft undercoat.
The Kromfohrländer's muzzle is straight, tapering slightly to a dog's nose. Their muzzles are strong and well-muscled, with dark lips and strong jaws.
Their eyes are medium-sized, oval-shaped, and dark brown in color. The ears are set high, triangular-shaped, and drop down to the sides of the head, with rounded tips.
The neck is of medium length, slightly arched, and nicely muscled. The Kromfohrländer has well-muscled forequarters and straight, muscular front legs.
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Their hindquarters are strong, with powerful back legs and well-muscled upper thighs. The feet are slightly arched, with tight toes and well-developed paw pads.
The tail is medium long, strong at the base, and carried saber-like over the back. The Kromfohrländer's coat can be either rough or smooth, with the rough-coated dog having a beard and longer hair on the withers and back.
Here are the typical breed colors:
- White with patches or a saddle of tan/light/dark brown markings
Height and Weight
The physical appearance of this animal is quite distinctive.
Height at the withers is 15 to 18 inches.
This compact size makes it a great pet for smaller living spaces.
Caring for the Kromfohrländer
Caring for the Kromfohrländer requires attention to their grooming, exercise, and diet. They need to be groomed regularly to keep their coats and skin in top condition.
A good quality diet is essential for the Kromfohrländer, and they should be fed food that meets their nutritional needs throughout their lives. Once a puppy is 12 months old, they can be fed adult dog food.
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Regular daily exercise is also crucial to ensure the Kromfohrländer remains fit and healthy. As they age, older Kromfohrlanders need less exercise, but still require some physical activity to maintain muscle tone and prevent weight gain.
Older Kromfohrlanders have specific dietary needs, with a rough feeding guide suggesting a diet with the following characteristics:
Older Kromfohrlanders also need access to fresh, clean water, especially as they are more at risk of developing kidney disorders.
Behavior and Training
The Kromfohrlander is an intelligent breed that thrives on positive reinforcement training. They are sensitive dogs that don't respond well to harsh correction or heavier handed training methods.
To start training your Kromfohrlander, it's essential to establish a pecking order and boundaries in the household. This will help them understand what is expected of them. The first commands a puppy should be taught are "come", "sit", "stay", "heel", "quiet", "leave it", "down", and "bed."
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A Kromfohrlander's strong ability to focus and maintain attention makes them easy to train. They can learn many tricks and will happily engage in long training sessions. Here are the basic commands to get you started:
- Come
- Sit
- Stay
- Heel
- Quiet
- Leave it
- Down
- Bed
Early socialization is also crucial for Kromfohrlanders, as they can be a little wary and shy around people they don't know. Introduce them to new situations, noises, people, other animals, and dogs from an early age to help them mature into well-rounded, calm dogs.
Gait/Movement
The Kromfohrlander's gait is a sight to behold, covering a lot of ground with each brisk and active step they take.
Their movement is a testament to their energetic and lively nature, always ready to explore and play.
It's essential to remember that this breed is built for movement, so they need regular exercise to keep them happy and healthy.
Training
Training your Kromfohrlander requires an early start and consistent approach. It's essential to begin their education as soon as possible and make sure training is always consistent, so they know what to expect.
Kromfohrlanders are sensitive dogs and don't respond well to harsh correction or heavier-handed training methods. Instead, they thrive on positive reinforcement, which brings out the best in these clever dogs.
To establish a pecking order and who the alpha dog is in the household, it's crucial to set ground rules and boundaries from the start. This helps puppies understand what's expected of them and establishes a strong bond with their owners.
The first commands a puppy should learn are: Come, Sit, Stay, Heel, Quiet, Leave it, Down, and Bed. These basic commands lay the foundation for more advanced training and help your puppy become a well-behaved member of the family.
Kromfohrlanders are highly trainable and can learn many tricks with ease. They have a strong ability to focus and maintain attention, making them perfect for long training sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Kromfohrlander mean?
The name Kromfohrlander originates from the German district "Krom Fohr", meaning "Crooked Furrow". This unique name reflects the breed's German heritage and fascinating history.
What is the life span of a Kromfohrlander?
A Kromfohrlander's average lifespan is 17-18 years, making it a long-lived breed. With proper care, they can live a long and healthy life as a beloved companion.
What are the health issues with the Kromfohrlander?
The Kromfohrlander is prone to several health issues, including hyperkeratosis, von Willebrand's Disease, epilepsy, cystinuria, and patellar luxation. Regular veterinary check-ups and genetic testing can help identify these conditions early on.
What breed group is the Kromfohrlander in?
The Kromfohrlander is classified in the Companion Dog Group. It was previously in the Terrier Group, but was reclassified in 2013.
Sources
- Kromfohrlander - Breed Standards (ukcdogs.com)
- Kromfohrlander Dogs Breed - Information, Temperament ... (pets4homes.co.uk)
- Kromfohrlander - Dog Breed Information (akc.org)
- JSTOR (jstor.org)
- scholar (google.com)
- news (google.com)
- "Kromfohrländer" (google.com)
- Kromfohrländer (vdh.de)
- Welpenstatistik (vdh.de)
- FCI breeds nomenclature: Kromfohrländer (fci.be)
- Enzyklopädie der Rassenhunde: Ursprung, Geschichte, Zuchtziele, Eignung und Verwendung (google.it)
- Kromfohrländer (riahorter.com)
- Rassezuchtverein der Kromfohrländer/German Kromfohrländer Club (kromfohrlaender.de)
- Association for Wirehaired Kromfohrländers/Germany (rauhaarige-kromfohrlaender.de)
- Kromfohrländer Club of America (kromiclub.com)
- Kromfohrlander Facts - Wisdom Panel™ Dog Breeds (wisdompanel.com)
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