Jagdterrier vs Indian Spitz - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

The Indian Spitz is a working dog and has always been used for hunting and tracking small game. It is a popular dog breed in India.

There isn't too much information on the exact origin of the dog but dog experts tell us the dogs have descended from different Spitz breeds and wild wolves, and that they date back thousands of years.

People often mix them up with the Pomeranian, but they're different, being introduced in India by the British. The British began breeding them from a stock of German Spitz's and years of breeding produced the ideal dog type which could cope with the tempestuous weather conditions in India.

They aren't recognized by any major kennel clubs but the Kennel Club of India is working to establish the Indian Spitz as a separate breed.

Known as the German Hunt Terrier, the Jagdterrier hails from Germany and is a working terrier. In fact, the purpose of the Jagdterrier was for breeders to come up with an improved hunting terrier.

The dog was developed at the turn of the 20th century, so its not a particularly old breed. There were a number of breeders who broke away from the German Fox Terrier Club, dedicating themselves to creating this newer terrier.

The first Jagdterriers were created by mixing the Old English Fox Terrier with a number of Black and Tan Hunting Terriers. Other dogs used to develop the Jagdterrier were German Pinschers, Welsh Terriers and English Wirehaired Terriers.

Today he is considered a superb hunting dog.The German Hunting Terrier Club was was founded in 1926.

The Indian Spitz is an attractive, fluffy looking dog breed thought to have been domesticated thousands of years ago.

The dog comes in two sizes – the smaller- and larger size. The Smaller Indian Spitz stands at between 20 - 25 cm and weighs between 5 – 7kg while the Greater Indian Spitz stands at 35-45cm and weighs between 12 – 20kg.

The dog has a long-haired coat, with the hair on the head being shorter than the rest of the body. The color of the coat can be white, brown or black and white.

Temperament:

The Indian Spitz is an easy-going dog which adapts to all kinds of living conditions in India. They therefore adapt easily to life in the city or in the countryside.

The Indian Spitz is a social, friendly dog who is loyal towards his human family, showing his joy at being with them with high-pitched barking. He gets on well with children in the home and because he isn't aggressive, he gets on well with pets in the home too.

He is intelligent which means that he is able to be trained and socialized, turning him into an obedient pet who takes his job as guardian and protector seriously.

The Jagdterrier is a tenacious hunter, taking on lots of wild creatures such as boars, badgers and even cougars.

He is of medium size standing between 33 and 40cm in height and weighing 7-10kg.

He has a coat of black and tan which can also be a dark brown shade or be a charcoal color. The Deutscher Jagdterrier is a compact, well-proportioned dog with a wedge shaped head and flat skull. The ears are set high and go up before they come down to form floppy ears. The tail has always been docked at about one third of the tail. These days it is often left long, being carried raised.

Temperament:

Active, athletic and alert, the Jagdterrier is also social, intelligent, strong-willed and confident. He is a serious hunter but can make an excellent pet, especially when trained and socialized.

He is energetic so he will require owners who are prepared to include him in all their activities. They are good around children, but their hunting side makes them long to be outdoors busy with exciting activities.

Playful, feisty, intelligent, loving and loyal, the Indian Spitz is full of character and just loves being in a loving family home.

Easy to train, he becomes a wonderfully obedient canine friend who loves nothing more than to spend time with you, especially when it is outdoors going for a walk or playing ball.

He is an entertaining little dog too, and anyone wishing to buy a dog like this won't regret it as he brings in a joyful dimension to any home.

Your Deutscher Jagdterrier is an intelligent dog who enjoys the company of his human family, particularly when they are active and can meet his high energy needs and his desire to be busy.

They are quite wary with strangers and this makes them alert watchdogs. They are affectionate and playful with children if the children know how to respect them. Because of their hunting skills, they can be a bit of a threat around small animals in the home.

He is a quick learner and responds well to training and socialization. He will thrive on living in the countryside, but wherever you live with your Jagdterrier, give him plenty of exercise, a warm, dry bed, good food and your love and devotion, and he'll respond by being a super pet and companion.

These feisty little dogs can reach 14 years of age if looked after well.

Your Indian Spitz will need to see a vet when he is 6 weeks of age for his first vaccinations and also whenever he is sick.

He is a dog breed that doesn't get sick very easily, but still it is wise to know about some of the more common dog diseases that could plague your little pet, and these are among others, hip dysplasia, epilepsy, cancer and vision- and dental problems.

Dental Disease:

It is important to be keeping an eye on your dog's oral health. Infected teeth can have a bad impact on his health and can actually contribute to heart- and kidney disease for instance.

One of the major causes of dental disease in dogs is none other than diet. Always try to feed your pet the best quality food there is. Certainly if you feel your pet isn't getting the best food, try a probiotic supplement as this can create a healthy bacterial environment in your dog’s mouth.

Check your pet's mouth regularly so you can attend to any dental problem before it gets out of hand.

You’re not going to be taking a sick Jagdterrier to the vet often as this is generally a healthy dog breed who can reach 13, 14 or 15 years of age with good care.

He may be prone to a genetic breed disorder known as Primary Lens Luxation. Sometimes people are given prescription eye drops to constrict the pupil ad help the subluxated lens from getting worse.

This is a painful hereditary condition that leads to blindness. It affects many breeds of dog, particularly terrier-type dogs.

Diet:

These dogs have been used to a diet of milk and rice, but if possible it can be beneficial to the dog to include some cooked chicken and vegetables too. Raw meat is also important, but it is expensive, so just adding it in from time to time can still be beneficial. Water which is cool and clean should be available to the dog day and night, non-stop.

Grooming:

Your Spitz dog will simply require a brush twice a week to keep it clean and vibrant and free from loose hairs. While brushing him, make a point of checking him for fleas and ticks as well.

Exercise:

This is a busy little dog that wants to involved in everything you're busy with. He will love to join you in your long walks each day or if you take him to the park, he will love the chance to run off his leash.

Diet:

Your energetic Jagdterrier will do well on a high-quality dog food, of which there are some good ones on the market.

If you do buy a commercially manufactured dog food, make sure that you read the instructions on the packaging so as to adhere to portion control. You can’t afford to have your pet becoming obese as this opens up a host of problems, and it can also shorten your dog’s life-span.

If you invest in high quality kibble, try to add in some nutritious and tasty home-made food such as cooked chicken, some brown rice or pasta and some vegetables. It is always wise to add in some raw meat from time to time as this promotes good health in your dog and prevents skin allergies.

Any diet for a dog should be in keeping with his age and his energy levels. Make sure your pet has constant access to fresh, cool drinking water.

Grooming:

Brush your Jagdterrier’s hair twice a week. It will keep the coat in tip top condition, but it also does your pet the world of good. He loves it when you take time out to be with him and to give him some special time. Brushing him also allows you to check him over for ticks and fleas.

Other grooming aspects for your dog will be to check on his nails and to clip them when they get too long. Ears should also be checked regularly to avoid a buildup of wax and dirt and teeth should be checked as well. Dental disease can lead to a host of illnesses which can be detrimental to the heart and kidneys.

Exercise:

Every dog needs different forms of exercise to remain lean and healthy. Options for exercise for your Jagdterrier can be going on walks, swimming and play time in the backyard.