Kurzhaar: a description of the appearance and character of dogs, their contents

The breed of dog with the complex name Kurzhaar was bred in the XIX century. It is especially popular with hunters, as this dog is an excellent companion and helper in the game paddock.

The German Kurzhaar is a hunting dog bred in Germany. The breeders wanted to get not only an outstanding sports and hunting breed, but also an animal with an attractive appearance and talent for hunting. At the same time, the breed has a surprisingly resigned disposition, is well trained and not aggressive towards a person. The described breed was the result of crossing English, Spanish and German dogsas a result, she took from them only the best features. The English blood gave the animals a keen sense of smell and ingenuity, the ability to quickly respond to the situation. It is these qualities that dogs are famous for in a country where hunting is considered a real art.

German breeders after long labors were able to get an animal that can hunt small and large game. This is a universal dog that will help bring home not only black grouse, but also deer. The animal perfectly performs the task in the water and on land, can quickly move in dense vegetation.

When dog handlers began to understand the pedigree of the breed, they concluded that the Kurzhaars had existed in Germany for a long time. Based on collected facts, it was possible to conclude that the ancestors of the described breed were brought to the country from the Mediterranean, where they, in turn, came from Asia. Interest in hunting breeds disappeared when a person had a firearm. Before that, the Kurzhaars kept the nobility in mind, as these dogs helped them hunt the lands they owned. Representatives of the species in question belonged to the cops, that is, to those dogs that could find in the thickets not only birds, but also large animals.

The ancestors of the Kurzhaar were also cops. Today it is already known that the breed was the result of the crossing of the Spanish Pointer and the Bracco Italiano. Initially, Bracky appeared on the territory of Germany. Then it was decided to cross the brought dog with the Hanoverian hound, from which modern Kurzhaars inherited the attractive coat color of coffee shade and not only. It is from the beagle of the representatives of the described breed natural hunting skills that allow you to catch game of any size.

Another breed, Perdigero Burgos, had a great influence on the Kurzhaar. These animals were excellent bird hunters, namely partridges. In Germany, they appeared 3 centuries later than the first breed. After crossing Pointer and Bracco, an old German Württemberg Pointer appeared, which to this day is considered to be the closest ancestor of the Kurzhaar.

Some breeders believe that many more varieties of dogs participated in the formation of the breed. Including:

• Weimar Pointer;
• Hungarian vyzhla;
• Dalmatian;
• German Hound.

In former times, the appearance of a dog was not considered the main indicator of breeding for breeding.Much more important were the qualities that dogs showed, because good hounds sometimes cost the breeders more expensive than Arabian horses. In the 18th century, due to widespread standardization, breeders began to pay more attention to stud books and develop common criteria for breeding local species of dogs. This is the very time when the Drathaar appeared - a breed resulting from the mixing of a German Pointer and dogs with hard wool. The new name for the Kurzhaar was required so that the dog could be distinguished from the smooth-haired pointer.

At the end of the 19th century, active work was carried out on the creation of tribal books, to which the Kurzhaar was listed only in 1872. At exhibitions you could see the first representatives of the breed, but these dogs played a role more service than hunting.

The book was given the first detailed description of the appearance, habits, abilities of such dogs. There was also a list of tasks with which the animal could easily cope. Since that time, the dog has not changed at all externally, but the breed standard was recorded only in 1912. It was the blood connection with the pointers that gave the animal such positive qualities as high speed and a neat physique. Both had a positive effect during the hunt, because the Kurzhaar can even develop impressive speed in the underbrush.

The animal was introduced to the United States in 1925. The first to introduce the breed was Charles Thornton, who was conquered by the appearance of the dog and its qualities. He first started several individuals and began to breed them. Five years later, the Kurzhaars were registered with the American Kennel Club. The most popular animal received in the twentieth century. Even more often it was possible to meet dogs at exhibitions, after their photos began to appear in specialized magazines.

The history of the development of the breed was not so smooth in Europe, where, along with the Second World War, the danger of losing breeding individuals and kurtzhaar breeders came. During the war, dogs were taken along with money and other valuables to Yugoslavia. Human greed almost caused the extinction of the breed. After the announcement of the Iron Curtain, the breeders could not get access to good breeding animals and were forced to cross those who remained.

In 1948, by the English canine club, these dogs were included in the category of team mates, and only 20 years later they were recognized as one of the best in terms of hunting. In our century, the Kurzhaars occupy 16th place in the list of AKC. We were able to appreciate the advantages of dogs in our country. Today, few people breed these dogs for hunting, more often such dogs are kept as a good and faithful friend, since hunting is slowly fading away.

The described dogs should be counted as large, but, despite their size, they look elegant and have an athletic body. If you look closely, it is difficult not to notice the strong musculature of the animal, while walking its steps seem light, airy, all due to the fact that the dog has excellent body control. In every movement, the nobility with which this dog was born is noticeable. There is a difference in height between a dog and a female, but it is insignificant. According to the characteristics of the male should be at the withers from 62 to 66 centimeters, and the female - from 58 to 64 centimeters. There is a set indicator for body dimensions. Male usually reaches weight 29-32 kilograms, and a bitch - 20-27 kilograms.

The head of a representative of this breed looks proportional to the existing body, with clear outlines. Its structure is slightly dryish and wedge-shaped. The skull consists of wide bones, so it looks rounded.

The muzzle is narrowed to the nose, on the back of the skull is wide. In bitches, the shape of the muzzle is more pointed, but males have a hunchbacked nose, which is not very prominent. Stop smoothed. The nose can be black or dark brown, if it is a white dog, then it is beige. If there is marble pigmentation on the face, this is not considered a defect in the breed, it is permissible according to the standard. Ears are high. They are at a great distance from each other, flat and hang. The tips are not pointed, but round, reach to the corners of the mouth. They are not fleshy or thin. They adjoin the front of the face, if the dog is calm, they jump in an excited state.

The eyes of the dog are small, set obliquely, with close-fitting eyelids. The cut is oval. If you look at the iris, you can see a dark brown pigmentation. Young individuals may have lighter eyes. The Kurzhaar has a scissor bite, so the jaws of this hunting breed are very strong. The teeth are arranged vertically when both jaws are closed, they are tightly closed.

Representatives of this species can boast a long neck, which looks harmonious with the rest of the body. It is set at an angle of 40 degrees and slowly expands to the shoulder blades. The nape is slightly convex, you can see on it a slight bend to the skull. There is no sagging skin on the throat.

If you look at the back of the Kurhaar, it's hard not to notice a large amount of musculature., because of which the spine is almost impossible to feel, provided that the animal is well fed and healthy. The croup is long and sloping, the chest is well developed. The joints on the elbows are located at the level of the long sternum; a arch forms under the ribs, at the bottom the line smoothly bends and passes into the stomach.

At the base of the tail is thick, then narrowed to the end. It is high, after birth, it is cut in half to make it more convenient for the dog to hunt and crawl through the thickets. If the dog is calm, the tail hangs when it runs, it is in a horizontal position. Front legs are parallel to the rear. The shoulder blades are tight to the chest, they are quite muscular. If we consider them together with the shoulders, the forelimbs form an angle of 100 degrees.

The front of the animal has tight bones, the musculature is well developed. Paws are oval or round, at the ends there are pads and claws. On the hind limbs articular angles are strongly pronounced. The hips of the dog are the same muscular, widely spaced. Kurzhaar is a sweeping gait. The main load falls on the hind limbs, so the animal relies on them and pushes off, while the front simply throws ahead of itself. Proud posture is maintained when running.

There are 6 accepted official colors, which are recorded by breeders:

• chocolate specks and white wool;
• coffee shade with a small gray;
• speckled with a coffee shade;
• completely coffee;
• piebald and coffee;
• white with black.

Describing the representatives of this breed is to say about possible defects, which occur most often:

• there may be no incisors;
• lips are sometimes too thick or thin;
• the ears do not fit, may be shorter or longer;
• the eyes have light pigmentation, even when the puppy has grown;
• color is completely white;
• chest too deep set;
• hunchback is visible;
• croup short;
• there is a club foot.

Individuals with some defects are rejected. These include curly hair, yellow or green color of the iris, aggressiveness or cowardice of the dog. Also, breeders pay special attention to the teeth - they should not have a modified formula, overshot or undershot.

Kurzhaars are unique - they are not only the best friends of a person, but also excellent assistants during a hunt. These dogs quickly become attached to the person and do not like to be left alone for a long time. The animal is ready to take part in any occupation. Even if the owner will just sit and read a book, the dog will lie down next. Some breeders do not get tired of reminding that such devotion to a dog becomes a problem for some, because if left alone for a long period of time, then the animal will begin to spoil furniture and shoes from boredom just to occupy themselves with something. That is why busy people are not advised to stop their choice on representatives of this breed.

If the animal will not be in society for a long time, play with other animals, go for a walk, this will lead to some problems in character and behavior. Dogs are transformed into cowardly animals, which is completely unusual for the kurtshaar.

New kurtshaar family can not take long. He will not show aggression towards a person, but will try to ignore him. It takes time for the dog to get used to it. The same applies to complete strangers who often appear in the house. The time will come when the dog simply stops responding to such a guest as a threat. That is why the Kurzhaars are not very good guards. They may bark loudly, but rarely bite.

But if there is a choice between a guard and a true friend for a child, then this is an ideal option. This dog is ready to play around the clock, frolic along with the baby, very patient with his pranks.

Other pets for the Kurzhaar are also not a problem, unless they are not a badly socialized individual. Dogs of the breed in question do not seek to show their superiority and will not try to occupy the main place in the house. The only exception can be called living together two males, who will growl at each other in an attempt to prove the right to the existing territory.

If the dog is educated correctly, then you can not be afraid to leave with a cat or a smaller dog in the room alone. But rabbits, rats and other animals, which the dog used to hunt - not the best option for the neighborhood, although they can teach them a pet from childhood. You should always remember that in a dog instincts laid down by nature appear from time to time, this also applies to hunting skills. Sometimes these small animals are perceived by them as a toy or prey.

Kurtshaars are energetic and active, so for complete happiness they need daily exercise. It is advisable to spend with them in the fresh air for several hours, choose for a walk a small clearing where the dog will be able to run up and play. It is best to keep the kurtshaar not in an apartment, but in a private house and be sure to take it with you to the forest. A restrictive leash is not the best solution for a walk, the dog will not get any pleasure from such a walking workout.

It is not necessary to keep an animal in the house, they can withstand bad weather and can feel normal in a warm booth, if they are provided with regular balanced meals. Being able to run around the property at any time gives the dog a furious pleasure, so putting a dog on a chain is not worth it.

If you leave the dog in the yard unattended, then you should definitely close all possible climbing doors, because the representatives of this breed like to run away from under control. As soon as an animal smells a game, it is not too lazy to find its source, in this case even a good fence does not always stop a dog, who can quickly dig for himself or just jump over the barrier.

Even if the plot is well fenced, the dog does not need to develop its own escape plan.which he necessarily implements as soon as possible. Of course, the dog will return home, walking up, but it is better to avoid such situations.

When a person chooses a friend, helper and partner in the form of a dog, he is always interested in how much the animal can live. As for the Kurzhaars, on average they live to be 14 years old. The main condition for their long life expectancy is quality nutrition, regular exercise, care and a vet visit.

A huge role in the life of the animal plays food. If it is not balanced, made up of quality ingredients, then the kurtshaar will start to suffer from some of the diseases inherent in large breeds. Therefore, their food should be rich not only in proteins, but also in vitamins and minerals. Dog activity also affects the duration of his life.

At the Kurzhaar, cereals must be present in the diet. Porridge should be boiled in meat broth, but do not give them pearl barley. In any food, salt should be absent, because it does not carry any benefit, the animal can do well without it. If it seems that the food is too fresh, then you can add carrots, pumpkins or even zucchini, from which more benefits due to the content of not only fiber, but also vitamins, microelements.

If you want the dog to be healthy, then you should not give it grapes and raisins - they have a bad effect on the intestines, causing increased gas formation. It is also worth excluding any kind of fruit with stones, chicken bones, as they can be stuck into the dog's esophagus and chewing when chewing.

A bad dietary supplement would be yeast dough, onion and garlic. The list of non-recommended foods also includes raw eggs, fatty meat and minced meat. River fish are also not suitable for kurtshaaram, as are sweets. Although some dogs love chocolate, it is extremely harmful to them. Until the puppy is 6 months old, he needs to be fed about 5 times a day, but the portions should be strictly limited. After the meal is given only three times, but the dog must always have access to clean water.

If you purchased the finished dry food or canned food, then all attention should be paid to the composition, which must be absent preservatives, dyes, flavors. A bad product will contain corn and offal. In good rice and natural meat is used. The amount of protein in it should be at least 40%. Among other things, it is desirable that the manufacturer takes care of the mineral and vitamin supplement feed.

Regular grooming is not required for a dog, as it belongs to short-haired breeds. To make the animal feel good, it is necessary to comb the old wool from the owner every few weeks. For this ideal massage mitten or brush with bristles. If the dog starts to molt, then you can carry out the procedure more often so that his hair does not remain on upholstered furniture and palace.

It is not necessary to bathe a pet often, once a month or even less often, when the need arises. Keep the dog in the bath is not so easy, so if you teach him to the procedure, then from early childhood.You need to understand that if you repeat this care for wool too often, it can become dull, because the natural protective layer of subcutaneous fat is washed out.

After the dog is redeemed, windows should be closed in the house to exclude a draft. Often, the animal forgives if you ignore this advice.

Not only wool requires care, but also the ears of the animal, inside which dirt often accumulates. They must remain clean and dry so that the animal feels good. It is enough to take a cotton pad or a wand to remove dirt without having to clean it too deeply. As an adjunct in pet stores, special ear solutions are sold at an affordable price. To avoid infectious diseases in a dog that often walks outside, it is necessary to clean the ears every day.

If the pet's eyes began to peel, and dirt appeared in the corners, wipe them with a cotton swab dipped in a strong tea brew. If you have serious problems, you need to contact a veterinarian. As for the claws, they are grinding naturally, if the dog leads an active lifestyle. If the dog is contained in the apartment, then you will need to buy an additional nail clipper. Too long nails of the dog will give him discomfort, so the sharp edges need to be cut, and the pads on the paws should be lubricated regularly with oil.

Particular attention should be paid to the oral cavity and teeth, which need to be cleaned every 2 weeks. To do this, in the pet store you can buy not only a brush, but also a special paste. When the dog is accustomed to the hygiene of the mouth from an early age, problems with its cleaning does not arise.

Training a Kurzhaar at home is a difficult process, but if you approach it correctly, you can raise the animal correctly. It is worth noting that the Kurzhaars are good students and are considered one of the smartest breeds. To train them is simple, the main thing is to adhere to the rules developed by specialists. You need to start raising a dog as early as possible. After acquaintance with the puppy you will need to establish first contact and trust with him. He should learn as much as possible about the world around him, get acquainted with unfamiliar smells around, other animals in the house, explore the terrain. With the right approach, the animal will grow balanced, intimidating and will obey the owner.

In the process of training it is necessary to adhere to the principle from simple to complex, then the dog will understand what they want from him. First, start with the most simple commands, then gradually move to more complex.

To achieve the result, you need to show the Kurzhaar who is the boss and leader in the house, only in this way can the dog be made to do something. They rarely show stubbornness, but love to obey those from whom they feel strength. Because this breed is hunting, its representatives during the training process can be distracted by extraneous smells, sounds, and this inattention will interfere until a person establishes his leadership position.

Every day, you need to come up with new tasks for the dog and change the tactics of training. If you focus on the monotony, the dog will soon get bored with training and she refuses to accept the information. It is necessary to imagine that you work with a child who should be constantly interested. It is better to prepare in advance or view a set of exercises online, which can then be changed after a certain period of time. The pet should be manifested not only physically, but also mentally - logical puzzles for representatives of the described breed like not less.When the dog is trained specifically for hunting, most of the standard teams are replaced by running with obstacles, that is, they teach him to be resilient, to overcome obstacles, without knocking down the pace. A treat is given to a dog only after it has earned it.

Numerous owners and breeders distinguish strong immunity from the positive qualities of this breed, therefore there are not many problems with kurtshaars in the process of their maintenance. However, there are several diseases that are most often detected in representatives of this species. Among them are ear infections. Often the shell remains closed, so it is poorly ventilated, bacteria multiply in it. As with all large dogs, kurtshaars have to deal with joint dysplasia and iodine deficiency in the body. Also among the most common diseases they have are torsion of the intestines, eye problems, epileptic seizures and arthritis.

If we talk about diseases that are transmitted genetically, they are few. Breeders are very concerned about von Willebrand disease, which is associated with blood. You should always remember that these dogs can not stand to be alone, and if they have no place to expend energy, then home furnishings, namely, upholstered furniture, pillows are used. Very often master's shoes suffer from this particular nature of the dog.

The following video is waiting for you interesting facts about the breed of dogs Kurzhaar.