Learn More About German Quail Dog

Discover German Quail Dog's history, temperament, and key traits – essential knowledge for future owners and breed enthusiasts.

Summary

The German Wachtelhund is a medium-sized, powerfully built dog that is bursting with energy. Its medium-length, dense fur with ample undercoat, which can vary in shades of brown from chocolate to roan, offers it protection from harsh weather and thorny undergrowth. This fact, combined with its strong legs and well-developed chest, makes it a resilient and versatile working dog, able to work efficiently in both the field and the water. The German Wachtelhund belongs to FCI Group 8, the retrieving, searching and water dogs. This breed does not differentiate between performance and show lines, meaning that all German Wachtelhunds, regardless of whether they are kept for hunting or as pets, should share the same physical characteristics and temperament.

Height45 - 52 cm (Female), 48 - 54 cm (Male)
Weight34 - 54 kg (Female), 45 - 72 kg (Male)
Life Expectancy12 - 14 years
CharacterLoyal, energetic, learnable
CoatDense, medium length, undercoat present
Coat ColorBrown, chocolate or roan (brown and white hair mixed)
Price1200 - 2500 € €

History

The German Wachtelhund is an old German hunting dog breed whose origins date back to the Middle Ages. It owes its name to its original task of tracking down game (especially quail) and making it visible to the hunter. In the 19th century, German forester and hunting author Oskar von Riesenthal took up the breeding of the German Wachtelhund in order to create a versatile and hardy hunting dog capable of working in a wide variety of conditions. He crossed different scavenging dogs and created a dog that could locate and track game as well as retrieve it. The German Wachtelhund has been looked after by the German Wachtelhund Club since 1903, and it has been officially recognized as a separate breed since 1910. Today it is particularly popular in Germany as a hunting dog, but is also increasingly being kept as a family dog.

Original Use

The German Wachtelhund was developed as a versatile hunting dog for searching and retrieving.

Origin

Germany

Date

1903

Character

The German Wachtelhund is a highly energetic and persistent dog who loves his work. His commitment, combined with his drive and perseverance, makes him one of us valuable companion for hunters. But he can also use his energy well in an active household, as long as there is enough exercise and mental activity. A German Wachtelhund is also a very people-oriented dog. He is loyal to his family and loves spending time with his people. He can learn to stay alone, but he prefers the company of his family and should not be left alone for long periods of time. Despite its energetic and active temperament, the German Quail Dog can also enjoy quiet moments if it has been sufficiently exercised. However, it is important to remember that this dog is primarily a working dog and therefore requires plenty of exercise and activity to be happy and balanced. Regarding its hunting behavior, the German Wachtelhund shows a pronounced prey-catching and hunting behavior. This should be taken into account when keeping them. It is advisable to raise and train the dog well to control its hunting instinct and teach it to reliably come back when called. The German Wachtelhund is also a vigilant dog that wants to protect its family and territory. He doesn't bark unnecessarily, but he will alert his family if he notices anything unusual. It is therefore important to teach him from the beginning when it is appropriate to bark and when it is not. In conclusion, the German Wachtelhund is a loyal, energetic and people-oriented dog that can be a wonderful companion in the right environment, with enough exercise and activity as well as consistent training.

Trainability
Alertness
Openness to Strangers
Hunting or Herding Drive

Although the German Wachtelhund is a working dog, in its native Germany it is also affectionately known as the “Dachshund for the grown-ups”. because of his similar body proportions and his cheerful and affectionate character.

Fun Fact!

What to Expect

The German Wachtelhund has tracking and blood-sniffing abilities comparable to those of the bloodhound and can track down wounded game that is 40 hours old. On a fresh game trail, he has to communicate his location to the hunters by vocalizing. The German Wachtelhund is a versatile breed that is virtually unknown to the German non-hunting public and is only kept in Germany by hunters, game wardens and professional hunters.

Care

The German Wachtelhund is an active and energetic dog that is best kept in a house with a garden where it has enough space to play and exercise. It is less suitable for keeping in a city apartment because it has a high need for exercise and requires a lot of activity. Despite its active and robust nature, the German Quail Dog gets along well with children. He is friendly and playful and can be a great companion for older children. However, he may be too boisterous for smaller children due to his size and energy. Regarding other pets, the German Quail Dog can get along well with other dogs, but its strong hunting instinct could be a problem when keeping smaller pets such as cats or rodents.

Family-Friendly
Good with Young Children
Good with Other Dogs
Suitable as a City Dog

Owning a dog is not only a privilege but also a responsibility. If you want to bring a dog into your life, you need to be aware of the commitment that dog ownership entails.!

Training & Education

Raising and training a German Quail Dog can be challenging, but also very rewarding. They are intelligent, strong-willed dogs that require consistent and positive training. Because of their hunting instincts, it is particularly important to train retrieval and teach them to control their impulses. The German Wachtelhund is an energetic and hard-working dog that likes to be kept busy. Activities like retrieving, tracking or agility can be good ways to put your energy to good use. But it is also important to ensure a good balance between physical and mental workload and to avoid the dog being “over-busy”. becomes. Otherwise, this can lead to stress and behavioral problems.

Nutrition & Grooming

A balanced and nutrient-rich diet is essential for the health and well-being of your German Quail Dog. This breed can tolerate both dry and wet food well, as long as it is of high quality and contains all the nutrients it needs. When it comes to grooming, the German Quail Dog is relatively uncomplicated. It has a dense undercoat and a medium-length topcoat that should be brushed regularly to prevent matting and keep the coat clean. The German Wachtelhund sheds moderately, so regular grooming can help remove loose hair and reduce the amount of hair in your home. With its thick fur, the German Wachtelhund can cope well with the German climate, whether in winter or summer. However, in very high temperatures, care should be taken to ensure that the dog has enough shade and water available.

Grooming Effort
Exercise Needs
Shedding
Trainability

This information is currently being peer-reviewed. If you discover an error, please send an email to info@honestdog.de.!

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German Quail Dog Dog Breed Information – History, Temperament & Health

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