Pronounced “krome-for-lahn-dair,” the Kromfohrlander is a medium-sized dog breed that’s loving and loyal to its owners. This intelligent, agile breed is ideal for active people, as it loves to climb and jump. If you’re looking for a dog that can train in agility or learn fun tricks to impress your friends, the Kromfohrlander fits the bill.

Breed Overview

Despite its terrier and hound heritage, the Kromfohrlander has little prey drive or hunting instinct. This affectionate breed is excellent for families with children but tends to attach itself to one family member.

If you’re considering adding a Kromfohrlander to your family, read more about the breed to see if it’s a good fit for your lifestyle.

Kromfohrlander Puppies

The Kromfohrlander has a lot going for it, but one of the drawbacks is that it’s an extremely rare breed. While there are certified breeders and a Kromfohrlander club, you may need to be added to a waitlist to get a puppy of your very own. Also, since this dog is agreeable, trainable, and hard to obtain, you’re less likely to come across one in a rescue or shelter environment.

Keep in mind that disreputable breeders and puppy mills may offer Kromfohrlander puppies, due to their popularity. Even if you’re really excited to bring this wiry pup home, avoid the temptation to purchase one without doing your homework. You’ll get a healthier puppy with healthy parents.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Kromfohrlander

The Kromfohrlander is a lively, good-natured, and intelligent breed that’s highly adaptable to different living situations. These dogs are definitely “people” dogs and bond strongly with owners.

Are These Dogs Good for Families?

Though initially hesitant, the Kromfohrlander gets comfortable around children quickly. If raised in a family with kids, the dog will be a loyal and friendly companion for life. These dogs do gravitate toward one person, however, and may not be suitable for a family with many children who may be competitive and possessive over “their” dog.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

Kromfohrlanders are highly sociable and likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public. Despite its terrier descendants, the Kromfohrlander has a low prey drive and a weak hunting instinct, making it a good choice for homes with cats or small pets.

Things to Know When Owning a Kromfohrlander:

Owning a dog is a privilege and a significant commitment. Before bringing home a Kromfohrlander, it’s important to educate yourself on the breed to make sure it suits your lifestyle. Here are some considerations before getting a Kromfohrlander:

Food & Diet Requirements

Kromfohrlanders can be picky eaters and require high-quality dog food. They’re also highly active and need plenty of nutrient-dense calories to maintain their weight. This breed rarely overeats, so it’s one of the few dogs that can be fed free choice. Speak to your veterinarian about the best commercial food options for your Kromfohrlander’s life stages to ensure it gets the nutrition it needs for a long and healthy life.

Exercise

There’s nothing lazy about the Kromfohrlander. This active dog requires an active owner to ensure their exercise needs are met. They enjoy fetching balls or tug toys, and once they mature, they can play with a disc or other high-intensity toy. If possible, take your Kromfohrlander for long walks regularly. If you have the space, you can invest in some agility training toys to help your dog reach its full fitness and training potential.

Training

The Kromfohrlander is known for its high trainability. The breed is naturally intuitive and aims to please its owner, so it rarely needs more than a gentle behavioral correction. As the dog ages, you can advance beyond basic obedience to more challenging tricks or agility movements. Keep in mind that complex training encourages independence, so it’s important to stay consistent throughout training to make sure your dog doesn’t use its intelligence to its advantage, and not yours.

Grooming ✂️

Kromfohrlanders may have a wired or smooth coat, and the length of the coat can vary. They require a lot of grooming and hand-stripping to keep their coat in good condition, but they aren’t dirty or smelly dogs. The coat texture causes dirt and debris to just fall off, keeping them naturally clean.

Kromfohrlanders should never be clipped or shaved since this can interfere with their coats’ natural cleaning and cooling ability. Regular nail clipping should be part of the grooming routine to maintain your dog’s agility and teach them to sit well.

Health and Conditions

The Kromfohrlander is extremely rare, so it comes from a limited gene pool. Most breeders take this responsibility seriously and test for genetic conditions like Von Willebrand’s and hyperkeratosis to identify carriers and avoid passing these traits onto puppies. Some autoimmune conditions have been reported in Kromfohrlanders.

Male vs Female

Kromfohrlanders show little difference between sexes, so choosing between them is mostly about preference. Males may be larger than females, both in size and weight, which may lead to higher costs for food and veterinary care. For example, many medications and anesthesia for surgeries are priced based on weight. With spaying and neutering, spaying is typically more expensive than neutering, but this is a one-time cost to consider.

Much of the difference in temperament between male and female dogs is due to sex hormones. Spaying and neutering your pet early can prevent some of these behaviors, such as resource guarding and urine marking. Intact dogs are also prone to certain types of cancers, such as mammary and uterine cancer in females and prostate cancer in males.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Kromfohrlander

1. Kromfohrlanders are German.

The Kromfohrlander is a recent German breed and has only been recognized since 1955.

2. Kromfohrlanders are a mix of two breeds.

The breed is believed to have originated from the Wire Fox Terrier and the Grand Griffon Vendeen.

3. Kromfohrlanders are the only breed descended from a dog mascot.

Kromforhlanders were developed in Germany after WWII and became an unofficial U.S. military mascot.

Final Thoughts

The Kromfohrlander is a unique 20th-century German breed that became popular after WWII. Believed to be a descendant of a U.S. military mascot, Peter, the Kromfohrlander is a rare dog that’s ideal for a variety of lifestyles, from an active single owner to a family with kids and other pets. This lovable, loyal, and intelligent companion forms lifelong bonds with its owner and loves to be part of activities but needs an owner that can keep up with its high-energy needs. Though it may take time to find the perfect Kromfohrlander puppy, it’s worth the wait to have this adorable mascot of your own.

Featured Image Credit: tjuusitalo, Pixabay