Each hunter needs a sturdy and strong dog nearby, able to smell the coveted prey at great distances. The dog breed Drathaar is perfect for such purposes.
Understanding the master at a glance, the four-legged hunter will become a reliable companion and devoted companion. Having become a family favorite in a matter of moments, Drathaar will not only accompany you in the forest, but will also be happy to stay at home to babysit with small children.
History of breed origin
German drathaar appeared in Germany in the 19th century. The breed began to be bred in order to breed an energetic hunting dog with high working capacity. The ancestors of drathaar were stichelhaar, poodle-pointer and kurtshaar. In the course of crossing these breeds, a completely new dog with unique hunting skills was obtained, having conquered the country and the whole world in a matter of years.
Drathaar: breed description
With such a pet, you can safely hunt in the forest and on the water, as the drathaars are wonderful swimmers. Possessing a firm and balanced character, the dogs respond very well to the teams and are ready to rush in search of prey a second after the shot. They do not shy before the game and never run away until they reach a rabbit or a duck for the owner.
The Drathaar breed is distinguished by a hard coat of 2-4 cm in length, which is quite easy to care for. A smart and purposeful dog is an excellent guard, as it understands the team perfectly and always does everything that the owner requires of it.
The growth of an adult drathaar is 60-69 cm, and the weight can reach up to 35 kg. A small head is proportional to the body of the animal. Despite its power, the four-legged hunter moves very smoothly and gracefully. The dog has a strong jaw with well-developed teeth. The body structure is quite muscular, so wrinkles are completely absent. The color of a purebred drathaar is either brown with white, or black and white.
Benefits
The dog is completely unpretentious in content, in addition, it gets used to urban conditions and does not require much space. German drathaar can live both in the enclosure and next to your household. Nevertheless, the dog is extremely necessary to communicate with people because of its natural sociability and the need for society. If you have to leave your pet alone for a long time, he may become depressed.
The dog breed Drathaar is distinguished by its love for a mobile lifestyle, so such a pet will be an excellent partner for morning runs, swims in the lake and daytime walks in the park. On top of that, the drathaars are characterized by a balanced psyche, which will save you from stressful situations if you meet stray dogs or cats on the street.
Thanks to its sensitive sense of smell, the dog perfectly finds prey on the hunt, so you will certainly not return home empty-handed.
Dog character
The hunting dog Drathaar is a smart and very active creature. The pet is happy to help the owner in all his affairs, even if they do not need his help at all. So that the dog does not become uncontrollable and does not begin to harass you around the house, you just need to take it for an active walk every day.
If a dog is frightened by something or gets bored, she will try to draw attention to herself by barking or start to harm her. Also, in the case of a long separation, the dog may begin to nibble on the shoes or leave a couple of piles on the carpet. Do not be offended by a pet for such tricks, but it is necessary to explain that this should not be done.
If you need a guard, there is no better candidate than Drathaar. Description of the breed is filled with excellent characteristics. The only thing worth paying attention to is that four-legged hunters are not very easy to learn. It takes a long time for the puppy to execute the commands, but after that there will be no problems.
Drathaaras are quite skeptical of strangers and are very wary of them. In order to avoid subsequent aggression, it is important to immediately begin to engage in the social life of the dog. Take your pet for a walk, where, besides you, there will also be other people, introduce a new family member to your friends, etc. When the drathaar gets used to a constant society, he will cease to be shy and will become the favorite of all your friends.
Drathaar: reviews and recommendations on the content
Due to the fact that the animal’s coat is very dense and tough and has the ability to self-clean, washing the dog is often not recommended. 1-2 water procedures per year for a pet are enough. It is also not necessary to cut the dog, it will be enough only to comb out the wool sometimes with a stiff brush.
Among other things, the breed Drathaar is great for exhibitions. In order to prepare the winner, it is necessary to periodically cut out sticking-out hairs on the dog’s head and neck. Also regularly cut your nails and brush your pet's teeth.
Dogs are unpretentious in everyday life, but if the pet lives in a small apartment, make sure that he as often as possible is in the fresh air.
Diseases
The well-being of the pet directly depends on how often happens on walks drathaar. The description of the breed given above repeatedly indicates that dogs are very dependent on physical activity. Therefore, it is advisable not to limit the hunter in these aspirations. Despite endless energy and good physical shape, drathaaras are prone to the following diseases:
- Hip dysplasia.
- Diabetes.
- Otitis.
- Bloating.
- Hypothyroidism
- Eczema
- Dermatitis
In order to reduce the risk of these diseases, it is important to monitor the health status of the dog and periodically show it to the veterinarian.
Nutrition
It is best to feed the future hunter with natural products. Drathaaras are not capricious in food, therefore they will be happy to eat cereals with meat, dairy products, vegetables and fruits. Specialized dry food is also recommended to be included in the pet's diet. Young puppies should be fed often in small portions, as they still cannot control themselves and can eat too much.
Such overeating is undesirable and, moreover, can lead to
intestinal inversion. An adult dog can be fed less frequently and in larger portions. It is recommended to wash the bowl after each meal, as harmful bacteria will accumulate in the leftovers.
The diet of drathaar must contain the protein necessary for such an active animal. A growing puppy should be treated with mineral supplements and feeds that contain chondroitin, this will favorably affect the ligaments of the dog.
Education and training of Drathaar
Despite the fact that you most likely want to babysit and pamper a little puppy, you should not forget that this breed belongs to the hunting one, therefore it is important to remember that this is not a small child, but a future hunter-drathaar. The description of the dog’s skills indicates that from the first days of life, the pet must learn to feel its instincts and follow them.
In addition to the main commands, the puppy must be accustomed to the sound of shots, and also should not be afraid of water. Despite the fact that Drathaara are wonderful swimmers, sometimes it happens that a dog literally cannot be dragged into the water. What to do in this situation?
How to teach a puppy to water?
Of course, in no case should you use physical force and shout at the dog. Only patience and love will help the pet overcome its fears. To get started, take the puppy to a small pond and sit down by the water. A curious kid, of course, will be interested in what you are doing and will try to join. At the next walk, try to enter the water ankle-deep and call the dog. To interest a pet, you can throw a ball into the water and ask him to bring it - most likely, the desire to chase the ball will prevail over unfounded fears.
Each time, he will move further and further, and ultimately you will see the drathaar floating. The description of the breed indicates that even if at first the dog is not a great swimmer, over time he will do an excellent job of this mission and will gladly bring you game even from the deepest reservoirs.
What else do you need to know?
If you are thinking about the continuation of the genus of a dog of the Drathaar breed, mating should take place in accordance with some rules. For example, you cannot cross brown drathaars with black and silver, as well as two silver-black dogs. Such a ban was imposed by the German tribal charter because of fears that the resulting puppies will begin to return to their maternal forms and will resemble poodle pointers. Of course, no one will follow you and your dog, but nevertheless, such connections are not recommended.
In custody
The German Drathaar is an amazing dog that will become your faithful ally and full member of the family. With proper care and proper training, you will grow up a born hunter who will be happy to accompany you into the forest or guard the house. With a dog, you can go for walks and workouts in the fresh air, leave small children with her, not being afraid that she will attack them. A faithful friend will always try to please you, waiting for praise.