Kromfohrlander

The Kromfohrlander is seldom seen even in their native Germany and their numbers are so low the breed is thought to be vulnerable. These charming small to medium sized dogs are a new breed having only appeared on the scene in the 1950's. They are known to make excellent family pets and companions thanks to their cheerful dispositions. However anyone wishing to share a home with a Kromfohrlander may find it hard to find well-bred puppies because so few are available every year as such finding a breeder can prove challenging.

The Kromfohrlander is native to Germany where they first appeared on the scene during the 40's and 50's. It is thought that the breed has both Wire Fox Terriers and the Grand Griffon Vendeen in their lineage although Kromis have always been kept as companions and family pets rather than working/hunting dogs. It was American soldiers serving in France during World War II who found a dog they named "Original Peter" and took him to Germany with them only to lose him once there. He was found by a German lady who accidentally bred him to a local dog which produced a litter of attractive puppies. During the course of the next 10 years Ilsa Schleifenbaum continued to develop these attractive dogs and it is thought she introduced terrier and griffon type dogs into the mix too.

The breed was recognised by the FCI in 1955 and then earned recognition with the UKC in 1996. However due to the small gene pool the number of these charming dogs remains low which in short means the Kromfohrlander although a recent addition to the dog world is considered to be one of the rarer breeds around. With this said breed enthusiasts are doing their best to make sure these dogs do not vanish altogether with the end goal being to increase their numbers while at the same time ensuring they remain healthy dogs. For the moment the Kromfohrlander is not recognised by The Kennel Club here in the UK (October 2018).

Interesting facts about the breed

• Is the Kromfohrlander a vulnerable breed? Yes even in their native Germany breed numbers remain low and the Kromi is still quite rare in the UK with only a few puppies being bred every year which means that waiting lists tend to be long
• Kromis come in three types of coats being long-haired short-haired and wire-haired
• They are sometimes called Landers
• Kromis smile when they meet anyone
• The Kromis is known to be a very smart and intuitive dog which makes training them easy however teaching a Kromi to take part in agility requires a lot of patience
• Kromis are known to be very clean dogs that don’t have a “doggy” smell about them
• It is thought that the Kromfohrlander has working terrier and Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen in their ancestry although they were never used as working dogs

Height at the withers: Males 38 - 56 cm Females 38 - 56 cm

Average weight: Males 9 - 16 kg Females 9 - 16 kg

The Kromfohrlander is a small to medium sized dog that boasts a charming appearance thanks to their lovely coat colours and textures. They can either have a rough or smooth coat. Rough coated dogs have bearded faces which gives them a very terrier-like appearance while the smooth coated dog looks more like a small spaniel. Both have slightly domed heads with a definite furrow and a well-defined stop.

Their muzzles are straight tapering slightly to a dog's nose when seen in profile. They have strong well-muscled full cheeks and dark lips and strong jaws with a perfect scissor bite where their upper teeth neatly overlap their lower ones. Their noses are medium in size and can be either black or brown although black is always preferred under UKC breed standards.

They have medium size oval shaped eyes that are nicely set on a slight slant being dark brown in colour. Their ears are set high and drop down being the shape of a triangle but with rounded tips and which dogs carry close to their heads. Their necks are of medium length being slightly arched and nicely muscled but with no dewlap.

They have well-muscled forequarters with nicely sloping and long shoulder blades. Front legs are straight and muscular. The Kromfohrlander is slightly longer in the body than they are tall and have moderately deep broad chests that reach down to their elbows. They have slightly pronounced forechests and well sprung ribs. Backs are straight strong and moderately long with their loins being slightly narrower than a dog's ribcage. Croups slope slightly and a dog's belly is nicely tucked up adding to their athletic appearance.

Their hindquarters are strong with dogs having powerful back legs with well-muscled upper thighs. Feet are slightly arched with tight toes well developed paw pads and strong nails whether dark or lighter in colour. They have moderately long tails which are wider at the root and which dogs carry in a sabre-like fashion over their backs.

When it comes to their coat the Kromfohrlander can either have a rough or a smooth coat with the rough coated dog having a bearded face. The hair on their wither and backs is longer whereas on a dog's flanks it is that much shorter. Faces and muzzles boast having longer hair but both have a shorter and much softer undercoat. The typical breed colours are as follows:

• White with patches or a saddle of tan/light/dark brown markings

Gait/movement

When a Kromfohrlander moves they do so taking brisk and active steps covering a lot of ground when they do.

Faults

Prospective Kromfohrlander owners should be wary of any puppies or dogs that show any sort of exaggeration whether in their looks or conformation. A responsible breeder would always ensure that puppies they produce are of a good size and have good conformation. Males should have both testicles fully descended into their scrotums.

The Kromfohrlander is a high spirited fun-loving character that boasts a slight prey drive. They are known to be good natured dogs which is one of the reasons they make such wonderful companions and family pets. They form strong bonds with their owners which means rarely would one of these dogs run off even when out on a walk off their leads preferring to stay close to their owners.

Although affectionate with their immediate families they can be a little wary and shy around people they do not already know but rarely would a Kromfohrlander show any sort of aggressive behaviour towards a stranger preferring to keep their distance until they get to know someone.

It's important for dogs to be well socialised from a young enough age which helps them mature into more well-rounded calm dogs. Their socialisation has to include introducing them to lots of new situations noises people other animals and dogs once they have been fully vaccinated. It's also important for their training to start as early as possible. Puppies need to be taught the "basics" but as soon as they have had all their jabs training has to start in earnest and a good way of doing this is to enrol a dog into puppy classes which is a great way to socialise a dog while at the same time training them in a safe and controlled environment.

Are they a good choice for first time owners?

They are a good choice for first time owners because they are smart and learn new things very quickly which when paired to the fact a Kromfohrlander loves to please means they are highly trainable and a pleasure to have around. However like other dogs they need to be taught their place in the pack and who they can look to for direction and guidance.

What about prey drive?

Kromis are social by nature and tend to get on with everyone and everything which means they do not have a “prey drive”. However this is not to say that a dog would not give chase to a smaller animal when the mood takes them and this includes squirrels and the cat from next door.

What about playfulness?

Kromis have a very playful side to their natures and love to entertain and be entertained. They are known to be a little mischievous when the mood takes them and being so clever they quickly learn what pleases an owner and how to get their own way.

What about adaptability?

Kromis are highly adaptable dogs and providing they are given enough daily physical exercise combined with as much mental stimulation to prevent boredom from setting in they are just as happy living in an apartment in town as they would be living in the country.

What about separation anxiety?

Kromis form strong ties with their families and are never happy when left on their own which often sees them suffer from separation anxiety. All dogs when left to their own devices for too long are more likely to develop unwanted and destructive behaviours around the home which is their way of relieving any stress they are feeling and a way of keeping themselves entertained when boredom sets in.

What about excessive barking?

Kromis are not known to be “barkers” and will typically only voice an opinion when they think it is necessary to do so.

Do Kromfohrlanders like water?

Most Kromis like to get their feet wet and will take to the water whenever they can more especially when the weather is hot. However if anyone who owns a dog that does not like water should never force them to go in because it would just end up scaring them. With this said care should always be taken when walking a dog off the lead anywhere near more dangerous watercourses just in case a dog decides to leap in and then needs rescuing because they cannot get out of the water on their own.

Are Kromfohrlanders good watchdogs?

Kromis are good watchdogs because they are always alert to what goes on in their surroundings. However rarely would a dog show any sort of aggressive behaviour preferring to keep their distance stand their ground and bark.

The Kromfohrlander is an intelligent dog and one that likes nothing better than to please which in short means that in the right hands and environment they are easy to train. The key to successfully training a Kromfohrlander is to start their education as early as possible and to make sure their training is always consistent so dogs know what their owners expect of them. It's also best to keep training sessions shorter and as interesting as possible which helps keep a dog more focussed.

Like many other dogs they are sensitive dogs which means they do not respond well to any sort of harsh correction or heavier handed training methods. However they do answer well to positive reinforcement which always brings the best out of these clever dogs.

Like all puppies Kromis are incredibly cute when young and it is all too easy to spoil them when they first arrive in new homes. As soon as a puppy is nicely settled owners must start out as they mean to go on by laying down ground rules and boundaries so that a puppy understands what is expected of them. It helps establish a pecking order and who the alpha dog is in the household. The first commands a puppy should be taught are as follows:

• Come
• Sit
• Stay
• Heel
• Quiet
• Leave it
• Down
• Bed

The Kromfohrlander thrives in a family environment and enjoys nothing more than being involved in everything that goes on around them. This includes playing lots of interactive games with children which they thoroughly enjoy. However any interaction between younger children and a dog should always be well supervised by an adult to make sure playtime does not end up getting too boisterous which could see a toddler being knocked over albeit by accident.

When well socialised from a young enough age the Kromfohrlander generally gets on with other dogs they meet. If they have grown up with a family cat in the home they usually get on well together. However they might just chase any other cats they come across. Because they boast such low prey drives they are not known to chase smaller animals and pets but care should always be taken when a dog meets any just in case.

The average life expectancy of a Kromfohrlander is between 10 and 15 years when properly cared for and fed an appropriate good quality diet to suit their age.

The Kromfohrlander is known to suffer from a few hereditary health issues which are worth knowing about if you are planning share your home with one of these handsome dogs. The conditions that seem to affect the breed the most include the following:

• Hyperkeratosis – dogs should be tested before being used for breeding purposes
• Von Willebrand’s Disease – dogs can be DNA tested
• Epilepsy
• Cystinuria
• Patellar luxation

What about vaccinations?

Kromi puppies would have been given their initial vaccinations before being sold but it is up to their new owners to make sure they have their follow-up shots in a timely manner with the vaccination schedule for puppies being as follows:

• 10 -12 weeks old bearing in mind that a puppy would not have full protection straight away but would be fully protected 2 weeks after they have had their second vaccination

There has been a lot of discussion about the need for dogs to have boosters. As such it's best to talk to a vet before making a final decision on whether a dog should continue to have annual vaccinations which are known as boosters.

What about spaying and neutering?

A lot of vets these days recommend waiting until dogs are slightly older before spaying and neutering them which means they are more mature before undergoing the procedures. As such they advise neutering males and spaying females when they are between the ages of 6 to 9 months old and sometimes even when a dog is 12 months old.

Other vets recommend spaying and neutering dogs when they are 6 months old but never any earlier unless for medical reasons. With this said many breeds are different and it is always advisable to discuss things with a vet and then follow their advice on when a dog should be spayed or neutered.

What about obesity problems?

As with other breeds some Kromis gain weight after they have been spayed or neutered and it's important to keep an eye on a dog's waistline just in case they do. If a dog starts to put on weight it's important to adjust their daily calorie intake and to up the amount of exercise they are given. Older dogs too are more prone to gaining weight and again it's essential they be fed and exercised accordingly because obesity can shorten a dog's life by several years. The reason being that it puts a lot of extra strain on a dog's internal organs including the heart which could prove fatal.

What about allergies?

Kromis are not known to suffer from allergies but it's important for a dog to see a vet sooner rather than later if a problem flares up. Allergies can be notoriously hard to clear up and finding the triggers can be challenging. With this said a vet would be able to make a dog with an allergy more comfortable while they try to find out the triggers which could include the following:

• Certain dog foods that contain high levels of grains and other cereal-type fillers
• Airborne pollens
• Dust mites
• Environment
• Flea and tick bites
• Chemicals found in everyday household cleaning products

Participating in health schemes

Kromfohrlanders are known to be healthy breed and one that does not suffer from the congenital and hereditary conditions that affect many other breeds. However breeders should always have their dogs tested for the following disorders:

• Hyperkeratosis
• Von Willebrand’s disease

What about breed specific breeding restrictions?

Currently there are no breed specific breeding restrictions in place for the Kromfohrlander because the breed is not recognised by the Kennel club.

What about Assured Breeder Requirements?

Kromfohrlanders are not a recognised Kennel Club breed as such there are no Assured Breeder requirements in place. However breeders should follow Kennel Club advice on breeding which ensures the welfare of the breed is maintained.

As with any other breed Kromis need to be groomed on a regular basis to make sure their coats and skin are kept in top condition. They also need to be given regular daily exercise to ensure they remain fit and healthy. On top of this dogs need to be fed good quality food that meets all their nutritional needs throughout their lives.

Caring for a Kromfohrlander puppy

Kromi puppies are boisterous and full of life which means it's essential for homes and gardens to be puppy-proofed well in advance of their arrival. A responsible breeder would have well socialised their puppies which always leads to more outgoing confident and friendly dogs right from the word go. With this said any puppy is going to feel vulnerable when they leave their mother and littermates which must be taken into account. The longer a puppy can remain with their mother the better although it should never be for too long either.

It's best to pick a puppy up when people are going to be around for the first week or so which is the time needed for a puppy to settle in. Puppy-proofing the home and garden means putting away any tools and other implements that a boisterous puppy might injure themselves on. Electric wires and cables must be put out of their reach because puppies love chewing on things. Toxic plants should be removed from flowerbeds and the home too.

Puppies need to sleep a lot to grow and develop as they should which means setting up a quiet area that's not too out of the way means they can retreat to it when they want to nap and it's important not to disturb them when they are sleeping. It's also a good idea to keep "playtime" nice and calm inside the house and to have a more active "playtime" outside in the garden which means puppies quickly learn to be less boisterous when they are inside.

The documentation a breeder provides for a puppy must have all the details of their worming date and the product used as well as the information relating to their microchip. It is essential for puppies to be wormed again keeping to a schedule which is as follows:

• Puppies should be wormed at 6 months old
• They need to be wormed again when they are 8 months old
• Puppies should be wormed when they are 10 months old
• They need to be wormed when they are 12 months old

Things you'll need for your puppy

There are certain items that new owners need to already have in the home prior to bringing a new puppy home. It's often a good idea to restrict how much space a puppy plays in more especially when you can't keep an eye on what they get up to bearing in mind that puppies are often quite boisterous which means investing in puppy gates or a large enough playpen that allows a puppy the room to express themselves while keeping them safe too. The items needed are therefore as follows:

• Good quality puppy or baby gates to fit on doors
• A good well-made playpen that's large enough for a puppy to play in so they can really express themselves as puppies like to do
• Lots of well-made toys which must include good quality chews suitable for puppies to gnaw on bearing in mind that a puppy will start teething anything from when they are 3 to 8 months old
• Good quality feed and water bowls which ideally should be ceramic rather than plastic or metal
• A grooming glove
• A slicker brush or soft bristle brush
• Dog specific toothpaste and a toothbrush
• Scissors with rounded ends
• Nail clippers
• Puppy shampoo and conditioner which must be specifically formulated for use on dogs
• A well-made dog collar or harness
• A couple of strong dog leads
• A well-made dog bed that's not too small or too big
• A well-made dog crate for use in the car and in the home that's large enough for a puppy to move around in
• Baby blankets to put in your puppy's crate and in their beds for when they want to nap or go to sleep at night

Keeping the noise down

All puppies are sensitive to noise including Kromfohrlander puppies. It's important to keep the noise levels down when a new puppy arrives in the home. TVs and music should not be played too loud which could end up stressing a small puppy out making them withdrawn timid and shy.

Keeping vet appointments

As previously mentioned Kromi puppies would have been given their first vaccinations by the breeders but they must have their follow up shots which is up to their new owners to organise. The vaccination schedule for puppies is as follows:

• 10 -12 weeks old bearing in mind that a puppy would not have full protection straight away but would only be fully protected 2 weeks after they have had their second vaccination

When it comes to boosters it's best to discuss these with a vet because there is a lot of debate about whether a dog really needs them after a certain time. However if a dog ever needed to go into kennels their vaccinations would need to be fully up to date.

What about older Kromfohrlander when they reach their senior years?

Older Kromi need lots of special care because as they reach their golden years they are more at risk of developing certain health concerns. Physically a dog's muzzle may start to go grey but there will be other noticeable changes too which includes the following:

• Coats become coarser
• A loss of muscle tone
• They can either become overweight or underweight
• They have reduced strength and stamina
• Older dogs have difficulty regulating their body temperature
• They often develop arthritis
• Immune systems do not work as efficiently as they once did which means dogs are more susceptible to infections

Older dogs change mentally too which means their response time tends to be slower as such they develop the following:

• They respond less to external stimuli due to impaired vision or hearing
• They tend to be a little pickier about their food
• They have a lower pain threshold
• Become intolerant of any change
• Often an older dog can feel disorientated

Living with a Kromfohrlander in their golden years means taking on a few more responsibilities but these are easily managed and should include looking at their diet the amount of exercise they are given how often their dog beds need changing and keeping an eye on the condition of their teeth.

Older dogs need to be fed a good quality diet that meets their needs at this stage of their lives all the while keeping a close eye on a dog's weight. A rough feeding guide for older dogs is as follows bearing in mind they should be fed highly digestible food that does not contain any additives:

• Protein content should be anything from 14 – 21%
• Fat content should be less than 10%
• Fibre content should be less than 4%
• Calcium content should be 0.5 – 0.8%
• Phosphorous content should be 0.4 – 0.7%
• Sodium content should be 0.2 – 0.4%

Older Kromfohrlanders don't need the same amount of daily exercise as a younger dog but they still need the right amount of physical activity to maintain muscle tone and to prevent a dog from putting on too much weight. All dogs need access to fresh clean water and this is especially true of older dogs when they reach their golden years because they are more at risk of developing kidney disorders.

The Kromfohrlander boasts a double coat with some dogs having a rough coat and others smooth coats but both have softer and denser undercoats. They shed moderately throughout the year only more so during the Spring and then again in the Autumn when more frequent brushing is usually necessary to remove any loose and dead hair from their coats. Otherwise a twice weekly brush is all it takes to keep things tidy and their coats in good condition and tangle free.

It's also important to check a dog's ears on a regular basis and to clean them when necessary. If too much wax is allowed to build up in a dog's ears it can lead to a painful infection which can be hard to clear up. In short prevention is often easier than cure when it comes to ear infections.

The Kromfohrlander is quite a high energy dog and they need to be given the right amount of daily exercise and mental stimulation for them to be truly happy well-rounded dogs. They need to be given anything from 40 to 60 minutes exercise a day with as much off the lead time as possible. If they are not given the right amount of mental stimulation and exercise every day a Kromi would quickly get bored and could even begin to show some destructive behaviours around the home which is their way of relieving any stress they are feeling.

A shorter walk in the morning would be fine but a longer more interesting one in the afternoon is a must. These dogs also like to be able to roam around a back garden as often as possible so they can really let off steam. However the fencing has to be extremely secure to keep these active dogs in because if they find a weakness in the fence they will soon escape out and get into all sorts of trouble.

With this said Kromi puppies should not be over exercised because their joints and bones are still growing. This includes not letting a dog jump up and down from furniture or going up or down the stairs. Too much pressure placed on their joints and spines at an early age could result in a dog developing serious problems later in their lives.

If you get a Kromi puppy from a breeder they would give you a feeding schedule and it's important to stick to the same routine feeding the same puppy food to avoid any tummy upsets. You can change a puppy's diet but this needs to be done very gradually always making sure they don't develop any digestive upsets and if they do it's best to put them back on their original diet and to discuss things with the vet before attempting to change it again.

Older dogs can be fussy eaters XX. It's best to feed a mature dog twice a day once in the morning and then again in the evening making sure it's good quality food that meets all their nutritional requirements. It's also important that dogs be given the right amount of exercise so they burn off any excess calories or they might gain too much weight which can lead to all sorts of health issues. Obesity can shorten a dog's life by several years so it's important to keep an eye on their waistline from the word go.

Feeding guide for a Kromfohrlander puppy

Puppies need to be fed a highly nutritious good quality diet for them to develop and grow as they should. As a rough guide a Kromi puppy can be fed the following amounts every day making sure their meals are evenly spread out throughout the day and it's best to feed them 3 or 4 times a day:

• 2 months old - 56 g to 122 g depending on a puppy's build
• 3 months old - 65 g to 149 g depending on a puppy's build
• 4 months old - 68 g to 170 g depending on a puppy's build
• 5 months old - 68 g to 173 g depending on a puppy's build
• 6 months old - 61 g to 173 g depending on a puppy's build
• 7 months old - 54 g to 154 g depending on a puppy's build
• 8 months old - 46 g to 136 g depending on a puppy's build
• 9 months old - 46 g to 119 g depending on a puppy's build
• 10 months old - 45 g to 118 g depending on a puppy’s build

Once a puppy is 12 months old they can be fed adult dog food.

Feeding guide for an adult Kromfohrlander

Once fully mature an adult Kromfohrlander should be fed a good quality diet to ensure their continued good health. As a rough guide an adult Kromi can be fed the following amounts every day:

• Dogs weighing 9 kg can be fed 114g to 174g depending on activity
• Dogs weighing 12 kg can be fed 155g to 226g depending on activity
• Dogs weighing 16 kg can be fed 185g to 256g depending on activity

If you are looking to buy a Kromfohrlander you would need to register your interest with breeders and agree to being put on a waiting list because very few puppies are bred and registered with The Kennel Club every year. You would need to pay anything upwards of £500 for a well-bred puppy.

The cost of insuring a male 3-year-old Kromi in northern England would be £29.54 a month for basic cover but for a lifetime policy this would set you back £64.91 a month (quote as of October 2018). When insurance companies calculate a pet's premium they factor in several things which includes where you live in the UK a dog's age and whether they have been neutered or spayed among other things.

When it comes to food costs you need to buy the best quality food whether wet or dry making sure it suits the different stages of a dog’s life. This would set you back between £30 - £40 a month. On top of this you need to factor in veterinary costs if you want to share your home with a Kromi and this includes their initial vaccinations their annual boosters the cost of neutering or spaying a dog when the time is right and their yearly health checks all of which quickly adds up to over £1000 a year.

As a rough guide the average cost to keep and care for a Kromfohrlander would be between £70 to £110 a month depending on the level of insurance cover you opt to buy for your dog but this does not include the initial cost of buying a healthy well-bred Kromfohrlander puppy.

When visiting and buying any puppy or dog there are many important things to consider and questions to ask of the breeder/seller. You can read our generic puppy/dog advice here which includes making sure you see the puppy with its mother and to verify that the dog has been wormed and microchipped.

Very few Kromfohrlander puppies are bred in the UK every year which means that they can often command a lot of money. As such with Kromfohrlanders there is specific advice questions and protocols to follow when buying a puppy which are as follows:

• Prospective owners may find online and other adverts showing images of adorable Kromfohrlander puppies for sale. However the sellers ask buyers for money up front before agreeing to deliver a puppy to a new home. Potential buyers should never buy puppy unseen and should never pay a deposit to a seller before collecting a puppy from them
• As previously touched upon finding well-bred Kromfohrlander puppies in the UK can be difficult and waiting lists long. As such some amateur breeders/people breed from a dam far too often so they can make a quick profit without caring for the welfare of the puppies their dam or the breed in general. Under Kennel Club rules a dam can only produce 4 litters and she must be between a certain age to do so. Anyone wishing to buy a Kromfohrlander puppy should think very carefully about who they purchase their puppy from and should always ask to see the relevant paperwork pertaining to a puppy's lineage their vaccinations and their microchipping