Kromfohrlander

The Kromfohrlander is one of the youngest breeds recognized by the FCI, emerging in Germany after the Second World War when a French Foxhound left behind during a military retreat crossed with local Fox Terriers. The name was coined by its first breeder, Ilse Schleifenbaum, combining Krom, the name of one of the first puppies, with Foxhound-Terrier. The breed recognizes two coat varieties, wire-haired and smooth-haired, under a single standard, and a male weighs around 16 kilograms. In temperament it is lively, friendly, and devoted to its family without the sharp hunting drive of its terrier ancestors. Because of its recent origin, genetic diversity is considered one of the breed's real advantages. Life expectancy runs 13 to 15 years.

Browse dog food sized right for this breed

Kromfohrlander: how old in human years?

38–46 cmHeight
9–16 kgWeight
13–15 yrsLife expectancy

Phalene

FCI group: Companion and Toy Dogs
FCI section: Section 10: Kromfohrlander
FCI: 192
Country of origin: Germany

Energy level

4/5
Trainability

4/5
Family friendly

5/5
Grooming need

3/5

At a glance

Height

Males 38–46 cm

Females 38–46 cm

Weight

Males 9–16 kg

Females 9–16 kg

Life expectancy

13–15 yrs

Coat

rough-haired or smooth-haired varieties under one standard (wire-haired)

Temperament & Family Life

Kromfohrlander's average temperament and family-life score for this breed is high.

Family friendly 5/5
Good with children 4/5
Good with other dogs 4/5
Friendly with strangers 3/5
Intelligence 4/5
Trainability 4/5

Exercise, Energy & Space

Kromfohrlander's energy and exercise needs are moderate.

Energy level 4/5
Exercise need 4/5
Apartment friendly 3/5
Prey drive 3/5
Hunting instinct 2/5

Guarding & Alertness

Kromfohrlander's guarding and alertness traits are moderate.

Guarding instinct 2/5
Watchfulness 4/5
Barking level 3/5

Grooming & Care

Kromfohrlander's grooming needs are low.

Shedding 2/5
Drooling 1/5
Grooming need 3/5

Living with the Kromfohrlander

Say "walk" and a Kromfohrlander is at the door, even if you were only taking out the rubbish. This is a young German companion breed, made to live with people, and it shows: it is deeply attached to its family, wonderful with children and other dogs, and inclined to give strangers a slightly reserved once-over first. It is watchful and will tell you someone has arrived, but it has little of the guard dog's zeal.

It has a good amount of energy, enjoys being on the move, and learns willingly and quickly, so scent games, tricks or agility suit it nicely. Its prey drive is moderate, so teach a reliable recall before the day you meet a hare or a cat-filled courtyard.

A typical day: an active morning walk, games and training at home, a longer outing in the evening, and in between, being wherever you are. It can live in a flat if it gets exercise every day, but it copes poorly with long hours alone: for this dog, the family is not an extra, it is the whole point.

Grooming and coat

The Kromfohrlander comes in two varieties: the rough-haired, whose beard and eyebrows lend it a slightly professorial air, and the smooth-haired, with a shorter, sleeker coat. Neither sheds much, so a brush once or twice a week is enough, and now and then the rough-haired coat benefits from having the old, loose hairs plucked out to keep it neat.

Give the beard a wipe after meals and drinks so it doesn't carry leftovers around, and part the coat as you brush to check the skin. Lift the drop ears once a week to see that they are clean, and check between the toes after a walk through long grass.

How to do it:

By age:

Health and possible conditions

We don't have reliable health information specific to this breed, so we don't list conditions here. Keep up regular vet check-ups, and if you are getting a puppy, ask the breeder about the parents' health testing.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.

Food for medium breeds — cheapest per kg

This list is chosen by the breed's weight (16 kg) rather than the breed itself: shops label food by dog size, so every breed of the same size gets the same list. Prices are updated daily.

≈ 195 g of dry food a day, from €10,76 a month For a neutered, normally active 12,5 kg dog. Calculate for your dog