VDW Wachtelhund Training and Breeding Information

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Wachtelhund - Whischo Vom Steinacker

Whischo Vom Steinacker

(The following is a translation of a pamphlet provided by the German Wachtelhund Association to each purchaser of a Deutscher Wachtelhund pup. This information is particularly important in Germany because people wishing to breed their Deutsche Wachtelhunds must receive prior approval if they want the offspring registered with the Association. The dogs must possess minimum accepted hunting abilities before approval is granted. The following outlines the standards. Germans train their dogs to a higher standard and for a greater variety of tasks to fit their style of hunting creating versatile hunting dogs. This is an indication of the Deutscher Wachtelhund and potential of all versatile breeds. I have inserted additional remarks, in italics, where I thought an explanation would help in the translation. As for the translation, not all German words have a direct translation and my knowledge of the German language is limited. Therefore, if errors are found, please contact me — Dave Pepe, 160 Max Rd, Pelican Lake, WI., 54463 (715) 487-4024: Translated 1995.

NOTE: AKC refers to this breed as the German Spaniel, even though the Germans classify it in a category separate from Spaniels. The UKC has recognizes and registers it as the Deutscher Wachtelhund.

(Since the Wachtelhund is not commonly known by the German public, non hunters.) New hunters come to know the Wachtelhund after seeing a well trained, efficient Deutscher Wachtelhund perform (in a field trial) leading the hunter to desire a Deutscher Wachtelhund as a hunting companion. Sometimes the desire comes from reading an article in a hunting magazine; or after a visit to a German Hunting Dog Association (JVDH) sponsored field trial event for blood trailing and observing a Deutscher Wachtelhund work. Also, those who have read the book, "Goldguten Hunde," by Rudolf Friess will want to learn more about the Wachtelhund. As well as, hunters who have read the "Das Magische Gespann," by Dr. Hopp.

Nowadays, some dog books and frequently the German Hunting Dog Association (JVDH) and its organization for Deutscher Wachtelhund describe the Deutscher Wachtelhund and its capabilities. So there is no need to promote the Deutscher Wachtelhund. Especially since the supply of puppies in (Europe and North America) barely satisfied the demand. The German Wachtelhund-Association (VDW) has stated from the very beginning that "performance-breeding" was the most important breeding principle; where as, increased breeding for the sake of additional dogs was never desired.

The Deutscher Wachtelhund [DW] is a middle sized, versatile dog bred for a number of different hunting tasks. Though not all hunters are in a position requiring all hunting tasks or in a situation to manage such an enthusiastic hunting dog. However, if the hunter has actually decided on a Deutscher Wachtelhund, they should be knowledgeable of the organized nature of the VDW field trial tests and referred to sources for detailed issues.

The Hunting Tasks:

The (VDW) breed Deutscher Wachtelhunds for numerous hunting tasks employed in woodland hunting conditions, water work, and to make a practical hunting companion and retriever. From commencement of the breeding, the Deutscher Wachtelhund came under the instruction of Rudolf Friess on field work, searching and the point.

As a result, the Deutscher Wachtelhund is a versatile hunting dog, whose functions are to work before the shotgun, in searching and flushing game from thick cover, retrieving feathered and fur game, as well as blood trailing cloven hooted game. These tasks are in the field trial regulations of the VDW for versatile performance test. In the regulations for the German Versatile Hunting Dog Association for blood trailing field trials, and for the recognition of retrieving during retriever field trials.

Traits of the Wachtelhund:

Rudolf Friess said, the Wachtelhund is not a dog for the Sunday-hunter." The Deutscher Wachtelhund employs the errors of his Master's thoughtless training," and through its hunting passion is a difficult dog to control (in the field) without proper training and discipline. This can cause the owner as much aggravation over the boisterous hunting of an undisciplined dog as delight by his spirit and lively nature. However, harsh training and education is not required, as these are intelligent and sensitive dogs.

Very early in the historic breeding, the breed developed into two distinct lines, based on diverse hunting standards. The Deutscher Wachtelhund started as brown dogs with white patches and white dogs with brown patches. Eventually, they developed into a solid brown and a brown-white schimmel (ticked) breed. The solid brown was consistently quieter (in its hunting) and larger bodied, with less trailing ability, but was a lot easier to manage. The brown-white ticked mix that came about twenty years later in the breeding was more spirited and slender bodied, and proved themselves during blood-trailing as a particularly persistent hunting dog.

After World War II, the entire breeding stock in the Eastern regions (East Germany) was almost eliminated and the two lines were interbred indiscriminately. The effects of the war on the breed resulted in many solid brown bitches no longer having the barking ability (giving tongue while trailing) of the Deutscher Wachtelhund. Through mating with brown-white-ticked males, this shortcoming was soon remedied.

However, as a result of the multiple indiscriminate matings, the individual traits of each line were largely diluted and today the attributes to each line can no longer be clearly distinguished with any certainty.

The Distance Hunter:

In hunting (European) hares, the traditional harvesting of hares has been with the single Deutscher Wachtelhund that could trail the hare for a long distance (several kilometers), until it circled and returned to the vicinity of its lair where it could be shot. This area is known as the "hare-cross-way". This "distant-trailing" characteristic introduced the distance-hunter line to the breed. Dogs with this characteristic were particularly more track-willing, with a sensitive nose and excellent trailing capability; and are preserved by identification and reserved for the day, if and when Deutscher Wachtelhunds lose their trailing capability. (These dogs are identified by the performance symbol \\ on their German pedigree papers).

The designation, "distance-hunter," by itself can be misleading; but is best described by Rudolf Friess, in that "the true distance-hunter" will follow the hare's scent through the circle covering a large area until it returns the hare to its beginning point. In contrast to other dogs that will follow the hare's trail, but are quick switch onto fresher tracks or scents as it comes across them, hour-after-hour indulging its passion. (It is not uncommon for hare to run several or more miles before turning).

The "distance hunters" should not be allowed to trail healthy deer. This is frowned upon as opposed to blood trailing wounded deer, which is a conservation measure to recover wounded game.

Breeding and Training:

Not only are the inherited wolf like instincts crucial for the suitability of a dog during its hunting application, but the groundwork is created with the breeder, when the dog attaches itself to this person. When the breeder only rarely spends time with the pups and allows the bitch to raise the pups alone, the desired "hunter-dog" relationship is jeopardized. (Dogs are pack animals and look to the Alpha dog for leadership. This should be the breeder / owner or hunter).

Shy behavior of dogs and later shyness to its environment or timidness to strangers is most likely manifested out of wanting or lacking contact to the breeder and owner during their early puppy age. The pup should trust the breeder and owner. Then the dog will behold the person for another dog, although with different scent. Behavior researchers of the recent years have publicized and reinforced the need for young dogs to engaged in new experiences with their owners.

A pup at the ages of seven through twelve weeks has the exceptional ability to process many new experiences. Experiences during this period form its adult behavior. Therefore, the pup should have the opportunity to get to know its environment, especially after the purchase, and preferably, through constant contact with its owner. Most behaviors of the dog are formed in this period, for example the behavior to work on a long leash during training to follow the scent of a dragged item or piece of game. (This method trains a dog to concentrate on a scent trail, by keeping it on a long leash while it follows a specific trail. If the pup leaves the scent trail it can be immediately brought back onto the trail with the leash)

At five to six months many Deutscher Wachtelhunds exhibit their hunting abilities. If the dogs frequently come upon deer, they will quickly identify the deer scent and learn to trail deer, the deer scent being much easier to follow, in contrast to the more difficult to follow hare-scent. (Obviously if you want to train your Wachtelhund to hunt only birds, and possibly rabbits, you should not allow it to hunt deer during its formative ages). Also hunting cottontails is not conducive to its development. (Cottontails live in borrows and rarely move more than several yards from a borrow. Allowing Wachtelhunds to chase them does not allow them to develop their concentration to follow a long trail). Hares such as snowshoes or jack rabbits are the preferred training animal.

Therefore it is important for the pup or young dog, so far as possible, not be allowed total freedom. The leash is an important training aid. Not only the walking leash, but the long check cord, which should be constantly used. The learning to follow a trail on the long leash, is best accomplished when the hare's or other prey’s movement was observed. This educates the dog to steady and focused work.

Preparation for the Juvenile-Hunt Test (JP):

In the juvenile hunt test, German owners of Deutscher Wachtelhunds up to the age of 15 months are notified for assessment of the dog's hunting aptitudes. The owners are required to enter their Deutscher Wachtelhund into a hunting field trial before the dog is 18 months old. Abilities in nose, trailing-tone (barking while trailing), willingness to trail and ability to follow the trails scent will be observed and judged. These abilities are to awaken and to promote the following of the hares scent through independent work, as well as on the long leash. Also the ability of the dog to find game in thickets through intensive searching and eagerness to swim are essential abilities of the Deutscher Wachtelhund. (Germans used the hare in training because if a dog can follow a hare it can follow any other animal.)

The dog requires a variety of opportunities at an early age to develop its aptitudes, preferably in different hunting areas with diverse terrain and under impeded conditions. When a young dog never receives an opportunity to search for game in thickets, it will demonstrate its lack of searching ability and desire during the searching ability test. When possible, one should allow the young dog to search where hares and feathered game are found, however, areas holding deer should be avoided.

The fondness of water is an innate Deutscher Wachtelhund quality. Normally it is not difficult to lead the young Wachtelhund to swim. A fishing rod can be a valuable help to introduce a young dog into the water. Also, a pole with an attached pigeon wing, offers a sufficient incentive to lead the young dog into the water. However during field trial hunt test, the young Wachtelhund is sent without aids into the water.

Late retriever training will not harm it, when the aptitude to retrieving is awaken in a playful manner. Especially, as the actual retriever training should begin around the age of twelve months.

Gun-shyness is also tested during the juvenile hunt test. The dog will remain undisturbed to gunshots fired by its owner, generally conducted after the searching ability test. The young dog should have already gotten to know the sound of the shotgun in the course of its training. Attempts to take the dog to the firing line on a firing range or through extensive use of the blank pistol to accustom the dog to gun shots can easily cause gun shyness.

Dogs that exhibit sound sensitiveness normally become accustomed to gunshots at the latest in the first hunt season when they can retrieve a shot animal.

The obedience of the dog is demonstrated by its joyful returning after it has finished the chase. However solely entering into the chase does not make it a hunting dog (additional training and discipline make a hunting dog). Also when they become free, they must be greeted kindly without anger, "hand-shy" dogs are not born, but trained.

The Suitability Hunt Test (EP):

The suitability hunt test is a test for older Deutscher Wachtelhunds to determine the development of the dog's hunting abilities and is an intermediate hunt test. At the same time, the successful training and the dog are tested.

Field trial hunt tests include the subjects of the Hunting Suitability Testing and Hunting Usefulness demanded by German State and Federal laws. The EP can be broadened to include specific state required tests, (e.g., German law requires all hunting lease holders to have dogs capable of recovering wounded game, which includes small and large game).

Field trials are in retriever hunt tests of retrieving feathered and fur game from a scent trail (man made by dragging a dead animal). The dog is tested on a 200 meter scent trail of a dragged hare, or an optional 500 meter scent trail. Included with the fur game test, conducted in the forest, is the retrieving of feather game. The feather game retriever test is 150 meter scent trail conducted through fields.

Hunt tests also include searching in thickets for game. Water tests include searching for ducks and retrieving dead ducks out of deep water and marshes.

The blood trailing hunt test is an elective hunt test, but can added to the Suitability Hunt Test in accordance with the appropriate State/Federal hunting agencies to prove hunting usefulness.

10 Year Old Whischo Vom Steinacher Recoved Bow Shot Deer

Nach suche Weisswedelhirsch geschossen mit Feil und Bogen

The Versatile Hunt Test (GP):

Deutscher Wachtelhunds may be put through the versatile field test permitting they have demonstrated abilities in the (JP) or (EP) field testing events. The GP demonstrates abilities in the subjects nose, track-tone, tracking ability and steadiness. An especially difficult subject has proven to be the versatile field test for blood trailing. Only careful and comprehensive initial training on the over night blood trailing scent can lead a dog to the successful completion of the versatile blood trailing field test. (This hunt test consist of following a 1,000 meter blood trail that is 20 or 40 hours old.) For many dogs, hotheadedness of the trainer during the initial training will spoil talented dogs to working on the long leash. If a trainer understands his dog, he will prepare at the end of the artificial trail a special success experience, to create an incentive for the dog to get to the end of the trail. It will accentuate the desire to follow a trail. The trainer must find out what causes the strongest success experience in his dog, whether it is a dish of food, or especially loved training toy or a piece of game meat for the dog.

During the versatile testing many dogs fail the hare trailing and retrieving test. This also requires careful initial training and working practice. Weight training is absolutely necessary for smaller male and female Wachtelhunds. (European hares weigh up to 10 pounds.) Game should never be opened to entice the dogs to retrieve them.

Fox-retrieving, as well as Totverbellen (Death Howler). (This is a natural instinct to bark or howl after finding a dead big game animal and remaining with it until the hunter comes). Normally, Deutscher Wachtelhunds can not be trained to do this, they either do it instinctively or do not. Deutscher Wachtelhunds which do not possess the Totverbellen instinct are trained as Totverweisen (Death Informer). (These dogs are trained to grab a leather pouch hanging from their collar when they find dead big game and return to their handler carrying the leather pouch in their mouth. This signifies it found the dead game). These are elective tests at the versatile field trials.

Special value is placed on close hunting, within shotgun range during the game searching hunt test. At the same time, the Stoberhund is independent and wide searching hunter, which hunts in arcs in front of the hunter, driving game back to the hunter; it does not hunt cloven hoofed game by itself, especially deer, which the hunter stops it by a blast from his whistle.

Water hunt tests include searching in deep marsh water and high reeds for downed ducks and retrieving them. The versatile dog hunt test also demands flushing in front of the shotgun and steadiness to the shot. Obedience is one of the most important tests. At the shot the dog must not leave its place.

During the versatile hunt test the Deutscher Wachtelhund shall demonstrate that it can perform all the standards of the forest-versatile-hunting dog. As a [Stoberhund) free to quarter and search, it will find game and loudly chase it before the hunter. As a flushing dog obedient to the shot while flushing from thick undergrowth. After the shot, it can be placed on the long leash and follow a 600 meter, overnight blood or scent trail to locate shot game. On the dragged trail it will have proved its ability to retrieve the hare to his handler, also to go into thick covered terrain to retrieve feather-game. High standards are placed on water retrieving, for this concerns the Deutscher Wachtelhund’s special passion for water.

A talented and well trained Deutscher Wachtelhund is desired, so that in the hunting situation, as a versatile hunting dog it can perform all of the hunting tasks that the hunter demands from it, with exception of pointing work.

Examinations of the (German) Versatile Hunting Dog Association:

Many Deutscher Wachtelhunds successfully complete and are entered into the (VDH) Versatile Hunting Dog Association blood trailing hunt test. Standards of this test, require dogs to follow a 20 and 40 hour old blood trails of a 1000 meters, these are essentially no higher than the standards of the Deutscher Wachtelhund GP versatile field trial events.

Numerous Deutscher Wachtelhunds have successfully completed retriever field trial events acquiring the [Vbr] recognition on their registration papers and are entered into the versatile hunting dog book. The [Vbr] is regarded as one of the highest awards a dog can achieve. The requirement to track and retrieve wound game to its handler should be placed on all hunting dogs recognized as a versatile dog.

A dog is a faithful retriever when it finds game and retrieves it to his handler as demonstrated in early retrieving tests with hare, pheasant and fox. Today, the Association use fox in conducting the faithful retriever test, since most dogs will not pick up a fox. However, most Deutscher Wachtelhunds retrieve fox, and so more Deutscher Wachtelhunds compete in the advertised faithful retriever trials from the versatile hunting dog association.

During the hunt when a Deutscher Wachtelhund comes upon a predator or non-game predator and kills it, the Wachtelhund is identified as a Wurger (Predator/Varmint killer) and certified by other hunters in the hunting party of its ability to kill predators and varmints. This ability is recorded with the performance symbol / on the Wachtelhund’s pedigree.

The determinations and testing-orders for VSw, Vbr and Btr, as well as for the hard proof, of Predator / Varmint killer is stipulated by the Versatile Hunting Dog Association. Hunting dogs that practice reliable blood-trailing work, receive the performance sign : ( blood trailing-points) for natural blood-trailing work, for dogs that work only on deer or other cloven hoof game the points are put in brackets (:). The last application is the reliable searching for wild boar (pigs) which is specially important in Germany. The performance sign S is given for successful wild boar hunters.

All performance proof obtained during actual hunting (distance hunters, dispatching predators, natural blood-trailing and work on wild boar) is submitted to the appropriate Chairman, State Breeding Office.

Performance Signs:

The Association for German Wachtelhunds identify their dogs through performance-signs, that are acquired at field trial events or are awarded in practical hunting conditions for dispatching predators, distance hunter, wild boar hunter and successful blood-trailing work.

ASSr. = Show winners

PSSr. = Field trial winner

DW Sgr. = Deutscher Wachtelhund-winner

Vbr = Retrieving from a natural wounded trail

Btr = Retrieving a fox

\ = Barks loudly while trailing

\\ = Distance hunter

/ = Predator / Varmint killer

- = Barks or howls when it finds dead (big) game

1 = Returns to handler with pouch in mouth after finding dead (big) game

S = Proof of successful wild boar hunting

: and ( : ) = Blood-trailing wounded cloven hoofed game

Swl to 111 = Association blooding-trailing test on 20 hour old scent

Sw/ I to 11 = Association blood-trailing test on 40 hour old scent

The underlined number behind the enrollment-number is the dog's standing in versatile field trial testing which is placed into the Versatile Hunting Dog Book. Example: Xilla Vom Hagerwald 378/ 83, 1252.

Breeding-Order:

VDW breed Deutscher Wachtelhunds as useful hunting dogs to aid the hunters. However the agreeable nature of the most Deutscher Wachtelhunds also seduces many non-hunters to acquire the Deutscher Wachtelhund as dear house companion. Therefore, the association has implemented a very precise breeding order.

They may be bred only with other Deutscher Wachtelhunds that have been entered into the Deutscher Wachtelhund pedigree breeding book, after having proved their hunting abilities and were assessed with at least a value of "good."

A dog will be authorized to be bred which shows no faults; e.g., leg faults, tooth faults, eyelid faults, skin disease or testicle faults in male dogs. Also natures shortcomings like gun shyness will rule dogs out of the breeding.

In the early united years, immediately after the VDW was formed in 1903, hip dysplasia well known in dogs, also occurred in the Wachtelhund. The Association and breeders attempted to control hip dysplasia by established specially detailed rules for breeding. The German Association provides breeding approval for applicants based on X-ray evaluations of the breeding parents.

The X-rays of the dog, on its back with the legs stretched out, with the radiologist certification the dog is without hip problems are submitted together with the genealogical tree of the dogs to the Breeding Book Office for breeding approval.

Only dogs that come from suitable breeding parents receive a genealogical tree. Pups from parents not fulfilling all of the breeding order specifications receive only identification cards with remarks giving preconditions and requirements for these dogs to receive a genealogical tree.

Conceivably a banned breeder will enter a dog for genealogical tree. Banned breeders will have remarks entered into the breeding book disallowing further breeding with the result, that descendants of such a dog not registered in the Breeding book of the VDW will not be recognized as a German Wachtelhund.

Notifications at the Breeding-Book-Office:

Occasionally illnesses and faults appear in Deutscher Wachtelhunds, breeders are to notify the Breeding Book Office. Only through complete information of corresponding breeders can the breeding association take measures to prevent the spread of an undesirable traits in the breed.

All breeding questions are addressed to the association breeding committee in cooperation with appropriate state breeding committees.

Deutscher Wachtelhund and Dog Training Literature:

The following training information is provided, so each Wachtelhund owner can order additional information about Wachtelhunds and dog training.

VDW Field Trial Regulations (obtained from the VDW breeding registry office)

VDW Breeding Requirements (obtained from the VDW breeding registry office )

JGHV Field Trial Regulations (Verlag Druckhaus Oberpfalz, Büro Weiden, Weigelstraße 16, 8480 Weiden i.d. 0Pf.)

Heinrich Hecker "Der Deutsche Wachtelhund" (The German Wachtelhund) Parey Verlag (Publisher) "Der Wachtelhund" (Geschichte und Geschichten) (Story and Stories) TG-Verlag

Dr. Heimart Schlemm und Dr. Günther Schmidt "Der Deutsche Wachtelhund" (Deutscher Landwirtschaftsverlag Berlin)

Helmut Cramer "Die Wesifälische Wachtelhund chronicles" (Landesgruppe Westfalen)

Helmut Cramer "Ein Leben mit dem Deutschen Wachtelhund" (A Life with the Deutscher Wachtelhund

Verlag Ginsberg, 5908 Neunkirchen

Donath "Hunde gesund ernährt" (Nourishing Healthy Dogs)

Eberhard Trumler "Ratgeberfür den Hundefreund" (Advisor for the Dog Friend)

"Mit dem Hund auf, Du' Hunde ernst genommen"

Konrad Andreas "Gerechte Jagdhundschulung"

Franz Granderath "Hundeabrichtung" (Dog Training)

Hans Lux "Vorstehhunde, Stöberhunde und Bracken auf der Schweißfährte"

(Pointing , Flushing and Hounds on the Blood-Trail)

Carl Tabel "Der Jagdgebrauchshund" (The Versatile Hunting Dog)

Michael W. Fox "Versteh Deinen Hund" (Understand Your Dog)

Seiferle "Grundlagen und Wesensprüfung des Hundes" (Basic and Knowledge

Testing the Dogs)

F.A. Edgson &

0. Gwynne-Jones "Kranker Hund, was tun?" (Sick Dogs, What Makes)

LeoHelbig "Der Welpe" (The Pup)

HubertWinz "Welpenaufzucht" (Puppy-Rearing)

Heinz Weidt "Der Hund mit dem wir leben"; Verhalten und Wesen (The Dog We Live

With, Behavior and Nature)

Klaus Rolfs "Abrichten des Jagdhundes" (Training the Hunting Dogs)

Tillmann Klinkenberg "Hundeerziehung ohne Zwang" (Dog Training Without Force)