A rare breed indeed, the Kromfohrländer is a docile, well-mannered breed hailing from Germany. In addition to being rare even in their native Germany, they are a relatively new breed only dating back to the 1950s.
Families looking for a loving companion that is spirited and full of life will be pleased with a Kromfohrländer, especially as a companion pet which is their designation by many breeding associations.
Kromfohrländers range from small- to medium-sized and are distinctly longer than their height at the withers. There are two main types of Kromfohrländer that are distinguished by their coats: rough-haired variants look similar to a terrier whilst smooth-haired variants resemble a spaniel.
Their eyes are medium-sized, set slightly slanting in dark or (sometimes) medium brown. Their ears are set high and semi-drop along the sides, in a triangular shape with rounded tips. Their tails are sabre-like in shape, set hanging whilst at ease and raised horizontally when alert.
The coat colours of Kromfohrländers, as mentioned, vary between a rough-haired version and a smooth-haired version. For the former, a beard is common. For the latter, the coat is marginally longer than rough-haired Kromfohrländers. Colours include basic white with light brown, accompanied by tan to dark brown markings.
The Kromfohrländer most closely resembles the Wire-Haired Fox Terrier or the Grand Griffon Vendéen, the two breeds from which he was bred.
How big do Kromfohrländer dogs get?
Height: 38-56 cm
Weight: 9-16 kg
As a companion breed, Kromis are affectionate, loyal, and playful. Perhaps their most alluring trait, aside from their beauty, is their lovely temperament that is perfect for first-time pet owners and families that can reciprocate the love that your Kromi is sure to share.
They are fairly intelligent, relatively easy to train, and demonstrate no signs of aggressiveness, although they may be assertive as puppies.
Kromis are also adaptable to many different settings, since they were not specifically bred for hunting or farm work, for example. Rather, their breeding was done to establish a loyal companion pet to which they serve this purpose wonderfully.
Are Kromfohrländer dogs intelligent? Yes.
Are Kromfohrländer dogs affectionate? Yes.
Do Kromfohrländer dogs have high or low energy levels? High energy.
Are Kromfohrländer dogs loyal? Yes.
Are Kromfohrländer dogs playful? Yes.
Are Kromfohrländer dogs aggressive? No.
Are Kromfohrländer dogs easy to train? Yes.
Are Kromfohrländer dogs good guard dogs? No, but they can work somewhat well as watchdogs.
The importance of socialising a Kromi well as a puppy is crucial to encourage and instill good behaviour and to correct any signs of aggressive behaviour, which is not typical of this breed. They do get along rather well with owners and their families, but around other pets and dogs in the home they may be high-strung and energetic although rarely boisterous as adults.
As puppies, however, Kromis tend to show signs of assertiveness. If a Kromi is given license to demonstrate even a hint of dominance towards the owner or family members, he can develop naughty behaviour. It is therefore important to gently, without using harsh punishment, correct any early signs of bad behaviour and to quell this assertive side.
Kromis do not naturally have a very high prey drive, although they may chase other small animals around the home at times.
Do Kromfohrländer dogs get along with other pets? Yes.
Do Kromfohrländer dogs get along with other dogs? Yes, generally.
Are Kromfohrländer dogs good with kids? Yes, but maintain supervision around young children and correct any signs of bad behaviour.
Are Kromfohrländer dogs good with strangers? Yes, although they may bark or feel nervous the first time they encounter strangers.
As with many companion breeds, Kromis feel right at home whether you live on a large rural estate or in an apartment block in an urban city centre. They do not need a great deal of space in which to play and roam, although more tends to be better. Fenced gardens are also beneficial, which provides them with an opportunity to productively work off much of their high energy.
The Kromfohrländer is a breed that sheds moderately, is prone to occasional drooling, and does not tend to bark excessively. As with most breeds, Kromi puppies shouldn’t be exposed to loud noises if it can be prevented as this may traumatise them. They are also not ideally suited for extremely hot or cold environments, but in Britain they will adapt just fine to the climate.
Are Kromfohrländer dogs good for first-time owners? Yes, very much so.
Are Kromfohrländer dogs hypoallergenic? No.
Are Kromfohrländer dogs prone to drooling? Yes, occassionally.
Are Kromfohrländer dogs a good breed for apartment living? Yes, they are ideal.
Do Kromfohrländer dogs shed a lot? Moderately.
Do Kromfohrländer dogs bark a lot? No.
Can Kromfohrländer dogs be left alone at home? Yes, for a moderate length of time.
Can Kromfohrländer dogs handle the heat? Somewhat.
Can Kromfohrländer dogs handle cold temperatures? Somewhat.
Are Kromfohrländer dogs sensitive to loud noises? Yes.
When compared to other breeds, the Kromfohrländers are fairly healthy and are not known to suffer from many hereditary health conditions. On the one hand, this appears to be positive, but do keep in mind that their genetic pool is very small and their population worldwide is low. Nevertheless, they are known to be healthy, with only a handful of notable health problems that may affect them as they grow.
Always schedule routine appointments with your local veterinarian to diagnose any potential health problems before they become too serious.
Some common problems include:
Epilepsy: much like many other breeds, Kromis can suffer from epileptic seizures;
Cystinuria: this potentially painful condition stems from a buildup of amino acids in the Kromi’s urine. It may be treated simply with better hydration, but sometimes more acute treatment may be necessary;
Hyperkeratosis: an abnormal buildup of keratin can lead to a condition sometimes called ‘corny feet,’ which can be treated with topical creams;
Patellar luxation: a luxating patella is a knee condition that causes discomfort or pain, particularly in small and toy-sized breeds. Kromis should be taken to the vet as they approach six months of age to diagnose the potential of patellar luxation.
How long do Kromfohrländer dogs live? - 10-15 years
Although Kromis have a high energy level, they do not require too much exercise. Only a half-hour to an hour a day should suffice to keep them happy, healthy, and stimulated. Consider taking him for a leisurely morning walk and perhaps a little playtime in the evening.
During playtime, and especially as puppies, Kromis may try to show some assertiveness or dominance when they shouldn’t. This should be corrected on the spot, without resorting to harsh punishment. When he knows his role, he will remain loyal and loving without becoming aggressive (not a common trait).
This breed never originally served any work, hunting, or utility purposes and as such doesn’t need strenuous exercise. Overexercising may in fact be detrimental to Kromi puppies. Take it easy and go at their pace.
How much exercise does a Kromfohrländer dog need? - About 30-60 minutes per day
Do Kromfohrländer dogs like water play? Somewhat, just make sure they are supervised.
There is one important thing to note about Kromis when it comes to feeding, which is that they are known to be fussy eaters. Whether they are dissatisfied with the type of food you present them, or the quantity, or their feeding time, they will let you know that something isn’t to their liking.
Although it is preferable to maintain a strict feeding regimen to avoid bloat and to maintain good healthy development, adjust their diet gradually until they are happy with their meals. Please consult your veterinarian and request their opinion on various diets and feeding schedules to know if it is ideal for your Kromi.
Are Kromfohrländer dogs prone to weight gain? Not particularly.
How much should I feed a Kromfohrländer puppy? About 40-170g per day, in 3-4 sessions.
How much should I feed an adult Kromfohrländer dog? About 110-260g per day, in total.
Kromis are low-maintenance when it comes to grooming. As a small companion pet, unless he’s gotten himself all dirty by playing outdoors or in the water, all that’s really needed is some routine brushing. They do shed a moderate amount of hair, however.
Emotionally, Kromis are also fairly low-maintenance. A loving, affectionate companion that enjoys social interaction, they can also tolerate a few hours of solitude without resorting to boredom or bad behaviour.
- Grooming: once or twice a week, use a brush to remove any dead hairs and to keep your Kromi’s coat (whichever variety) clean and beautiful. Inspect his ears on occasion for buildups of earwax and/or signs of ear infections.
- Emotional care: it is possible to leave your Kromi alone at home for a few hours during the day, but leaving him alone for too long too frequently will surely lead to separation anxiety, boredom, and potentially destructive behaviour.
Kromfohrländers get their name from their native German, with krom Fohr ‘crooked furrow’ (specifically, the name of a district near the town of Siegen in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany) and Länder ‘land,’ essentially meaning ‘from the krom Fohr district.’
The breed’s exact origins are unknown, but it is known that a single mascot dog was used in the German military in the 1940s, ‘Old Peter.’ It is believed that Old Peter, perhaps a Griffon Dog, was discovered in France by advancing American military personnel. His journey from then on is unknown, but he did make his way into Germany and was somehow discovered by Ilsa Schleifenbaum, who went on to breed Kromfohrländers.
She bred the wire-haired Fox Terrier and the Grand Griffon Vendeen for a decade, and the breed was recognised later on in 1955. It remains a rare breed all around the world, including in its native Germany.
The forefather of all Kromfohrländers is a single mascot dog, perhaps a Griffin Dog, called Old Peter;
Old Peter was considered a good luck charm by the advancing American troops and was taken along during the invasion of Germany;
Kromis are amongst the rarest breeds in the UK and in their native Germany as well.
For anyone looking to purchase a Kromfohrländer puppy, the supply is extremely low and therefore the waiting list could exceed a year. Nevertheless, buying or adopting any puppy comes with many responsibilities worth considering beforehand. That’s why we strongly recommend reading our buying guide and avoiding puppy mills.
How much does a Kromfohrländer cost to buy? - About £500 or more.
How much does a Kromfohrländer cost to feed? - An adult Kromfohrländer costs about £1.00-£1.30 per day to feed.
How much does insurance for a Kromfohrländer cost? - About £30-£65 per month.
Sensible alternatives to purchasing a new Kromfohrländer puppy include rescue and adoption.
Additional resources can be found via Kromfohrländer registries and associations such as:
