The AKC has grouped all of the breeds that it registers into seven categories, or groups, roughly based on function and heritage. Breeds are grouped together because they share traits of form and function or a common heritage.
The Kromfohrlander is a very intelligent, funny, agile dog which loves to climb and jump and easily excels at agility and dog-trick training but can be fussy with food. They come in two coat types: wirehaired (with beard) and smooth haired (smooth face with no beard and beautiful, long, soft hair). The breed’s nickname in North America is “Kromi” (krome-ee). The Kromfohrlander was bred to be a companion only, retains very little hunting instinct (despite its terrier heritage), and is often long-lived (17-18 years old). He is good with children and family and tends to be a one-person dog. He is very attached to his owner, will not run away, and is first to alert to strangers.
Club Contact Details
Club: Kromfohrlander Club of America
Name: Mary Dixon
Email: kromiclub@gmail.com
Phone: 734-277-2270
The Kromi can be a picky eater, therefore, a high quality food is required to maintain the Kromi’s weight due to the high activity level of the breed. Free feeding is possible as the Kromi is typically not an overeater.
What you feed your dog is an individual choice, but working with your veterinarian and/or breeder will be the best way to determine frequency of meals as a puppy and the best adult diet to increase his longevity. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.
To maintain a tidy appearance, regular hand-stripping or grooming is required. Most Kromis grow a scruffy, wirehaired coat that sheds. It is not to be clipped or shaved. They have little to no doggy odor and dirt just falls off their coats; they are remarkably clean dogs. It is important to continue regular nail clipping as this can become very difficult due to the typical sensitivity of the breed.
Though Kromfohrlanders only wish to be at the side of their special person at all times, regular outside exercise is a requirement. They enjoy fetching a ball or other dog toy. At around age three, they can jump to get a disc, as their joints must be mature. Long walks in a natural setting is the Kromi’s favorite kind of exercise. This is NOT a dog-park breed, as they prefer only dogs they already know and do not care for new dogs, new people or new situations.
The Kromfohrlander is very intuitive and a very good guesser. Teaching the Kromi to learn is easy when young but advancing to activities that require more independence such as competitive agility can be a challenge due to the typical sensitivity of the breed. Patience is required.
The Kromfohrlander is an extremely rare breed with a very small gene pool. DNA tests are available for hyperkeratosis and Von Willebrand’s disease, which means breeders can identify carriers and avoid producing affected dogs; autoimmune problems have been noted in the breed. Keeping an eye on your Kromi’s health throughout its life and sharing information will help everyone in the breed better understand the potential health of the breed.
Recommended Health Tests From Parent Club:
• Canine Footpad Hyperkeratosis
• Von Willebrand’s Disease
Medium size. There are two separate varieties, distinguished by coat type: rough coat and smooth coat. Important Proportion: The length of the body is slightly greater than the height at withers. Height at withers: 15 to 18 inches. Weight: Males: 24 to 35 pounds. Females: 20 to 31 pounds.
Skull: Slightly roundish, no frontal protuberance. Frontal furrow indicated. Stop: Well defined.
Nose: Medium size, nostrils well opened, preferably black, brown permitted. Muzzle: Length of foreface in relation to length of skull = 1:1. Headplanes of muzzle and skull parallel. Nasal bridge straight, moderately broad. Seen in profile and from above tapering slightly to the tip of the nose. Lips: Close fitting, not too heavy; labial corner tight, with dark pigment. Jaws/Teeth: Jaws strong with a regular and complete scissor bite ( 42 teeth according to tooth-formula of the dog), i.e. the incisors of the upper jaw closely overlapping the lower incisors, the teeth being set square the jaws. Pincer bite permitted. Cheeks: Strong musculature, fitting tightly from lower to upper jaw up to the cheekbone. Eyes: Medium size, oval; set slightly slanting. Dark brown, medium brown permitted. Ears: Set on high at the side, semi-drop ear with the fold not lying above the top line of the skull, triangular shape with rounded tips, lying close to the head. Very mobile, carried depending on mood; slight flap ear permissible.
Neck:
Profile: Rising obliquely, slightly arched nape of neck. Length: Medium length. Shape: Strong, well muscled towards back. Skin: Close fitting to neck, no dewlap.
Body:
Upper line: Running straight, slightly longer than height at withers. Withers: Indicated. Back: Strong, straight, medium-long topline. Loins: Slightly narrower than the ribcage, well developed. Croup: Slightly sloping, well muscled. Chest: Moderately broad and deep; sternal line at level of elbows; ribs lightly rounded; forechest slightly pronounced. Belly: Tucked up towards loins. Tail: Not docked, medium long, strong at set-on; sabre tail, slight ring tail permitted. Coat of tail according to type of body coat. At ease carried hanging with the tip slightly curved up; in action carried as sickle tail over the back.
General appearance: The position of the forelegs seen from the front is straight and vertical. Shoulders: Well muscled; shoulder blade moderately long and sloping. Upper arm: Angle to shoulder-blade about 110°, well muscled. Elbows: Fitting naturally to the body, neither turned in nor out. Angle about 120°. Forearm: Slightly longer than the upper arm. Vertical to ground and strong. Pastern joint: Well developed, but not too strong and thick. Pastern: Relatively short, seen from front in straight continuation of the forearm; seen from side slightly sloping. Forefeet: Lightly arched, tight toes. Nails strong; pads well developed, dark pigmented. Pale nails permitted.
General appearance: Seen from rear legs straight and standing vertical to ground. Upper thigh: Well muscled. Angle of hip joint about 100°. Lower thigh: Sinewy; forms an angle of about 105° to the upper thigh. Hock: Similar to front pastern, but vertical to ground. Without dewclaws. Hind feet: Similar to forefeet.
Hair:
Rough coat: Thick, rough texture, with beard. At withers and on back hair not longer than 7 cm. Shorter on the sides, about 3 cm. The hair on the back and the fore-and hindquarters is harsher than on the sides. Longer hair on face and muzzle. Hair on ears according to type of coat on body. Undercoat short and soft.
Smooth coat: Thick, smooth texture, without beard. At withers and on back hair not longer than 7 cm. Shorter on sides, about 3 cm. Coat lying close to body. The hair is longer on ears, lower side of neck and on the chest. Tail with good plume. Distinct feathering at rear side of forelegs and upper thighs desirable. On face and muzzle hair short. Undercoat short and soft.
Color:
On body: Basic colour white with light brown, tan to very dark brown markings in shape of variously large patches or saddle. With a brown undercoat the tips of hairs may be black. On head: Light brown, tan to very dark brown markings on cheeks, above eyes and on ears; divided as symmetrically as possible by a white blaze which reaches up to the forehead or to the nape of neck without any interruption (symmetrical mask with blaze).
| Description | Standard Colors | Registration Code |
| White & Brown | Check Mark For Standard Color | 204 |
| White & Tan | Check Mark For Standard Color | 217 |
