The Kromfohrlander: Is This Rare German Dog Breed Worth the High Price Tag?
Are you longing for an intelligent, active, affectionate canine companion? Do you melt over adorable bearded faces and lively personalities? If so, the Kromfohrlander might be your dream dog! But get ready to be patient and budget big bucks, because Kromfohrlanders are one of the rarest and priciest dog breeds in the world.
As a devoted dog lover always seeking to learn about unique breeds, I‘m fascinated by the Kromfohrlander. The more I research these foxy little German hunters, the more impressed I am by their history, temperament, and talents. But I‘m also blown away by how hard they are to find and how much they cost!
If you‘re considering bringing one of these extraordinary dogs into your life, read on for an in-depth look at Kromfohrlander prices, characteristics, care needs, and more.
What is a Kromfohrlander?
First, let‘s cover the basics of this unusual breed. Kromfohrlanders (pronounced krome-for-lahn-der) are medium-sized dogs developed in Germany in the 1940s. They‘re named after the Krom and Fohr regions where they originated.
According to breed historians, the first Kromfohrlander was a scruffy Fox Terrier mix puppy called "Original Peter" found and adopted by American soldiers stationed in Germany after World War II. Peter became the 10th Infantry Regiment‘s beloved mascot.
The friendly, furry trooper so impressed a German count named Ilo Schleifenbaum that he set out to re-create Peter‘s look and personality by crossing Fox Terriers with local farm dogs and Grand Basset Griffon Vendeens. The result was the foundation stock for today‘s Kromfohrlanders.
Kromfohrlander Characteristics
Kromfohrlanders are sturdy, sporty, and oh so shaggy! Some key Kromfohrlander characteristics include:
- Size: Medium, 16-18 inches tall and 35-45 pounds on average
- Coat: Dense, wiry double coat that may be rough or smooth, usually "salt and pepper" gray and white in color. Requires hand-stripping.
- Head: Distinctive beard and eyebrows, medium-length muzzle, almond-shaped eyes
- Body: Slightly longer than tall, deep chest, straight back, thick tail
- Temperament: Lively, intelligent, trainable, loyal, even-tempered, good with kids and other pets
These spunky, scruffy sweethearts thrive on human companionship. They‘re often called "the happy-go-lucky clowns" of the dog world for their cheerful, fun-loving natures. Kroms crave being close to their special people and will follow you from room to room.
While not as high-energy as some working breeds, Kromfohrlanders are no couch potatoes. They need a good hour or more of exercise daily. Hiking, jogging, swimming, fetch, and dog sports like agility, barn hunt, and flyball are great ways to keep them fit and happy.
Kromfohrlanders are scary smart and very trainable. They excel in obedience, tracking, and scent work as well as learning silly tricks to entertain their humans. But that brilliant brain needs to stay busy! Bored Kroms can become destructive.
Early socialization and positive training are musts to bring out the best in these sensitive souls. They can be aloof with strangers if not exposed to lots of people and new situations as pups. Harsh corrections can really shut them down. Praise, play, and yummy treats are the way to their hearts!
Kromfohrlander Health
Like many purebreds derived from a small gene pool, Kromfohrlanders have some genetic health issues to be aware of. The most common are:
- Hyperkeratosis: Thickening of the foot pads and nose, can cause pain and mobility issues. Affects an estimated 14.5% of Kromfohrlanders according to one study.
- Hip Dysplasia: Abnormal hip joint development leading to arthritis. Around 8.2% of Kroms have abnormal hip X-rays.
- Epilepsy: Recurrent seizures with no known cause. Estimated 1.1-5.3% of Kromfohrlanders are affected.
- Hypothyroidism: Underactive thyroid gland. Reported in 2.1-2.8% of the breed.
- Eye disorders: Cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), and distichiasis (extra eyelashes) are seen.
Responsible Kromfohrlander breeders perform extensive health testing on prospective parents to screen for these issues and avoid passing them on. This includes hip and elbow X-rays, eye exams, and DNA tests for hyperkeratosis and PRA.
The average Kromfohrlander lifespan is 12-15 years. To keep them healthy, Kroms need yearly vet checkups, dental care, parasite prevention, and a high-quality diet. Pet insurance is a smart idea to help with unexpected medical bills.
Kromfohrlander Price – How Much Do Kromfohrlanders Cost?
Okay, here‘s the part that might make you gulp – Kromfohrlanders are one of the most expensive dog breeds in the world! Because they‘re so rare, with only an estimated 500-1000 dogs worldwide, well-bred Kromfohrlander puppies command jaw-dropping prices.
In the United States, you can expect to pay anywhere from $4,000 to $8,500 for a Kromfohrlander pup from a reputable breeder. The exact price depends on factors like the breeder‘s reputation, location, litter size, and show/breeding quality.
But the costs don‘t stop there. Raising a Kromfohrlander puppy requires a major investment in supplies, medical care, grooming, food, and training. Here‘s a breakdown of potential Kromfohrlander expenses:
One-Time Costs
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Purchase price | $4,000 – $8,500 |
| Spay/neuter | $200 – $800 |
| Microchip | $25 – $75 |
| Initial supplies (crate, bed, bowls, leash, etc.) | $200 – $1,000 |
| Initial vet visit and vaccines | $100 – $300 |
| Total One-Time Costs | $4,525 – $10,675 |
Annual Costs
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| High-quality dog food and treats | $500 – $1,500 |
| Routine vet care and vaccines | $200 – $800 |
| Pet insurance | $300 – $1,200 |
| Grooming supplies and/or professional grooming | $200 – $1,000 |
| Training classes or private lessons | $500 – $2,000 |
| Toys, poop bags, dental chews | $200 – $1,000 |
| Total Annual Costs | $1,900 – $7,500 |
As you can see, the purchase price is only part of the total Kromfohrlander cost. You‘ll also need to factor in $2,000 – $7,500 or more per year for your dog‘s care over their 12-15 year lifespan.
Kromfohrlanders are a huge financial commitment – there‘s no getting around that. I recommend saving up and budgeting at least $20,000 – $30,000 to cover your Krom‘s needs over their lifetime.
A good pet insurance policy can help manage costs by reimbursing 70-90% of unexpected medical expenses. Some top insurers for Kromfohrlanders are Healthy Paws, Embrace, Petplan, and Trupanion.
Finding a Kromfohrlander Breeder
With such a rare and pricey pup, you can‘t afford to cut corners. Buying a Kromfohrlander from an unscrupulous breeder or puppy mill to save a buck will likely cost you dearly in the long run.
Sadly, some disreputable breeders try to cash in on the Kromfohrlander‘s desirability without doing critical health testing or properly socializing pups. That sets the stage for heartbreaking and expensive health and behavior issues.
To avoid being "penny wise and pound foolish", it‘s essential to choose a responsible Kromfohrlander breeder committed to the health and welfare of their dogs. Great breeders will:
- Belong to the Kromfohrlander Club of America (KCA) and follow its Code of Ethics
- Screen all breeding dogs for genetic diseases like hyperkeratosis, hip dysplasia, and eye disorders
- Raise puppies in a clean, enriching environment and begin socialization and basic training
- Allow you to tour their kennel and meet the parents and littermates
- Ask you lots of questions to ensure their pups go to excellent homes
- Provide a written contract with health guarantee and lifetime support
Expect to be thoroughly interviewed and vetted – ethical breeders care deeply about where their puppies end up. You may need to join a waiting list, as responsible breeders rarely have puppies readily available.
When you find an available litter, ask the breeder lots of questions. Some important ones are:
- What health tests have the parents had and can I see the results?
- How are the puppies raised and socialized?
- What kind of temperaments do the parents have?
- What is your puppy contract and health guarantee?
- Do you provide a pedigree, medical records, and registration papers?
- What food are the pups eating now? Do you have a recommended diet?
- How do I groom and train my Kromfohrlander puppy?
- Can you connect me with some of your previous puppy owners as references?
You can search for responsible Kromfohrlander breeders on the AKC Marketplace and the KCA breeder referral list. Research anyone you consider thoroughly. Ask for proof of health testing, vet references, and owner testimonials.
If possible, try to meet Kromfohrlanders in person before purchasing a pup. Many all-breed dog shows feature "Meet the Breed" booths where you can pet Kroms and talk to experienced owners and breeders.
Seeing and interacting with adult Kromfohrlanders will give you a better sense of the breed‘s appearance, size, coat, and personality. You can also view thousands of cute Krom pics on Instagram by following hashtags like #kromfohrlander and #kromclub.
Kromfohrlander Rescue
If the inflated price tag of a Kromfohrlander puppy from a breeder is beyond your budget, you may want to consider adopting an adult dog in need of a home.
Because Kromfohrlanders are so scarce, they rarely end up in shelters or rescue groups. But it does happen occasionally. Sometimes a Kromfohrlander owner becomes ill, passes away, or has to move and can‘t take their beloved dog.
Contacting breed-specific rescue organizations is your best bet for finding a Kromfohrlander in need of adoption or fostering. A few to try are:
Adopting a Kromfohrlander from a rescue group typically costs $200-$500, which covers spay/neuter, microchipping, and vetting. It‘s a great way to save money and a life! Many rescued Kroms are already housetrained and have some obedience training too.
However, rescued Kromfohrlanders may have some behavioral or health baggage from their previous circumstances. It‘s important to work with the rescue to determine if you‘re a good fit and have the experience and patience to help the dog thrive.
The Bottom Line – Is a Kromfohrlander Worth the Money?
After delving into all things Kromfohrlander, I have to conclude that if you can afford the initial and ongoing costs of this incredible canine, they are worth every penny and then some!
As a lifelong dog lover, I‘m in awe of the Kromfohrlander‘s amazing history, personality, and abilities. The more I learn about this delightful breed, the more I want one of my own to shower with affection and share adventures.
I love that Kromfohrlanders are a "Goldilocks" dog in many ways – not too big, not too small, not too hyper but not lazy lumps, super smart but not dominant, friendly to all but devoted to their special person. They truly seem to be "just right" canine companions!
The Kromfohrlander‘s adaptability is another huge selling point. As long as they get enough exercise, these spunky pups can thrive in apartments, houses, city and country. Their silly antics and portable size make them fantastic travel buddies.
What really impresses me is how loving and emotionally attuned to their humans Kromfohrlanders are. They have an almost psychic ability to pick up on our moods. Having a merry, bearded friend to cuddle and play with when you‘re down is priceless!
Of course, Kromfohrlanders aren‘t the breed for anyone on a tight budget, given their staggering purchase price and considerable grooming, training, and enrichment needs. Couch potatoes and workaholics should probably look elsewhere for a lower-key lapdog.
But if you have the financial stability and desire to make a Kromfohrlander the center of your active, dog-centric life for the next 12-15 years, I can‘t imagine a more loving, entertaining, or rewarding companion. Few experiences compare to the joy of a Kromfohrlander‘s whole-body wag when you come home!
The Kromfohrlander‘s rarity also means you will likely never encounter another one in your neighborhood dog park. For dog lovers who want a truly special and uncommon canine, the "Krom" is a great choice.
Just be prepared for people to constantly stop you on the street to ask "What kind of dog is THAT?!" Kromfohrlander owners quickly get used to grabbing a coffee while explaining their eye-catching dog‘s exotic name and heritage to curious admirers.
So while there are certainly more budget-friendly breeds out there, I don‘t think you can put a price tag on the extraordinary characteristics and human-animal bond a Kromfohrlander offers.
To sum up, if you have the resources to give a Kromfohrlander the 5-star treatment they deserve, you will be blessed with a 5-star friend for life. And THAT is the most valuable thing of all for us dog devotees.
