German Wirehaired Pointer

German Wirehaired Pointer Stats:

COUNTRY: Germany
WEIGHT: 60-70 pounds
HEIGHT: 24—26 inches
COAT: Harsh, wiry and flat lying outer coat, with good beard and brows, never so long as to hide the outline of the dog; plenty of underwool
COLOR: Solid liver, or any combination of liver and white
OTHER NAMES: Deutscher Drahthaariger Vorstehhund, Drahthaar
GROUP: Gun Dog

Still a rare dog on the hunting scene, the German Wirehaired Pointer won American Kennel Club recognition in 1959. For hunting purposes, they are quick, have good endurance, a keen nose. They are easily trained and perform well in the field. This breed is good for upland bird hunting. They point and retrieve both on land and water.

This dog is quite affectionate and enjoys being a one man dog.

The history of the German Wirehaired Pointer in Germany is quite recent. An interest in gun dogs with bristly coats always existed, and several types were in evidence by the late 1800s. At first, the Wirehair Club in Germany fostered all hunting dogs with a wire coat, but the wide variation in types soon saw separate organizations for the Pudelpointer, the Griffon, the Stichelhaar, and the German Wirehaired Pointer. They may all have come from the same stock, as these breeds developed concurrently. From this time on, each breed became individualized.

Like the Shorthair, the Drahthaar was developed to be used as a utility hunting dog and still fills that capacity. Because of the diverse tasks the breed is expected to accomplish, the dog is ideally big and robust, with a coat that affords protection. Wirehairs lead all hunting dogs in German registrations.

The German Wirehaired Pointer came to America about the same time as the first Shorthairs, in the 1920s. But the Wirehair was later in achieving AKC recognition and has never become as widespread as his shorthaired cousins in the States. Wire-hairs tend to be a bit more aloof, and sometimes are one-person dogs. Those who support the breed possess a fine, obedient companion and hunting dog.

His tail is docked, like the GSP, leaving about two-fifths. If the coat is proper, it requires very little care. The under wool sheds in the spring and requires bathing and brushing, as is true of most breeds. A good harsh coat will do well with occasional combing out of dead hair. Some slight stripping may be required to neaten him for exhibition, but the coat should never have to be clipped or scissor. Only when the coat is improperly long and woolly does excessive grooming become necessary to give him the proper outline. This improper coat also attracts burrs and sticks in the field, which is why it is discouraged.

Often a clown, the Wirehair provides entertainment for his family. His whiskery face can switch from an imp to a noble show dog or a stern uncle. Sufficient exercise is essential. If bored, his excess energy can turn to destructive entertainment. The more they are taught, the happier they are. The breed needs a mixture of firm training with all-out rough-housing.