Mary Allen
The German Wirehaired Pointer has a shaggy exterior. And that is not deceptive: the dog is a real nature boy with an intensive hobby.
Hunting is a thing in itself. It is mostly considered superfluous by animal rights activists and necessary by forest and land owners. The fact is that we would probably welcome far fewer dog breeds as furry family members these days if it hadn’t been for the hunt. Countless dog breeds have their origins as hunting dogs. From there they have grown into a loveable and indispensable family pets. These include e.g. B. many representatives of the breeds terrier, spaniel, or retriever.
The beautiful German Wirehaired Pointer also began his career as a hunting dog and even with drums and trumpets. Purposefully bred from existing dog breeds, the new breed should combine many of the positive characteristics of well-known hunting dogs. So a new, reliable, resilient, and intelligent companion for hunters should be created, which neither rain, storm, dense undergrowth nor muddy pools can stop.
And gosh: did it work out with the German Wirehaired Pointer! In our breed portrait, we have summarized all important information about the German Wirehaired Pointer: from its appearance to its history to the optimal upbringing and care.
What does a German Wirehaired Pointer look like?
Even from a distance, you can see that the German Wirehaired Pointer is a hunting dog through and through. He loves to hunt and is perfectly made for it: the dog’s physique is lean and muscular with a broad, deep chest and a rough coat of fur. This is optimally resistant to rain, wind, water, and thorny undergrowth. Even the color of the dogs’ fur is designed for hunting: inconspicuous, dark, and in harmony with the forest undergrowth. In Germany, the color variants brown mold, black mold, light mold, and brown are permitted with or without markings or so-called plates.
What is also striking about the breed is the shape of its head and its face with its distinctive eyebrows and beard. Coupled with the floppy ears and dark brown eyes, the dogs get a particularly innocent expression that many dog lovers can hardly refuse.
How big is a German Wirehaired Pointer?
The German Wirehaired Pointer is one of the large dog breeds with an average height at the withers of between 61 cm and 68 cm for males. Bitches grow between 57 cm and 64 cm.
How heavy is a German Wirehaired Pointer?
With a balanced diet and exercise, the dogs should weigh between 25 kg and 35 kg. Bitches are usually slightly lighter than males.
How old does a German Wirehaired Pointer get?
Due to the performance-oriented breeding of the breed, care was also taken to ensure that the dogs were as robust and resilient as possible. Today, German Wirehaired Pointers reach an average life expectancy of up to 14 years. With good care and care, they can live even longer. They are among the longest-lived of large dog breeds.
What is the character or nature of the German Wirehaired Pointer?
Much like its workmate, the Weimaraner, the German Wirehaired Pointer is bred specifically and primarily for hunting. That’s why he has all the relevant character traits of a hunting dog. These include, but are not limited to, balance, reliability, intelligence, and a right mix of independence, independence, and obedience.
A close bond with its reference person, the hunter, is very important to the dog, as well as to its other family members. Despite its hunting nature, the dog is not aggressive towards strangers and animals, but rather curious, alert, or reserved if trained well.
As a hunting dog, the dog needs a lot of mental and physical exercise, which can actually only be offered in the hunt. Here his body, his intelligence, his sense of smell, and his endurance can be challenged on a daily basis. If he gets these jobs, the Wirehaired Pointer stands out as a playful, affectionate, and cuddly family dog that will go through thick and thin with his family. However, if it is missing, the hunting dogs are anything but happy and then also less suitable for keeping in a family.
Where does the German Wirehaired Pointer come from?
Unlike other dog breeds, the history of the German Wirehaired Pointer is relatively young and has its origins in Germany at the end of the 19th century. At that time, hunters and breeders were looking for a new breed that would meet the changed requirements in hunting. With the invention of firearms, the ideal hunting dog no longer had to be big and strong and capable of taking down big game on its own. Instead, the dog was intended to become an all-around assistant to the hunter, tracking, indicating, and retrieving prey.
The breeders crossed the breeds Pudelpointer, German Stichelhaar, German Shorthaired Pointer, and Griffon Korthals with each other and thus laid the foundations for a new excellent pointing dog breed, the German Wirehaired Pointer. The first breeding club was founded in 1902, the standard was set in 1924 and the breed was officially recognized by the FCI in 1954. Today, the breed is one of the most popular pointing dog breeds in many countries (including Germany). The German Wirehaired Pointer has this in common with the Small Munsterlander.
German Wirehaired Pointer: The right attitude and upbringing
Wirehaired pointer breeders in Germany and many other European countries give their puppies mainly to hunters or foresters. And with good reason: The dogs are pointing dogs through and through and can actually only be kept in a species-appropriate manner with appropriate activities such as tracking, tracking, and lots of outdoor exercises.
Optimal training requires a lot of experience, patience, calm, consistency, and leadership. Only in this way will the dog respect and obey its caregivers. Puppies need a trained and experienced caregiver who not only gives them the typical basic training but also prepares them adequately for their future position as a hunting dogs. The breed is therefore not suitable for beginners in dog ownership.
The dogs are considered to be very people-oriented and get along well with their families and children if they are socialized early on. If the dog is close to his caregiver and even allowed to work for him and with him every day, he is happiest and is characterized as sociable and balanced even outside of working hours.
As a dog of meadows and forests, a property with a large garden in close proximity to nature is much more suitable for him than a cramped city apartment.
What care does the German Wirehaired Pointer need?
The care of the wiry, dense fur is relatively undemanding and easy. A thorough brushing every few days is sufficient for good care. Since the dogs are real outdoorsmen who can easily walk for hours through meadows and undergrowth, their fur and skin should be checked regularly for parasites.
Optimal care also includes a balanced and high-quality diet. The large dog needs a lot of energy for its outdoor tasks, which is why food that is particularly rich in protein is ideal for it. It is essential to ensure that puppies in the growth phase are fed appropriately. In this way, the hunting dogs not only get a beautiful coat but also enjoy the best of health.
What are the typical diseases of the German Wirehaired Pointer?
Due to the high breeding standards and the focus on performance, health, and care, the breed is now one of the very healthy dog breeds. Breed-specific diseases are hardly known and rather rare. This also includes the typical hip dysplasia, which has been greatly reduced in dogs in the past. Similar to the Terrier, the Wirehaired Pointer can also suffer from craniomandibular osteopathy in rare cases.
How much does a German Wirehaired Pointer cost?
The prices for a puppy vary in Germany and are significantly influenced by the high demand, the high breeding standards, and its purpose as a fully trained hunting dog. Expect prices in the four-digit range for a puppy from a recognized German breeder.
Stay away from dubious and cheaper offers on the Internet or from so-called trunk dealers! Breeding specifications and strict controls are often not observed here. Many of the puppies are therefore often already ill or later suffer this fate. You also contribute to animal welfare if you do not support such breeders. Be sure to buy your shaggy new friend from a reputable breeder.