Description

The German Wirehaired Pointer is a medium sized, muscular dog known for its wiry, weather resistant coats. It has a long head, brown eyes with medium overhung eyebrows and round, close ears that are thin. The muzzle is long with a brown nose that has large nostrils.

The neck is slightly arched. The German Wirehaired Pointer has tight skin, a deep chest and broad hips with rounded croup. It has a high set tail that is horizontal to the body and usually docked.

The German Wirehaired Pointer has flat leg bones, webbed feet with thick pads and hard nails. The dewclaws are usually removed. The muscular thighs and short, straight hocks work with the powerful hindquarters to produce a strong stride that moves the dog quickly.

Coat Description

The German Wirehaired Pointer is characterized by its coat. It is wiry, hence the name ‘Wirehaired’. It is water repellant and protects the dog during adverse weather conditions. The undercoat is dense and keeps the dog warm in the colder months and cool in the warmer months. The outer coat is short, about one to two inches in length and lies flat to the body. The eyebrows are also distinct with straight hair and they have a beard and whiskers which are medium length.

History

The German Wirehaired Pointer originated in during the 19th and 20th centuries. The breed was a careful cross bred of the German Pointer and other dog breeds, which is not completely clear but suspected to be the Wirehaired Griffon, Poodle-Pointer, Foxhound, and Bloodhound.

Temperament

The German Wirehaired Pointer is an intelligent and active breed. It is affectionate, as well and likes to please its owner. It is a good work dog that needs plenty of activity. It can get bored easily and can be stubborn. The German Wirehaired Pointer can suffer from separation anxiety and needs plenty of attention and company. It is not easy to house train and requires consistent and strong training to be successful with it. This breed is also very loyal but can be quite jealous and protective. They are not good around small children. In general, they will be loving towards family, but can be dominant in interactions with other animals and dogs. They can also be unsure of strangers and need early and persistent socialization to prevent shyness. The German Wirehaired Pointer is a good hunting dog with a high energy level that does not tire easily.

Health Problems

The German Wirehaired Pointer can be prone to a few different types of health conditions. Hip dysplasia is a common canine disorder which produces arthritis type symptoms and can lead to lameness. Entropion is an eyelid disorder that requires surgery. Cataracts are another eye condition that can lead to blindness. Von Willebrand’s disease is a blood clotting problem that can be found in German Wirehaired Pointers

Grooming

The German Wirehaired Pointer is needs moderate grooming. It is a shedding breed which is an area of concern and requires some extra grooming. The dog should be brushed two times per week. During bathing the dig should be hand plucked and stripped to remove excess fur. This is best done two top three times per year. The coat is waterproof and this helps to keep it rather clean so frequent bathing in not necessary.

The feet and ears should be checked regularly for dirt and debris. Regular trimming of the nails and teeth care are also important in maintaining good health.

Exercise

The German Wirehaired Pointer has a high energy level and seems to never tire. Without plenty of exercise they will become bored and problematic. Good exercise for this breed is running, swimming and games like catch. They also are good hunting dogs and can get rid of a lot of exercise when taken out hunting.

Training

Training a German Wirehaired Pointer is important to produce good behavior. It should start as a pup and needs to be persistent and rigid. House training can be demanding and good crate training is a must. The dog should be restricted during training so it learns where it can and can not go. Socialization is also important and the dog should be exposed to different people and places as a pup up to adulthood. This is important for it to stick with the dog and prevent shyness.

The German Wirehaired Pointer is a good hunting dog and can be trained for use in hunting all types of game. They can hunt on land and water. This is also a great form of exercise for this active dog. Agility, tracking and retrieving can be strong points for the German Wirehaired Pointer.

Overall the German Wirehaired Pointer can be somewhat frustrating to train. They are often resistant and will require definite training that is done in a firm, yet compassionate manner. The balance between being strict and still being affectionate will help prevent adverse behaviors on the dog’s part. Sometimes it can be best to hire a professional trainer to complete the task of house breaking the dog. This requires extreme patience and time, which can prove to be too much for some owners.