German Wirehaired Pointer

affectionate / eager / enthusiastic

Sporting Group >>

Average sizes and life
expectancy of the breed.

Height

24-26 inches (male)

minimum 22 inches (female)

Weight

50-70 pounds

Life Expectancy

14-16 years

Breed Traits & Characteristics

Affectionate With Family

Independent Lovey-Dovey
100% 100%

How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.

Good With Young Children

Not Recommended Good With Children
60% 60%

A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.

GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS

Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs
60% 60%

How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.

Shedding Level

No Shedding Hair Everywhere
40% 40%

How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.

Coat Grooming Frequency

Monthly Daily
40% 40%

How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.

Drooling Level

Less Likely to Drool Always Have a Towel
40% 40%

How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.

Coat Type

Corded

Curly

Double

Hairless

Rough

Silky

Smooth

Wavy

Wiry

Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.

Coat Length

Long

Medium

Short

How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.

Openness To Strangers

Reserved Everyone Is My Best Friend
80% 80%

How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!

Playfulness Level

Only When You Want To Play Non-Stop
80% 80%

How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.

Watchdog/Protective Nature

What's Mine Is Yours Vigilant
60% 60%

A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.

Adaptability Level

Lives For Routine Highly Adaptable
60% 60%

How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.

Trainability Level

Self-Willed Eager to Please
100% 100%

How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!

Energy Level

Couch Potato High Energy
100% 100%

The amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and snooze.

Barking Level

Only To Alert Very Vocal
60% 60%

How often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.

Mental Stimulation Needs

Happy to Lounge Needs a Job or Activity
80% 80%

How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.

Affectionate With Family

Independent Lovey-Dovey
100% 100%

How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.

Good With Young Children

Not Recommended Good With Children
60% 60%

A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.

GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS

Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs
60% 60%

How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.

Shedding Level

No Shedding Hair Everywhere
40% 40%

How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.

Coat Grooming Frequency

Monthly Daily
40% 40%

How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.

Drooling Level

Less Likely to Drool Always Have a Towel
40% 40%

How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.

Coat Type

Corded

Curly

Double

Hairless

Rough

Silky

Smooth

Wavy

Wiry

Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.

Coat Length

Long

Medium

Short

How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.

Openness To Strangers

Reserved Everyone Is My Best Friend
80% 80%

How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!

Playfulness Level

Only When You Want To Play Non-Stop
80% 80%

How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.

Watchdog/Protective Nature

What's Mine Is Yours Vigilant
60% 60%

A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.

Adaptability Level

Lives For Routine Highly Adaptable
60% 60%

How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.

Trainability Level

Self-Willed Eager to Please
100% 100%

How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!

Energy Level

Couch Potato High Energy
100% 100%

The amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and snooze.

Barking Level

Only To Alert Very Vocal
60% 60%

How often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.

Mental Stimulation Needs

Happy to Lounge Needs a Job or Activity
80% 80%

How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.

About the Breed

The magnificent German Wirehaired Pointer is a versatile, strong gundog that enjoys outdoor activity thanks to his athletic weatherproof coat and can-do attitude. The GWP is a devoted, lovable, and entertaining family pet around the house. GWPs are slightly taller and heavier than their near sibling, the German Shorthaired Pointer, standing as high as 26 inches at the shoulder. GWPs are built to pound the bushes all day long without getting tired since they are balanced, well-muscled, tough, agile, and robust. Knowledgeable, worldly expression is completed by the shaggy beard and eyebrows, which also serve as protection from the rough wire coat and bad weather. “Running is essential in the big outdoors!’, says a seasoned owner. ‘

GWPs are intelligent and eager, but their independent, curious personality could irritate inexperienced owners. This breed will not be pleased to lie on the couch all day. a fantastic match for people looking for a caring friend who values teamwork and participation in sports.

German-Wirehaired-Pointer-laying-down-outdoors

What To Expect When Caring For a German Wirehaired Pointer

Owning a dog is not just a privilege; it’s a responsibility. They depend on us for, at minimum, food and shelter, and deserve much more. When you take a dog into your life, you need to understand the commitment that dog ownership entails.

Health

German Wirehaired Pointers are mostly healthy dogs, however, the breed has certain unique health and genetic screening concerns. Breed health and the preservation of the breed's characteristics are promoted by responsible breeders who routinely contact other committed breeders and test their stock for ailments the breed may be susceptible to. The teeth of a German Wirehair should be brushed frequently with toothpaste made for dogs, and the ears should be constantly examined for indications of infection. To ensure the dog has a long and healthy life, regular trips to the vet for checks and parasite management are recommended.

Recommended Health Tests From the National Breed Club:

Hip Evaluation
Thyroid Evaluation
Elbow Evaluation
Cardiac Exam
Ophthalmologist Evaluation

Grooming

The rough, wiry coat of the German Wirehaired Pointer requires little upkeep. Weekly brushing with a comb and gentle slicker brush will help to keep the dog looking his best by removing dirt and loose hair. Regularly check the ears and clean them if necessary using soft gauze and an ear-cleaning solution; the dog's veterinarian can suggest a good brand. Overly long nails can make the dog uncomfortable and make it difficult for them to run and move.

Exercise

German Wirehaired Pointers are athletic, high-energy dogs that like being outdoors with their owners and are an excellent company on long walks or treks. Long walks and playtime with their owner are good examples of regular daily activity that will keep pets happy and healthy. The breed can also get mental and physical exercise by taking part in hunting, obedience, tracking, agility, rallies, and other fun activities.

Training

German Wirehaired Pointers are athletic, high-energy dogs that like being outdoors with their owners and are an excellent company on long walks or treks. Long walks and playtime with their owner are good examples of regular daily activity that will keep pets happy and healthy. The breed can also get mental and physical exercise by taking part in hunting, obedience, tracking, agility, rallies, and other fun activities.

Nutrition

German Wirehaired Pointers should be fed premium dog food that is suitable for their age (puppy, adult, or senior) and degree of activity. Discover which foods fit the bill for canine consumption and which don't. If you have any queries or worries regarding your dog's weight or diet, speak to your veterinarian or the breeder. Fresh, clean water must always be accessible.

History

The abundance of British setters, spaniels, and retrievers is a result of British sportsmen breeding specialized hunting dogs for various types of birds and terrain, to work on land or in lakes, and with distinct hunting strategies. Continental European hunters used a different strategy: they developed all-purpose bird dogs. Examples of these renownedly adaptable hunting partners include the Italian Spinone, the Hungarian Vizsla, and the German GWP, which are frequently referred to as “European utility breeds.”\

Since there are so many British setters, spaniels, and retrievers, it is clear that British sportsmen have bred specialist hunting dogs for a variety of birds, and diverse terrains, to work on land or in water, and with distinct hunting strategies. A distinct strategy was used by hunters in Continental Europe, who developed all-purpose bird dogs. These renownedly adaptable hunting partners, referred to as the “European utility breeds,” include the Italian Spinone, the Hungarian Vizsla, and the German GWP.

German-Drahthaar is the name of the breed in German, while German Wirehaired Pointer is the name of the breed in English. Among German sportsmen in the early 1800s, breeding wire-coated pointing dogs was a bit of a craze. Dog lovers in Britain and the continent developed a fervor for them in the second half of the century.