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. ‘
German Wirehaired Pointer
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
About the Breed

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
Recommended Health Tests From the National Breed Club:
- Hip Evaluation
- Thyroid Evaluation
- Elbow Evaluation
- Cardiac Exam
- Ophthalmologist Evaluation
Grooming
Exercise
Training
Nutrition
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.