German Wirehaired Pointers trace their origins back to 1880. They originated in Germany, where breeders wanted to develop a rugged, versatile hunting dog that would work closely with either one person or a small party of persons hunting on foot in varied terrain; from the mountainous regions of the Alps, to dense forests, to more open areas with farms and small towns. The breed the Germans desired had to have a coat that would protect the dogs when working in heavy cover or in cold water, yet be easy to maintain. Careful crosses of the German Pointer with many other breeds. Sources differ on the exact lineage, though the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, Pudelpointer, Stichelhaar, and Deutscher-Kurzhaar are commonly accepted as the most likely contributors. This is a dog that can fully respond to the needs of its hunter. The goal was to develop a wire-coated, medium-sized dog that could:
Search for, locate and point upland game
Work both feather and fur with equal skill and retrieve water fowl
Be a close-working, easily trained gun dog
Be able to track and locate wounded game
Be fearless when hunting "sharp" game such as fox
Be a devoted companion and pet; and
Be a watchdog for its owner's family and property.
Appearance
The German Wirehaired Pointer is a well muscled, medium to large-sized dog of distinctive appearance. Balanced in size and sturdily built, the breed's most distinguishing characteristics are its weather resistant, wire-like coat and its facial furnishings. 1.
The German Wirehaired Pointer, also known as the ‘Drahthaar’, is a pointing dog that shares the German Shorthaired Pointer’s noble appearance. It has a thick, wiry outer coat, however, which is two to four centimetres long. The coat protects the skin from extreme weather and the dense cover it sometimes has to work in, as well as insulating the dog when it retrieves in freezing water.
This breed is also built for strength, endurance and speed. Their movement should be powerful, ground-covering, flowing and harmonious.
Accentuated eyebrows and a strong, harsh-as-possible beard emphasise the GWP’s facial expression, which reflects their hunting style. Determined hunters, German Wirehaired Pointers will trail, hunt and find game, and will point and subsequently retrieve both wounded and dead game.
Ability in the field, natural intelligence and a biddable nature make these dogs much sought after hunting and family companions.
Colours are Brown roan with or without patches. Black roan with or without patches. Brown with or without white chest patch. Light roan. No other colour permitted.
Height at the withers: Dogs: 61 to 68 cms Bitches: 57 to 64 cms 2.
Temperament
Both German Wirehaired and Shorthaired Pointers are very loyal and family orientated and are well-suited to being treated as a family member. German Wirehaired Pointers can be aloof and protective of their family, but do accept visitors willingly.
Often referred to as the clown of the Gundog group, the German Wirehaired Pointer has a wonderfully endearing nature. Easy to train, they are extremely intelligent and should never be aggressive or shy.
Maintenance
The German Wirehaired Pointer coat does not shed, so needs regular stripping. Thankfully, the availability of excellent grooming tools makes it easy to keep the coat in shape.
Of course, show dogs need hand stripping only, so as to keep the coat’s harsh texture, but pet German Wirehaired Pointers may be trimmed and bathed in the same way as any other dog.
This breed’s ears and feet need particular attention. Owners need to take care to keep the hair stripped out of the ear and keep the ear clean and dry, while hair on the feet needs to be trimmed, particularly when the dogs have been in paddocks or dams. Keeping this hair trimmed will prevent mud collecting between the toes.
Feeding a good quality premium dry food, along with occasional raw meaty bones, will help keep both breeds’ teeth in top shape.
Health
Healthy, well cared for German Wirehaired Pointers will usually live for as long as 11 or 12 years, sometimes longer. Like all dogs, they can be prone to some hereditary disease.
Recognising this, responsible breeders work to reduce the incidence of hereditary problems in their breeding so that they can produce healthy puppies.
Suitability
This breed is an active dog, well suited to life as a hunting companion. Owners need to commit to basic training, which both of these very intelligent and quick-learning breeds excel at. Once trained, both are well suited to active families with a reasonably sized yard. This breed requires a good walk or run once a day, and do not like to be home alone for long periods.
Now you know a little about the German Wirehaired Pointer, you may think that this is the dog for you. Before you make a decision, please make contact with the breed club or your State controlling body for purebred dogs. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog shows where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the German Wirehaired Pointer, and its needs and whether this breed would suit your lifestyle.
Official breed standard as recognized by Dogs NSW (Last Updated: 02 Jul 2009)
A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.
General Appearance
A pointing dog of noble appearance, with harsh coat completely protecting the skin, with an attentive expression full of energy. The movement should be powerful, ground covering, flowing and harmonious.Important proportions: The length of the body and the height at withers should be as equal as possible. The length of the body may exceed the height at withers by up to 3 cm.
Characteristics
The German Wirehaired Pointer is a versatile working gundog that must possess all the dispositions asked for the breed. He must be usable for all the work in the field, in the woods and in the water before and after the shot.
Temperament
Firm, self controlled, well-balanced, without shyness of game, neither sensitive when shots are fired nor shy or aggressive.
Physical Standards
Head and Skull
Head: In proportion to the size and sex of the dog. Lines of head slightly diverging.Skull: Flat ,slightly rounded at the sides only, moderately broad, pronounced superciliary ridges.Stop: Clearly visibly pronounced.Nose: Strongly pigmented corresponding to the colour of the coat. Nostrils well opened.Muzzle: Long, broad, strong, deep. Slight roman nose.Lips: Thick, close fitting, not overhanging. Well pigmented corresponding to the colour of the coat.
Eyes
As dark as possible, neither too deep set nor protruding, with an alert, lively expression. Eyerims well pigmented and close fitting.
Ears
Of medium size, set on high and wide, not twisted.
Mouth
Large teeth. Powerful jaws with a regular, complete scissor bite with the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws. 42 teeth according to the dentition formula.
Neck
Of medium length, strongly muscled. Slightly arched napeline, clean cut throat, no dewlap.
Forequarters
Viewed from the front, straight and parallel, viewed from the side, legs set well under the body. The distance from the elbows to the ground to be approximately equal to the distance from the elbows to the withers.Shoulders: Well laid back, sloping shoulder blade, strongly muscled. Forming a good angle together with the upper arm. Upper Arm: As long as possible, with well developed, lean muscles.Elbows: Close to the body, neither turning in nor out. Good angulation between upper arm and forearm.Forearm: Lean, set perpendicular, strong bones.Carpal Joint: Strong.Pasterns: Slightly sloping
Body
Topline: Slightly sloping from the withers in a straight line.Withers: Pronounced.Back: Firm, well muscled.Loins: Short, broad, muscular loin region.Croup: Long and broad , slightly sloping and well muscled. Broad pelvis.Chest: Broad and deep with well developed forechest, the breastbone reaching as far back as possible. Ribs well arched.Underline and belly: Slight tuck-up towards the rear in an elegant curve.
Hindquarters
Viewed from behind, straight and parallel. Well angulated at the stifles and the hocks. Strong bones.Upper Thigh: Long, broad , muscular with good angulation between pelvis and upper thigh.Stifle: Strong, with good angulation between upper and lower thigh.Lower Thigh: Long, muscular and sinewy.Hocks: Short, perpendicular to the ground.
Feet
Oval-round with well knit toes and sufficiently thick, tough, robust and well-pigmented pads. They are set parallel, neither turning in nor out in stance or when moving.
Tail
Following the topline, carried as horizontally as possible or slightly raised, but not steep. Neither too thick or too thin. Docked for the hunting purposes. (In countries where docking is prohibited by law, the tail may be left natural. It should reach to the hocks and should be carried straight or slightly sabre-like.)
Gait/Movement
Covering lots of ground, with good reach and drive, parallel coming and going; with upstanding posture.
Coat
Skin: Tight, close fitting, without folds.Wirehaired, harsh, flat lying and dense. Outer coat approximately 2 to 4 cm long; dense water resistant undercoat. The outlines of the body may not be obscured by longer coat. Through its harshness and density it should provide as good protection against weather and injuries as possible. The lower parts of the legs, as well as the lower region of the brisket and the belly, should be shorter but densely coated, the head and the ears to be shorter and at the same time denser but never softer coated. Pronounced eyebrows and a well developed not too long, as harsh as possible beard emphasise the determined expression.
Colour
Brown roan with or without patches. Black roan with or without patches. Brown with or without white chest patch. Light roan. No other colour permitted.
Size
Height at the withers -Dogs: 61 to 68 cmsBitches: 57 to 64 cms
Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog, and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.SEVERE FAULTSShort or narrow or pointed muzzle. Weak dentition. Very loose eyelids. Swayback or roach back. Heavily overbuilt. Elbows heavily turning in or out. Bandy-legged, cow hocked or close behind, in stance as well in movement. Pacing permanently when stepping or trotting, stiff or mincing gait. Sparse coat, lacking undercoat.ELIMINATING FAULTSAny kind of weak temperament, especially gun or game shyness, aggressiveness, nervousness; fear biter. Over or undershot bite, wry mouth, missing teeth other than P1, the canines being set too narrow. Entropion, ectropion, differently coloured eyes. Innate kinky or stumpy tail. Faulty pigment.Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.
Male animals must have two apparently normally developed testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
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