Wirehaired German Pointers

The German wirehaired pointer is a midsized, well-muscled dog. Its body is a little longer than it is tall. The head is broad, and the muzzle is long and straight with a long brown nose. Eyes are oval in shape and brown in color, and ears are rounded, hanging close to the head. The German wirehaired pointer has a deep, wide chest and a strong yet slender neck. The tail set is high and is typically docked to two-fifths of its natural length. The outer coat is weather-resistant, water-repellent, wiry and about 2 inches long. Beard, forehead and whisker hair is slightly longer to protect the face. Coat colors are a variation of liver and white.

  1. History

    • These dogs were bred to hunt and retrieve waterfowl as well as land game.

      German wirehaired pointers can be traced to the late 1800s, when they originated in Germany. Breeders wanted to develop a versatile but rugged hunting dog that could work with one person or a small group of people. These people hunted on foot in varied terrain from mountainous areas to dense forests. Hunting conditions required the dogs' coat to protect them when working in heavy brush or cold water, yet require little maintenance. The goal was to create a wire-coated, medium-sized dog that would hunt for, locate and then point out upland game. The dog was required to work birds, small and large game and fearlessly go after sharper game such as a fox. Tracking and locating wounded animals was another important characteristic bred into the breed. With all its hunting instincts, the German wirehaired pointer remains a devoted companion, watchdog and pet.

    Breed Standard

    • The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized the German wirehaired pointer as a breed in 1959. The standard calls for males to stand from 24 to 26 inches tall and the females to be slightly smaller but not less than 22 inches tall. According to the AKC, the breed's most notable characteristics are its wiry, weather-resistant coat and longer facial hair.

    Coat

    • Puppies can start out with a shorter coat while maintaining a wiry texture.

      The breed's most distinctive feature is the functional wiry coat. The undercoat is thick enough during cold weather to insulate and protect yet thin enough in the summer to appear nonexistent. The hair coat is longer and thicker over the shoulders and tail to protect the skin from thick, dense brush. German wirehaired pointers have long eyebrows and medium-length beard and whisker hairs. Occasionally, the darker patches of hair are shorter than the white hairs. Puppies sometimes have a shorter coat than adults while still maintaining a harsh, wiry texture.

    Temperament

    • Even if it is just to retrieve the newspaper, German wirehaired pointers need a "job."

      German wirehaired pointers are intelligent, creative and slightly independent. Typically, they are fun-loving, playful and good with children. They are generally high-drive and need activity, even if it is a game of fetch. They are very loyal and devoted dogs that crave human companionship. The dogs excel in an environment where they are allowed a warm and close relationship with their owners. They do not thrive in a kennel environment or in the backyard with little human contact. If raised with one person, they become one-person dogs. If they are raised with a family including children, they adapt to the whole family. Some bond more closely with one member of the household.