German Wirehaired Pointer is an energetic and determined hunter with a courageous nature. He adapts well to suburban or country homes as a family pet and weekend hunting companion. He requires lots of exercise and is happiest when outdoors and working.
German Wirehaird Pointer
The German Shorthaired Pointer is a versatile sporting dog but German sportsmen wanted to go one better. Their aim was to produce a dog with all the versatility of the German Shorthaired Pointer but aggressive enough to be used in hunting dangerous game in rugged locales. What breeds were added to the German Shorthaired Pointer remains a matter of speculation. Some believe the Airedale was added to the gene pool while others claim it was the ancient Poodle or the Griffon. Whatever the ancestry, the German Wirehaired Pointer emerged as a classic pointer with more nerve but less speed than the German Shorthaired Pointer and with a tough coat to protect him under the worst of conditions.
German Wirehaired Pointer
General Appearance: The German Wirehaired Pointer is a dog that is essentially Pointer in type, of sturdy build and lively manner, having an intelligent, determined expression.
German Wirehaired Pointer Temperament: This breed is energetic, rather aloof but not unfriendly. A loyal and affectionate companion that is eager to please, the German Wirehaired Pointer has a sound, reliable temperament.
Size: Height of males should be from 24-26 inches (61-66 cm) at the withers, bitches smaller but not under 22 inches (56 cm).
German Wirehaired Pointer
Coat and Colour: The coat is weather resisting and to some extent water repellent. The undercoat is dense enough in winter to insulate against the cold but so thin in summer as to be almost invisible. The distinctive outer coat is straight, harsh, wiry and rather flat-lying, from 11⁄2 – 2 inches (4 – 5 cm) in length, it is long enough to protect against the punishment of rough cover but not so long as to hide the outline. On the lower legs it is shorter and between the toes of softer texture. On the skull it is naturally short and close fitting, while over the shoulders and around the tail it is very dense and heavy. The tail is nicely coated particularly on the underside, but devoid of feather. These dogs have bushy eyebrows of strong, straight hair and beards and whiskers of medium length.
The coat is liver and white, usually either liver and white spotted, liver roan, liver and white spotted with ticking and roaning or sometimes solid liver. The nose is dark brown. The head is brown, sometimes with a white blaze, the ears brown.
Head: The head is moderately long, the skull broad, the occipital bone not too prominent. The stop is medium, the muzzle fairly long with nasal bone straight and broad, the lips a trifle pendulous but close and bearded. The nose is dark brown with nostrils wide open, and the teeth are strong with scissors bite. Eyes are brown, medium in size, oval in contour, bright and clear and overhung with bushy eyebrows. Yellow eyes are not desirable. The ears, rounded but not too broad, and close to sides of the head.
Neck: The neck is of medium length, slightly arched and devoid of dewlap; in fact, the skin throughout is notably tight to the body.
Forequarters: Forelegs are straight, with shoulders obliquely set and elbows close. Leg bones are flat rather than round, and strong, but not so heavy or coarse as to militate against the dog’s natural agility.
Body: The body is a little longer than it is high, as ten is to nine, with the back short, straight and strong, the entire back line showing a perceptible slope down from withers to croup. The chest is deep and capacious, the ribs well sprung, loins taut and slender. Hips are broad, with croup nicely rounded. The tuck-up is apparent.
Hindquarters: The thighs are strong and muscular. The hind legs are moderately angulated at stifle and hock and as viewed from behind, parallel to each other. Round in outline, the feet are webbed, high arched with toes close, their pads thick and hard, and their nails strong and quite heavy.
Tail: Docked – the tail is docked approximately two-fifths of original length. Undocked – continuing the line of the back. Carried horizontally or slightly upward. Neither too thick or too thin. Reaching to the hocks and carried straight or slightly sabre fashion.
Faults: A short smooth coat, a soft woolly coat, or an excessively long coat is to be severely penalized. Any black in the coat is to be severely penalized. Spotted and flesh-coloured noses are undesirable and are to be penalized.
German Wirehaired Pointer puppies
Link: German Shorthaired Pointer club