Description:
The German Wirehaired Pointer is faster and more agile than his cousin, the Shorthair, but is the less popular of the two German Pointer dog breeds. The Wirehair’s coat sheds dirt easily and offers protection against all kinds of weather and underbrush. The rough wire-haired coat is hard, close, dense and double-coated. The Wirehair’s colors are usually brown, brown roan or black roan with white ticking or hairs. This German Pointer has natural ears, webbed feet and his tail is usually docked. Male Wirehairs stand 24 to 26 inches tall and female Wirehairs stand 22 to 26 inches tall at shoulder height. Wirehairs weigh from 50 to 70 pounds. German Pointers are members of the American Kennel Club (AKC) Sporting Dog Group.
History:
The Wirehaired Pointer was developed in Germany as a hunting dog of many types of game on land and in water. The Wirehair is more agile and faster than the Shorthair because his ancestry doesn’t include any bloodhound. The Wirehaired Pointer was ranked 70th out of 154 dog breeds in 2004 AKC registrations.
Temperament:
German Pointers are loyal, intelligent and eager to learn. The Wirehair is more serious and suspicious of strangers than the Shorthair. The Wirehair makes a terrific hunting gun-dog and is an outstanding pointer and retriever. The German Wirehair is very energetic and hardworking. The Wirehair needs an athletic owner who will take him jogging, biking and hiking. Wirehairs can be aggressive with strange dogs and cats. The Wirehair makes a good family dog if it is socialized and obedience trained while a puppy. German Wirehairs are fine with older children but must be supervised carefully around young children. The Wirehair is capable of learning most activities but can be stubborn and needs firm and consistent handling. German Pointers should not be kept in an apartment or even in the city. These Pointers need a lot of free-running as often as possible. The German Wirehair makes an excellent watchdog. This breed does best with experienced dog
owners.
Exercise:
German Pointers need lots of exercise and mental challenges. The Pointer is not a city dog and needs lots of free running activities. This is a hunting dog that cannot adapt to a leisurely life.
Grooming:
Brush the Wirehair once per week and occasionally hand-pluck the dead hairs from the coat when it looks untidy. It is important to check the Pointers’ ears on a regular basis.
Health Considerations:
German Wirehairs live for approximately 12 years and have some common health problems such as hip dysplasia and entropion.
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