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German Wirehaired Pointer

With his sporty weatherproof coat, the noble German Wirehaired Pointer is a versatile, sturdy gundog who thrives on outdoor activity.

Overall Status

Height 22 to 26 inches
Temperament Affectionate, Eager, Enthusiastic
Weight 45 to 75 pounds
Life Expectancy 14 to 16 years
Coat Color Black, Brown, Gray, White
Barking Level Medium

Quick Factors

Playfulness
Dog Friendly
Exercise Need
Grooming Needs
Strangers Friendly
Family Affectionate
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Daily Care

Grooming Tips Exercise Tips Feeding Tips Health Tips Trainability

The German Wirehair has a harsh double coat that is easy to care for in some respects but does have some special needs. For one, it must be stripped — dead hair plucked out by hand or with a stripping knife —which can be tedious. Most GWPs must be stripped twice a year, in the spring and fall. Tools you’ll need to groom this breed are a bristle brush, a stainless steel comb, and an assortment of stripping knives. Ask your dog’s breeder for advice on how to strip the coat or visit this GWP breeder’s blog for excellent tips on grooming the GWP.

If his coat is properly cared for, a GWP rarely needs a bath unless he has rolled in something stinky. Let the mud dry and then brush it out. Look for a shampoo formulated for dogs with wirehaired coats.

The ears should be regularly inspected and cleaned if needed with soft gauze and an ear-cleaning solution—the dog’s veterinarian can recommend a good brand to use. Thenailsshould be trimmed often, as overly long nails can cause the dog discomfort and problems walking and running.

History

He might have the word pointer in his name, but the German Wirehair was created to be a multitasker. German hunters were tired of the single-purpose dogs available to them — dogs that only retrieved or only pointed — so they methodically developed a rugged, versatile dog that could scent out, point, and retrieve any type of game on land or from water. Working with the German Shorthair, Pudelpointer, Griffon, Polish water dog, and several other breeds, they came up with the all-purpose dog that became known as the Deutsch Drahthaar (aka the German Wirehair).

The foundation stock for the breed is the Pointer (probably black), the Griffon, Stichelhaar and Pudelpointer. He was developed as a dual-purpose hunter. He is expected to point his game on land, retrieve from water or retrieve a rabbit if shot. The German Wirehaired Pointer has been a recognized breed in its native country since 1870. The breed was introduced to America about 1920. They were recognized by the AKC in 1959. The German Wirehaired Pointer’s talents are show dog, obedience, gundog, retrieving, tracking trials, field trials and hunting tests.


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