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Hill’s Brand Horizon

German Wirehaired Pointer

dog Breed Profile

Adult males are about 25 inches tall and weigh about 70 pounds (32 kilograms). Females are a bit shorter at 24 inches, and they weigh about 60 pounds (27 kilograms).

Attributes

Floppy ears (naturally)

Size

Weight

45-75 lbs.

45-75 lbs.

Height

24 in.

(at withers)

25 in.

Coat

Length

Short

Color

Liver and white

Care

Exercise

>40 minutes/day

Energy level

Very energetic

Longevity

12-14 yrs.

Needs

High

Traits

Barking

Low

Snoring

Low

Drooling

Low

Digging

Low

Grooming Needs

Moderate

Social Needs

High

Club recognition

AKC Class.

Sporting

UKC Class.

Gun Dog

Prevalence

So-so

The German Wirehaired Pointer Dog Breed

Today, the German wirehaired pointer is one of the most popular dogs in Germany, where it is known as the Drahthaar.

About the German Wirehaired Pointer

Adult males are about 25 inches tall and weigh about 70 pounds (32 kilograms). Females are a bit shorter at 24 inches, and they weigh about 60 pounds (27 kilograms).

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German Wirehaired Pointer personality

German wirehaired pointers are extremely active. Considered even-tempered dogs, they are loyal to their family. They do very well with children if raised with them or with older children who treat them well. They also do well with other pets if raised with them some individuals in the breed may try to dominate other animals.

The breed is leery of strangers and makes a good watchdog.

What to expect

These dogs need lots of vigorous exercise daily otherwise, they will become restless and difficult to manage. Consequently, they are not suitable dogs for people living in apartments or very small homes. They do best in the country where they have plenty of fenced acreage on which to romp, and they especially appreciate an opportunity to swim and fetch. German wirehaired pointers are hunters by nature and may try to roam or go after neighborhood livestock.

German wirehaired pointers are considered average shedders. Brushing the coat a couple of times weekly, occasional stripping, and bathing as needed are all that is necessary to groom this dog.

History of the German Wirehaired Pointer

German wirehaired pointers were bred in Germany in the late 1800s to be hardy, versatile gun dogs that could scent, point and retrieve in the harshest of climates.

They descended from a variety of breeds, one of which is a dog known as the pudelpointer (an early mixture of pointer type dogs and poodle or barbet type dogs). Other dogs in the German wirehaired pointer's background are thought to include the wirehaired pointing griffon, stichelhaar, Polish water dogs and early German shorthairs. According to one source, bloodhounds and foxhounds might also be in the background of the breed.

Today, the German wirehaired pointer is one of the most popular dogs in Germany, where it is known as the Drahthaar. It came to America in the 1920s and achieved AKC recognition in 1959 however, the breed has attained only modest popularity in America.

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