German Wirehaired Pointer
Overview
There are breeds that evolved over many years - but the German Wirehaired Pointer (GWP) was created from scratch.
It is not a wire-haired version of the well-known smooth-haired German Shorthaired Pointer (GSP) - even though they have the same coat colour and pattern and are a similar size. This breed was made in the late 1800s by mixing the GSP with several others, including the Poodle, to make the perfect multi-purpose gundog. And it worked. GWPs are a great breed in the field, agility and in trials.
This breed took on ALL the traits that were expected of them: courageous, energetic and vocal; as well as good on all terrains and in all weathers. They will track and point on any game - including wild boar (where the courageous bit comes in handy).
Do They Make Good Pets?
Affectionate, cheeky, loyal and gentle - German Wirehaired Pointers make great pets. They are very agile and happy indoors - where they are known to hog the sofa and climb on kitchen tables! Firm and consistent training is a must.
They are a low-shedding breed with their wire-haired coat - but still need regular grooming with a slicker-type brush as they are prone to knotting. Checking the ears after a woodland or wildflower meadow walk is essential to remove any seeds. They can be hand stripped several times a year if required and to retain their markings.
Personal Traits And Health.
German Wirehaired Pointers are what many pet owners would call 'a character' for sure. They are stubborn, nosy and love to sleep high up on chairs, tables or shoulders - and at around 35kg it isn't an easy place to sleep!
As a relatively long-lived breed (up to 13 years) they have become very popular across the world, but they can be prone to a few breed-specific health issues - including hip dysplasia. They can also suffer from eye conditions and epilepsy, so a pre-purchase health check is strongly advised.
Are They Good With Young Families?
Their laid-back characters are certainly something that would be a great attribute here, but as they are very excitable and large in size, caution would be advisable. Their penchant for leaping up on to things could also cause great calamity in an already busy household.
Daily exercise is a must for a German Wirehaired Pointer - and ideally several weekly 1-to-1 training sessions - so if you can get the family involved in those - you are onto a winner.
Breed Information
| Popularity: | 2018: #62 2017: #62 2016: #64 2015: #68 |
| Origin: | Germany |
| Breed Group: | Sporting (AKC:1959) Gun Dog (UKC) |
| Size: | Medium |
| Type: | Purebred |
| Life span: | 12-14 years |
| Temperament: | Active Affectionate Friendly Intelligent Loyal Willful Responsive |
| Height: | Male: 24-26 inches (60-67 cm) Female: 22-24 inches (56-62 cm) |
| Weight: | 60-70 pounds (27-32 kg) |
| Colors: | Liver Liver & White |
| Litter Size: | 6-10 puppies |
| Puppy Price: | Average $700 - $900 USD |
Breed Characteristics
| Adaptability: |
|
| Apartment Friendly: |
|
| Cat Friendly: |
|
| Child Friendly: |
|
| Grooming: |
|
| Health Issues: |
|
| Intelligence: |
|
| Trainability: |
|
| Watchdog Ability: |
|
Dog names
| Rank | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max | Bella |
| 2 | Cooper | Molly |
| 3 | Riley | Stella |
| 4 | Milo | Penny |
| 5 | Dexter | Zoe |
| 6 | Gizmo | Lexi |
| 7 | Diesel | Maya |
| 8 | Bo | Harley |
| 9 | Simba | Phoebe |
| 10 | Tyson | Scout |
| 11 | Boomer | Minnie |
| 12 | Luke | Hazel |
| 13 | Samson | Mocha |
| 14 | Frankie | Baby |
| 15 | Maverick | Sally |