German Wirehaired Pointer Dog Breed… Everything You Need to Know at a Glance!

You’d be hard-pressed to find any “kind” of pointer we here at IndulgeYourPet aren’t a massive fan of. After all, arrows have been bred to be able to follow directions and love the outdoors! And if you’re a dog lover, these are two great traits for any dog, right? Plus, as a bonus with the German Wirehaired Pointer, you’ll get a dog with a fantastic mustache!

But just because…

We love these dogs, but that doesn’t mean they’ll be the “best” fit for you. This is why we wanted to take a moment and discuss what it might be like to own a German Wirehaired Pointer so that if you’re ever allowed to own one, you’ll know if it will be a good fit.

So, without further ado, let’s dive right in.

German Wirehaired Pointer Fast Facts

Country of Origin: Germany

Original Purpose:  General hunting and watchdog

Height: 20 to 26 inches tall

Weight: 50 to 70 pounds

Lifespan: 12-14 years

Dog Breed Classification:  Sporting Group

Origin of the German Wirehaired Pointer

The German Wirehaired Pointer comes from a long lineage of dogs dating back to the early 16^th and 17^th centuries when hunting by the noble elite was prevalent. During this time, “Pointers” were used in sports to help locate and flush out prey into either traps or nets for the hunters. Over time, with the advent of more efficient weaponry, these dogs slowly became more specialized, allowing hunters to use these dogs to hunt with guns.

This also opened…

Up the sport of hunting to commoners, which is when these “gundogs” popularity began to soar. This was also when hunters/breeders began to look for a pointer dog that could function more as a multi-tasker capable of hunting a wide assortment of prey rather than just one particular animal. And this is why they created the German Wirehaired Pointer. These guys can perform any task a hunting breed would expect to do, including pointing out and tracking prey for his master and retrieving any game on land or water.

Called the Deutsch Drahthaar…

In Germany, the German Wirehaired Pointer was most likely developed by crossing the German Shorthair, Griffon, Pudelpointer, Polish Water dog, and other breeds available during the early 1800s, ultimately allowing for a unique species to emerge. One that would eventually earn official status in Germany in 1870. And while it did take a bit of time for the Deutsch Drahthaar or the German Wirehairs to be recognized in the United States. They were eventually recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1959, approximately 40 years after being brought to the United States, where they remain a prevalent breed in America as a hunting and field trial dog breed.

Physical Characteristics

The German Wirehair Pointer is a mid-sized hunting dog with a noticeable beard, bushy whiskers, and thick eyebrows. This, along with their thick coat, is one of the reasons why these dogs are so popular among hunters.  These guys are built to withstand just about any weather condition.   d they’re not afraid to get wet!

This is mainly because…

These guys are naturally athletic with their rectangular body and wiry coat, which is water-repellent and dries up quickly after getting wet in the rain or during a bath. Eir skins can also come in various colors, usually white and black. Me pointer dogs have roan or spotted coats as well.

Comparison breeds

German Wirehairs can be compared with spaniels and terriers such as the Pointing Griffon, Curly-Coated Retriever, Entlebucher Mountain Dog, Flat-Coated Retriever, German Shorthaired Pointer, and the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon.

He is a close cousin of the German Shorthaired Pointer. They are two of Germany’s most popular dog breeds developed from crossing the Pointer, Standard Poodle, and Foxhound.

Temperament and Personality 

German Wirehair Pointers are brilliant, intelligent dogs with a mind of their own. If there is one thing they hate the most, it is being left alone and not getting attention from their human family. In such cases, you can expect your German Wirehaired Pointer to get noisy and destructive, primarily out of boredom and loneliness.   w, we don’t want to suggest that whenever you leave the home for a few hours, your Wirehaired will go crazy because that isn’t the case.

However…

If you leave the home all day for 8 to 10 hours, this is not the dog you’ll want to purchase or pick up from a rescue center. Ese dogs are much happier in the company of humans and other dogs, so we generally only recommend this breed to a multi-dog family that won’t leave them alone for too long.

And if you haven’t already guessed, these guys are very active dogs.   Active dogs will require plenty of exercise and outdoor activity. T makes them perfect for a rural or suburban setting and not so much for city life. If you have a large backyard, consider bringing the Pointer Dog home.

He is very loyal but jealous and protective….

German Wirehaired Pointers are a very affectionate breed that dotes on their human family. He wants to make you happy and is always up to something. He wants to hang out with you and the other family members as much as possible. Eyes also get very attached to their family and hence can suffer from separation anxiety (think noisy and destructive). He is very protective of his family and can get aggressive or suspicious of strangers.

That’s why training and socialization of this dog should begin as early as possible. Training him in different techniques, such as agility, tracking, and retrieving, is essential to take him out hunting. He is a natural hunter and ace all field trials.

Potential Health Concerns

The German Wirehaired Pointer is a perfectly healthy dog for the most part. German Wirehair Dogs have a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years.

They could, however, suffer from common canine disorders such as:

• Hip dysplasia,
• Entropion,
• Follicular dysplasia,
• A blood clotting disorder called Von Willebrand’s disease
• And arthritis.

Older GWPs can also suffer from eye problems such as cataracts and require surgery. The cost of the treatment could vary from $500 to $7,500, depending on the severity of the ailment.  And while this may all seem like a lot, the truth is this is somewhat par for the course any time you decide to adopt a purebred animal.

This is also why we here at IndulgeYourPet also recommend that any new pet owner take a moment and see what it might cost for you to purchase a pet insurance policy for your new animal.

Now, will a pet insurance policy be suitable for everyone?

No, probably not.  But until you fully understand what these policies “will” and “won’t” cover and how much these pet insurance policies cost, how will you know if one might be right for you?

For more information on who we feel currently offers the “best” pet insurance policies out there, we would encourage you to check out our Best Pet Insurance Policies article.