Slovak Rough-haired Pointer

The Slovakian Rough-Haired Pointer is a young Central European gun dog, assembled deliberately in the 1950s.

History

Slovak breeders crossed the Weimaraner with the Český fousek and the German Wirehaired Pointer to produce a versatile grey wirehaired dog that could point, track and retrieve. It was recognised internationally in 1983 and remains largely a Slovak and Czech hunting dog, bred to performance tests.

Temperament

The breed is known for being calm, cooperative and closely bonded to its handler, gentle at home and thorough in the field, with a strong instinct for tracking wounded game.

Care and training

It needs a great deal of exercise and real hunting work. The harsh grey coat with its beard needs brushing and occasional stripping.

Health

Generally sound, with hip dysplasia among the known tendencies. These are patterns for the breed rather than a forecast for one dog; the measured facts are in the panel.