German Wirehaired Pointer

The German Wirehaired Pointer is a versatile German gundog — a hunt-point-retrieve dog under a harsh, weatherproof wire coat with a distinctive beard and eyebrows.

History

It was bred in Germany to be an all-round hunter's dog, working in field, forest and water in any weather, the wiry coat a protection against cold, wet and thorns. Versatility over specialism was the whole point.

Temperament

The breed is known for being intelligent, energetic and loyal, deeply bonded to its family and often aloof or protective toward strangers. It has a strong working drive and needs a real job.

Care and training

It needs a great deal of exercise and mental work and takes readily to training that channels its drive. The wire coat needs regular grooming and occasional hand-stripping, and the beard needs cleaning.

Health

Known tendencies include hip dysplasia, eye conditions and, in some lines, heart problems, along with the bloat risk of a deep-chested dog. These are patterns for the breed rather than a verdict on one dog; the measured facts are in the panel.