<C>Height:</C> 24 to 26 inches (male); over 22 inches (female).
<C>Weight:</C> 60 to 75 pounds (male); 50 to 60 (female).
<C>Size:</C> Large.
<C>Availability:</C> May take some effort to find.
<b>History:</> The German Wirehaired Pointer was developed in Germany from crosses of the German pointer with many other breeds. Sources differ on the exact lineage, though the Wirehaired Griffon, Poodle-Pointer mixes, Foxhound, Airedale Terrier and Bloodhound are all mentioned as possible contributors. The German Wirehaired Pointer is a good all- around gun dog, able to hunt any sort of game on any sort of terrain. This dog can track, point, and retrieve on both land and water.
<b>Description:</> The coarse, wiry, weather-resistant coat is about 2 inches long with a thick undercoat. The dog's coat is fundamentally water-repellent and protects him from brambles. A beard, forehead hair and whiskers protect his face. The color is liver and white, spotted, roan or ticked. Sometimes an individual will be solid liver. The nose should be dark brown and the ears and head should be brown, sometimes with a white blaze. The ears hang down limply beside the head.
<b>Notes:</> Some stripping of coat is needed, but this isn't very difficult. Can be somewhat high-strung and very active indoors. Needs plenty of exercise to prevent extreme indoor restlessness. Likes to roam. Prone to hip dysplasia. Buy only from OFA certified stock.
<b>Personality:</> Very affectionate--can be jealous. Vigorous and energetic. Intelligent. Thoughtful and fairly serious. Naturally aloof with strangers--should be well socialized at an early age. Can be rather willful.
<b>Behavior:</>
<C>Children:</C> Best with older, considerate children.
<C>Friendliness:</C> Moderately protective.
<C>Trainability:</C> somewhat difficult to train.
<C>Dominance:</C> Moderate.
<C>Combativeness:</C> Tends to be fairly dog-aggressive.
<b>Grooming and Physical Needs:</>
<C>Grooming:</C> Regular grooming needed.
<C>Trimming & Stripping:</C> Some trimming or stripping (little skill required).
<C>Coat:</C> Wiry coat.
<C>Shedding:</C> Average shedder.
<C>Docking:</C> The tail is customarily docked.
<C>Exercise:</C> Vigorous daily exercise needed.
<C>Jogging:</C> An excellent jogging companion.
<C>Indoors:</C> Very active indoors.
<C>Apartments:</C> Not recommended for apartments.
<C>Owner:</C> Not recommended for novice owners.
<b>Talents:</> hunting, tracking, retrieving, pointing, and watchdog.
<b>For More Information:</>
Call the AKC Breeder Referral Hotline: 1-900-407-PUPS for the name of a breeder referral representative in your area. Cost is 99 cents per minute.
<b>Photo Caption:</> GERMAN WIREHAIRED POINTER
Photo copyright: Cook PhoDOGraphy 1995. All rights reserved.
