Is the German Wirehaired Pointer a good family dog?
German Wirehaired Pointer
German Wirehaired Pointers are tough, energetic, medium to large sized working dogs with a distinctive wire-like coat and shaggy eyebrows. Known as the clowns of the gundog group, they are loyal, fun-loving and smart dogs who excel at finding and retrieving, and are best suited to very active families who can provide a great amount of exercise and mental stimulation.
| Recommended for | Active families, hunters, wildlife rangers |
| Breed Classification | Sporting group (Gundogs) |
| Other names | GWP, Deutsch-Drahthaar |
| Lifespan | 12 -14 years |
| Size | Medium to large |
| Temperament | Affectionate, eager, loyal |
| Intelligence | High |
| Tendency to bark | Average |
| Maintenance Level | Medium |
| Health Risk | This breed has an around average probability of having health issues in its lifetime, hence it is one of the more affordable breeds to insure. |
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German Wirehaired Pointer personality and temperament
Loyal, affectionate and loving, German Wirehaired Pointers will adapt to their owners, who they want to please at all times. They have a wonderfully endearing nature and are often referred to as the clowns of the Gundog group. While they can sometimes be aloof and protective of their family, they do accept visitors willingly.
This breed is generally unsuitable as family dogs as they require a great amount of exercise, which just can’t be given by most families. They are not recommended at all for apartment living. To be truly happy as a family dog, they need to be taken on daily power runs and be given regular mental challenges to complete.
German Wirehairs are extremely intelligent and are keen learners, but have their own minds and are full of energy, so they won’t be happy lazing about or being on their own all day. They crave human companionship, and undesirable behaviours can result if they are regularly left alone for long periods of time. Make sure that you can provide the mental stimulation and outdoor activities they need before bringing one home.
German Wirehaired Pointers with kids and other pets
Young German Wirehairs are typically fun loving and playful, and when they’re raised with children, are great companions. Older dogs that have not been raised with children may need strict supervision if sent to a home with young children.
The breed’s strong prey drive make it not the best choice for families with cats and other small animals. Puppies that are raised with cats often accept them as part of the family pack. Some adults make the transition from a non-cat to a cat-owning family, but other older GWPs who aren’t familiar with them may simply view them as another type of prey.
German Wirehaired Pointer training and exercise
The German Wirehaired Pointer is a very active dog who is well suited to life as a hunting companion. If you are considering this breed as a family pet, you need to commit to providing sufficient exercise and mental stimulation for its needs.
GWPs need plenty of physical activity at least twice a day, such as a good run, long brisk walk and/or high energy play session. Running, hiking, swimming, and organized dog-based sports are great activities for this breed. You should also give them plenty of toys and different kinds of activities around the house to keep them occupied. The breed is smart, talented, versatile, and athletic and excels in a wide range of canine sports and activities such as obedience, tracking, agility and rally, which provide plenty of physical and mental exercise.
Eager to please, quick-learning and responsive, like most sporting breeds German Wirehairs take well to training. However, they are creative and independent thinkers, so it’s important to establish rules, be consistent and prevent boredom setting in. Positive reinforcement techniques such as play, praise and food rewards are recommended. Early socialisation and puppy training classes will help to ensure that the GWP grows into a well-adjusted, well-mannered companion.
| Energy level | High |
| Exercise requirements | Very high |
Common health issues for German Wirehaired Pointers
What do German Wirehaired Pointer owners claim for the most?
- Hip dysplasia and Elbow dysplasia are inherited conditions which occur when the ball and socket of the affected joint do not fit together properly. As these conditions can cause painful arthritis in the joint later in the dog’s life, it is essential to begin management and/or treatment of the condition as soon as possible. For elbow dysplasia, surgery may be recommended.
Von Willebrand’s Disease is a blood disorder which impedes the blood’s ability to clot. This can lead to excessive bleeding post-surgery, nosebleeds, bleeding gums or blood in the stomach. It is currently incurable, and blood transfusions are the only treatments available. Most dogs suffering this disease can lead normal lives, and there are tests available to determine if yours has it.- Eye problems such as Entropion and Ectropion can be a problem for the breed. Entropion is a congenital condition in which the eyelids appear to roll inward against the cornea of the eye; this can cause a great deal of discomfort for the animal. With ectropion, the eyelids roll outward.
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) describes a group of eye conditions in which an atrophy or degeneration of retinal tissue occurs. The first sign of progressive retinal atrophy is usually night blindness; this progresses to total blindness over a period ranging from months to years.
- Cardiomyopathy affects the heart, making it become weak and thin. It will eventually lead to heart failure since pumping blood around the body becomes too difficult. The condition is treatable with oxygen, fluid therapy and medication.
- Gastric Torsion, also know as bloat, occurs when a gas-filled stomach flips over on itself, twisting the opening to the oesophaegus and intestines. Without immediate veterinary care, the affected dog will die a very painful death.
Not all conditions are covered by Pet Insurance. For details of Bow Wow Meow Pet Insurance cover, refer to the Product Disclosure Statement.
How to choose the right insurance for your German Wirehaired Pointer
When comparing cover for your German Wirehaired Pointer, look for:
Cover for common German Wirehaired Pointer conditions:
Check that the policy covers conditions German Wirehaired Pointers can be prone to, including common health issues.
Cover for hereditary conditions:
No exclusions for hereditary or congenital conditions⑅.
Flexible cover options:
Options to adjust your annual benefit limit, reimbursement rate and excess.
Bow Wow Meow's Nose-to-Tail Cover offers flexible options for your German Wirehaired Pointer, with cover for accidental injuries, illnesses and hereditary conditions⑅. Get a quick quote for cover that suits your German Wirehaired Pointer and your budget.
German Wirehaired Pointer feeding and nutrition
The German Wirehaired Pointer should be fed a premium, high-quality dog food appropriate to the dog’s age (puppy, adult, or senior), size and activity level.
Owners must be aware of the danger of bloat, where the stomach distends and twists. Don’t feed your GWP only once per day, don’t let them exercise until an hour after they eat, and don’t feed them immediately after exercising.
GWPs that aren’t sufficiently exercised may become overweight, so watch your dog’s calorie consumption and weight level and don’t overindulge in the treats department. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet.
German Wirehaired Pointer care and grooming
The German Wirehaired Pointer’s harsh, wiry coat requires very little maintenance. A good brushing every few days with a comb and soft slicker brush will help to remove dirt and loose hair and keep the coat looking its best. The breed does shed, especially at hotter times of the year.
This breed’s ears and feet need particular attention. Owners need to take care to regularly inspect and clean and/or dry the ears if needed. The hair on the feet needs to be trimmed to prevent mud collecting between the toes.
Size, appearance and coat of German Wirehaired Pointers
The German Wirehaired Pointer is a sturdy, well-muscled, medium to large-sized dog built for strength, endurance and speed. With a distinctive appearance, the breed’s most distinguishing characteristics are its wire-like coat and its facial furnishings.
The thick, wiry outer coat is two to four centimetres in length, and is straight, harsh and flat lying. Weather-resistant and largely water-repellent, the GWP’s unique coat protects the skin from extreme weather and the dense cover it sometimes has to work in, as well as insulating the dog when it retrieves in freezing water.
The shaggy eyebrows and a harsh beard protect the eyes and face from the lacerations of thorny brush and add character to the dog’s facial expression. These physical attributes, paired with a fearless temperament, make the GWP perfect for hunting.
| Weight range | Males 25 to 30 kg; females 20 to 28 kg |
| Height range | Males 61 to 68 cm; females 57 to 64 cm |
| Colours | Liver, liver & white, black & white |
| Coat length | Medium |
Breed history of German Wirehaired Pointers
“German Wirehaired Pointer” is the English version of the German breed name, “Deutsch-Drahthaar”. Drahthaar means “Wirehair”, while the word “Pointer” is not used in Germany to describe the breed.
The breeding of wire-coated pointing dogs was something of an obsession among German breeders of the early 1800’s. They wanted to develop a rugged, versatile, medium-sized hunting dog that would work closely with one person or a small party, hunting on foot in varied terrain, from mountainous regions to dense forests to more open rural areas.
The breed the Germans desired needed a coat that would be easy to maintain, yet would protect the dog when working in heavy cover or in cold water. This was achieved through careful crosses of the German Pointer with many other breeds. Sources differ on the exact lineage, although the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, Pudelpointer, Stichelhaar, and Deutscher-Kurzhaar are thought to be the most likely contributors. The outcome was a dog that excelled at searching, locating and pointing game and was fully responsive to the needs of its hunter.
GWPs today have many roles. They are excellent dogs for the modern hunter who, much like the Germans of the 1800’s, wants a dog that can literally do it all. They compete successfully in conformation shows, horseback field trials, hunt tests, agility, obedience, and just about every type of performance event. They also serve as therapy dogs, drug detection dogs, and loyal companions who would rather sleep on their owners’ feet than anywhere else.
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German Wirehaired Pointer facts!
- German Wirehaired Pointers have webbed feet (they were bred to hunt on both land and water).
- They have a long, strong muzzle, which allows them to grab and carry game for lengthy periods.
- Their coat often has a roan pattern – this occurs when many individual white hairs are intermixed with the coloured hairs, usually on the torso.
- Some German Wirehaired Pointers have yellow coloured eyes.
- The American Kennel Club ranks GWPs five out of five for trainability, both for hunting and general household purposes.
Summary
The German Wirehaired Pointer is a tough, energetic medium-to-large working dog with a distinctive wiry coat and shaggy eyebrows. Loyal, smart and fun-loving, it excels at finding and retrieving and is known for a playful, clownish side.
German Wirehaired Pointers are best suited to very active families that can provide a great deal of exercise and mental stimulation. They thrive with owners who enjoy training, outdoor activity and keeping a capable gundog busy.
FAQs about the German Wirehaired Pointer
They are generally affectionate, social dogs that can be excellent family companions for households able to meet their exercise and training needs.
Very high. They need substantial daily physical exercise plus training, problem-solving and other forms of mental stimulation.
Yes. They are highly intelligent and capable learners that usually respond very well to consistent, reward-based training and regular mental challenges.
They are generally low to moderate or moderate barkers, although barking can increase with boredom, excitement, anxiety or unfamiliar activity.
Yes. They generally shed a low to moderate or moderate amount and benefit from routine brushing.
They are generally better suited to homes with more space because of their size, energy level or working and guarding instincts, although individual circumstances vary.
Many can live happily with children and other pets when socialised from a young age, although individual temperament and compatibility always vary.
Potential health concerns include hip and elbow dysplasia, eye disorders, thyroid disease and gastric dilatation-volvulus.
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