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Sporting breeds: German Wirehaired Pointer
Origin
The German Wirehaired Pointer was developed little more than a century ago. He is known in Germany (his country of origin) as the Deutsch Drahthaar. Literally translated, this means German Wirehair. The early Wirehairs, represented a combination of Griffon, Stichelhaar, Pudelpointer, and German Shorthair. The Pudelpointer is a cross between a Poodle and an English Pointer, and the Griffon and Stichelhaar are made up of Pointer, Foxhound, Pudelpointer and Polish Waterdog. It is believed that there is also Bloodhound and Airedale blood in the breed.
The German hunting dogs are not the specialists seen in Britain and other countries. The Germans wanted an all-around hunter that could do everything. They got exactly that in the Wirehair. He is an all-purpose dog that points and retrieves equally well on land and water.
The Drahthaar was admitted to the German Kartell for dogs in 1928. The breed was imported to the United States in the 1920s. In 1953 the German Drahthaar Club of America was formed. The breed was admitted into AKC studbooks in 1959 as the German Wirehaired Pointer, and the name of the national club was changed to the German Wirehaired Pointer Club of America.
General description
Height: 22-26 inches
Weight: 60-70 pounds
Color: The color is liver and white, usually either liver and white spotted, liver roan, liver and white spotted with ticking and roaning or solid liver. The head is liver and can have a white blaze. The ears are liver. No black is permitted in the coat.
Grooming requirements
The German Wirehaired Pointer in a show coat should have his back stripped with a stripping knife to the length of 1.5 inches. The top of the head, cheeks and ears should be plucked closer in order to give a smooth appearance. The beard and eyebrows should not be plucked, and the eyebrows should be longer on the inside corner of the eye and taper to the outside corner. For a pet clip, a clipper can be used for the same appearance. A slicker brush is needed to keep this dog from matting and to clean any food or debris from the beard. Regular nail trims and ear cleaning are necessary.
Health considerations
The German Wirehaired Pointer can be bothered by cataracts, retinal dysplasia and entropian eyelids (rolling in of the eyelid). The parents should be OFA certified clear of hip dysplasia. He has a tendency for OCD (arthritis). Subcutaneous cysts in older dogs are common and are not usually a problem.
Breed characteristics and personality
Adapted for living in the house or kennel. He is jealous of other dogs. The coat requires care. He is gentle with children and of a sound, reliable temperament. This is a steady and lively breed. He is an intelligent, energetic and determined hunter.
The Wirehair is affectionate with his master. He is somewhat aloof to strangers, but not unfriendly. He is eager to please and enthusiastic to learn.
Uses
The Wirehair is an all-around hunting dog. Steady to point, a fine nose eager to retrieve. He works with intelligence and can fully respond to the needs of the hunter.
Web links
AKC German Wirehaired Pointer page
The German Wirehaired Pointer Club of America
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