BBS Breed Spotlight: German Wirehaired Pointer

Have you ever heard the phrase “German engineered”? This phrase is a great selling feature because most know that German designed products are very good products. That means dogs, too. The Germans wanted an all-around amazing dog, so they bred the German Wirehaired Pointer, the dog who can do it all. Find out more about this well-designed dog on the BestBullySticks.com Breed Spotlight on the German Wirehaired Pointer.

History & Background: Around the mid-1800s, improvements to the shotgun spurred many in the public to become hunters. In fact, the number of hunters doubled, but this quick growth left a need for a well-rounded, all-purpose hunting dog. And like many other dog breeds, necessity is the mother of all invention, and for the Germans this dog was the German Wirehaired Pointe. GWP’s were bred to be a medium-sized pointer, easily trainable dog that could search, locate and point game. Because of the varied terrain, from mountains to dense forest, and inclement weather this Pointer was bred to have a very particular coat. In Germanay, this wirehaired dog was first known as the Deutsch-Drahthaar, which was a combination of Griffon, Pudelpointer (Poodle & Pointer) and German Shorthair. In the early 1920s the GWP was imported to America and was recognized by the AKC 1959.

Coat: The wire coat of this German breed is its most distinctive feature. A GWP’s coat is weather resistant and mostly water resistant. The undercoat is dense to protect in cold weather and in summer is almost invisible. The outer, wiry coat is straight, harsh, flat and 1 to 2 inches long. This dog sports a well-covered tail, bushy eyebrows, beard and whiskers.

Color: The color of a German Wirehaired Pointer is liver and white and shows in combinations of spotting, ticking and solids. The head and ears are liver. The eyes and nose are brown.

Appearance: GWP’s have a very distinctive look. This well-muscled, medium-sized dog is sturdy and has a very distinctive look in its coat and face. GWPs ear are low, but close to the head. The chest is deep and the ribs are well-sprung. This breed’s tail is set high and cropped at 2/5ths of it’s natural length.

Temperament: Highly intelligent, eager to learn and loyal to their family, this dog does best with consistent training and living with a family, not in a kennel. This dog should be socialized early otherwise will be aloof toward strangers, but is never unfriendly. GWPs need plenty of exercise because they have a lot of energy. And of course, German Wirehaired Pointers are great gun dogs.

Health & Grooming: This breed is sometimes prone to hip dysplasia, ear infections, eye disease and skin cancer. GWPs usually live 12 to 14 years.

A GWP needs a twice weekly brushing with a firm bristle brush. This dog only needs a bath when absolutely necessary. GWPs are average shedders and should be hand stripped

Product Suggestions: Because this dog has a penchant for retrieving, toss this Pointer a Pet Qwerks Canine Canvas Flyer. Pet Qwerks Canine Canvas Flyer is made of durable canvas, which lets it play just as hard as your dog! It's full of squeakers, can float in the water, and folds to fit in your pocket for on-the-go excitement!

For a special treat, give the GWP Plato Thinkers Duck Sticks! These delicious treats contain some extra goodies for your pooch. Plato Thinkers Duck Sticks are made with fresh duck and contain DHA (the good stuff in fish oil), and ginkgo biloba (increases blood circulation).

Do you own or know a German Wirehaired Pointer? Tell us your favorite GWP story in the comments section!