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Dogs 101 GERMAN WIREHAIRED POINTER Top Dog Facts About the GERMAN WIREHAIRED POINTER

The German Wirehaired Pointer is a breed of mediumsized griffon type dogs. The mid to late 19th century saw the sport of hunting becoming available to the common man. The increased need for good quality dogs led to several efforts made by fanciers to cross already existing breeds to produce new ones that were better suited for hunting. The GWP is one of the most successful products of these experiments and was developed around 1880. The exact lineage is debatable, but the generally accepted contributors to its creation were the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, Pudelpointer, German Roughhair and the German Shorthair. Its developers were looking for a dog that could locate and point upland game, retrieve hit animals and birds, be easily trainable, be devoted and companionable, and have a coat suited for different terrains. Soon after development, the breed became the most popular hunting dog in Germany. It came to the US in the 1920s, around the same time that it was recognized as a separate breed in Germany. Though it has gained followers in the US too, it has never become as popular as it is in its native land.

Time for some Ruff Trivia:
What nose color is the only one permitted in case of German Wirehaired Pointers?
o A: Brown
o B: Black
o C: Skincolored
What do you think, give it your best guess in the comments below before we get to the answer! Hang on tight and we’ll get back to this Ruff Trivia Question toward the end of the video.

The adult male GWP has height in the range of 24 to 26 inches, with the female being very slightly shorter. The weight range for both sexes is 45 to 75 pounds. This is a well muscled, sturdily built dog, with a smooth gait. The most identifiable characteristics are its weatherresistant, straight, wiry coat and its facial hair. The outer coat is harsh, straight, wiry and flat lying, about 12 inches in length. The undercoat is dense in winter and quite thin in summer. The colors seen are liver (brown) and white or black and white ticked usually with some solid patches, and solid liver (brown) with or without a white chest patch. Broad skull, medium stop, longish muzzle, slightly pendulous lips, strong jaws with a scissor bite, oval eyes, rounded ears hanging close to the head, and medium length eyebrows, beard and whiskers characterize the head.

Grooming:The GWP’s coat is meant to be easy to care for and requires a brush once or twice a week, coupled with occasional handstripping, to stay clean and goodlooking. Brushing of teeth, cleaning of ears and trimming of nails has to be regular.

Temperament:True to its heritage, the GWP is both a rugged hunter and a friendly companion. While its energy and drive make it want to spend some time daily outdoors, it is not meant to be left alone in the kennel. It enjoys joining its human family in outdoor or indoor activities, and can be clownish at times. It also gets along well with other children or dogs. It is generally reserved with strangers, and makes a good guard dog.

Training:The GWP is above all a hunting dog, happiest when engaged in an activity with its owner close by. Some dogs can be stubborn or independentminded and require patience from the trainer. But this is a generally intelligent breed, eager to learn and can be trained easily with firm and consistent instruction. As mentioned, it is a very active breed that needs access to a safe area to move around and/or an exhausting one hour walk on leash.

Health:The breed’s life expectancy is 12 to 14 years. It is a fairly healthy breed, but some concerns that are seen are hip and elbow dysplasia, congenital heart disorder, and von Willebrand’s disease.

Combining the best of many breeds, the GWP is a bright, enthusiastic and funloving dog to live with. Its high energy and desire to be close to humans means that it is perfect for an outdoorsy family looking for a canine partner.

Find out if the German Wirehaired Pointerwould be a good addition to your home. Now you can visit Brooklyn’s Corner.com to take our quiz and find out which dog would be the best match for you.


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