German Wirehaired Pointer
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The German Wirehaired Pointer is a breed of dog developed in the 1800s in Germany for hunting.
Appearance
The German Wirehaired Pointer is a well muscled, medium sized dog of distinctive appearance. Balanced in size and sturdily built, the breed's most distinguishing characteristics are its weather resistant, wire-like coat and its facial furnishings. Typically Pointer in character and style, the German Wirehaired Pointer is an intelligent, energetic and determined hunter.Coat
The functional wiry coat is the breed's most distinctive feature. A dog must have a correct coat to be of correct type. The coat is weather resistant and, to some extent, water-repellent. The undercoat is dense enough in winter to insulate against the cold but is so thin in summer as to be almost invisible. The distinctive outer coat is straight, harsh, wiry and flat lying, and is from one to two inches in length. The outer coat is long enough to protect against the punishment of rough cover, but not so long as to hide the outline of the dog. On the lower legs the coat is shorter and between the toes it is of softer texture. On the skull the coat is naturally short and close fitting. Over the shoulders and around the tail it is very dense and heavy. The tail is nicely coated, particularly on the underside, but devoid of feather. Eyebrows are of strong, straight hair. Beard and whiskers are medium length. The hairs in the liver patches of a liver and white dog may be shorter than the white hairs. A short smooth coat, a soft woolly coat, or an excessively long coat is to be severely penalized when showing. While maintaining a harsh, wiry texture, the puppy coat may be shorter than that of an adult coat. Coats may be neatly groomed to present a dog natural in appearance. Extreme and excessive grooming to present a dog artificial in appearance should be severely penalized in competition.Gait
The dog should be evaluated at a moderate gait. The movement is free and smooth with good reach in the forequarters and good driving power in the hindquarters. The topline should remain firm.Temperament
This version of German Pointer makes a good family dog and a working dog with tolerance for a variety of conditions. Can be aloof at times but not unfriendly with strangers.Health
Hip and elbow arthritis can be an inherited problem. Thyroid function should be checked periodicaly.History
This gun dog was created by selective breeding from various other breeds, including the French Griffon, Pudelpointer, German Shorthaired Pointer, and Broken-Coated Pointer.See also
External links
- Breed clubs
- *[Verein Deutsch-Drahthaar Group Canada]
- *[Verein Deutsch-Drahthaar Group North America]
- *[German Wirehaired Pointer Club of America]
- Information
- *[Deutsch-Drahthaar Central]
- *[Forum for those who work hunting dogs]
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