German Wirehaired Pointers are loving and enthusiastic gundogs that make versatile hunting partners or eager companions for dog sports. Here are some fun facts about the breed to help you get to know them better.
1. German Wirehaired Pointers are members of the Sporting Group, and like other breeds in that group, they’re likeable, energetic, and alert. Sporting breeds follow their well-developed instincts, whether they’re in the forest or in the water, which makes them popular with hunters and people who love the outdoors.
2. German Wirehaired Pointers have the nicknames GWP or Wirehair.
3. The activity level of German Wirehaired Pointers is quite high, so they need regular, vigorous exercise. They do well with a fenced yard, daily walks, and participation in physical activities like outdoor sports. This is not a breed to succeed as a couch potato or lap dog.
4. German Wirehaired Pointers are smart, curious, determined dogs with a lot of energy. They also have an independent streak and will sometimes only work for someone they like. This combination can be challenging for new dog owners or inexperienced trainers. Giving GWPs a job to do can be helpful because it engages their minds and gives them a satisfying sense of purpose. The job doesn’t need to be complicated; it can be as simple as fetching the paper from the front stoop every morning, as long as it keeps them busy and out of trouble.
5. The wiry German Wirehaired Pointers’ coat is weather-resistant and virtually water-repellent, allowing them to work in harsh conditions. Their fur is rough and straight, from one and one-half-to-two inches long, and lies flat against the skin. It protects a GWP’s body from thorny bushes and bad weather while it’s hunting on land, and its density helps the dog work equally well in cold water.
6. Besides their characteristic wire-like coat, you can also identify German Wirehaired Pointers by their distinctive facial features of bushy beard and eyebrows. These are typical of many German breeds, and they give the GWP an intelligent expression.
7. In the 1800s, when hunting breeds were being developed all over Europe, breeders in England decided to breed specialist dogs. The continental Europeans took a different approach, developing all-round hunters that could work many types of game on any terrain. German Wirehaired Pointers are a great example of such a flexible breed that can perform many tasks. GWPs can do it all and are adept at searching for and pointing different types of game, whether it’s birds or mammals, fearlessly hunting game and retrieving birds from the water, all while still being loving companions and watchdogs.
8. A close relative of the German Wirehaired Pointer is the German Shorthaired Pointer. Besides the difference in coats, the GWP is the slightly heavier and taller of the two breeds.
9. German Wirehaired Pointers are intensely devoted to their people. If they’re raised in a one-person household, they’re likely to become one-person dogs, but those raised in a human family will bond to the whole clan, although they still might pick a favorite. They will be happiest if they can spend a lot of time with their humans.
