| German Wirehaired Pointers: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Information about German Wirehaired Pointer personality and behavior. |
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My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the German Wirehaired Pointer, including these excerpts:
"The AKC Standard says, "Typically Pointer in character and style. An intelligent, energetic, and determined hunter."
The German Wirehaired Pointer is steady and sensible, but also rugged and busy. He has a high energy level and belongs with an equally athletic owner who will take him running, biking, and hiking and preferably work him in the field.
Too much confinement and too little attention can lead to barking, hyperactivity, and destructive chewing.
Though some German Wirehaired Pointers are outgoing, most are aloof with strangers and can be quite protective.
The German Wirehair can be aggressive (or at least dominant and bold) with strange dogs, and with his strong hunting instincts, sharp with cats.
This breed is strong-willed and determined and needs an owner who knows how to lead. Usually he is more serious and discriminating than his German Shorthair cousin, though many do have a clownish side.
German Wirehaired Pointers are not for the fastidious household: They are sloppy drinkers, their beard soaking up water and depositing it as a trail of drips across your floor."
History
He is a weather-resistant hunter of virtually any game in field, forest, thicket, and water. In some canine registries, the German Wirehaired Pointer is called the Deutsch-Drahthaar.
Size
22-26 inches and 50-70 lbs |
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German Wirehaired Pointers
What's good about 'em
What's bad about 'em
- Is large, tautly-muscled, and athletic
- Has a wiry coat and whiskery beard
- Thrives on vigorous exercise
- Is steady-tempered and dependable, but often more serious and discriminating toward strangers than his German Shorthair cousin
- Makes a keen watchdog
A German Wirehaired Pointer may be right for you.
| If you don't want to deal with... |
- Vigorous exercise requirements
- Rowdiness and exuberant jumping, especially when young or not exercised enough
- "Separation anxiety" (destructiveness and barking) when left alone too much
- Aggression toward other animals
- Strong-willed mind of his own, requiring a confident owner who can take charge
- Slowness to housebreak
A German Wirehaired Pointer may not be right for you.
| If I were considering a German Wirehaired Pointer... |
My major concerns would be:
- Providing enough exercise and mental stimulation. German Wirehaired Pointers MUST have regular opportunities to vent their energy and do interesting things. Otherwise they will become rambunctious and bored -- which they usually express by barking and destructive chewing. Bored German Wirehairs can make a shambles of your home and yard.
| If you simply want a pet for your family, and don't have the time or inclination to take your dog running or hiking or biking or swimming, or to get involved in hunting, or tracking, or a similar canine activity, I do not recommend this breed. German Wirehaired Pointers were never intended to be simply household pets. Trying to suppress their "hardwired" desire to run and work, without providing alternate outlets for their high energy level, can be difficult. |
- Bounciness. Young German Wirehaired Pointers (up to about two years old) romp and jump with great vigor, and things can go flying, including people.
| If you have small children, or if you or anyone who lives with you is elderly or infirm, I do not recommend German Wirehair puppies. The temptation to play roughly is too strong in many young German Wirehaired Pointers. |
- Separation anxiety. More than most other breeds, German Wirehaired Pointers need a great deal of companionship and do not like being left alone for more than a few hours. They tend to express their unhappiness through destructive chewing and barking. If you work all day, this is not the breed for you.
- Animal aggression. Some German Wirehaired Pointers are dominant or aggressive toward other dogs of the same sex. Many have strong instincts to chase and seize cats and other fleeing creatures.
- The strong temperament. German Wirehaired Pointers are not Golden Retrievers. They have an independent mind of their own and are not pushovers to raise and train. They are easily distracted by exciting sights, sounds, and scents. They can be manipulative, and some are willful, obstinate, and dominant (they want to be the boss) and will make you prove that you can make them do things. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say.
- Housebreaking. The pointing breeds can be a bit slow to pick this up. Expect several months of consistent crate training.
| Not all German Wirehaired Pointers are alike! |
- There are energetic German Wirehaired Pointers, and placid ones.
- Hard-headed German Wirehaired Pointers, and sweet-natured ones.
- Serious German Wirehaired Pointers, and good-natured goofballs.
- Introverted German Wirehair Pointers, and individuals who love everyone.
| If you acquire a German Wirehaired Pointer puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." |
| If you're considering an adult German Wirehaired Pointer... |
There are plenty of adult German Wirehaired Pointers who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you.
When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS.
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