The German Wirehaired Pointer shares many qualities of the German Shorthaired Pointer, while still having his own definite identity. In England, hunters wanted their dogs to specialize in certain sports, but the Germans wanted an all-around hunting dog that could find game, point, and retrieve.

There was a general group of German wirehaired dogs with differing ancestors, and they were allowed to interbreed. The eventual result, the German Wirehaired Pointer, reflects traits drawn originally from the English Pointer, the Foxhound, the German Shorthaired Pointer, and the hunting Poodle. He is good on scenting, with a tough constitution, and the coat—and courage—to face and encounter any terrain.

His color is solid liver or liver and white, with no black allowed. Tails are docked to less than half of their original length. Feet are webbed for swimming and have thick pads for covering rough terrain.

Excerpts from the Standard

General Appearance: Muscular, larger than the German Shorthaired Pointer, well balanced, and sturdy. As with all pointers, he is intelligent, energetic, and a determined hunter; he is agile, with great endurance.

Size, Proportion, and Substance: Height—males, 24 to 26 inches at withers; females, no smaller than 22 inches.

Fun Facts

The German Wirehaired Pointer’s coat sets him apart from the German Shorthaired Pointer. A perfect all-weather covering, it consists of an outer coat that is straight, harsh, and wiry. It lies flat and is largely water repellent, for protection while water retrieving. It also protects his skin from the harsh brush and briars so he can go into any kind of terrain.

Extra protection comes from the heavy growth of hair around his face. He has bushy eyebrows and a short beard and whiskers. The coat is shorter on the top of his head, and extra thick on his shoulders and at the base of his tail.

Excerpted from The Complete Dog Book For Kids © 1996, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.