GERMAN WIREHAIRED POINTER
Gun Dog Group
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Copyright 1992, United Kennel Club, Inc.
Revised July 1, 2007



History

The translation of "Deutsch Drahthaar" is “German Wirehair.” The foundation stock for the breed is the Pointer (probably black), the Griffon, Stichelhaar and Pudelpointer. He was developed as a dual-purpose hunter. He is expected to point his game on land, retrieve from water or retrieve a rabbit if shot. The German Wirehaired Pointer has been a recognized breed in its native country since 1870. The breed was introduced to America about 1920.

The German Wirehaired Pointer was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1948.

The breed is medium in size; about 25 inches at the shoulders and 65 pounds for males; females slightly smaller. It is nearly square in proportion. It has a straight topline, with a slight slope from the withers to the croup. Its coat should be wiry and dense, but lay flat. It should have whiskers on the face and eyebrows. The coat color can vary from solid liver to liver roan. The tail is docked to 2/5 of its original length.

Friendly and intelligent, but can be aloof. Hardy, sturdy and energetic, he is a dual purpose hunter.

The head is moderately long and in proportion to the size and sex of the dog.

SKULL - Long, fairly broad and flat on top. Stop is medium, clearly defined.

MUZZLE - Long, with nasal bones straight and broad. The lips are thick, close and bearded.

TEETH - A full complement of strong, white teeth meet in a scissors bite.

EYES – Medium size, oval in shape, as dark as possible with close fitting rims. Expression is bright and intelligent.

NOSE – Well-pigmented, corresponding to color of coat. (Dark brown in brown dogs; black in black dogs.). The nostrils are wide open.

EARS - Set on high, rounded and not too broad. Hang close to sides of head; medium in size.

Strong and of medium length. Slightly arched and devoid of dewlap.

Shoulders sloping and very muscular, with top of shoulder blades close; upper arm long and well covered with lean muscles, angled to set elbows well under the body.

FORELEGS - Parallel, straight and lean with strong, flattened bone. Pasterns strong and very slightly sloping. Length of leg from elbow to ground is half the height at the withers.

Dewclaws may be removed.

The chest is broad and deep, with well-defined forechest. Withers are high, back is strong and straight, and the topline slopes from withers to set on of tail. Ribs are well sprung; loin is short and strong with graceful tuck-up. Croup slopes slightly. Skin on the body is close-fitting.

The hips are broad and wide, falling slightly towards the tail. Thighs strong and well muscled. Good angulation between the pelvis and the upper thigh.

HIND LEGS - Long and muscular, with good angulation at the stifle and hock. Rear pasterns short and perpendicular to the ground. Dewclaws may be removed.

Compact, close knit, round-to-spoon shaped, well padded; should turn neither in nor out. Toes well arched with strong nails.

Set high, carried at or slightly above the horizontal. Docked to 2/5 original length.

Note: UKC acknowledges that the practice of tail-docking is forbidden in some countries, and therefore feels that no dog shall be penalized for a full tail (unless specifically addressed and forbidden in the breed standard for that breed). A natural tail is acceptable. It should reach to the hocks, and should be carried straight or slightly saber-like.

Coat is a defining characteristic of the breed. It is wiry and very harsh, of medium length, and thick, with a close fitting undercoat. It should not hide the body shape, but it should be long enough to give good protection from the weather and cover in which the dog is hunted. The coat should lie close to the body. The hair on the lower parts of the legs should be shorter. Also short, but very thick, on the head and ears. Eyebrows and beard harsh and full but not overly long.

Faults: Coats that are too short and smooth, too soft, or excessively long.

Solid liver, liver and white spotted, liver and white spotted and ticked, liver and white ticked.

Black ticking/roan, with or without patches.

Males from 24 to 26 inches, and 55 to 70 pounds. Females smaller, but not less than 22 inches, and 45 to 60 pounds.

Smooth, covering plenty of ground with each stride; driving hind action, elbows neither turning in nor out. Definitely not a hackney action.

Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness or extreme shyness. Albinism.