The German Wirehaired Pointer is a larger and more rugged version of the German Shorthaired Pointer, developed as a hunting dog which could retrieve game from the water.
Athletically built, this well-balanced dogs most distinguishing characteristics are its harsh, wiry and water-resistant outer coat and its exaggerated wiry eyebrows, moustache and beard. German Wirehaired Pointers are affectionate and eager to please dogs, devoted to their family. They are naturally playful and make great companions for slightly older more robust children. This breed has a tendency to be naturally aloof with strangers and should be well-socialised at an early age to stop them from being too shy or wary. They tend to get on well with other dogs, and with early socialisation and training, they will do well with other household pets, which instinctively they will want to chase. German Wirehaired Pointers are high-energy dogs that require at least two hours exercise every day. Their hunt, point and retrieve instincts may kick in when they are outdoors, and for this reason, they need to be trained well for recall. Luckily, their eagerness to please coupled with their intelligence makes them fairly easy to train. This dog makes an excellent pet for active individuals who will enjoy its boundless energy, enthusiasm and loyalty.
History
Bred as all-purpose hunters, the history of the German pointers dates back to the 1600s when it is thought that the Spanish pointer was crossed with hounds and tracking dogs to create a dog that could hunt, point and retrieve (HPR). In the 19th Century, the German Wire Haired Pointer was developed from several wire-coated pointing breeds popular in Germany to create a breed with a tough yet easy to maintain coat that could protect it when retrieving game in heavy cover or cold water.
