The Breed History
In the 1800s, demand was high for all-purpose hunting dogs. In
Germany, the name "retrieving pointer", or "Deutsch-Drahthaar"
was applied to all such general purpose wirehaired dogs. The name
translates as German (Deutsch) Wire (draht) hair (haar). From this
type of wirehaired dog, four subtypes were developed around 1870.
In addition to the German Wirehaired pointer, these offshoots also
included Pudelpointer, Stichelhaar and Griffon. Wirehaired pointers
were general purpose dogs with Poodle, Pointer, and French
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon traits. The first breed standard dates
to the year 1902. The first German Wirehaired Pointer dogs were
exported to America in the 1920s. Initial AKC breed registration
occurred in 1959. The German Shorthaired pointer is not just a
short haired version of this breed; their origins differ significantly.
The Wirehaired Pointer has no direct hound descendents whereas
the Shorthaired Pointer does.
Breeding for Function
Bred for both water, and land work, fur and feather, flushing,
retrieving and pointing, and with the wire coat, the breed was
particularly selected for the ability to work in rough close brush.
Endurance and agility were selected for. These dogs have also been
used in Shutzhund, tracking, obedience, agility, and for skijoring.
Physical Characteristics
Height at Withers: female 22-24" (56-61cm), male 24-26"
(61-66 cm).
Weight: 45-70 lb (20-32 kg).
Coat: Somewhat water repellent, the coat lies flat, with wiry,
straight hairs about 1.5-2" (4-5 cm) long, Well developed brows,
beard and moustache help to protect the face from underbrush. The
dense undercoat is shed during warmer months. Liver and white
spotted is the standard color for the breed, with liver roan, ticking
and roan in liver and white dogs, or solid liver being other accepted
colorations. The face, (though not necessarily muzzle) and ears are
liver, sometimes with a white blaze.
Longevity: 12-14 years
Points of Conformation: The German Wirehaired pointer is
medium sized, with sturdy constitution, the head is moderately
long, eyes are brown, oval, and medium sized. Pendulous ears are
moderate in size and rounded, hanging closely alongside the head.
The nose is brown, the muzzle is square and the stop moderate.
The slightly arched neck is moderately long and clean, the topline
gradually descends towards the rear. The thorax is deep and ribs
well sprung. Abdominal tuck up is obvious. The high set tail is
carried above the topline when alert. The tail if docked is shortened
to about 2/5 of the native length. Limbs are straight boned and
they are slightly longer than tall. Dewclaws are generally removed.
Round feet have webbed toes and possess heavy nails and pads,
with well knuckled up toes. The gait is smooth, and long strided.
Recognized Behavior Issues and Traits
Reported breed characteristics include: Stable temperament, active,
high exercise needs, low grooming needs, aloof with strangers,
intelligent. They have a moderate shedding tendency, and love to
please. They may become a one-man dog and are loyal to family.
Good with children if they are socialized early, and the children
are calm. Will ably defend home or self if threatened. These dogs
need mental stimulation or they may become destructive. Early
obedience training is important. Typically they have a low tendency
to dig, keep leashed unless in a fenced enclosure. This type of dog is
generally considered too active for apartment life.
Normal Physiologic Variations
In a survey in Great Brittian, 47.8% of German Wirehaired pointer
litters were born via ceseran section.
Drug Sensitivities
None reported
Inherited Diseases
Hip Dysplasia: Polygenically inherited trait causing degenerative
joint disease and hip arthritis. Reported 7.1x odds ratio versus other
breeds. OFA reports 9.1% affected.
Elbow Dysplasia: Polygenically inherited trait causing elbow
arthritis. OFA reports 3.0% affected.
Patella Luxation: Polygenically inherited laxity of patellar
ligaments, causing luxation, lameness, and later degenerative joint
disease. Treat surgically if causing clinical signs. Too few German
Wirehaired Pointers have been screened by OFA to determine an
accurate frequency
von Willebrand's disease (vWD): Type II vWD in the German
Wirehaired Pointer is a serious, sometimes fatal, autosomal
recessive bleeding disorder. Cryoprecipitate is more effective, with
fewer side effects, than fresh frozen plasma in controlling bleeding
episodes. A genetic test is available.
Hemophilia B (Factor IX Deficiency): Mild, X-linked recessive
bleeding disorder documented in this breed. A genetic test is
available.
Disease Predispositions
Hypothyroidism: Inherited autoimmune thyroiditis. 18.6% positive
for thyroid auto-antibodies based on testing at Michigan State
University. (Ave. for all breeds is 7.5%). One of the ten highest
breeds in frequency of the disorder.
Humeral Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD): Polygenically inherited
cartilage defect of the humeral head. Causes shoulder joint pain
and lameness in young growing dogs. Mild cases can resolve with
rest, while more severe cases require surgery. There is a 2.24:1 male
to female ratio. 75% of all cases are unilateral. Reported 38.8x odds
ratio versus other breeds. Reported at a frequency of 1.36% in the
German Wirehaired Pointer.
Cataracts: Cataracts occur in the breed. Onset 6-18 months of age.
Unknown mode of inheritance. Too few German Wirehaired Pointers
have been CERF eye examined to determine an accurate frequency
in the breed. CERF does not recommend breeding any German
Wirehaired Pointer with a cataract.
Atrioventricular (Heart) Block: German Wirehaired Pointers are
found to be at increased risk of high-grade second- or third-degree
atrioventricular block versus other breeds. Treatment is with a
pacemaker.
Brachygnathism, Entropion, Osteochondritis Dessicans-
Shoulder, Prognathism, and Retinal Dysplasia are reported.
Isolated Case Studies
Day Blindness: A 5 month old German Wirehaired Pointer
presented with day blindness (achromatopsia), consistent with cone
degeneration seen in German Shorthaired Pointers.
Diffuse Bronchiolo-alveolar Carcinoma: An eight-year-old
female German Wirehaired Pointer was presented with signs of
respiratory distress. Radiography indicated the presence of a diffuse
interstitial lung disease. A primary lung cancer with an unusually
diffuse distribution of miliary/micronodular lesions was found at
postmortem examination. Histological diagnosis was bronchioloalveolar
carcinoma.
Genetic Tests
Tests of Genotype: Direct test for Hemophilia B is available from
Cornell Animal Health Diagnostic Center (607.253.3900).
Direct test for vWD is available from VetGen.
Direct test for black, red/orange and brown colors, and black or
brown nose is available from HealthGene and VetGen.
Tests of Phenotype: CHIC Certification: Hip and elbow
radiographs, thyroid profile including autoantibodies (minimum of
2 years, then annually until 4 years), CERF eye evaluation (annually
if breeding), and gene test for vWD. Optional tests include cardiac
evaluation (preferably by a cardiologist), and patella evaluation. (See
CHIC website; www.caninehealthinfo.org).
Miscellaneous
- Breed name synonyms: Deutscher Drahthaariger Vorstehhund,
Drahthaar, German Pointer (Wirehaired).
- Registries: AKC, UKC, CKC, KCGB (Kennel Club of Great Britain),
ANKC (Australian National Kennel Club), NKC (National Kennel Club).
- AKC rank (year 2008): 72 (1,213 dogs registered)
- Internet resources: German Wirehaired Pointer Club of
America: http://www.gwpca.com/
Verein Deutsch-Drahthaar Group Canada: www.vdd-canada.ca
German Wirehaired Pointer Club (UK): www.gwpclub.co.uk
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