German Wirehaired Pointer
The German Wirehaired Pointer is a well muscled dog. This pointer is a
medium sized dog of distinctive appearance. Balanced in size and sturdily built,
the German Wirehaired Pointer's most distinguishing characteristics are its
weather resistant, wire-like coat and its facial furnishings. Typically common
in character and style, the German Wirehaired Pointer is an intelligent,
energetic and determined hunter. The tail is typically docked to two-fifths of
the natural length. In countries where docking is prohibited the German
Wirehaired Pointer's tail should be of sufficient length to reach down to the
hocks.
This dog is very affectionate, active and intelligent. The German Wirehaired Pointer is eager to learn and loyal to its family, it needs a handler who is consistent in approach. The German Wirehaired Pointer is powerful and energetic but they can become bored and hard to manage without enough exercise. They have a good nose and can track, point, and retrieve on both land and water. Steady, lively and vigorous. They do best with older, considerate children; very affectionate with its master and can become jealous. Some German Wirehaired Pointers may try to dominate other animals but most will get along well with other dogs and household animals. They make good watchdogs.
The functional wiry coat is the German Wirehaired Pointer's most distinctive feature. This dog must have a correct coat to be of correct type. The coat is weather resistant and, to some extent, water-repellent. The undercoat of this dog is dense enough in winter to insulate against the cold but is so thin in summer as to be almost invisible. The distinctive outer coat is straight, harsh, wiry and flat lying, and is from one to two inches in length. The outer coat is long enough to protect against the punishment of rough cover, but not so long as to hide the outline of the dog. On the lower legs the coat is shorter and between the toes it is of softer texture. On the skull the coat is naturally short and close fitting. Over their shoulders and around the tail it is very dense and heavy. The tail is nicely coated, particularly on the underside, but devoid of feather. Their eyebrows are of strong, straight hair. Beard and whiskers are medium length. The hairs in the liver patches of a liver and white dog may be shorter than the white hairs. A short smooth coat, a soft woolly coat, or an excessively long coat is to be severely penalized when showing. While maintaining a harsh, wiry texture, the puppy coat may be shorter than that of an adult coat.