are german wirehaired pointers good family dogs
General Appearance. The German Wirehaired Pointer is a well muscled, medium sized dog of distinctive appearance. Balanced in size and sturdily built, the breed's most distinguishing characteristics are its weather resistant, wire-like coat and its facial furnishings. Typically Pointer in character and style, the German Wirehaired Pointer is an intelligent, energetic and determined hunter. The breed eventually followed German immigrants and American servicemen to the U.S., where the “German wirehaired pointer” was first recognized by the AKC in 1959. The original German breeders had a much broader vision of versatility than we have in America. Prey Drive. German Shorthaired Pointers usually live amicably with other dogs, although some GSPs have aggressive tendencies toward dogs of the same sex. GSPs as a breed are not good with cats and small pets unless introduced to them at an early age. This behavior is part of being a GSP as they were bred to hunt. You can teach them to live with other small animals, but their strong prey drive makes it dangerous if the cat runs from the dog. “German wirehaired pointer” is a term that means different things to different people. Wired for versatility, this sturdy and respected line has diverged into two distinct breeds heading in vastly different directions. Activity Requirements. German Wirehaired Pointers have their roots in the hunting field. They can run all day, and still come back for more. When they catch a scent, they become focused, efficient trackers and they are versatile enough to hunt on land or retrieve out of water. Coat. The functional wiry coat is the breed's most distinctive feature. A dog must have a correct coat to be of correct type. The coat is weather resistant and, to some extent, water-repellent. The undercoat is dense enough in winter to insulate against the cold but is so thin in summer as to be almost invisible. These are the German Wirehaired Pointer Club of America (GWPCA) and the Verein Deutsch Drahthaar Group North America (VDD-GNA) . Incidentally—and contrary to popular belief—”Verein Deutsch Drahthaar” does not mean “true German Wirehair.” Verein is the German word for organization or club. Today’s DD breeders don’t register their dogs as German wirehaired pointers with the AKC. Breed standards differ somewhat between the two groups, with color being one example. Black coats are not uncommon in the VDD-GNA ranks. Personality. The German Wirehaired Pointer is a people-oriented dog who loves human companionship and will want to be a part of every aspect of family life. They are attention-seekers and will clown around or even make a little mischief in order to maintain his “star” status. Several types of dogs contributed to the ancestry of today’s German wirehaired pointer (GWP). Griffons, foxhounds, poodles and shorthaired pointers all figured into the family tree at some point. German hunters bred these dogs in varying proportions until they created a distinct breed around 1880.
No