Discover Everything About German Wirehaired Pointer
Learn about the breed characteristics, health, history, and find trusted breeders
At a glance
German Wirehaired Pointer overview
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Health grade
Relative to other breeds
The Deutsch Drahthaar is considered a robust hunting dog, but it is not free from breed-specific skeletal vulnerabilities. Hip dysplasia (HD), elbow dysplasia (ED), and osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) are the primary risks for the musculoskeletal system. However, since these conditions are strictly monitored within the breed club through mandatory health tests, the risk can be well mitigated by purchasing from reputable breeders.
Lifespan
12–14 yrs
Height
57–68 cm
Weight
20–32 kg
Practical
- Puppy price: 1,500 – 2,500 €
- Coat: Dense, wiry, with undercoat
- Origin: Germany
Typical coat colors
- Brown
- black
- mold (mixture of white
- brown/black)
Temperament
Daily life
What matters most
Especially with a German Wirehaired Pointer, choosing the right breeder is the single most important decision you'll make. Serious breeders consistently test the parents for inherited conditions, prioritize healthy early socialization, and stay accountable long after handover. A cheap puppy without health screening tends to become the most expensive dog later on.
See HonestDog breeder standards →Is the German Wirehaired Pointer right for you?
The Deutsch Drahthaar is an uncompromising, rugged thoroughbred hunter—bred as a versatile Vorstehhund (pointing dog) that works independently in water, fields, and forests, and brings a significant amount of grit when it comes to predatory game.
Perfect for you if:
- You are a hunter or can provide him with serious, daily substitute work such as tracking or demanding dummy training—a Vorstehhund without a real job will wither away.
- You have experience with strong-willed working dogs and are extremely consistent in your training, otherwise, he will make his own, often very resolute decisions.
- You live in a rural area with a securely fenced property where he can settle down after a day's work and occasionally guard the house and yard.
- You are outdoors in any weather and don't mind a dripping beard or dirt in the hallway.
Less ideal if:
- You are looking for a relaxed companion dog that is satisfied with casual strolls through the city park—his genetics demand trails, game, and performance.
- You have cats or small animals in the household, as his bred-in sharpness toward predatory game rarely makes exceptions here.
- You live in a densely populated area and expect a dog that is easily controlled by recall when spotting wildlife.
The real vibes check
A Deutsch Drahthaar is not a dog for the side-lines; he is the four-wheel-drive off-roader among hunting dogs—built for rough terrain, dense thickets, and real weather, and completely out of place in pure city traffic. He gives you his blind trust in the forest, but in return, he demands clear leadership and real tasks. If you can channel this raw, honest willingness to work, you will get a partner who would literally go through fire for you.
Breed Profile
The German Wirehaired Pointer, also known as the German Wirehaired Pointer, is a medium-sized dog with a strong and muscular build. Its most distinctive feature is its dense, wiry coat with a good undercoat, which protects it from a wide range of weather conditions. The bushy eyebrows and the full beard, which give his face an expressive character, are also typical. The German Wirehaired Pointer belongs to FCI Group 7, the Pointing Dogs, which indicates its original use as a hunting dog. This breed does not differentiate between show and performance lines - all German Wirehaired Pointers should both look good and impress when working in the fields, in the forest and in the water. Therefore, the focus of breeding is on health, performance and a solid temperament.
| Height | 57 - 64 cm (Female), 61 - 68 cm (Male) |
| Weight | 20 - 27 kg (Female), 25 - 32 kg (Male) |
| Life Expectancy | 12 - 14 years |
| Character | Intelligent, persistent, eager to work |
| Coat | Dense, wiry, with undercoat |
| Coat Color | Brown, black, mold (mixture of white and brown/black) |
| Price | 1500 - 2500 € |
History
The Deutsch Drahthaar is a versatile hunting dog whose targeted breeding began in Germany at the end of the 19th century. The driving force behind the creation of this breed was the cynological writer Sigismund Freiherr von Zedlitz und Neukirch, known in hunting circles by the pseudonym Hegewald. His guiding principle, 'through performance to type,' significantly shaped the breeding process. The goal was to create a robust, steady-tempered, and weather-resistant pointing dog capable of performing all hunting tasks in the field, forest, and water with equal proficiency. To achieve this, the best wire-haired breeding lines were crossed, including the Pudelpointer, the Griffon Korthals, and the Deutsch Stichelhaar. The breed was eventually refined and its hunting instincts solidified through the targeted introduction of the Deutsch Kurzhaar. In 1902, the Verein Deutsch-Drahthaar was founded to organize systematic breeding, and the breed received official recognition in the 1920s. Today, the Deutsch Drahthaar is one of the most widely used hunting dogs not only in its country of origin but worldwide, highly valued by hunters for its endurance, toughness, and enthusiasm for water.
The Deutsch Drahthaar was developed as a versatile hunting dog suitable for both field work and water retrieval.
Germany
1900
Character & Temperament
The German Wirehaired Pointer is an extremely intelligent and hard-working dog that wants to be challenged both physically and mentally. His character is characterized by a high level of motivation, endurance and a strong bond with his people. He is very attentive and alert, but never nervous or hyperactive. Due to its origins and breeding, the German Wirehaired Pointer is a very people-oriented dog. He likes to be close to his people and wants to accompany them both on walks and during cozy get-togethers in the house. He is usually very affectionate and loyal. Although the German Wirehaired Pointer is a hunting dog, it can also learn to stay alone. However, it should be noted that he needs enough activity so that he can spend his alone time relaxed and calm. As a hunting dog, the German Wirehaired Pointer shows a strong desire to hunt and prey. He is an excellent pointing dog that works independently and tracks down game, but does not search for it, but points it out to the hunter. However, this behavior can also be used in a household without hunting, e.g. during retrieval training or search games. Vigilance is also one of the characteristics of the German Wirehaired Pointer. He is always attentive and reliably reports when something changes in his environment. However, he does not bark for no reason or excessively, but only when it is really necessary.
| Trainability Bred to work closely alongside humans. | Highly trainable |
| Watchfulness Strong territorial instinct — may actively confront intruders. | Very high |
| Openness to Strangers Neither pushily friendly nor suspicious. | Neutral |
| Hunting or Herding Drive This drive runs deep — no amount of training eliminates it. | Very strong |
Fun Fact!
The German Wirehaired Pointer was bred from the beginning to be a versatile hunting dog that can work in the field as well as in the water and in the forest. That's why he is still an excellent swimmer and retriever today.
What Awaits You
The German Wirehaired Pointer is a versatile hunting dog with high motivation. He needs well-structured training and activity appropriate to his type. A German Wirehaired Pointer is not suitable as a beginner dog.
Housing & Care
Despite his hunting instinct, the German Wirehaired Pointer can also be kept in the city as long as he gets enough exercise and mental stimulation. He is a very people-oriented dog and usually gets along well with children. However, you should always keep in mind that he is an active and spirited dog and may therefore not always be suitable for small children. As for other pets, the German Wirehaired Pointer can also live with cats and other animals with proper socialization. However, his hunting instinct should not be underestimated.
| Family Friendly Loves family life and thrives in a group. | Family-oriented |
| Child Friendly Takes boisterous and affectionate children in its stride. | Patient with children |
| Dog Friendly Actively enjoys the company of other dogs. | Dog-friendly |
| City Friendly Can manage in the city, but only with very active owners. | Difficult in cities |
Owning a dog is not only a privilege, but also a responsibility. If you want to bring a dog into your life, you must be aware of the commitment that dog ownership entails!!
Training & Education
The training of the German Wirehaired Pointer should be consistent but loving. He is an intelligent and eager-to-learn dog who wants to be challenged mentally and physically. Therefore, various dog sports such as agility, mantrailing or obedience are suitable for him. Nose work, such as tracking work, is also a good activity for the German Wirehaired Pointer. When training this dog, it is particularly important to keep him mentally busy and give him enough to do. If there is too little activity, the German Wirehaired Pointer can become restless and hyperactive. Therefore, you should be careful not to overtax the dog, but also not to underchallenge it. Another important point in education is impulse control training. Since the German Wirehaired Pointer has a strong hunting instinct, he should learn to control it. This can be achieved, for example, through targeted retrieval training or search games.
Nutrition & Care
The German Wirehaired Pointer is an active dog and therefore requires a high-quality diet that meets its energy needs. Fresh meat should be the basis of the diet, supplemented by whole grain products, vegetables and fruit. It is important to ensure a balanced ratio of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. A sufficient supply of vitamins and minerals is also important for the health of the German Wirehaired Pointer. The German Wirehaired Pointer is relatively undemanding when it comes to care. His wiry coat has a good undercoat that protects him from cold and wet. This coat should be brushed regularly to prevent matting and remove dead hair. The German Wirehaired Pointer sheds moderately and its grooming is quite easy to manage. Once or twice a year he goes through a coat change in which the undercoat falls out and he sheds more hair. Then the coat should be brushed daily to remove the loose hair.
| Care Level Regular brushing and occasional professional grooming. | Moderate |
| Exercise Needs Working-dog energy that needs burning off every single day. | High-drive |
| Shedding Regular shedding — dog hair on clothes is now normal. | Moderate |
| Trainability Bred to work closely alongside humans. | Highly trainable |
This information is currently being reviewed by experts. If you discover an error, please send an email to info@honestdog.de!!
Health
Solid
Health grade
The Deutsch Drahthaar is considered a robust hunting dog, but it is not free from breed-specific skeletal vulnerabilities. Hip dysplasia (HD), elbow dysplasia (ED), and osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) are the primary risks for the musculoskeletal system. However, since these conditions are strictly monitored within the breed club through mandatory health tests, the risk can be well mitigated by purchasing from reputable breeders.
Grade is relative to other breeds — AI-generated by our veterinary-genetics model.
In daily life this can mean
You should focus on joint-friendly rearing, appropriate exercise, and regular eye check-ups to ensure your dog stays fit and active for a long time.
The breeder's role
Reputable breeders have the hips, elbows, eyes, and blood clotting of the parent animals tested to specifically reduce risks in the lineage.
No Health Tests Available
No specific health tests are currently available for this breed.
Experiences with the German Wirehaired Pointer
Daniela M., aufgewachsen mit der Rasse in Niedersachsen (mehrere Hunde, Rückblick)
Ich bin mit Deutsch-Drahthaar-Hunden aufgewachsen, da mein Vater sie selbst ausgebildet und aktiv jagdlich geführt hat. In Jägerhand und bei richtiger Auslastung sind es absolut tolle und treue Familienhunde. Allerdings sollte man sich nichts vormachen: Diese Hunde sind ziemlich eigensinnig und brauchen von Anfang an eine sehr konsequente Hand bei der Erziehung.
Als Anfängerhund würde ich den Drahthaar auf keinen Fall empfehlen. Es ist eine Rasse, die ganz klar für die Arbeit gezüchtet wird. Wer ihn sich 'nur' als reinen Familienhund anschafft, tut dem Hund meistens keinen Gefallen. Ohne seine eigentliche Aufgabe fehlt ihm einfach etwas.
Monica S., Halterin aus Hessen (Hündin, seit 3 Jahren)
Wir haben uns als Nichtjäger eine Deutsch-Drahthaar-Retriever-Mix-Hündin ins Haus geholt und mussten seitdem so einige Rückschläge einstecken. Unsere Kira ist nun drei Jahre alt und von Beruf leidenschaftliche Vollblutjägerin. Wenn man nur ein paar Minuten nicht aufpasst, geht sie stiften und kommt erst Stunden später wieder, nachdem sie kilometerweit bis in die nächsten Dörfer gelaufen ist.
Wir arbeiten täglich intensiv mit ihr, lesen Bücher über Antijagdtraining und holen uns Rat von Profis. Um sie auszulasten, machen wir Such- und Apportierspiele, Agility und Fährtenarbeit. Trotz aller körperlichen und geistigen Beschäftigung bleibt ihr extremer Jagdtrieb im Alltag eine riesige, tägliche Herausforderung.
Fassi G., Jäger und Begleiter aus Norddeutschland (Rüde, aktuell)
Mein Bruder führt aktuell einen Drahthaar-Rüden. Die Hunde sind extrem hart im Nehmen, brauchen eine sehr konsequente Führung und bringen eine enorme Jagdpassion mit. Sie sind tolle Allrounder, aber man muss wissen, worauf man sich einlässt – vor allem, was die rassetypische Raubwildschärfe angeht.
Bei dem Rüden meines Bruders ist diese Schärfe so ausgeprägt, dass er ein echter 'Katzenkiller' ist. Im Dorf kann er deshalb unter keinen Umständen ohne Leine laufen, sonst gibt es sofort eine Demonstration dieser Schärfe. Während er bei Rehen und Hasen draußen gut abrufbar ist, setzt bei Katzen der Verstand komplett aus. Das ist leider kein Einzelfall in seiner Linie.
sinngemäß aus echten Halterberichten
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Frequently asked questions about the German Wirehaired Pointer
Is a German Wirehaired Pointer the right dog for me?
The German Wirehaired Pointer is an active dog that needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Research the temperament, grooming needs, and space requirements before deciding.
How long does a German Wirehaired Pointer live?
The average life expectancy of a German Wirehaired Pointer is 12-14 years. With proper care and regular vet visits, your dog can live a long, healthy life.
How much grooming does a German Wirehaired Pointer need?
German Wirehaired Pointer grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
Is a German Wirehaired Pointer good for families with children?
The German Wirehaired Pointer can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
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