German Wirehaired Pointer
OVERVIEW OF THE GERMAN WIREHAIRED POINTER
The German Wirehaired Pointer is also known as GWP or Wirehair. The dog, originally from Germany, is a big sports dog that may be distinguished from its close relative, the German Shorthaired Pointer, by virtue of its wiry, moderate coat. It was bred for its coat’s ability to withstand the elements so it could be employed for hunting in challenging environments, such as icy swamps or flooded forests. The dog can swim more efficiently because of its webbed feet. It’s a distinct breed that’s not only muscular but has enormous drop ears and a moderate beard and eyebrows. They’re terrific companions for energetic people because they’re so devoted and joyful.
A German Wirehaired Pointer is easily recognizable by its striking appearance and active muzzle expression. They range in size from medium to large, but they’re always well-muscled and robust in build. Dogs of this type are extremely vigilant and loyal to their owner. Irish Wolfhound and the German Shorthaired Pointer are both similar breeds.
HISTORY
The first known examples of the German Wirehaired Pointer can be traced back to the 1800s. It was first developed in Germany, and its current English name is merely a transliteration of the German word, Deutsch Drahthaar.
The German Wirehaired Pointer’s strong senses make it ideally suited to its original role as a hunting dog. Its inexhaustible energy supply allowed it to succeed in this role, as it is able to travel enormous distances on land and sea without tiring. The dog is raised to perform effectively in both hot and cold environments. The fact that it can be trained for a variety of hunting and sporting activities makes it a popular choice among dog owners.
In several countries, including Germany, the breed is still used as working hunting dogs and is regular at canine sporting events. In addition to all that, they’re welcome additions to many homes as companion dogs.
GERMAN WIREHIRED POINTER DOG TRAITS
Appearance
It’s safe to say that German Wirehaired Pointers fall somewhere in the middle of the size spectrum for canines. The female dog is noticeably smaller in size compared to the male.
Female GWPs tend to be smaller than their male counterparts, reaching a maximum height of 22 inches compared to the typical male height, which is 24 to 26 inches. Both can range from about 50 to 70 pounds in weight.
An attractive feature of the GWP is its robust physique. It has brown, iridescent eyes and also a brown nose, while the latter might appear much paler in color than the former, depending on the color of the animal’s coat. When it detects danger, its tail can stiffen into an erect, watchful position. The ears on both ends of its head drop down, too.
The German Wirehaired Pointer’s facial hair makes it easy to identify an individual dog in a group. They feature eyebrows, a mustache, and a beard to prevent surface injuries. The GWP’s coat is commonly a solid liver color; liver and white coats with ticking or spots are also common.
Due to their double coat, they are well-protected from the elements, which was especially useful when they were used as hunting dogs. The GWP also has a soft undercoat that sheds.
Temperament
The GWP is known for its balanced temperament. It has a lot of inexhaustible energy, so it can get excited at times, but it’s not aggressive by nature and responds best to early socialization and training. One of the reasons why people adore this dog is that it always seems to be up for some adventure.
Despite their undying love for everyone in their family, they typically have one particular person toward whom they direct all their affection. They may become overly attached to one person and suffer separation anxiety if separated from that person for any time.
You know you’ve made a lifelong buddy when you see its unwavering dedication to your happiness.
With their hunting dog awareness, GWPs also make excellent guard dogs. When they sense danger, they will alert their parents and can defend themselves effectively. It’s possible they’d be wary of strangers, but they wouldn’t just go around randomly attacking people.
FOOD AND HEALTH OF GERMAN WIREHAIRED POINTER
Diet
The GWP requires the energy and nutrients from their regular meals to keep up with their routines. It’s important to feed your GWP a diet designed specifically for it. Its diet should be predominantly protein and contain little carbohydrates so that it doesn’t put on extra weight. There is a big chance of obesity if you don’t keep an eye on your dog’s food consumption.
GWPs have age-specific dietary requirements. Fortunately, finding a dog food that is suitable for your dog is not difficult due to the numerous options available at pet stores. There can be limits, and that’s fine, too. Examine the components of the product you intend to buy with a critical eye. The best dog food to choose is one that contains no fillers. Select one that uses whole grains rather than processed flour.
This is not set in stone; you can make adjustments based on your pet’s activity. If you feel like it’s growing too round from excess fat, give it a little less, and vice versa.
Some people don’t like to give their GWP any dry food or kibble. They prefer canned or even prepared foods instead. No judgment if you count yourself among the pet owners who enjoy caring for their furry pets. If you insist on feeding your pet cooked food, remember that it can be tricky to ensure it meets all of your pet’s nutritional requirements.
Your veterinarian is the ideal person to consult regarding your dog’s nutritional needs. If you ask his advice, you won’t go wrong.
Exercise
When it comes to exercise, the GWP will exceed your expectations in this regard. This dog seems to have infinite reserves of energy. That’s why the fur parent should get imaginative while creating activities for the pet to do daily.
The GWP can begin training when it is around three or four months old. For a pup of this age, 20 minutes of walking should be plenty. As it ages, the walk should become more time- and distance-consuming. As long as it does not reach adulthood, it shouldn’t be subjected to exercises taxing its muscles.
Though GWPs can appear to be fully grown at six months, they are not considered adults until 18 months old and often not till they are two years old. Two hours a day of strenuous exercise is recommended for an adult dog which could be broken up into two sessions.
If you’re an active person, you shouldn’t have any trouble giving your GWP enough exercise. It will have no trouble matching your pace on your regular runs or hikes.
In addition to walks, playing fetch for a long period is a great activity for GWP. Perform this in a contained area since the slightest interruption could send your dog running for the hills.
Dog sports are something you and your German Wirehaired Pointer might enjoy. If it has been properly trained, it will undoubtedly achieve great success in all of them. You might also consider focusing on ones associated with agility, as it would adore these.
Remember to always give the GWP plenty of opportunities to exercise. Dogs that don’t get enough exercise and mental challenges might develop destructive habits like excessive barking and chewing on household furnishings. Also, it would cause depression, which is bad for any dog.
Due to its voracious appetite, this dog may be prone to putting on extra pounds, and it becomes overweight when it does not get enough activity, as the extra calories it consumes do not get burned.
Training and socialization
The GWP is very trainable, so you need not worry. Remember, you’ll have more success if you begin teaching your dog when it is still a puppy, but be cautious because you don’t want to destroy your dog’s spirit.
Some dog trainers think the GWP responds well to intimidation. This is completely false and will only make your pet hate its training sessions with you. No responsible pet owner would want their pet to become hostile.
Substitute reinforcements like incentives, compliments or extra snuggle time. That way, learning might become one of your pet’s favorite hobbies. They wouldn’t become bored with the training and will see it as an adventure.
Training sessions should be kept brief as well. Do it for as little as 5 to 10 minutes twice daily. Also, ensure that you’re in a quiet, distraction-free area to prevent your dog’s attention from wandering during training. Stay consistent until it understands the intended behavior or the guidelines you’ve set.
Socializing your dog is a simple task. Simply exposing it to new people and environments regularly will accomplish the trick. Ensure your fur baby isn’t intimidated by making the environment too loud or busy.
There are numerous benefits to starting your GWP’s socialization early in life. In a nutshell, it will strengthen its foundational qualities. Additionally, the dog would learn to be well-rounded with this experience. If you take the time to socialize your pet properly, it won’t have any trouble adjusting to life with other animals.
HEALTH CONCERNS OF GERMAN WIREHAIRED POINTER
German Wirehaired Pointers can suffer from the following illnesses.
Improper coat
Your GWP can suffer from a lack of RSPO2 (R-Spondin 2) which can lead to short hair on the face, head, and legs.
Cataract
Lens cloudiness, caused by protein accumulation, would strongly indicate a dog’s eye ailment known as a cataract. This blocks the passage of light and could cause permanent eyesight loss if not addressed immediately.
It’s a natural part of aging, just as it is for humans. This can be hereditary or brought on by trauma to the eye.
Surgery is usually necessary to restore visual acuity in a German Wirehaired Pointer that has developed a cataract. Instant therapy is required since protein accumulation could lead to permanent damage if not addressed.
Von Willebrand’s Disease
This sickness makes the GWP’s blood not contain enough of a certain protein, making it unable to clot correctly whenever the dog sustains any kind of bleeding. This leads to severe bleeding, which might be fatal for your pet baby.
It is impossible to know for sure if your dog has Von Willebrand Disease without subjecting it to laboratory tests. Sometimes pet parents don’t realize their furry children are hurt until they start bleeding heavily from an injury.
You may keep an eye out for things like your dog’s nose bleeding, his pee being bloody and his skin being bruised frequently. You should take your dog in for testing as soon as you see these symptoms. The assistance of a vet would be invaluable in carrying out any necessary care.
Hip Dysplasia
This happens when the ball or socket muscles in the hip don’t develop properly aligned. As a result, the dog suffers excruciating discomfort because its limbs rub against one another instead of working together.
When hip dysplasia strikes, it might be difficult for the GWP to move around. The animal’s chest develops more strength because it bears the brunt of the pressure generated during movement, whereas the rear legs gradually lose muscle mass.
Hip dysplasia may also be caused by genetics or issues related to your dog’s weight or injuries it sustains in normal daily life. Your dog might require surgery for hip dysplasia on the basis of its severity.
Unfortunately, the health of the GWP cannot be predicted. In any case, it’s important to have it examined by a vet regularly to ensure it stays in peak condition. If the signs of illness could be caught at an early stage, this would be a great way to avoid more serious consequences later on.
GROOMING INSIGHTS FOR GERMAN WIREHAIRED POINTER
Due to its rough, wiry coat, this breed needs little grooming. Cleaning the dog with a gentle brush and comb brush once a week can keep him looking tidy. Ears should be checked routinely and cleaned with gentle gauze and ear cleansing solution if necessary; your dog’s vet can suggest a good brand. Overgrown nails can be painful for the dog and make it difficult to move around.