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Breed profile

German Wirehaired Pointer

A rugged, wire-coated all-round hunting dog. Tireless outdoors, affectionate at home, and bored stiff without real exercise.

Black roan German Wirehaired Pointer standing in profile on sandy heathland
A Drahthaar standing tall on open heath.Photo: ad bekkers / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Weight
23–32 kg51–71 lb
Height
56–68 cm22–27 in
Lifespan
12–15 yrs
Group
Gundog / Sporting
Origin
Germany
Popularity
#58 US#71 UK · 2025

Known for: Running partnersWorking dogs

Energy
Shedding
Trainability
Barking
Good with kids
Flat-friendly

Temperament

Energetic, Intelligent, Affectionate, Determined.

Health problems to know about

  • Hip and elbow dysplasia
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Von Willebrand disease
  • Ear infections

Ask breeders for the parents' health test results, and check what your national breed club recommends screening for.

Daily care

Up to two hours of hard exercise a day: running, swimming or field work. Weekly brushing with occasional hand-stripping, and check ears after swims.

A good fit for

Hunters, runners and hikers, rural homes with secure space.

Probably not ideal for

Flats, low-activity homes, people out all day.

Sources

  1. American Kennel Club: German Wirehaired Pointer
  2. PetMD (vet-reviewed): German Wirehaired Pointer
  3. Wikipedia: German Wirehaired Pointer

Popularity: AKC 2025 registration rankings (US); Royal Kennel Club 2025 registrations (UK, ranked by us). Breed traits are tendencies, not guarantees. Individual dogs vary, and mixed breeds and rescues can be wonderful fits too.

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Lean, elegant bird dog built for covering ground at speed. Gentle at home once it has run.

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Wirehaired Vizsla

The Vizsla's tougher, bearded cousin, bred for cold water and rough cover. Glued to you at home, tireless in the field.

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