German Wirehaired Pointer
The pointer that grew a beard.
- Weight
- 50–70 lbs
- Height
- 22–26 in
- Lifespan
- 12–14 yrs
In short
The German Wirehaired Pointer is a versatile gundog from Germany, bred to point, track and retrieve on land and in water. Adults weigh 50–70 lbs and live 12–14 years. They need hard daily exercise and a job, and can be aloof with strangers and protective at home.
Is it right for you?
A great match if you…
- hunt or want a field-sport partner
- hike, run or swim most days
- have a large, fenced yard
Think twice if you…
- have cats or small pets
- want a dog-park socializer
- live in an apartment
The daily plan
- Exercise
- 90–120 min a day
- Training
- 3–5 × 5–10 min sessions × length
- Treat limit
- 120–150 kcal all treats, 10% rule
At a glance
TrainabilityQuick study8.5/10
EnergyAthlete9.5/10
Calm at homeSettles well7.5/10
SheddingSheds seasonally6.0/10
What sets it apart
-
01
Wiry, water-repellent coat
A harsh outer coat protects against brush and cold water, and needs hand-stripping or brushing.
-
02
Beard and eyebrows
Facial furnishings protect the face in cover; they trap food and water, so wipe often.
-
03
Powerful, athletic build
Built for long days in rough terrain, so they need hard daily exercise.
Size & coat
| Specification | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 55–70 lbs | 50–60 lbs |
| Height | 24–26 in | 22–24 in |
| Lifespan | 12–14 yrs | |
| Coat | Wiry, water-repellent outer coat with a seasonal undercoat; beard and brows | |
Personality
GWPs are tireless in the field and devoted at home, but more reserved and protective than most pointers. Many bond strongly with one person. Exercised well, they settle indoors; underworked, they dig, roam and invent their own hunts.
With kids
Good with family kids, but high energy can overwhelm toddlers. Supervise.
With other pets
Can be bossy with other dogs; strong prey drive puts cats and small pets at risk.
With strangers
Often aloof and protective; socialize early.
Alone time
Dislikes long periods alone; boredom can mean digging or escape attempts.
Training
GWPs learn fast but think for themselves, a trait bred in for working at a distance. Consistent, reward-based training with real field work keeps them engaged.
-
How often
3–5 sessions of 5–10 minutes spread through the day.
-
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)
In 8–16 weeks, prioritize calm strangers, other dogs and small-animal exposure. Add handling for grooming.
-
Self-control
Teach a reliable recall and 'whoa' (stand still) around birds and wildlife. Practice impulse control at doors and gates.
-
What it works for
They work for food, retrieving and field work. Use small, high-value pieces and retrieves as rewards. Keep treats within 10% of daily calories.
Exercise
GWPs need long, hard exercise and a job, especially field work. Running and swimming suit them best.
Exercise a day
90–120 min
CouchModerateAthlete
Good outlets
- Hunting or field trials
- Running and hiking
- Swimming
Brain work
- Tracking or nose work
- Retrieving games
- Obedience or rally
Best home
Best with a large yard and active owners; apartments rarely work.
Watch for Prey drive can override recall, so use secure fencing and a long line, and avoid hard exercise right after meals because of bloat risk.
Feeding
Adult maintenance for a typical German Wirehaired Pointer (50–70 lbs) lands around 1,175–1,500 kcal a day. Feed to body condition, not the bag's chart alone, and keep treats inside the 10% rule.
Puppy (to 12 mo)
- Daily calories
- 1,450–1,875 kcal
- Protein
- 26–30%
- Fat
- 16–20%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 145–190 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 7–9 pieces a day
Adult Maintenance
- Daily calories
- 1,175–1,500 kcal
- Protein
- 24–28%
- Fat
- 14–18%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 120–150 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 6–8 pieces a day
Active / Working
- Daily calories
- 1,600–2,050 kcal
- Protein
- 26–30%
- Fat
- 18–22%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 160–205 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 8–10 pieces a day
Senior
- Daily calories
- 1,025–1,300 kcal
- Protein
- 24–28%
- Fat
- 12–16%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 105–130 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 5–7 pieces a day
Compare every life stage
| Life stage | Daily calories | Protein | Fat | Treat limit (all treats) | Saylor's liver, suggested / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (to 12 mo) | 1,450–1,875 kcal | 26–30% | 16–20% | 145–190 kcal | 7–9 pieces |
| Adult Maintenance | 1,175–1,500 kcal | 24–28% | 14–18% | 120–150 kcal | 6–8 pieces |
| Active / Working | 1,600–2,050 kcal | 26–30% | 18–22% | 160–205 kcal | 8–10 pieces |
| Senior | 1,025–1,300 kcal | 24–28% | 12–16% | 105–130 kcal | 5–7 pieces |
The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.
Health & grooming
GWPs are generally healthy; watch hips, elbows, eyes, bleeding disorders and bloat. Choose a breeder who health-tests.
| Watch for | Ask the breeder or vet for | When |
|---|---|---|
| Hip and elbow dysplasia | OFA hip and elbow evaluations | Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder for results) |
| Inherited eye disease | Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist (CAER) | Yearly in breeding dogs |
| von Willebrand disease type 2 | vWD2 DNA test | Once; share results with your vet |
| Hypothyroidism | OFA thyroid panel | Once in breeding dogs; recheck if symptoms appear |
| Heart disease | Heart exam by a veterinary cardiologist | Before breeding; ask for the latest result |
Official health tests for breeding dogs
The OFA's CHIC program asks German Wirehaired Pointer breeders to test for these. Ask to see the results before you buy a puppy.
- Hip evaluation
- Elbow evaluation
- Thyroid panel
- Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
- Heart exam
Also recommended
- Von Willebrand's Disease
Grooming Low to moderate; the undercoat sheds seasonally
Brush weekly and hand-strip a few times a year to keep the coat harsh. Wipe the beard after meals. Trim nails every 2–3 weeks, check ears weekly (especially after swimming) and brush teeth several times a week.
History
Late 1800s
Versatile gundog
German hunters crossed pointers, griffons and Pudelpointers to create a rugged, wire-coated dog for any terrain.
1902
Deutsch-Drahthaar
The German breed club for the Deutsch-Drahthaar formed in 1902, selecting dogs for pointing, tracking and water work.
1959
American recognition
The breed reached the US in the 1920s, and the AKC recognized it in 1959.
Questions owners ask
Are German Wirehaired Pointers easy to train?
Moderately. They learn quickly but are independent, so consistent, reward-based training and field work help.
Are German Wirehaired Pointers good with kids and other pets?
Usually good with family kids, but their energy can be overwhelming. Strong prey drive puts cats and small pets at risk.
How much exercise does a German Wirehaired Pointer need?
About 90–120 minutes a day of running, hiking or field work. Mental tasks help too.
Do German Wirehaired Pointers shed?
Yes, lightly year-round with seasonal undercoat sheds. Brush weekly and hand-strip a few times a year.
What health problems do German Wirehaired Pointers have, and how long do they live?
Most live 12–14 years. Watch for hip and elbow dysplasia, eye disease, von Willebrand disease and bloat.
Is a German Wirehaired Pointer good for apartments or first-time owners?
Usually not. They need space, daily hard exercise and a job, which suits experienced, active owners.
Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats
Back in stock soon
We're restocking. When it's back, a German Wirehaired Pointer needs only 6–8 pieces a day, well inside the 120–150 kcal treat limit.
See the productWhere the German Wirehaired Pointer ranks
Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.
Breeds like the German Wirehaired Pointer
Closest in size, energy, trainability, calm at home and shedding.
