60-70 lbs
22-25"
Germany
The Deutsch Drahthaar is a medium-sized sporting dog that was developed for their all-around hunting prowess. These dogs show talent in all areas of hunting, including the tracking of wounded game, the flushing or pointing out of small game and game birds, and the retrieval of fallen targets either on land or in water. They sport a distinctive wiry coat that helps to protect them from water and from colder weather, a coat that they passed down to their descendants, the German Wire haired Pointer. Along with being consummate gun dogs, this breed is generally very personable with people and makes a pleasant family companion animal, although they can be less than friendly with other canines.
The Deutsch Drahthaar was developed in Germany during the early 20th century as an all-around hunting dog. Several different breeds went into the creation of the Deutsch Drahthaar in order to bring together breeds skilled in tracking, pointing, and retrieving on both land and water, including the short haired Pointers, Pudlepointers, Griffon, and Stichelhaar dogs. Dogs that are accepted into the breeding program in Germany must pass both a physical examination and a performance evaluation. The evaluation to allow a Deutsch Drahthaar to breed includes analysis of the dog’s desire to recover and retrieve game, the ability to point, and the skills to follow the trail of wounded game, such as rabbits and deer. The Deutsch Drahthaar breed is the immediate ancestor of the German Wire Haired Pointer, and the two are often confused for one another. This is hardly surprising as the two are nearly identical in both appearance and genetics, but the German Wire Haired Pointer, as listed in the American Kennel Club standard, has been bred in the United States separately from the Deutsch Drahthaar since the 1950s, without the same regulations or restrictions as its predecessor. German Wire Haired Pointers as registered with the AKC are not registerable with the official Verein Deutsch-Drahthaar in Germany, however, some Drahthaar dogs have been imported from Germany and are then registered as German Wire Haired pointers with the AKC. While the physical differences between the two are relatively slight, the temperament of the Deutsch Drahthaar is sharper and more aggressive than that of the German Wire Haired Pointer, particularly toward other animals.
This breed is made up of well-muscled, medium-sized dogs that are slightly longer than they are tall with strong, straight legs that have flat leg bones rather than round. They typically have broad hips and particularly strong and muscular thighs and their rounded feet are also webbed for improved swimming ability. Deutsch Drahthaar dogs tend to have a flat, wide skull with a long, strong muzzle with a slight Roman nose, a powerful jaw, and somewhat larger teeth than average. They also have darkly colored oval eyes, medium-length rounded ears which are typically set high and wide on the skull and hang down to the sides, and a wide-nostril nose that is colored to match their coat. One of their most distinctive features is their coat, a double layer coat composed of a dense undercoat which is protected with a wiry but functional outer coat that is both weather and water resistant. The coat of the German Wire Haired Pointer in the United States is sometimes longer than that of the Deutsch Drahthaar and a black coat, while acceptable in the Drahthaar, is not listed as a recognized color for the German Wire Haired Pointer, and white spots and patches are more accepted in the German Wire Haired Pointer than in the Deutsch Drahthaar.
This breed does not require frequent bathing, but when they do a dog shampoo that is designed specifically for wire-haired breeds will help to maintain the quality of their distinguishing coat. A good grooming session with a bristle brush or steel comb a few times a week will keep the Deutsch Drahthaar’s coat clean and healthy for the most part, but this breed sometimes requires a process known as stripping, in which the older hairs are removed from the coat by hand or using a special stripping comb. It can be tempting to shave the Drahthaar dog, especially those with a longer or thicker coat than average, but it is not advised as this can negatively affect the quality of the dog’s coat for many years. Maintain the nails and teeth on a regular basis in order to achieve optimal health.
This dog was bred to be a working dog and are very energetic and intelligent, but they are also bred with the understanding that they must also be pleasant companions when they are not working. They are generally very alert dogs with a ready bark making them excellent watchdogs. The Deutsch Drahthaar is typically good with both adults and children, but interactions with young children should be closely supervised as these canines can be high strung in certain situations, particularly if they are not getting enough activity. They can become dominant and even aggressive towards other dogs so early socialization is a must if you want a dog that is agreeable with other canines, and smaller, fast moving animals are often viewed as prey. Firm, consistent training is the most effective formula with this breed as they are known to be creative thinkers with a willful streak, making them more challenging to train at times.
This is a very active breed that is known for their endurance and unflagging enthusiasm for their work, which means that they also need a great deal of exercise. This dog requires vigorous exercise on a daily basis and will typically enjoy not just long walks but jogs, and some Deutsch Drahthaars even enjoy running alongside as you bicycle. There are several other activities that this breed is likely to enjoy, including scent work, agility training, and rally sports. This dog was also specifically bred to retrieve waterfowl as well as game birds and is an exceptional swimmer who truly enjoys the activity.
Written by a Irish Setter lover Penny Sebring
Published: 03/29/2018, edited: 10/30/2021
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