German Stiff-coated Pointer

The German Wirehaired Pointer is the oldest breed of hard-coated pointing dogs. In 1888, Hans von Kadisch considers that this breed descends from the old German Pointing Dog and not simply a variety of the short-haired pointing dog. The breed was selected and developed from surviving German specimens of the old German Pointing Dog. Breeding was quickly done in pure breed, without crossing with English breeds. The Stichelhaar Club was founded in 1892 and renamed Verein Deutsch Stichelhaar in 1976. Other theories on the origin of the breed have the German Wirehaired Pointer descend from the Drahthaar or from shepherd dogs.

The German Wirehaired Pointer is described in the FCI standard as balanced, calm, hardy and courageous. It is a dog in control of itself and neither fearful nor aggressive. Its independence leads to a fairly difficult temperament, distant with strangers. It is not recommended for households with children.

The German Wirehaired Pointer is a medium-sized pointer of powerful appearance without heaviness. The tail is of medium length, straight, at most slightly curved upward. The eyes are slightly oval, medium-sized, clear. Brown in color, they adapt to the color of the coat, never yellow. Medium in size, the ears are not too wide at the attachment, the tip rounds off. They are attached high. The coat is wiry, hard and bristly, approximately 4 cm in length. The undercoat is often barely visible. The eyebrows are well marked, which gives a fierce look. On the muzzle, the hair forms a moderate beard. On top of the head, the hair is short and well-laid, on the ears, short hair is softer. On the shoulders and toward the lower parts of the body, the hair is slightly longer and forms slight fringes from the throat that follow the midline of the chest and belly and are directed downward. The tail is furnished with abundant and dense hair that is well-laid in the direction of growth, it does not form a plume. Allowed colors are brown with or without white patches on the chest, brown mixed with white with or without brown patches and light rowan with or without brown patches.