German Wirehaired Pointer

People usually land on German Wirehaired Pointer pages for one reason: they’re deciding whether this is the right dog to live with—or the right dog to work beside them in the paddock, the scrub, or along a cold riverbank. A GWP can be a superb all-round gundog, but the same drive and stamina that make it useful in the field can be hard work in an ordinary backyard.

Below is a clear snapshot of what the breed is built for, how it tends to behave, what daily care looks like in Australia, and the health checks worth asking about before you commit.

German Wirehaired Pointer at a glance

• Size (height at withers): Dogs 61–68 cm; bitches 57–64 cm¹
• Build: Athletic, near-square proportions; designed to cover ground efficiently¹
• Coat: Harsh, wiry outer coat (about 2–4 cm) with a dense, water-resistant undercoat; brows and beard are typical¹
• Colours seen in standards: Brown roan (with or without patches), black roan (with or without patches), brown (with or without white chest patch), light roan¹
• Temperament (breed standard): Firm, self-controlled, well-balanced; not shy or aggressive¹
• Life expectancy: Commonly around 12–14 years (varies with genetics, conditioning, and healthcare)

History and origins

The German Wirehaired Pointer (Deutsch-Drahthaar) was developed in Germany as a versatile hunting dog expected to work before and after the shot—on land, in woodland, and in water. The Australian breed standard describes the GWP as a “versatile working gundog” and places strong emphasis on functional soundness and suitability for work across different environments.¹

Physical characteristics and what they mean day to day

The GWP’s hallmark is the coat: harsh, flat-lying wire with a dense undercoat, built to shed water and buffer the skin against weather and rough cover. When it’s in good condition, it tends to bring home less mud than you’d expect, but it will trap burrs and grass seeds if you’re often in long grass or scrub.¹

Many older descriptions mention docked tails. In Australia, cosmetic tail docking has been banned since 2004, with docking only permitted for therapeutic reasons and in the dog’s best interests. So, most Australian-bred puppies should have natural tails.^{2, 3}

Temperament: a quiet dog at home, a switched-on dog outside

A well-bred, well-raised GWP is typically steady and self-possessed, with the sort of focus that’s useful when there is scent in the air and distance to cover. The breed standard calls for a dog that is well-balanced—neither shy nor aggressive—and not overly sensitive to gunfire.¹

In everyday family life, that often translates to:

• High engagement: they notice movement, smells, and patterns quickly, and they learn fast when training is clear.
• Strong “go” outside: without enough outlets, that energy can spill into nuisance behaviour—pacing, jumping, digging, or taking themselves on patrol.
• Selective listening: a recall trained only in the backyard can unravel the moment a rabbit scent line appears.

Training and exercise needs

This is a thinking athlete. A slow stroll on a lead won’t meet the breed halfway for long. Most GWPs do best with daily exercise that includes free running (in safe, legal areas), structured training, and some kind of job—retrieving drills, scent games, obedience, tracking, or dog sports.

Training tends to go best when it’s reward-based and consistent. The RSPCA recommends reward-based methods (positive reinforcement) and does not support training approaches that rely on punishment or techniques that cause fear or pain.^{4, 5}

For a young GWP, early socialisation and calm exposure matter. Not “flooding”, just steady experiences: different surfaces underfoot, people of different ages, well-mannered dogs, and short car trips that end somewhere neutral rather than exciting every time.

Grooming and maintenance

The coat is practical rather than fluffy, but it isn’t maintenance-free. Aim for a weekly brush and comb-through, then a careful check of the usual trouble spots: armpits, between toes, ears, and the beard after meals.

• Brushing: weekly, more often during seasonal shedding or after field work.
• Hand-stripping/coat tidying: occasional, especially if the coat goes soft or starts holding debris.
• Ears: check after swimming and after time in long grass; keep them dry and clean.
• Nails and teeth: routine trims and dental care as for any active medium-to-large dog.

Health concerns to know about

German Wirehaired Pointers are often robust dogs, but like many pedigree breeds they have known risks that are worth screening for and managing early.

Joints and screening (hips and elbows)

Hip and elbow dysplasia are recognised concerns in many athletic breeds. If you’re buying a puppy, ask what health screening has been done on the parents, and whether results are recorded through recognised schemes (for example, OFA in the US). The German Wirehaired Pointer Club of America outlines common health testing priorities for the breed, including hip and elbow evaluations.⁶

Ear disease

Ear infections (otitis externa) are common in dogs, and certain ear shapes and conditions can increase risk—especially if moisture is trapped after swimming. Predisposing factors can include pendulous ear conformation and excess moisture, and successful treatment depends on addressing underlying causes (such as allergy) as well as infection.^{7, 8}

If ear disease spreads deeper (otitis media/interna), it can contribute to balance problems or hearing loss, which is one reason persistent ear issues deserve prompt veterinary assessment.⁹

Eyes and thyroid

Inherited eye disease and thyroid issues are also discussed within breed health programs. When you’re assessing breeders (or an adult dog), ask what eye and thyroid screening has been done and whether there’s a paper trail you can verify.⁶

Choosing the right German Wirehaired Pointer for your household

This breed suits people who enjoy daily movement and who like training as part of life, not as a weekend project. Before you commit, do a blunt check.

• Time outdoors: do you genuinely have time each day for vigorous exercise and skill work?
• Space and containment: can you provide secure fencing and safe outlets for running and sniffing?
• Noise and mess tolerance: wet beard, muddy legs, grass seeds in the coat—common realities after a good day out.
• Breeder or rescue diligence: can you confirm health testing, temperament, and early handling?

If those boxes are mostly ticked, a GWP can be a steady presence at home and a capable partner when there’s real work to do.

Final thoughts

The German Wirehaired Pointer is built to travel, to search, and to keep going in weather that sends most dogs back to the car. In the right hands, that becomes a calm, competent companion with a coat made for rough country. In the wrong setting, the same design shows up as restlessness and friction.

Choose for temperament and proven health screening, train with rewards and clarity, and plan for a life that includes real exercise—most days, not some days.

References

1. Dogs Australia (ANKC). German Wirehaired Pointer breed standard (FCI Standard No. 98)
2. RSPCA Australia Knowledgebase. Is the tail docking of dogs legal in Australia?
3. RSPCA Australia Knowledgebase. Why do some dogs still have docked tails?
4. RSPCA Australia Knowledgebase. What is reward-based dog training and why does the RSPCA support it?
5. RSPCA Australia. Make sure you teach that ‘old’ dog… some tricks (reward-based training position)
6. German Wirehaired Pointer Club of America. Health information & testing recommendations
7. Merck Veterinary Manual (Professional). Otitis externa in animals
8. Merck Veterinary Manual (Pet Owner). Ear infections and otitis externa in dogs
9. Merck Veterinary Manual (Pet Owner). Otitis media and interna in dogs