German Wire-haired Pointer

A Breed Standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

GERMAN WIREHAIRED POINTER 

GENERAL APPEARANCE

Medium-sized hunting dog, with wire hair completely covering skin. Overall should be slightly longer in body, compared to shoulder height.

CHARACTERISTICS

Powerful, strong, versatile hunting dog, excels in both field and water. Loyal, intelligent, sound temperament and alert.

TEMPERAMENT

Gentle, affectionate and even tempered. Alert, biddable and very loyal.

HEAD AND SKULL

Balanced in proportion to body. Skull sufficiently broad and slightly rounded. Moderate stop, skull and muzzle of equal length with no overhanging lips. Nose liver or black.

EYES

Medium-sized oval, hazel or darker, with eyelids closing properly, not protruding nor too deep set.

EARS

Medium-sized in relation to head, set high, when brought forward should reach corner of lips.

MOUTH

Teeth and jaws strong, with perfect regular and complete scissor bite i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws, with full dentition.

NECK

Strong and of adequate length, skin tightly fitting.

FOREQUARTERS

Shoulders sloping and very muscular with top of shoulder blades not too close; upper arm bones between shoulder and elbow long. Elbows close to body, neither pointing outwards nor inwards. Forelegs straight
and lean, sufficiently muscular and strong but not coarse-boned. Pasterns slightly sloping, almost straight but not quite.

BODY

Chest must appear deep rather than wide but not out of proportion to the rest of the body; ribs deep and well sprung, never barrel-shaped nor flat, back rib reaching well down to tucked up loins. Chest measurement immediately behind elbows smaller than that of about a hand’s breadth behind elbows so that upper arm has freedom of movement. Firm back, not arched, with slightly falling back line.

HINDQUARTERS

Hips broad and wide, croup falling slightly towards tail. Thighs strong and well-muscled. Stifles well bent. Hocks square with body, turning neither in nor out. Pasterns nearly upright. Bone strong but not coarse.

FEET

Compact, close knit, round to oval shaped, well padded, should turn neither in nor out. Toes well arched, heavily nailed.

TAIL

Previously customarily docked.
Docked: Approximately two fifths of original length docked. Continuing the line of back, carried horizontally or slightly upward. Neither too thick nor too thin.

Undocked: Continuing the line of back, carried horizontally or slightly upward. Neither too thick nor too then. Reaching to the hocks and carried straight or slightly sabre-fashion.

[*refer note below]

GAIT/MOVEMENT

Smooth, covering plenty of ground with each stride, driving hind action, elbows turning neither in nor out.
Definitely not a hackney action.

COAT

Outer coat thicker and harsh, no longer than 4 cms (1½ ins) long with a dense undercoat, (undercoat more prevalent in winter than summer). It should not hide body shape but it should be long enough to give good protection. Coat should lie close to the body. Hair on head and ears thick and short but not too soft. Bushy eyebrows, full but not overlong beard.

COLOUR

Liver and white, solid liver, black and white. Solid black and tricoloured highly undesirable. 

SIZE

Ideal height at shoulder: Dogs: 60 - 67cm (23½ - 26½ in) Bitches: 56 - 62cm (22 - 24½ in). Weight: Dogs: 25 - 34kg      

(55 - 75 lbs) Bitches: 20.5-29kg (45 - 64lb) 

FAULTS

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon health & welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.

NOTE

Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

Only clinically and functionally healthy dogs with breed typical conformation should be used for breeding.

*Regardless of the provisions of the current KUSA-adopted standard, docked or formerly docked breeds may be shown at all FCI- and KUSA-licensed shows in South Africa, whether their tails are docked, or natural. Under no circumstances are judges permitted to discriminate against exhibits on the grounds of docked, or natural tails and equal consideration for awards must be given to either.(Fedco 12/2017 Amended DR/02/2018)