German Wirehaired Pointer - Appearance & Grooming
Dog Breeds
Introduction
Appearance & Grooming of the German Wirehaired Pointer Dog Breed: The average German Wirehaired Pointer stands 22 to 26 inches at the shoulders and weighs between 50 and 75 pounds. The coat of the GWP should be brushed at least twice a week and hand stripped on an occasional basis.
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Appearance
The German Wirehaired Pointer sports a coarse weather-resistant coat that also protects from burrs and brambles. The distinctive beard, whiskers and eyebrows give him a unique expression and also protect the face from harsh brush. They come in liver and white, spotted, roan or ticked patterns. Wirehairs have dark brown noses and floppy, brown ears that flop beside the head. The tail is set high and is customarily docked to 2/5 its length.
Size and Weight
Males should ideally stand anywhere from 24 to 26 inches at the withers and weigh from 60 to 75 pounds. Females are slightly smaller, but should not stand less than 22 inches and weight between 50 and 60 pounds. They are longer than they are high, at an ideal proportion of 10:9.
Coat and Color
The German Wirehaired Pointer sports a double coat that protects him from wet, cold weather conditions, as well as harsh brush he may encounter in the hunting field. The top coat is coarse and wiry, lies flat against the body and measures about two inches in length. The undercoat is virtually nonexistent in the summer, but grows in full and dense in colder months. Even the eyebrows serve a function for this breed – they protect the eyes from scratches. When they are born, the coat may be soft, silky or even wooly. As the dog matures, the coat will take on the proper wiry texture. This puppy coat, however, takes time to care for, unlike the no-fuss adult coat.
Wirehairs come in many patterns of liver and white. They may be spotted, roan, spotted with roaning and ticking, or solid liver. Some dogs are adored with white blazes on the head. German Wirehairs are never black in color.
Grooming Needs
Adult German Wirehaired Pointers require little in the way of grooming. They are light, year-round shedders, and weekly brushing will not only remove loose hair, but will also help keep the coat clean. Bathe the dog only as-needed. As puppies, some are born with soft, silky or even wooly coats. These coats may require a bit more attention to keep neat, but as the dog matures, the coat will become coarse in texture and brushing need only occur once per week. The undercoat will shed in the spring, requiring more frequent brushing, two to three times per week.
Check the dog's ears on a regular basis for signs of infection, irritation, or wax buildup. Clanse with a cotton ball and a veterinarian-approved solution. Never use a cotton swab on a dog's ear canal. Trim nails once per month if the dog does not wear down the nail naturally. If the toenails make a clicking sound on hard floors, they are too long. Brush teeth on a weekly basis to keep dog breath at bay and prevent tarter build up.
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