About GWP’s
German Wirehaired Pointers (Deutsch Drahthaar) are a breed of hunting dog developed in the late 19th /early 20th century in Germany. They are derived from a combination of Griffon, Stichelhaar, Pudelpointer, & German Shorthaired Pointer. However, they should not be thought of as a variation of the Shorthaired Pointer, since generally they are heavier in build, have different body proportions and of course they have the distinctive wirehaired jacket. In the UK it is a member of the Gundog Group and one of the HPR breeds (Hunt, Point Retrieve). The Breed has been recognised by the Kennel Club since the 1970’s, although it is still a relatively uncommon breed.
GWP’s are agile, intelligent and most have a strong hunting drive, a natural pointing and retrieving instinct and this combined with a desire to please makes the GWP a very talented, determined and versatile hunting dog. However, these qualities mean that they are not a breed that would suit everyone, given that an untrained GWP may be apt to disappear off hunting and they can also be talented escapee artists.
In my opinion it is important that a prospective owner should take the time to learn about the breed before they commit to giving a GWP a home. Whilst they are loving, loyal and affectionate (if at times aloof with strangers) they are a breed that needs to be mentally challenged and given plenty of free running exercise.
A degree of training is essential, although this does not have to be formal gundog training (although that would be ideal). Basic obedience training to put in place, sit, stay and recall is sufficient. However, GWP’s can turn their paw to anything and compete successfully not just in Field Trials and Working Tests (where they obviously excel) but also in agility and obedience.
Docking
The following is a link to the Council Of Docked Breeds website which clearly explains the current legislation regarding the docking of working breeds including HPR’s such as the German Wirehaired Pointer - http://www.cdb.org/awa/index.htm. We fully support the docking of certain working breeds and in fact Penny helped write the letter which the German Wirehaired Pointer Club submitted to DEFRA in opposition of the then forthcoming ban.
The Breed Standard
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
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 thin. Reaching to the hocks and carried straight or slightly sabre-fashion.
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 (11/2 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: 60-67 cms (23½-26½ ins); bitches: 56-62 cms (22-24½ ins). Weight: dogs: 25-34 kgs (55-75 lbs); bitches: 20.5-29 kgs (45-64 lbs).
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 the health and welfare of the dog.
Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
Last Updated By the Kennel Club in July 2001
Health Issues Affecting the Breed
In the UK, we are fortunate that GWP’s do not seem prone to many health issues. Below are some of the conditions that have been known to affect the breed from time to time.
Von Willebrands Disease
Von Willebrand disease (vWD) is an inherited bleeding disorder. It affects the blood's ability to clot. If the blood doesn't clot it can result in heavy, hard-to-stop bleeding after an operation or injury. The bleeding can damage internal organs or even be life threatening.
Von Willebrand disease exists as a result of either a low level of a certain protein in the blood or because the protein doesn’t act in the way it should. This protein is called von Willebrand factor. Under normal circumstances when a blood vessel is damaged bleeding occurs at which time small blood cells called platelets assemble to plug the hole in the blood vessel and stop the bleeding. Von Willebrand factor bonds the platelets together to form a blood clot.
There are three major types of vWD. Generally GWP's are considered to suffer from type II vWD. It is possible to DNA test for this condition by means of a simple cheek swab (called a Buccal Swab) and therefore avoid producing affected puppies. If all breeders were to DNA test their breeding stock, eventually the condition could be completely eradicated from the Breed. Further details of this DNA test are available from Laboklin UK - see the link below:
http://www.laboklin.co.uk/laboklin/showGeneticTest.jsp?testID=80142
Canine Epilepsy
Canine Epilepsy is an extremely complex subject.
Seizures in dogs can result from numerous problems such as head injuries, tumours, toxins, reactions to vaccinations and diseases which affect the central nervous system. These types of seizure are called Symptomatic or Secondary Epilepsy. Idiopathic or Primary Epilepsy (genetic or inherited) can only be diagnosed by a process of elimination including a complete physical and neurological examination and even then the diagnosis is not definitive.
Unfortunately, despite numerous studies into the condition being carried out all over the world and across a wide range of breeds the mode of inheritance of canine epilepsy has still not been identified and it is currently NOT possible to DNA test a dog to ascertain whether it is a carrier or not.
The LUPA Project – research into Canine Epilepsy
The LUPA Project is research that is being taken into Canine Epilepsy in the hope that it will have a bearing on research being done into epilepsy in people. Research into Canine Epilepsy is being done across the world, by many organisations, into many breeds. The LUPA project is pan European. It has been allocated 1.8 million euros and aims to concentrate on twenty five specific breeds (the breeds that will be chosen are not yet known) in the hope that eventually the research will filter down into related breeds.
In the UK the LUPA project is being spear-headed by Dr Cathryn Mellersh at the Animal Health Trust in Newmarket.
The AHT are asking for DNA samples from both affected and unaffected dogs. The DNA samples are in the simple form of a cheek swab accompanied by a five generation pedigree. Further details or DNA ‘kits’ can be requested directly from bryan.mclaughlin@aht.org.uk
Hip Dysplasia
This condition results from an abnormal development of the hip joint which can be identified on x-ray.
The British Veterinary Association offers a scheme the purpose of which is to examine the radiographs of a dog’s hips for hip dysplasia. *All radiographs submitted to the BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme are assessed by means of scoring. The hip score is the sum of the points awarded for each of nine radiographic features of both hip joints. The lower the score the less the degree of hip dysplasia present. The minimum (best) score for each hip is zero and the maximum (worst) is 53, giving a range for the total of 0 to 106. The average score of the breed or the 'breed mean score', is calculated from all the scores recorded for a given breed and is shown alongside its range thereby giving a representation of the overall hip status of the breed.
* Taken from Hip Dysplasia in Dogs - A Guide For Dog Owners
The Breed Mean Score for GWP’s is 11 (as at 1 January 2006). A score below or around this figure is an acceptable score therefore.
However, it is important to note that genetics play only a part in the incidence of hip dysplasia and that environmental factors also contribute, such as trauma, injury, poor diet and inappropriate exercise.
Entropion
Entropion is a condition in which the lower lid margins (and sometimes the upper lid also) on one or both of the eyes, roll inward resulting in the hair rubbing the surface of the eyeball. This causes squinting, reddened inflamed eye(s) and pain. Left untreated it can lead to infection and permanent damage to the cornea and in some cases ulcers and potential blindness.
It is thought that there may be an inherited trait to the condition.
The German Wirehaired Pointer Club Health Sub Committee
The GWPC has recently formed a Health Sub Committee (details of which can be found on the Club website) to assist GWP enthusiasts to explore and identify the health and welfare issues which are currently facing this breed.
The GWPC are asking for enthusiasts to complete and return to them a Health Questionnaire (and possibly supplements). This is aimed at all GWP enthusiasts past and present and includes GWP’s whether they have died from a specific ailment or of old age or dogs still living, with OR without an ailment. It should be likened to a census but any information supplied will be treated in the STRICTEST CONFIDENCE.
For further information see http://www.gwpclub.co.uk/healthart.htm
