Wirehair History

 

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WIREHAIR HISTORY

The German wirehaired pointer also known as "Drahthaar" (which means wirehair in the German language) was developed in Germany during the latter part of the 19th century, due to new hunting laws which required that all game be recovered after the shot.  This change in hunting ethics led to the need for a dog that would not only perform before the shot, but more importantly, could perform under a variety of conditions before and after the shot.  Such a dog would have to be responsive to difficult training, and have not only strong tracking skills, but the ability to work in cold and difficult water.

The creation of the breed can be traced to a cross between a German shorthaired pointer and a Pudelpointer. A Pudelpointer is a cross between the English style pointer and the German water pudel. The Griffon, and the Stichelhaar were also major contributors to the genetics of the modern wirehair. Note the similarities between the Pudelpointer pictured to the left, and many of the wirehairs today. 

During the early part of the 20th century, the Verein Deutsch Drahthaar Club was founded based on the premise that the above gene pool could be utilized to develop a truly versatile dog that could be used to hunt all types game including fur, both before and after the shot.  Finally, after many years of hard work and selective breeding, a truly versatile gun dog capable of work before and after the shot on all types of game, over all types of terrain, and in all types conditions was developed.  Two very good references on the German wirehaired pointer can be found in the February/March, 1993 issue of Gun Dog Magazine, and the July/August, 1993 issue of the Pointing Dog Journal.bandit.jpg (35785 bytes)

Pictured right, is Three Devils Bandit treeing a Bobcat.  Although infrequently utilized in America today for big game hunting, the German wirehair is capable of tracking and treeing fur bearing animals.  Our wirehairs have treed Mountain Lion, Bear, Bobcat, Squirrels and Raccoon.

TODAY’S GERMAN WIREHAIRED POINTER  

The modern German wirehaired pointer is certainly unique in today's gun dog world.  He is a cooperative, intelligent, versatile hunter, with strong desire in the field as well as strong desire to please his master.  The wirehair is a percentage breed for the average mixed bag hunter.  This is true because you will find very few specialist wirehairs --  that is, dogs bred exclusively for a single purpose such as the show ring or for field trials.  Most breeders of wirehairs are still inclined to breed for the original traits desired by the common foot hunter.  As such, average wirehairs possess strong natural ability to search, point, track, and retrieve crippled game on land or in water.boagie.JPG (193557 bytes)

Boagie, pictured above, is an outstanding example of what the modern wirehair is capable of today.  In addition to being an absolute joy to hunt behind, Boagie earned her Versatile Championship through NAVHDA at the age of 26 months -- one of the youngest dogs to ever earn the coveted title.  She also earned a Prize I, Natural Ability title at 11 months of age and a Prize I, Utility title at 15 months of age.  Boagie's genetics are used regularly in our program today.

 

Copyright 2000 Three Devils Kennel, Inc.