Before deciding which of these two very popular dogs you want to bring into your life, it’s essential to compare and contrast the two breeds as much as possible to ensure you get the dog that will be the best fit for your family and lifestyle.
If you’re in the market for a puppy, the German Wirehaired Pointer and German Shorthaired Pointer might both be excellent choices, but these two breeds are very different from each other, so you should know how they compare before making your decision. Read on to learn about these two puppies and decide which one would be best for you and your family.
History of the German wirehaired pointer
The German Wirehaired Pointer is a medium to large Griffon-type dog that is the result of careful mixing of the Wirehaired Griffon, the German Shorthaired Pointer, the German Wirehaired He Pointer, and the Hunting Poodle in the late 19th century.
At the end of the 20th century, he became one of Germany’s leading hunting dogs. Hunters wanted a dog that was a versatile and hardy hunting dog that could easily hunt in rough terrain. Their goal was to develop a medium-sized, wire-covered dog that could work closely as a hunting dog and seek, find, and point to high-altitude prey. He handled both fox and fur games with great skill and was also able to retrieve waterfowl.
He is a loyal companion, family dog, and watchdog for his owner’s property. The German Wirehaired Pointer is a versatile hunting dog that excels in conformation and obedience testing. In 1920, the first dog of this breed was imported to the United States and chartered by the American Kennel Club in 1959. The German Wirehaired Pointer is not the ideal companion for first-time dog owners.
He is a high-energy dog, so he needs a fair amount of training and exercise. Owners who don’t provide them with enough exercise and mental stimulation can end up with destructive and difficult dogs to live with. Originally bred for tracking and hunting games, he was chasing and running most of his day. The German Wirehaired Pointer needs his owner to spend time exercising and socializing throughout his day.
History of the German Shorthaired Pointer
The German Shorthaired Pointer (GSP) is a medium to large pointing dog developed for hunting in Germany in the 19th century. It is a versatile hunting dog suitable for both land and water. They are a hunting breed that retains a strong drive to find and hunt prey, but are also very energetic and excel in a wide range of canine sports.
The German Shorthaired Pointer’s coat is short and comes in many combinations, usually a mixture of liver and white. They have moderately long, floppy ears that sit high on their heads. A longer, wider, and more powerful muzzle allows for the heavier game to be involved. The dog’s profile should be straight or have an intense Roman nose. According to the breed standard, an arched appearance in the profile is not correct. Her eyes are generally brown, with dark eyes preferred. Yellow or “bird of prey” eyes are a mistake.
The tail is commonly docked, which is currently illegal in some countries. In competitions, it is punishable if the tail bends up or down when the dog is in motion. When the GSP is in her classic point stance, the tail is straight out from her body and aligned with her pointing head and body. Like all German Pointers, APS are webbed and known to hunt waterfowl in the water.
German wirehaired pointer vs German shorthaired pointer
The German Shorthaired Pointer, a near relative of the German Wirehaired Pointer, is not an identical replica. They have a full coat and are a little larger and heavier. They are still two distinct breeds, too.
Both have the same intensity. Both possess keen drives and noses. Shorthairs do better in warm upland work, whereas wirehairs are better at handling really cold waterfowling. According to anecdotal evidence, wirehairs are a little more passionate, take themselves a little more seriously, and could be a little more possessive. We rely on the real owners of either to inform us of the veracity of the claims that shorthairs are funnier, more tractable, if not energetic, and maybe sweeter.
The common European hunter required a dog that could do it all, locate and point upland game, recover waterfowl, track furred game and running birds, and function well in a variety of terrain and temperatures when German shorthairs were created in the middle of the 1800s.
Germans continued to breed the distinctive characteristics of Pointer, Foxhound, and Poodle until they created today’s German Wirehair, a dog with the trainability of a bird dog but the unrelenting tenacity of a hound. The Germans wanted an extra-tough hunter; however, that could work on any kind of game on any kind of terrain.
Which breed is right for you?
It is impossible to answer this question clearly because each person has unique criteria for choosing a pet. When looking for a new hunting dog, you have to consider what kind of activities you’ll be doing with your pup. Both breeds are excellent hunters and very loyal companions who will do anything for their owners—but they each have different personalities that suit certain types of hunters better than others.
Which breed is better for hunting?
The GSPs have a knack for retrieving, aiming and hunting. But Since their development, GSPs have become beloved pet dogs. However, they still have their instinctive hunting skills and are excellent at performing various hunting-related tasks.
On the other hand, Since they were created specifically to assist hunters in their pursuit of prey, German Wirehaired Pointers are categorized as “gun dogs.” They helped hunt various prey, including stags, vermin, wild boars, rabbits, and even ducks or other species of birds.
Which breed is better for agility?
German shorthaired pointers are great if you want a dog that is really agile and will have the energy to keep up. On the other hand, German wirehaired pointers are usually quieter than shorthaired and more independent. They may not be as agile, but they also make excellent hunters. The key when choosing between these two breeds is what suits your needs best!
Which breed makes a better family pet?
Suppose you’re looking for a companion dog. In that case, you should know that German shorthaired pointers have friendly and outgoing temperaments, and their friendliness gives them an easy opportunity to get along with their family.
German Wirehaired Pointers can become very affectionate with their owners once they join the family. German Shorthaired Pointers are relatively better tempered when paired with children, as they are less aggressive.
Conclusion
The German Wirehaired Pointer may be right for you if you’re looking for a hunting dog or just an active companion. If you’re looking for a more laid-back family pet, then the German Shorthaired Pointer is probably best suited as an alternative choice.
Both breeds have merits and drawbacks, but which will work best depends on your preferences. Since both breeds are similar in many ways it’s difficult to make a clear decision between them; however we hope this article has given some insight into what makes each breed unique so that when choosing between them you’ll know exactly what kind of dog suits your lifestyle better!