Alt Names: Deutsch Drahthaar Country of Origin: Germany

History: This gun dog was created by selective breeding from various other breeds, including the Griffon, Pudelpointer, Short-Haired Pointer, and Broken-Coated Pointer.

Appearance: The coat is wiry and the breed has a typical beard. The color can be liver, black, or either color with white. Commonly the head is a solid or nearly solid color and the body is speckled, with saddles or large patches of solid color.

There is a strong resemblance to the less-common Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, which has more abundant hair in its "mustache" and eyebrows. According to the AKC standards for the two breeds, the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon also is very slightly smaller than the German Wirehaired Pointer.

Temperament: This version of German Pointer makes a good family dog and a working dog with tolerance for a variety of conditions.

Health: Hip and elbow arthritis can be an inherited problem.