German Wire-haired Pointers

[The_Grizz]

What are y'all's thoughts on German Wire-Haired Pointers (AKA Deutsch Drathaars)?

Are they good quail dogs? Duck dogs? Tracking dogs? And most importantly, family dogs?

[Uncle Saggy]

What are y'all's thoughts on German Wire-Haired Pointers (AKA Deutsch Drathaars)?

Are they good quail dogs? Duck dogs? Tracking dogs? And most importantly, family dogs?

YES. The BEST

Look at Bob West, Treborwolf Kennels in Idaho

[dabuckmaster24]

Not everyone will agree but the draathar and wire haired are not the same dog. One has breeding standards. In other words to have a registered drathaar you have to meet certain requirements. That's not to say you can't find a great wire haired. I like them, great hunters and if you raise them right they can be excellent house dogs and good with children. The only problems I have ever heard about were people who didn't show their puppies they were the alpha at a young age. That's my .02!!!!

[gspbrad]

Like any breed, you'll find the good, bad and ugly. The only negative I can think of is their heavy coat is less than ideal in Texas due ot the heat and grass burrs and they usually aren't noted for their range. Texas quail are in Big Country. Don't expect a gwp to keep a range of 2-300 yards out.

[Lungbustr]

Deutsch Drahthaars and German Wirehairs arent the same breed. They are great dogs. Mine (Drahthaar) has easily retrieved over 1000 ducks and will retrieve another 400+ this year. They are good for quail and tracking too. Most importantly are you a good dog trainer? Usually thats the part that makes dogs fail, not the dog.

[Johnny Dangerr]

We had the Drath. Super good dog. Great hunter and family pet. They were used as guard dogs in Germany during WW2.

[Playa]

Genetically they are probably the same dog. Drath's have a rigid breeding program through testing and evaluation that theoretically should create a more "pure", desirable gene pool.
For instance my DD has a slight overbite, which has no bearing on her hunting ability, but she is excluded from breeding because its an undesirable physical quality

But none of this answers your question. They are unbelievable retrievers and upland dogs and will do things that leave you scratching your head. Mine has hunted from the texas panhandle to the texas coast for all varieties of bird. Its not uncommon for us to do a sunrise duck hunt, followed by a cafe restaurant and an afternoon of pheasant and quail. I have one dog for both.

What they may lack in "range" the make up for in nose. Get them going in the wind & they will scent birds 200 yds off in good conditions. I have also not had any issue with the heat, mine does just fine in 100+ temps. Their coats can be as "tight" or as wooly as you like, I prefer a tight coat, and the almost eliminates the sticker burrs of texas.

For the record, my DD dries of almost 2x's as fast as my buddy's 3 labs after a duck hunt.

Check out Vom Sendero Kennels in Brazoria, TX. Kevin Sherrod knows the breed about as well as anyone.