German Wire Hair

[baer19d]

I'm thinking about getting a German Wire Hair in the near future for an all around hunting dog/family pet and just wondering if anyone has any expierence with these dogs and what you think of them. I know there are lots of great all around hunting breeds out there but I'm somewhat partial to the German breeds because my wife is German and I hunt and have hunting buddys in Germany. The Wire Hair sounds like it will fit perfect with my family and just seems like it will fit well with the diverse hunting situations I tend to find myself in.

Thanks, Mike 

[AtlLaw]

When I got "Gunner" there were less then 1500 Wirehairs registered in the Field Dog Stud Book.  This was back in the 60's.  He went up to Canada with John Rex Gates, who trained champion field trail dogs, for a summer's training on sharptails.
 
'course the only thing 'ol Gunner was a champion of was pointing turtles, and he been known to lock up on a rabbit or two, and he thought he had to run deer down to make them hold for the point, then there was his fondness for rattlesnakes... 
 
But he was a great all around dog, close working, wonderful with my kids - who were babys at the time.  Not a mean bone in his body!     Why I could tell you stories... 

[ironglow]

  The Draathaars were I believe, a cross between the German short haired pointer and Airedale terrier which gives it extra "grit".
 
  I haven't dealt with many of them, but those I have met a were good natured.

[freddogs]

I'm on my fifth wirehair. All were good hunters and good pets. Drathaars are wirehairs that are in the German breed club. German Wirehaired Pointers are registered somewhere else ( AKC or some other Club). I've had regular GWP's and Dolly the dog I have now is a Drathaar. I've hunted grouse, woodcock, pheasants, ducks, rabbits, squirrels and shot quail and chuckers during training. They will hunt anything you want to hunt. They are good family dogs. Ours lived/live in the house with us. Good Luck.

[WesinND]

I have two Drahthaars.  Drahthaar means "Wirehair" in German, but I'm sure you already knew that.  They were developed around the turn of the last century as versatile dogs that could hunt fur or fowl in water or on land.  They were bred from Deutsch Kurzhaar (Shorthair), Stichelhaar (broken-hair or rough-haired), Pudelpointer, and the Wirehaired pointing Griffon.  Mine will hunt anything.  They are never mean always even tempered, but can be hard-headed, so you have to be consistent with them.  Mine stay in the house and are great family dogs, but they need to be trained and hunted.  They need mental and physical stimulation or they can find their own which usually means trouble.  Good luck.  Wes

[baer19d]

Well I looked into the Deutscher Drathaar and they seem like great dogs but I'm not sure if I should go this route. This will be my first gun dog and I don't know if I'm ready to spend that kind of money on my first dog. This will also be a family pet and live in the house but not our first. My wife and I are both capable of training a dog to be dicipline and well behaved. I just don't have any expierecne with training a gun dog. I'll do my research and learn how to before I get the dog though.I should be able to expect reasonable resualts from a German wire hair breeder who is not part of the VDD right? I mean, if he is reputable and breeds specificaly for hunting than his dogs should most likely be good just without all the certification.

[freddogs]

Check out the local NAVHDA chapter. NAVHDA chapters are like hunting dog training co-ops. They can help you find a place to train and have access to birds. Members usually help each other train. There should be knowledgeable people who are training dogs similar to yours. Check out their website for a local chapter.

[DeckH]

  My two cents:  Had a GWP female In Chicago in the early '70's.   Bred her with a dual champion.  I was treasurer of the Illinois GWP Club for a couple of years.   A very good dog. Suggest you check out (Google) GWP Rescue--plenty available.  Good luck.         

[baer19d]

I will most likely look at that sight. I like the idea of picking up a good dog that someone else either didn't put enough time and effort into or just didn't have the knowledge.

My two cents:  Had a GWP female In Chicago in the early '70's.   Bred her with a dual champion.  I was treasurer of the Illinois GWP Club for a couple of years.   A very good dog. Suggest you check out (Google) GWP Rescue--plenty available.  Good luck.       

[WesinND]

Baer19d,
The initial cost of a dog is the cheapest part of the deal.  You'll have to consider food, the equipment you'll need/want such as kennels, bowls, toys, training bumpers, checkcords, collar, leash, whistle, and e-collar will add up.  The gas to go train or hunt is another major expense unless you're lucky enough to live in a place with enough room for them to run.  Vet bills are another big expense, annual visits, plus the occasional trip to get sewn up after a run-in with barb wire or whatever they get into. Plus, whatever they chew up.  My 2 cents is to get a dog from a good healthy line, a line that has all been proven hunting dogs and you will have a better shot at success.   Good luck with whatever breed you decide.  Wes