Understanding the German Wirehaired Pointer Coat

German Wirehaired Pointer head photo

 

It’s important to note that the (GWP) German Wirehaired Pointer coat is this breed definition. Just as, for example, a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier with a harsh or off-color coat would not be acceptable, neither should we, as breeders, exhibitors or judges of German WIREHAIRED Pointers, accept and/or promote coats that are far from ideal.

 

In the meantime, let’s talk about what a German Wirehaired Pointer coat IS and what a German Wirehaired Pointer coat IS NOT.

To start with, the ideal coat, the correct coat, the coat that we are all trying to produce consistently, is a harsh, dense, flat-lying coat with hair that is from one to two inches long on the body. The individual hairs are strong, straight and hard—“crisp.” The entire body coat is dense. In other words, there are a lot of strong, straight, hard hairs. This coat does not attract burrs, is practically impervious to briars and brambles, is largely waterproof, and keeps the dogs warm in the winter and cool in the summer while always protecting them from damage when working in the field.

Understanding the German Wirehaired Pointer Coat

The furnishings of this ideal coat are made from the same strong, straight, hard hair. The head coat is much shorter, with the appearance that the top of the head and ears are clean and nearly smooth. The beard and eyebrows, the leg hair, and the underline hair should ALL consist of this same quality of hair. The ONLY places that our standard calls for soft hair is the undercoat and between the toes.

It is possible that some judges have never seen this type of coat, particularly if they don’t judge a significant number of these dogs or if they are new to the breed. When it shows up in their ring, they may fault it simply because it doesn’t look like the other dogs in competition

German Wirehaired Pointer walking in the dog show ring

The GWP standard is very explicit: “A dog must have a correct coat to be of correct type.” The difficulty seems to be in understanding what is correct coat.

 

With this in mind, let’s look at what is NOT correct.

First, a long, soft, open or wooly coat is incorrect. Unfortunately, by the time a judge sees these dogs in the ring, most of them have been body stripped, trimmed, thinned, sculpted, and sprayed into what appears to be an acceptable package. Any GWP breeder or handler worth his or her salt can take a dog and make it “look right.”

The first two places to check for a correct coat are the beard and the legs. This hair is very difficult to manufacture. If the beard and legs are long and soft, it’s a good bet that the coat has been over-groomed, according to the standard: “Extreme and excessive grooming to present a dog artificial in appearance should be severely penalized.” In other words, if the coat doesn’t—naturally—look like what the judge sees, the dog is being presented with an
artificial appearance.

Another indicator of a coat that is excessively groomed is when you see the crinkly “Terrier Jacket” type of back coat. The German Wirehaired Pointer coat is not the same like with an Airedale, Lakeland, Welsh, Wire Fox, Scottie, Westie or any other Terrier. It should NOT be groomed in a manner that imitates the Terrier breeds.

Correct coat is a requirement for correct type.

German Wirehaired Pointer Coat posing in a dog show ringThe German Wirehaired Pointer standard calls for eyebrows to be of strong, straight hair, and the beard and whiskers to be of medium length. An incorrect coat will look and feel like a German Shorthaired Pointer. There will be no eyebrows and, at best, a few hairs at the corner of the mouth. The truly incorrect “slick” coat will almost never be shown in the conformation ring.

With all of this said, it’s time to consider judging priorities. Correct coat is a requirement for correct type. An incorrect coat is a function fault: Soft, rolling toplines; splayed feet; restricted movement; shallow, concave chests; mismatched angles—all of these, and many more, are “function faults.”

They apply to the breed’s primary function, which is to serve as a utilitarian, multi-purpose hunting dog. Light eye color, head shape (other than the length and depth of muzzle required for retrieving game) and other “aesthetic” faults in no way affect the dog’s hunting ability.

A judge may have a ring full of dogs, yet none with the ideal coat. (Or the best coats may be on the worst physical specimens.) Please prioritize by function. Good running gear is functional. Correct coat is functional AND necessary for correct type.

Wirehairs are tough, rugged dogs created by a no-nonsense people to perform difficult work. This is what they were 150 years ago, and it is what they are and should be today. Trying to remake our breed into “pretty” dogs only caters to the “generic show dog” mentality that has been so roundly and soundly repudiated by far greater minds in the dog fancy than mine.

There is distinct beauty in a sound Wirehair with a correct coat that is groomed naturally. There is strength, agility, and nobility of purpose in the dog that defines the breed.

 


Understanding the German Wirehaired Pointer Coat – Showsight Magazine April 2021 Issue


 

Are you looking for a German Wirehaired Pointer puppy?

The best way to ensure a long and happy relationship with a purebred dog is to purchase one from a responsible breeder. Not sure where to begin finding a breeder? Contact the National Parent Club’s Breeder Referral person, which you can find on the AKC Breeder Referral Contacts page.

 

Want to help rescue and re-home a German Wirehaired Pointer dog?

Did you know nearly every recognized AKC purebred has a dedicated rescue group? Find your new best friend on the AKC Rescue Network Listing.

 

German Wirehaired Pointer Dog Breed Magazine

Showsight Magazine is the only publication to offer dedicated Digital Breed Magazines for ALL recognized AKC Breeds.

Read and learn more about the smart German Shorthaired Pointer dog breed with articles and information in our German Wirehaired Pointer Dog Breed Magazine.

 

German Wirehaired Pointer Breed Magazine - Showsight

 

ads
  • Laura is an AKC Breeder of Merit and a retired member of the Professional Handlers Association. Laura is a second-generation breeder of German Wirehaired Pointers, under the Scotia Kennel banner. Scotia dogs have earned well over 100 titles; in the show ring, field, and performance events. Her dedication to breeding dual purpose dogs reflects a stated goal of preserving the all-weather, rugged, sound-minded gundog the breed’s founders envisioned. Laura has served the GWPCA as AKC Gazette columnist, Judges Education Committee Member and Chair, Vice President, President, National Events Coordinator, and Wire~News Editor. Her background as a newspaper reporter, marketing rep, and researcher/writer for audio driving tours has served her well in her side projects. Her current adventures as host of PureDogTalk and The Good Dog Pod podcasts lend her particular combination of skills to outstanding breeder education channels.

  • Show Comments

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

comment *

  • name *

  • email *

  • website *

You May Also Like

Trimmed Poodle

Acceptable Trims for the Poodle

Acceptable trims for Poodles in AKC Conformation competition, from the traditional English Saddle to ...

Fault Judging

Fault Judging

Fault Judging | A few years ago, I wrote an article about the functioning ...

German Wirehaired Pointer in the field

The German Wirehaired Pointer – Judging Conformation for Field Ability

When judging German Wirehaired Pointer breed, judges should determine which dog is most suited ...

A black and white Biewer Terrier with long hair.

Judging the Biewer Terrier

Unlock the world of Biewer Terrier characteristics with insights on color standards and a ...

Papillon head photo

Judging the Papillon

Fine-boned, dainty, elegant, happy, alert, and friendly. When judging Papillons, keep these words from ...

Your Cart

No Item Found
Subtotal $0.00
Shipping $0.00
Tax $0.00
Total $0.00
0