Origin story
The history of the breed goes back a long way. Dog handlers cannot determine exactly what types of dogs were used to breed it; their ancestors definitely included the German pointing dog, other hounds, and hunting varieties.
In the 16th and 17th centuries, broad-chested bird dogs were common in various European countries. They were good hunters of quail, pheasant, and other birds. The modern German Drahthaar has little external resemblance to that bird breed, but dog experts note that they were the carriers of the dominant hair gene.
The first Drahthaars were introduced at the end of the 19th century, and the official breed standard was approved in 1924. In the post-war period, active work was carried out to improve animals. The characteristics of the breed, in comparison with those initially established, have practically not changed, only minor nuances of appearance have appeared.
Mating
The best age for the first mating of German Wirehaired Pointing Dogs is from 2 years old . However, upon reaching 5 years of age, bitches may experience difficulty reproducing offspring.
Animals that have been treated for skin parasites and helminths are allowed for mating. Before mating, dogs are walked. Acquaintance is usually arranged on neutral territory, after which the dogs are transferred to the place where the male lives. After 1 – 2 days, a control mating is carried out.
Read a detailed article on the topic: “Everything you need to know about breeding dogs: appropriate age, what to do if it doesn’t work out, rules and tips.”
Description of the breed
The appearance of drathaars inspires respect; the dogs look like powerful, determined animals. It is immediately clear that this is a hunting dog, as evidenced not only by its size, but also by its posture and gait. The established standard of appearance includes the following description:
- weight – 27-32 kg;
- height – 57-67 cm;
- the head looks proportional to other parts of the body, medium in size;
- the muzzle appears square due to the existing beard;
- the nose is wide, can be black, brown, or other colors (depending on coat color);
- the bite is correct;
- eyes are small, dark in color;
- the ears are drooping, but in the cartilage area they are raised to the top, slightly rounded;
- rectangular body, strong lower back;
- the neck is long, muscular;
- deep, wide-set chest;
- the tail is located at the middle level and has a saber shape.
The tail is rarely left in its natural shape; most often it is docked. The only exceptions are countries where this procedure is prohibited.
Drathaars are short-haired dogs, their breed is considered to be wire-haired. The undercoat is so dense and adheres to the body that it creates a waterproof effect. A smooth-haired dog is rarely suitable for hunting, so if you need to choose a dog for these purposes, the Drathaar will be an excellent option, even the characteristics of its appearance prove its ability to survive in difficult conditions.
Colors
The breed standard does not set clear color restrictions. The following options are common:
- coffee;
- coffee, diluted with shades of gray and black;
- all shades of gray and black;
- steel gray.
Many especially like representatives of the breed with a steel-gray base, diluted with small coffee stains. A white spot in the chest area is also allowed.
Appearance:
The muscles are well developed and are never hidden by fur.
The eyes are oval-shaped, slightly slanted. Dark, the darker the better. Ears are of moderate length and width. Set high, hanging.
The limbs are strong and muscular. The feet are round, with tightly knit toes and thick, hard pads.
The tail is not thick. In hunting dogs it stops. When calm, the dog holds it down.
This dog has a hard, coarse, rather close-fitting coat. Wool protects well from bad weather and injury. The fur is shorter on the chest, belly, head and ears. The undercoat is dense. On the head there is a beard, eyebrows, and mustache.
Character and hunting qualities
Working and hunting qualities determine the character of drathaars. They have extraordinary endurance, can withstand bad weather well, and can live for some time without food. Hunting instincts do not force the drathaar to obey fleeting desires, these dogs will not rush at everyone, like some other dogs.
If you plan to use endurance and other character traits of the animal during the hunt, you need to properly train the puppy. Despite the innate instincts, hunting qualities should be further developed.
High intelligence is manifested even in small puppies, and develops more and more with age. A smart pet immediately understands its place in the house, recognizing the authority of the owner. Training and raising a puppy takes place in a relaxed atmosphere; they grasp information on the fly.
The optimal place for a pet to live is an enclosure in the courtyard of a private house. If necessary, the drathaar's docile nature will allow him to get along in an apartment. Representatives of the breed are excellent companions, they are friendly and love all members of the owner’s family, especially small children. In relations with a child, the drathaar shows patience, and also develops protective qualities and a sense of responsibility for the baby.
Care and maintenance
The German Deutsch is absolutely easy to care for. Its endurance allows it to be kept outside in winter, so many owners decide to build an enclosure with their own hands or buy a ready-made one. The booth should be of such a size that the pet can lie down calmly, stretching out to its full height. It is important to ensure that the dog feels comfortable.
Grooming can be easily done on your own at home. It is not necessary to bathe your pet; do it if necessary if it is very dirty. This is possible due to the unique property of wool to self-clean. Hunting dogs do not need to visit a grooming salon, but if the coat looks unkempt, you need to comb it with a wide-tooth brush.
Considering the hardness of the wool, it is better to use a furminator rather than a regular brush.
It is necessary to comb the fur during the shedding period (twice a year). This is especially important if the pet lives in the house. Some owners simply trim the coat 2 times a year with scissors or a clipper. Caring for your ears and teeth involves regular examination of these organs.
Feeding
Drathaars are not picky about food, but when deciding what to feed your pet, you should not save money by giving it low-quality food. In order for a dog to have strength, endurance, and other strong character traits, proper nutrition is necessary. Some owners decide to feed their pet homemade food. Then the diet should include:
- meat, preferably raw (should be at least half of the daily portion);
- sea fish without bones, stewed or boiled;
- fermented milk products, at least 2 times a week;
- any cereals.
If you buy ready-made dog food, you need to choose only high-quality ones that have a natural composition. If they lack nutritional components, the drathaar will not be able to be active, energetic, or demonstrate its hunting skills. Dry food is especially practical for those who go hunting with their pet for several days.
What to feed a puppy
Puppies need frequent feeding. An adult drathaar should eat twice a day, a puppy up to 3 months needs to be fed 5 times a day, up to 6 months - 3-4 times a day. By 9 months of age, 2 meals a day begin.
You need to feed your puppy systematically at the same time. It is necessary to calculate the portion depending on weight and age. It’s easier to do this with dry food; you just need to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Before the puppy arrives in the house, the owner decides on the food option.
It is necessary to constantly compare the puppy's weight with normal values. If he does not weigh enough for his age, his diet needs to be adjusted; excess weight is dangerous for the health of the drathaar.
Nutrition
The Drathaara cannot be classified as a breed prone to obesity and characterized by rapid weight gain. Therefore, he will not need dietary meals. And the type of feeding depends on whether the owner has time to prepare dishes. Dog handlers distinguish three types of food - mixed, ready-made factory food and natural homemade food.
Young Drathaar on a walk
In the case of ready-made food, it is important to understand that all the necessary components such as vitamins and microelements are already included in the product, and the ratio of proteins-fat-carbohydrates is balanced based on the weight, age of the dog and its breed. You should only buy premium food, since cheap food is made from low-quality products.
Natural food, according to some breeders, is healthier and more natural. But there are some nuances here: food must always be fresh, it requires vitamin complexes, the basis of the diet is meat, the purchase of which can be financially expensive.
In addition, it is important to remember which foods should not be given to your dog. However, there should not be any special problems with the last point. After all, everything that is prohibited for dogs is harmful for people. This is fried, salty, fatty, as well as baked goods, all types of sausages, chocolate, alcohol.
Drahthaar puppies feed every 2-3 hours during the day, while adults eat only in the morning and evening. Until the dog replaces his milk teeth with molars, it is important to soak the dry food in water.
Drathaar with a pheasant in his teeth
If the dog is on natural feeding, then it is worth treating the meat and offal with boiling water. In general, 40% of the diet should be animal proteins, and the remaining 60% is divided between complex carbohydrates such as buckwheat and rice, fermented milk products such as natural yogurt and kefir and fiber, that is, vegetables and fruits.
To prevent volvulus, which plagues this breed, it is recommended to avoid physical activity immediately after eating. Let your dog rest for 30 minutes on his bed.
Training and education
Training a puppy begins from the moment it arrives in the house. The first thing you should remember is your name, so it’s better to come up with it in advance so you can immediately start addressing your baby correctly. Common nicknames for boys of the breed are Nortis, White, Maurice, Walter, and girls are Viva, Dixie, Sheldy, Greta.
Deciding how to train a dog must be based on how it will be used. If a pet lives its entire life with its owners, leading a simple, measured life, it will not need hunting skills. First, the dog must remember the basic commands: prohibiting, calling, walking. Then you can choose one of the training programs by contacting dog handlers. Training of the drathaar, which will be used for hunting, also begins after learning a basic set of commands. If you have no experience in training hunting dogs, it is better to turn to professionals.
Advantages
The dog is completely unpretentious in keeping, moreover, it adapts well to urban conditions and does not require much space. The German Drahthaar can live both in an enclosure and next to your household. However, the dog urgently needs communication with people due to its natural sociability and need for company. If you have to leave your pet alone for a long time, he may become depressed.
The Drahthaar dog breed is distinguished by its love for an active lifestyle, so such a pet will be an excellent partner for morning runs, swims in the lake and afternoon walks in the park. On top of that, drathaars have a balanced psyche, which will save you from stressful situations if you meet stray dogs or cats on the street.
Thanks to its sensitive sense of smell, the dog is excellent at finding prey when hunting, so you definitely won’t return home empty-handed.
Diseases and life expectancy
The average life expectancy of representatives of the breed is 12-14 years, which is an excellent indicator for dogs of such a large size. How long drathaars live largely depends on proper care, maintenance, especially nutrition. Although they can survive in harsh conditions, it is the lack of nutritious food that makes them vulnerable.
Timely vaccinations for puppies can strengthen the immune system, preventing many diseases.
In general, the health of drathaars is good, but the following diseases may occur:
- hip dysplasia;
- volvulus;
- hypothyroidism;
- dermatitis, other skin diseases;
- cataract.
A number of diseases are less common: von Willebrand disease, melanoma. If you notice any suspicious symptoms, you should contact your veterinarian. Drathaars are hardy dogs that are not used to showing their weakness, so owners need to be attentive, regularly examine the animal, and observe changes in its behavior.
Diseases
These animals are distinguished by good health, especially with properly organized care and nutrition. However, being active and mobile by nature, they are at risk for injuries, bruises, and muscle strains. Such health problems lead to costly treatment and lengthy recovery.
Another group of diseases is caused by dietary errors. This may include:
- volvulus;
- diabetes.
Volvulus is common in all large breeds. The first sign is bloating. In this case, it is impossible to do without proper veterinary care. Surgery may be needed.
Diabetes mellitus can develop due to poor diet or genetic predisposition. In this case, the owner should be alert to thirst, increased appetite combined with loss of body weight. It can be complicated by vascular diseases, decreased visual acuity, even blindness.
Cops often suffer from skin diseases. Among them:
- melanoma;
- licked granuloma;
- interdigital dermatitis
- eczema.
Other diseases that often affect drathaars include:
- dysplasia of the hip or elbow joint;
- hypothyroidism;
- otitis;
- aortic stenosis.
All of the above conditions, to one degree or another, worsen the quality of life of the animal. Some lead to disability or death. This is why it is important to have regular veterinary examinations. They will help detect the disease at an early stage and make treatment effective.
Hunting
Drathaar can hunt hare, wild boar, and other small and large animals and birds. Despite this versatility of the animal, experts note that its most relevant use is for catching waterfowl.
Hunting with a drathaar is possible due to the characteristics of the coat, body structure, and other anatomical factors. Coarse fur protects the animal from injury from dry branches, a thick undercoat protects it from insect bites, and powerful paws help it run quickly without getting tired. Representatives of the breed are also noted for their ability to move silently, which is beneficial during hunting.
To fully use a dog for hunting, you must choose only a purebred puppy. Not a single drathaar mestizo has such endurance, strength, or other positive character traits.
Photo of drathaar
Photos of this dog with an extraordinary appearance only confirm the uniqueness and performance of the breed.
How to choose a puppy
To choose a puppy for hunting, you should find a suitable kennel that offers purebred Drahthaars. Hunters who keep working dogs can easily distinguish a mestizo; inexperienced buyers can fall into the hands of scammers. Therefore, you need to approach the place of purchase responsibly.
To confirm the puppy's hunting instinct, breeders usually provide documents not only about the dog's identity. Valuable are certificates about parents: what achievements they have, awards, medals. Also, when choosing a puppy, pay attention to the condition of its coat, skin, appearance, activity, and manners.
Comparison of breeds and mixtures
Drathaars are often compared to other hunting breeds, over which they have a number of advantages. This question usually worries those who get a dog of this type for the first time. For example, drathaar and shorthaired pointer have a number of similarities and differences.
Shorthaired Pointers are more suitable for home life. If the dog is always among people, the hunting instincts gradually fade away, which cannot be said about the German Deutsche. Drathaars are also more hardy and are more often used for hunting elk, wild boars, and other large animals.
Mestizos are not particularly popular; sometimes only the following attract attention:
- Mixed bobtail and drathaar. They have an original appearance. Their hunting instinct is weakly expressed; special training is required to develop it.
- Sheltie and Drahthaar mix. Sheltie is a sensitive breed that has a desire to constantly be close to its owner, in the family circle. From the drathaar, mestizos take courage, endurance, and protective qualities.
The price of mixed breeds is usually an order of magnitude lower, but to get a real hunting dog, it is better to choose a drathaar.
What else do you need to know?
Many owners are so deeply imbued with love for dogs of this breed that some have a desire to start breeding them. But here you need to remember some features. Immediately forget about crossing a brown Drahthaar with a black and silver dog or two silver and black dogs . This decision was made by the German tribal regulations. The main reason is that the offspring of such dogs will be able to acquire their maternal forms, as a result they will be more similar to pointer poodles.
Although no one will control how you fulfill this requirement, still try to choose another parent for mating.
Pros and cons of the breed
The following are the advantages and disadvantages of the breed:
| + | – |
| Hunting Skills | Not a decorative dog |
| High intelligence | Doesn't look attractive |
| Tolerates cold calmly and can live in an enclosure all winter | Not suitable for apartment living |
| Not picky about food | |
| We learn quickly, easily master different programs |
Where to buy and price
The average price of a German Deutsch puppy with documents is 20,000-30,000 rubles. It is better to buy a dog from trusted kennels; the following have a good reputation: Vom Honeverg, Vedgetta, Von der Nebelau.
If you want to have a four-legged friend with a pronounced hunting instinct, the drathaar will be a suitable option. He is not picky in care, maintenance, nutrition, and can adapt to any conditions. High intelligence, endurance, and other positive character traits make him a loyal, intelligent dog.
