Gundog Large size 27-32 kg

German Wire Haired Pointer

A hardy, all-purpose wire-haired gundog for a very active owner, needing a real job and lots of exercise to stay balanced.

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Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Large
Size
27-32 kg, 57-68 cm
Very high
Activity
Very high; a working dog that needs hard daily exercise
Low
Alone-time tolerance
Prefers company; struggles with long days alone
Easy
Trainability
Eager and quick to learn
Moderate
Coat care
Weekly brushing keeps the coat in order
Very good
Fit with kids
Good family dog with children
Very good
Other pets
Generally good with other dogs and pets
Light
Health burden
Dental Disease, Hip Dysplasia

The German Wire Haired Pointer typically weighs 27-32 kg, stands 57-68 cm, and lives 12-14 years.

Consider this breed if…

you hunt, run, hike, or train dog sports most days of the week,
you want a versatile gundog that points, retrieves, and works water,
you can give it a real job plus daily mental work, not just a walk,
the dog would rarely be left alone for long stretches.

Do not consider this breed if…

the dog would regularly be alone 8 or more hours,
you want a calm, low-drive companion for short strolls,
you have no time or interest in training and outdoor activity,
a strong prey drive around small pets would be a problem for you.

A typical day with a German Wire Haired Pointer

  1. 6:30 · Morning
    Long run, field work, or an hour of active exercise
  2. 9:00 · Midmorning
    Rest and chewing after the coat and paws are checked
  3. 12:30 · Noon
    Short walk plus scent work or a retrieve game
  4. 16:00 · Afternoon
    Training session, 15-20 minutes of obedience or gundog work
  5. 18:30 · Evening
    Second longer walk or hike to burn off remaining energy
  6. 21:00 · Night
    A well-worked dog settles calmly near the family

Temperament and training

Trainability High
Drive to work Very high
Prey drive High
Sensitivity Moderate
Independence Moderate
Guarding tendency Moderate
Common owner mistakes
Underestimating the exercise needs and getting a bored, destructive dog · Skipping early socialization, which sharpens the aloof, protective streak · Leaving strong prey drive unmanaged around cats and small pets

Family and environment

Kids Good
Fond of its own family; energetic, so supervise around small children.
Dogs Good
Generally sociable with dogs, especially when socialized early.
Cats Conditional
Strong hunting instinct; safest with cats it was raised alongside.
Apartment Not ideal
Too high-energy for flat life unless you meet big daily exercise needs.
House with a yard Suitable
A secure fence helps, but a yard does not replace real work.
City Conditional
Manageable for an active owner with daily access to open space.
Countryside Ideal
Room to run and hunt is exactly what the breed was built for.
Health data provided by RealVetCost
Overall health burden Light

Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.

View the full health profile
Top health concerns
Dental Disease Very common; routine brushing and cleanings help
Hip Dysplasia Joint malformation; screen breeding stock
Chronic Ear Infections Drop ears trap moisture; keep them clean and dry
Progressive Retinal Atrophy Inherited retinal disease; DNA test available

Similar breeds - by reason

Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.

Smoother-coated versatile cousin
German Short Haired Pointer
A versatile, athletic gundog that shines with a very active owner, but it needs serious daily exercise and company or it grows restless and destructive.
View profile →
Similar wire-coated gundog
Hungarian Wire Haired Pointer
A rugged wire-coated Vizsla with the same velcro devotion and huge energy - a great active-home dog that cannot cope with long alone time.
View profile →
Another high-drive pointing breed
Weimaraner
A striking, high-drive gundog that needs serious daily exercise and near-constant company - separation anxiety is the breed's signature problem.
View profile →

Frequently asked questions

How much does a German Wire-haired Pointer cost?
In the US, expect roughly $800-$2,000 from a reputable breeder who health-tests and works their dogs, with hunting lines sometimes higher. The purchase price is minor next to the lifetime cost: food, routine vet care, and the gear and time this active breed needs add up to many thousands of dollars over 12-14 years, so budget for insurance or an emergency fund.
Is a German Wire-haired Pointer a good family dog?
Yes, for an active family. It bonds closely and is good with children it grows up with, but it is high-energy and can be aloof with strangers. It does best when its exercise and training needs are fully met; an under-exercised one becomes restless and hard to live with.
How much exercise does a German Wire-haired Pointer need?
Plan on well over an hour of hard daily activity - running, hunting, or dog sport - plus separate mental work. This is a working gundog, not a casual pet. A yard alone will not satisfy it, and boredom quickly turns into digging, chewing, and barking.
Are German Wire-haired Pointers good with other pets?
They are usually fine with other dogs, but their strong hunting and prey drive makes cats, rabbits, and birds a real management challenge. Raised together from puppyhood the odds improve, but never rely on it around small pets without supervision.