Comparison: German Shorthaired Pointer and German Wirehaired Pointer

German Shorthaired Pointer and German Wirehaired Pointer are marked as similar in our database. The table compares only the data we have on the breeds.

German Shorthaired Pointer
Photo: Rexness, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
German Wirehaired Pointer
Photo: JainaKo, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
German Shorthaired PointerGerman Wirehaired Pointer
FCI group7. Pointing dogs7. Pointing dogs
Country of originGermanyGermany
CategoryLargeLarge
Height at withers53–65 cm57–68 cm
Weight20–32 kg–
Life span12–14 years–
Recognition features
  • Liver or liver-and-white, often ticked or roan
  • Short smooth coat, long drop ears
  • Elegant athletic build, tail historically docked
  • Harsh, flat-lying, water-resistant coat with pronounced eyebrows and beard
  • Brown or black roan, or solid brown, often with a white chest patch
  • Noble, powerful build with a slight roman nose and high-set ears
CoatShort, thick, hard coat; liver or liver-and-white.Harsh, flat-lying and dense coat, outer coat about 2 to 4 cm long with a dense water-resistant undercoat; shorter and denser on head and ears, with pronounced eyebrows and a not too long, harsh beard. Colours: brown roan with or without patches, black roan with or without patches, brown with or without a white chest patch, or light roan.
PurposeA versatile German gundog from the 19th century for work on land and in water (pointing, retrieving, tracking).A versatile gundog for work in the field, woods and water, both before and after the shot.

Breed page: German Shorthaired Pointer · Breed page: German Wirehaired Pointer

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The information is indicative. Texts are based on available sources and may contain inaccuracies; for binding details (e.g. for breeding or shows) use the official breed standard.