The German Wirehaired Pointer as a gun dog

A GWP often looks like a shaggy-faced GSP, and works in a similar way. This page covers what sets the breed apart and how it is usually trained.

A coat for rough cover

The AKC describes the breed's coat as harsh and wiry, with a dense undercoat that insulates and repels water, along with distinctive eyebrows and beard. Breeders developed it to hunt in thick brush and to swim cold water.

For California upland hunting, that means a dog comfortable in blackberry tangles, cheatgrass and foothill brush, then ready to retrieve a duck from a slough on the way home.

A thinking dog

GWPs are often described as serious workers with a strong bond to their family. Many are reserved with strangers at first, so socializing a young dog with people, places and other dogs is part of the early job.

The breed's steadiness can reward patient, consistent training. A handler who builds trust early often ends up with a dog that works close and checks in.

Questions handlers ask about GWPs

Will it point and retrieve? That is the design. The breed was developed to find game, hold a point and then retrieve from land and water.

Do I need both retriever and pointer training? For a dog expected to do both, yes. Richard's retriever background goes back to 2002, and his work with pointers and other upland breeds began in 2013 under Steve Klassen.

When is the right time to start? Puppies can start with simple obedience, bird exposure and recall. The guide to starting a hunting puppy covers the general timeline.

A common order of work

1. Recall, sit, heel and whoa
2. Meeting birds, then pointing
3. Range and pattern in open fields
4. Steadiness to wing, shot and fall
5. Retrieving from land, then water

Choosing between versatile breeds

The GWP, the GSP and the Vizsla all fall into the versatile group. The GWP stands out for the wire coat and a reputation for steadiness, the GSP for athleticism and energy, and the Vizsla for closeness to its handler. Compare them on the German Shorthaired Pointer and Vizsla pages, then think about the cover you hunt and how much you want the dog to retrieve.

Royal Gun Dogs programs

A wirehair pup can start with Puppy Camp; after a season of hunting, once the dog is over a year old, Formal Gun Dog Training covers obedience, e-collar conditioning and whoa work. handler lessons train you to handle the dog in the field, and board-and-train fits owners who live far from Rio Vista.