German Wirehaired Pointer vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison

German Wirehaired Pointer vs German Shepherd - Breed ComparisonBoth German Shepherd and German Wirehaired Pointer are originated from Germany. Both German Shepherd and German Wirehaired Pointer are having almost same height. German Shepherd may weigh 12 kg / 27 pounds more than German Wirehaired Pointer. Both German Shepherd and German Wirehaired Pointer has same life span. German Shepherd may have more litter size than German Wirehaired Pointer. German Shepherd requires Low Maintenance. But German Wirehaired Pointer requires Moderate Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Herding dogs
Sporting dog
undefined
Germany
Germany
Height Male:
61 - 67 cm
24 - 27 inches
60 - 68 cm
23 - 27 inches
Height Female:
55 - 61 cm
21 - 25 inches
57 - 68 cm
22 - 27 inches
Weight Male:
34 - 44 kg
74 - 98 pounds
27 - 32 kg
59 - 71 pounds
Weight Female:
34 - 44 kg
74 - 98 pounds
25 - 32 kg
55 - 71 pounds
Life Span:
9 - 13 Years
10 - 13 Years
Litter Size:
1 - 15
6 - 10
Size:
Large
Large
Other Names:
Alsatian, Alsatian wolf dog, Berger Allemand, Deutscher Schaferhund, Schaferhund
Deutsch Drahthaar, Drahthaar
Colors Available:
Black and Tan, Sable, Bicolor, Black and White
black flecked , Liver and white
Coat:
dense and thick, short, medium thick, thick and fluffy, long, furry around their chest, ears, tail or backs of their legs
Straight, wiry, harsh
Shedding:
Constant, Seasonal
Moderate
Temperament:
Aggressive, Alert, Gentle, Intelligent, Loyal, Outgoing, Protective, Quiet
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

​​

german shepherdIn 1882 german shepherd was introduced in a show at Hanover. They were created by the cross breeding of the rural sheep dogs by a man named Max. In 1906 they were first exported to America. After that the breed became very popular in UK.

german wirehaired pointerMedium to large sized, the German Wirehaired Pointer is a griffon type dog breed hailing from Germany and developed for hunting purposes in the 19th century.

Known as the Drahthaar in Germany, the dog is a mix of griffon, Deutscher Stichelhaar, German Shorthaired Pointer, Deutscher Kurzhaar as well as the Pudelpointer.

He was imported into the United States in the 1920s, and it was in 1953 that the German Drahthaar Club of America was formed.

Description

german shepherd puppy - descriptionThe GSD is very good for being a watchdog and hence it do not welcome guests to home. But when trained from a puppy it will suit itself for making new friends. GSD like to be always with somebody and they can be its master or his family members or else its partner. The GSD is very intelligent and active hence they should be always kept busy, exercised and playing. Nowadays many of them are trained well and made as four legged stars.

When we see all around the world many of them are involved in helping the physically challenged people. Also they are very important personnels in working with police and military for finding the criminals. Their excellent sniffing power works very good when given proper training for finding illegal smuggling. But basically the breed was set in to herd the sheep and protect them from predators.

Based on the popularity they are ranked 2nd in US and 4th in UK.

german wirehaired pointer puppy - descriptionWell muscled, this is a medium to large sized dog standing at between 57 and 68cm in height and weighing between 27 and 32kg.

He has a weather resistant wiry coat which is of medium length and which is wiry and harsh. Coat color is liver and white as well as black flecked.The undercoat provides insulation against the cold.

He has quite a bit of facial hair in terms of eyebrows, beard and whiskers.He has webbed feet, typical of German Pointers. His tail is docked to about two-fifths of its natural length, but these days it is often left long.

Temperament:

Lively, playful, affectionate and intelligent, the German Wirehaired Pointer is easy to teach. He becomes wonderfully obedient with training and socialization and responds well to instructions to sit, come and stay.

He is an active dog and likes to be involved in the activities that his human family are involved in. He becomes bored and frustrated when he doesn’t get the exercise and attention he craves.

He isn’t suited to life in the city where the premises are small as he needs plenty of vigorous exercise every day. They do well in the country where they have plenty of place to run and where their hunting skills come into action.

Characteristics

Children friendliness

german shepherd dog - characteristicsThe GSD is a very good child friendly dog, they love to play with kids.

Adaptability

They adopts both hot and cold climates, but they like cold weather very much and also their body is suitable for cold than hot.

Learning ability

The GSD has high ability to learn tricks and also they are interested in learning. As they have very high intelligence they learn very easily and quickly.

german wirehaired pointer dog - characteristicsGerman Wirehaired Pointers make awesome pets as they’re lively, playful, social and loving. They particularly suit living in a home where the people are active, outdoor types.

They make superb jogging- or cycling companions and will thrive on sharing these activities with a family member. He is a dog who has a need to be loved and included in all that his family gets up to. He wants lots of pats and stroking to show him that you care.

Give him the love and care he craves and you’re guaranteed to have the most wonderful loving pet.

Health Problems

german shepherd puppies - health problemsThe GSD has the chances for getting orthopaedic diseases such as hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. Other common orthopaedic problems which affects GSD are Panosteitis, Osteochondritis and cruciate ligament rupture.They also get some skin problems such as allergies and pyoderma. Digestive problems such as chronic diarrhea and colitis are also seen in GSD.

Hair fall

GSD is a continuous shedder. They are having a two layer coat. They should be brushed daily as it will remove the dead fur and thus prevents shedding.

german wirehaired pointer puppies - health problemsGerman Wirehairs are generally healthy, and when you look after them well they can reach 12, 13 or 14 years of age. Also, if both German Wirehaired Pointer parents have certificates proving they were tested and cleared of hip dysplasia, hereditary eye diseases and blood-clotting disease, then your pet will have less risk of developing these conditions.

Your pet isn’t likely to get sick, but like all breeds of dogs, they're prone to certain diseases and conditions. Hip Dysplasia is something that can be noticed when your pet is still a puppy.

Hip Dysplasia:

This is a heritable condition where the thigh bone doesn't fit properly into the hip joint. Your dog can battle with pain so that he no longer wants to play, he battles to get up after lying down and he may even begin to show signs of lameness. Arthritis can develop too.

Cataracts:

You’ll notice cloudiness on the eye lens that can grow over time. Not all cataracts impair vision, although there are some instances where vision loss is experienced. Cataracts can sometimes be surgically removed with good results.

Caring The Pet

german shepherd dogs - caringThe GSD should be given an cool environment which they will enjoy a lot.

Feeding the puppy

The GSD puppy should be fed small quantities of food but several times per day as it needs to gain 2 gms weight per day. The preferred food for them is dry food along with raw liver pieces which would provide them excellent energy. The protein food given to puppy should contain 25 to 30% calories. Puppies consume more food when compared with adults.

Feeding the adult

The GSD needs a food which has a considerable amount of protein. They are carnivores in the nature. The protein can be given from cooked meat. The artificial food products will not be suitable for them. When are provided with protein food they will gain fat from itself. The recommended fat content for GSD is 5% to 8%.

Points for Good Health

The GSD should be provided with a nutritional food for their good health.

Games and Exercises

Physical exercises are very much needed for GSD since they are very energetic and power packed. It is highly recommended to make them play and run daily as they don't need to get bored. They can be made to climb in hilly areas as they want to explore their surroundings. They can be made to swim or play hide and seek and find the missing objects. Regular morning walk will be very good for them.

german wirehaired pointer dogs - caringYour German Wirehaired Pointer isn’t a heavy shedder so brushing his coat twice a week will be ideal for him to rid the coat of loose hairs.

Diet:

Your German Wirehaired Pointer is an active dog and this has to be taken into account when looking at diet. He will require a diet with quality protein. You’ve also got to look at things such as whether your dog is neutered or spayed as they require less calories. On the other hand there are dogs that will require more calories because of their activity levels.

Make sure your German Wirehaired Pointer eats a top quality dog food. Add in some homemade food such as cooked brown rice, chicken and vegetables from time to time as well as some raw meat. You have to constantly remember that your dog’s health depends on the nutrition you provide.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. German Wirehaired Pointer vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. German Wirehaired Pointer vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. German Wirehaired Pointer vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. German Wirehaired Pointer vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. German Wirehaired Pointer vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. German Wirehaired Pointer vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. German Wirehaired Pointer vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. German Wirehaired Pointer vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. German Wirehaired Pointer vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. German Wirehaired Pointer vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. German Wirehaired Pointer vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. German Wirehaired Pointer vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. German Wirehaired Pointer vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. German Wirehaired Pointer vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. German Wirehaired Pointer vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. German Wirehaired Pointer vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. German Wirehaired Pointer vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. German Wirehaired Pointer vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. German Wirehaired Pointer vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. German Wirehaired Pointer vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. German Wirehaired Pointer vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. German Wirehaired Pointer vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. German Wirehaired Pointer vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. German Wirehaired Pointer vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. German Wirehaired Pointer vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. German Shepherd vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Golden Retriever vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Labrador Retriever vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  29. West Highland White Terrier vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  30. French Bulldog vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  31. Beagle vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  32. Yorkshire Terrier vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  33. Poodle vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  34. Rottweiler vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  35. Boxer vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  36. English Pointer vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  37. Siberian Husky vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  38. Doberman Pinscher vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  39. American Bully vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  40. Abruzzenhund vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  41. Affenpinscher vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  42. Afghan Hound vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  43. Aidi vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  44. Airedale Terrier vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  45. Akbash Dog vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  46. Akita vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  47. Africanis vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  48. Askal vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  49. Atlas Terrier vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  50. Aussie Poo vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison