The Deutsch-Drahthaar was created in Germany in the late 19th
century by a small group of dedicated breeders who set out to
develop a versatile hunting dog that would satisfy all aspects of
German hunting in field, forest, and water. This group of breeders
succeeded in creating a versatile hunting dog that took its traits from
the best dogs of the existing coarse hair breeds, cross bred with the
shorthair blood. These ancestors included the Stichelhaar,
Pudelpointer, Griffon, and the Deutsch-Kurzhaar.

The Deutsch-Drahthaar is a mid-sized, substantial dog. The height at
shoulder varies from around 61 to 68 cm (24" to 26.8") for males, and
57 to 64 cm (22.4" to 25.2") for females. The coat is generally wiry, and
tightly fit with a thick under wool. This coat was developed to provide
optimal protection form external influences such as moisture, cold
and heat, as well as thorns, brush and insects. The extended
"eyebrows" and the typical beard give the DD his characteristic
appearance. The breed has a variety of colorations. They are: brown
and white or black and white ticked usually with some solid patches,
and solid brown with or without a white chest patch.

A group of breeders founded the Verein Deutsch-Drahthaar (VDD) in
May 1902. The driving force behind the Deutsch-Drahthaar, Freiherr
Sigismund of Zedlitz and Neukirch, demanded that the primary
breeding goal of the hunting dog be versatile performance ability. His
thoughts became the principle of the VDD breeding program:
"through performance to standard". This principle is still upheld today,
with registered breeders following a tradition of required performance
and physical evaluation for all of the dogs used in the breeding
program.

Many breeders of the German Wirehaired Pointer (GWP) errantly refer
to their breed as Drahthaar. In addition to significant differences in
breed standard, the Wirehair has been bred without regulation or
restriction since the late 1950’s, but especially without the
performance testing that proves the ability of the Drahthaar. After
years of unrestricted breeding and no versatile performance
standards the German Wirehaired Pointer has evolved into a
distinctly separate breed. Click here for a little more history on the
German Wirehaired Pointer (GWP).

Today's DD is the dog most frequently used by the German hunting
establishment, and is rapidly gaining popularity elsewhere, and that is
not without reason. The Deutsch-Drahthaar is a passionate, hard-
working dog. They are noted for their endurance and willingness to
obey, as well as the ability to concentrate on the work at hand. After
persistently searching the field with a sensitive nose, the DD shows the
game by pointing, so that the hunter comes to a calm shot. Shot birds
are hunted down and retrieved to the master. In particular, DD's
exhibit the characteristic of a retriever of lost game. They do this by
their inbred capacity to track and pursue (and even dispatch)
wounded game persistently and uncompromisingly in some of the
most difficult conditions. This saves the game from unnecessary
suffering. Their endurance, swimming ability and heavy coat also
make them well suited to waterfowl hunting in the most adverse
conditions.

While the Deutsch-Drahthaar is a superb hunting companion, they
are also well suited as a family dog. DD's are normally gentle and
friendly with children and other dogs, and are known to become
protective of their "family" and home. Their intelligence and calm
manner help them in adjusting to various living conditions. VDD
Breeding Regulations specify that DD's who show unwarranted
aggressiveness toward people or other dogs are to be removed from
the breeding program, so these traits do not get passed on.

As with all genuine hunting/working dogs, the DD needs legitimate
specialty training and consistent guidance. Only when given
sufficient training and activity does he seem content.
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