Traditionally, French hound breeds with wiry-coats have been known as “griffons,” but the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) recognizes three lines of the griffon type, the griffon vendéens, wirehaired pointers, and the smousje, and not all of them are French. The Dutch Smoushond is, of course, Dutch, while the Spinone Italiano is also known as the Italian Griffon. Another griffon-type breed is the German Roughhaired Pointer, and we got to wondering how this breed differs from the German Wirehaired Pointer. Both are characterized by rough or wire-hair, both are recognized by the United Kennel Club, but of the two, only the Wirehaired is AKC recognized. We hoped we’d find the answer in the UKC’s breed standards.
We weren’t given permission to share a side-by-side image of the two breeds, so you’ll have to dart back and forth to compare and contrast as you read along. The German Roughhaired Pointer image is here, the German Wirehaired Pointer, here.
Both have medium sized ears that are set high. Both have broad heads. Both have medium sized eyes with close fitting rims, and both have medium length necks. Both have tails that when undocked, should reach to the hock, and although the wording varies in the description of the feet, both, in essence, are required to have compact feet with well knit toes. Black is a disqualification in the German Roughhaired Pointer, but not in the GWP
Where we found an important difference was in the breed histories. The Wirehaired was recognized by the UKC in 1948, while the Roughaired Pointer (also known as the Stichelhaar) didn’t gain acceptance until 2006. More significantly, however, is that the Roughhaired Pointer is said to be the oldest of the German rough coated pointing breeds not interbred with any of the English Pointers, while the GWP was developed from the Pointer, Griffon, Stihelhaar and Pudelpointer.
Do we have any German Roughaired Pointer readers? We’d love to see actual photographs of these dogs.
Image: “Ever Ready” by Paul Doyle
https://www.facebook.com/PaulDoyleArt
About the best history of the Stichelhaar http://pointingdogblog.blogspot.com/2011/05/breed-of-week-stichelhaar_30.html
Thanks for sharing this, Bernee. We’re big fans of Craig Koshyk and are eagerly anticipating his next book!
A picture of our rough-haired pointer. You can only buy this breed if you have a hunting license.
Lyanna, s/he’s stunning, and yes, we’ve read this about the breed (that one must have a licence before owning the dog). If you get the chance, we’d love to see more photos.