Bird Hunting Dog Breeds

Deutsch Drahthaar

Don’t get their owners’ hackles up by calling a Deutsch Drahthaar a “German Wirehair.” While they may look alike, and of course Deutsch means German and drahthaar means wirehair, they are two separate breeds, separated by the Atlantic ocean. Drahthaars are bred and tested to different standards in the old country, and American proponents are subject to the same criteria. Drahts are expected to seek out furred and feathered game from pheasants to wild boar, follow a blood track, retrieve all types of shot game on land and water, and of course, protect their human family. Other differences between the two include a slightly stockier appearance and shorter, more flat-lying coat on the “German” version, and many more dogs with dark liver or black as the undercoat color. That coat was developed to be waterproof and protect from briars. Like many versatile breeds, the DD was created by judicious crossing of other breeds including Stichelhaar, Pudelpointer, Griffon, and Kurzhaar (shorthair). Learn more at http://www.vdd-gna.org/index.php.