Irish Water Spaniel vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison

Irish Water Spaniel vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed ComparisonIrish Water Spaniel is originated from Ireland but German Wirehaired Pointer is originated from Germany. Irish Water Spaniel may grow 9 cm / 3 inches shorter than German Wirehaired Pointer. Both Irish Water Spaniel and German Wirehaired Pointer are having almost same weight. Both Irish Water Spaniel and German Wirehaired Pointer has almost same life span. Both Irish Water Spaniel and German Wirehaired Pointer has almost same litter size. Both Irish Water Spaniel and German Wirehaired Pointer requires Moderate maintenance.

History

irish water spaniel - historyThe Irish Water Spaniel is one of the larger spaniel types and also one of the oldest.

He is sometimes referred to as the Southern Irish Water Spaniel. Hailing from Ireland, the precise origins of the dog aren't altogether sure. It is believed that the dog came from other dogs from Persia and there are references to these water dogs from as early as 1600.

The modern breed was developed in Ireland in the 1830s. The breed's purpose is that of a hunter of waterfowl and he swims strongly.

The Irish Water Spaniel was recognized by the AKC in 1884. In 1890 the Irish Water Spaniel Club was formed.

german wirehaired pointer - historyMedium 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.

Basic Information

Group:
Gun dog
Sporting dog
Origin:
Ireland
Germany
Height Male:
51 - 59 cm
20 - 24 inches
60 - 68 cm
23 - 27 inches
Height Female:
51 - 59 cm
20 - 24 inches
57 - 68 cm
22 - 27 inches
Weight Male:
25 - 30 kg
55 - 67 pounds
27 - 32 kg
59 - 71 pounds
Weight Female:
25 - 30 kg
55 - 67 pounds
25 - 32 kg
55 - 71 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
10 - 13 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 12
6 - 10
Size:
Medium dog
Large dog
Other Names:
Rat Tail, Southern Irish Water Spaniel
Deutsch Drahthaar, Drahthaar
Colors Available:
Dark Brown, Liver
black flecked , Liver and white
Coat:
Longish hair - thick and very curly
Straight, wiry, harsh
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

irish water spaniel puppy - descriptionA peculiar feature of this dog is its hairless tail which is partly covered in curls which the rest is all but hairless, giving him the nickname of Rat Tail or Whip Tail.

Looking much like a Poodle with his tight oily curls, the Irish Water Spaniel is a medium to large sized purebred dog, a robust, compact built dog with a skull which is shaped like a dome.

The muzzle is longish, the eyes dark brown and intelligent looking and the ears are long and floppy.

His hair is thick and curly and it sheds very little so that the dog is regarded as being hypoallergenic. The medium length coat is a dark brown, liver color with fairly tight curls that may even tend to cover the eyes.

It is interesting to note that he has webbed feet, which is useful for when the dog swims.He stands at roughly 51cm to 61cm and weighs between 25 to 30kg.

Temperament:

Temperament in any dog is affected by socialization and the way the human owner raises the dog. The Irish Water Spaniel is a water loving dog, being active and energetic.

He is an intelligent dog and easy to train and socialize. When trained he becomes such an obedient dog. He has also got a light-hearted side to him and is actually known to be quite amusing and clownish, providing plenty of laughs for you.

They make good family dogs, getting on well with children in the home as well as with other pets. They're also able to make good guard dogs, taking the protective roles seriously. He isn't an aggressive dog but he has a warning bark that can be a good warning to intruders.

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

irish water spaniel dog - characteristicsYour active Irish Water Spaniel just loves water so you can count him in whenever you go swimming. That is one characteristic of the Irish Water Spaniel – he just loves to be involved in all the action you're busy with.

He makes an ideal family pet for an active family, and he will be a loyal and devoted pet who will provide a lot of fun to your family with his mischievous side.

He is confident, independent and strong willed so first time dog owners should bear this in mind. He is essentially just a fun loving, busy dog and if you make sure to exercise him well and make sure he is a participating member of your family, he'll be your most loving and devoted friend.

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

irish water spaniel puppies - health problemsA generally healthy breed, the Irish Water Spaniel, just like with most other dogs, can fall prey to some of the more common dog ailments of which hip dysplasia is one.

Bone and joint problems like this can lead to lameness even in young dogs.

Eye diseases are also a problem, and cataracts can form in the eye, particularly when the dog is older and create a cloudy look to the eye. It's not painful for the dog.

Hypothyroidism, a treatable hormonal disorder is another disease worth being aware of.

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

Grooming:

irish water spaniel dogs - caringYour Irish Water Spaniel requires quite a bit of grooming that will involve his coat, his nails, his teeth and his ears. The double coat doesn't shed much so it can be easily maintained by brushing the coat twice a week.

It can help your water spaniel to look good by sending him in to a doggy grooming parlor to have his curls neatened. This is a dog that loves water and swimming, and you will need to check the inside of his ears for dampness, wax build-up and debris. This can all combine to cause nasty ear infections.

Exercise:

The dog is energetic and will need to be exercised. Take him for walks, play ball games with him and allow him to go on hikes with you or to go swimming. He loves being involved in all your activities as he is a social, active dog.

Diet:

Highly energetic, it will be important to feed your Irish Water Spaniel with food that enhances his energy levels. There are some good quality commercially manufactured dog foods on the market. Choose one that caters for active, athletic dogs such as the Irish Water Spaniel.

Dry kibble is more recommended to prevent canine tooth decay. Mix in some home cooked foods from time to time such as cooked chicken, rice, pasta and vegetables and try to include some raw meat every now and then as well. Make sure he has constant access to fresh, cool water.

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. Pudelpointer vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  2. Picardy Spaniel vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  3. Pont-Audemer Spaniel vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  4. Irish Water Spaniel vs English Springer Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  5. Irish Water Spaniel vs American Cocker Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  6. Irish Water Spaniel vs Brittany - Breed Comparison
  7. Irish Water Spaniel vs English Setter - Breed Comparison
  8. Irish Water Spaniel vs French Brittany - Breed Comparison
  9. Irish Water Spaniel vs Boykin Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  10. Irish Water Spaniel vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  11. Irish Water Spaniel vs Braque d'Auvergne - Breed Comparison
  12. Irish Water Spaniel vs Barbet - Breed Comparison
  13. Irish Water Spaniel vs Ariege Pointer - Breed Comparison
  14. Irish Water Spaniel vs Blue Picardy Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  15. Irish Water Spaniel vs Canadian Pointer - Breed Comparison
  16. Irish Water Spaniel vs Deutsch Drahthaar - Breed Comparison
  17. Irish Water Spaniel vs Clumber Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  18. Irish Water Spaniel vs Braque du Bourbonnais - Breed Comparison
  19. Irish Water Spaniel vs Cesky Fousek - Breed Comparison
  20. Irish Water Spaniel vs Drentse Patrijshond - Breed Comparison
  21. Stabyhoun vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  22. Styrian Coarse Haired Hound vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  23. Vizsla vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  24. Large Munsterlander vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  25. Tyrolean Hound vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  26. German Wirehaired Pointer vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  27. German Wirehaired Pointer vs Chesapeake Bay Retriever - Breed Comparison
  28. German Wirehaired Pointer vs Bull Arab - Breed Comparison
  29. German Wirehaired Pointer vs Eurohound - Breed Comparison
  30. Gordon Setter vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  31. Magyar Agar vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  32. Grand Anglo-Francais Blanc et Noir vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  33. Grand Anglo-Francais Blanc et Orange vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  34. Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  35. Tweed Water Spaniel vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  36. Samoyed vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  37. Labradoodle vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Mixed vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  39. Great Pyrenees vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  40. Old English Sheepdog vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  41. Presa Canario vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  42. Labrador Husky vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  43. Perro de Presa Canario vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  44. Irish Setter vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  45. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  46. Giant Schnauzer vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  47. Greyhound vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  48. Goldador vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  49. German Wirehaired Pointer vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  50. German Wirehaired Pointer vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds