Maremma Sheepdog vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison

Maremma Sheepdog vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed ComparisonGerman Wirehaired Pointer is originated from Germany but Maremma Sheepdog is originated from Italy. Both German Wirehaired Pointer and Maremma Sheepdog are having almost same height. German Wirehaired Pointer may weigh 13 kg / 28 pounds lesser than Maremma Sheepdog. Both German Wirehaired Pointer and Maremma Sheepdog has same life span. Both German Wirehaired Pointer and Maremma Sheepdog has almost same litter size. Both German Wirehaired Pointer and Maremma Sheepdog requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Sporting dog
Working dog
undefined
Germany
Italy
Height Male:
60 - 68 cm
23 - 27 inches
65 - 73 cm
25 - 29 inches
Height Female:
57 - 68 cm
22 - 27 inches
65 - 73 cm
25 - 29 inches
Weight Male:
27 - 32 kg
59 - 71 pounds
35 - 45 kg
77 - 100 pounds
Weight Female:
25 - 32 kg
55 - 71 pounds
35 - 45 kg
77 - 100 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 13 Years
10 - 13 Years
Litter Size:
6 - 10
6 - 9
Size:
Large
Large
Other Names:
Deutsch Drahthaar, Drahthaar
Maremmano, Abruzzese Sheepdog
Colors Available:
black flecked , Liver and white
White
Coat:
Straight, wiry, harsh
Long and Thick
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

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.

maremma sheepdogKnown also as the Cane de Pastore Maremmano-Abruzzese, the Maremma Sheepdog is often referred to as the Maremmano or the Abruzzese Sheepdog.

This is a working dog – a guardian of sheep and an indigenous dog to central Italy. The dog has been used for centuries already to guard sheep.

It was in 1924 that the first standard for the breed was published.

Description

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.

maremma sheepdog puppy - descriptionThe Maremma Sheepdog is a large dog with a muscular build. Some people who have owned these distinctive-looking dogs say he is like a big bear. He stands at 65 to 73 cm in height, both male and female, and he weighs 35 to 45 kg.

The coat is long, thick and white with a dense undercoat. If you look you’ll see flashes of pale orange or apricot amid the white. There is thicker, longer hair around the neck area.

The nose is black, the eyes brown and the ears medium length and floppy. The long tail is set low and is thickly feathered. You can expect 6 – 10 puppies from these dogs.

Temperament:

The Maremma has always been used to guarding sheep, and today even though he is looked upon as a wonderful, friendly companion dog, he also makes an excellent watch dog, being brave and courageous. He isn’t the kind of dog that you think of as getting wildly excited over something, as he has a dignified aura about him.

He is an independent dog, so training and sociaization will be absolutely imperative as he is strong-willed and likes to do things his way. Once trained and socialized, it is amazing to see such a large dog obeying all your commands such as ‘lie down, come, sit an stay'. He is very intelligent and shouldn’t have any trouble learning these basic commands.

He is calm and gets on well with children as well as other pets in the home. With his role as guardian of sheep, he has learned to be loyal and patient and will make a loyal ad loving family pet he takes his role as guardian very seriously.

He loves hard work, and shepherds have always appreciated the splendid work he does guarding their flocks. As a companion you will also appreciate the many excellent qualities he possesses.

The Maremma Sheepdog isn’t recommended for life in the city where there is a tiny garden. He has always been accustomed to large open spaces and requires a large garden. He won’t tolerate heat well with that thick coat of his and will require a shady spot in your garden to retreat to.

Characteristics

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.

maremma sheepdog dog - characteristicsThis is a beautiful dog, but large, so don’t make the mistake of wanting a large dog like this for his looks. He will be expensive to feed.

If you have the means to provide a good home for him, he is friendly and good natured, even though he is strong-willed and independent.

Provide him with a good home and you’ll have a most splendid pet and companion.

Health Problems

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.

maremma sheepdog puppies - health problemsThis ancient dog breed is robust and can reach 11 to 13 years of age when cared for properly. Like any other dogs, he can be prone to certain health problems.

One of these is hip dysplasia. Preventing your dog from becoming overweight can work towards preventing these kinds of musculoskeletal issues. Hip dysplasia occurs when your dog’s hip joints don’t develop properly so that the hips partially dislocate.

It is painful for your dog and it can be debilitating, leading to arthritis too and making it difficult for your pet to get around and to get up from lying down. There are a number of treatment options offered by your vet.

Caring The Pet

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.

Exercise:

maremma sheepdog dogs - caringAs already suggested, this large dog will need space and he will need to be exercised. Apart from long walks in he countryside or in the park or your neighborhood, he will also need other activities that stimulate him mentally and physically.

Grooming:

The thick, all-weather coat of the Maremma will need a thorough bushing at least twice a week to get rid of all those loose hairs. When you are brushing him, look around for signs of ticks and fleas too and run your hands over him to feel for any unusual lumps.

Diet:

The Maremma is a large-breed dog, so before you get a big dog like this, decide whether you have the financial means to feed him and look after him properly. He is going to cost a lot to feed, so think it through first.

He will need to be fed a high-quality commercial dog food which has been specially formulated for a dog of his size. Keep the food of dogs simple. We’re all tempted to feed our dog treats like things such as chocolates, coffee, nuts, onions, grapes and raisins but these can cause havoc with your dog’s stomach.

Stick to simple, nutritious food. Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and vegetables such as potatoes, spinach and carrots can do wonders for your pet when you sometimes mix this into his kibble.

Try and mix some raw meat into his diet occasionally. Make sure he always has access to fresh, cool water.

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. Maremma Sheepdog vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Maremma Sheepdog vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Maremma Sheepdog vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Maremma Sheepdog vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Maremma Sheepdog vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Maremma Sheepdog vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Maremma Sheepdog vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Maremma Sheepdog vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Maremma Sheepdog vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Maremma Sheepdog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Maremma Sheepdog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Maremma Sheepdog vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Maremma Sheepdog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Maremma Sheepdog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Maremma Sheepdog vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Maremma Sheepdog vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Maremma Sheepdog vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Maremma Sheepdog vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Maremma Sheepdog vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Maremma Sheepdog vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Maremma Sheepdog vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Maremma Sheepdog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Maremma Sheepdog vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Maremma Sheepdog vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Maremma Sheepdog vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison