Appearance of the German Hund Pointer
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The German Hund Pointer is a mixture of two dog breeds that are quite different from each other in structure, and their offspring can be very varied, even within the same litter. They are generally longer than they are tall, although for dogs that look more like the Wirehaired Pointer than the Dachshund, the difference may be less noticeable. This hybrid may have the long, straight legs of a pointing dog or the short, slightly curved legs of a Dachshund, or anything in between. Its skull is long, broad and slightly arched, with either the long, square muzzle of the Pointer or the long, tapering muzzle of the Dachshund. It has almond-shaped or oval brown eyes and medium-length rounded ears that fall to the sides. Its coat is double-layered, with a very short, soft undercoat and a topcoat that is generally medium-length and harsh, although some German Hounds may have a short, smooth or medium-length, silky topcoat. |
Temperament of the German Hund Pointer
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The German Hund Pointer is still a fairly recent hybrid, and can take all or part of its temperament from any of its parent breeds. The German Wirehaired Pointer is an extremely athletic animal that needs to keep busy, otherwise it risks becoming noisy and destructive, but it is also rather serious and, although it can clown on occasion, this is an uncommon phenomenon. The Dachshund is described as lively and courageous; it tends to clown much more often than the Wirehaired Pointer and is content with less exercise. While this cross should play well with older children, it is often not as suitable a companion for younger children. Individuals with the German Wirehaired Pointer temperament can be too boisterous for toddlers, and those with the Dachshund temperament can be jealous or possessive. With plenty of extra exercise, they can adapt somewhat to apartment living, but in general they are too energetic and noisy to be good housemates. |
Needs and activities of the German Hund Pointer
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While the German Wirehaired Pointer is an extremely active dog, the Dachshund doesn't need as much exercise to stay healthy and fit. The German Hund Pointer needs at least an hour to an hour and a half of vigorous exercise a day to stay in top shape, and he can do this in a number of ways. Not only are leash walks appreciated, but this crossbreed can also enjoy and excel in tracking and retrieving exercises, agility training and swimming. This particular hybrid is not well suited to apartment living and is much happier in a home with a fenced garden. It's important not to leave this dog alone in the yard for long periods, as it can quickly dig under an average fence in pursuit of prey. |
Maintenance of the German Hund Pointer
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The grooming needs of this hybrid are fairly undemanding. A bath is rarely necessary, unless the dog gets dirty and, in most cases, brushing is enough a few times a week to keep the coat shiny and healthy. If the German Hund Pointer follows the wirehaired German Pointer side of its heritage, it may start life with a silky or woolly coat rather than a wirehaired one. This puppy coat has a greater tendency to tangle and needs to be brushed more often than the harsh coat of a wirehaired German Pointer or wirehaired German Dachshund. The German Hund Pointer can also receive its genes from a smooth-coated or long-coated Dachshund, giving it the option of being born with a short, smooth outer coat or a medium-length silky coat. |