German Wirehaired Sprointer -- German Wirehaired Pointer X English Springer Spaniel

		German Wirehaired Sprointer
		He is not recognized by the F.C.I.


Origin			Germany <> Great Britain -> U.S.A.
Translation			Francis Vandersteen

A brief presentation of the German Wirehaired Sprointer

The German Wirehaired Sprointer, simply known as the Sprointer, is a hybrid between the German Wirehaired Pointer and the English Springer Spaniel. Because this breed has parents who thrive on outdoor activities and are very energetic, you can assume that the German Wirehaired Sprointer will also be a high-energy dog. Their coats are relatively low-maintenance and tend to adopt a well-balanced appearance between the two parent breeds. As the German Wirehaired Sprointer is indeed a hybrid breed, appearance and personality can in fact vary greatly, even within the same litter. That said, this dog's parent breeds are quite similar and therefore produce puppies that tend to have long, athletic bodies, striking tails, large, bright brown eyes and loose ears framing the face. The German Wirehaired Sprointer is an excellent companion and working dog that will gladly follow you on a camping trip or hunting expedition. He can also bark when he needs to, but it won't be excessive, and while he'll be good with children and other animals, it's best to supervise him during these interactions. If you're looking for an active, loyal, affectionate, friendly and all-round companion, then the German Wirehaired Sprointer may be the dog for you.

History of the German Wirehaired Sprointer

Due to the fact that the German Wirehaired Sprointer is a more recent hybrid breed, there isn't much information about its origins. However, we do know enough about its parent breeds: the German Wirehaired Pointer and the English Springer Spaniel. Combining these two parent breeds, there's no doubt that the result would be a highly energetic, loving and loyal dog, ideal for families and outdoor enthusiasts the world over. If you're looking for a dog that fits this description, the German Wirehaired Sprointer may be just the thing for you.

	A little of the German Wirehaired Pointer
	Bred for sport and hunting, the German Wirehaired Pointer originated in Germany in the 1800s. These hunting dogs are said to have developed from many other breeds such as crosses between other Pointers, Poodles, Polish Water Dogs, Foxhounds and more. The main reason why so many breeds were used in the creation of the German Wirehaired Pointer is that enthusiasts of the time wanted to create a strong, versatile dog that could withstand adverse climates and traverse difficult terrain. He was a sought-after hunting partner because he was equally at home on land and in water. He arrived in the United States in the 1920s and joined the American Kennel Club's list of dogs in 1959 in the sporting dog category.

	Standard of the German Wirehaired Pointer
	A little of the English Springer Spaniel
	The English Springer Spaniel was first bred around the 19th century as a hunter, companion, show dog and field trial participant. It first appeared in Spain and was best known for its ability to pounce on prey quickly and efficiently, giving the Springer Spaniel its name. Since its inception, the breed has been divided into two types, the smaller version for hunting and the larger, more beautiful version for show. Although this breed excels at hunting and showing, the Springer is above all a family dog and loves nothing more than to be surrounded by its humans.

	Standard of the English Springer Spaniel

Appearance of the German Wirehaired Sprointer

As the German Wirehaired Sprointer is a cross between the German Wirehaired Pointer and the English Springer Spaniel, its appearance and personality can vary considerably, even within the same litter of puppies. However, despite this fact, the two parent breeds tend to have similar characteristics, making the German Wirehaired Sprointer a perfectly suited combination of the two. Being slightly longer than they are tall, the German Wirehaired Sprointer is a big dog with an athletic build, long ears and a narrow muzzle. Their eyes are generally light to dark brown and full of intelligence. Depending on which coat type decides to dominate the other genes, this breed can have a stiff or soft coat, regardless of texture, it will always be a shorter coat. The coat colors of the German Wirehaired Sprointer can vary from a lot of different colors and patterns, but the most common would be roan, tricolor, black and white or brown and white. The tail is generally long unless it has been docked, and although this breed has a shorter coat, its DNA means that it is not afraid of very cold or hot temperatures. Despite this, mild temperatures would be preferable to keep him as comfortable as possible.

Temperament of the German Wirehaired Sprointer

Although the German Wirehaired Sprointer may bark at strangers from time to time, don't count on it to be a guard dog. This breed is very affectionate and friendly, barking only when unsure of something, but never to intimidate. The German Wirehaired Sprointer is extremely loyal, but it's not just a one-person dog, it loves everyone. This breed is an excellent choice for families, as their loving personality and intelligent nature make them great fun and easy to train. It's important that this breed is bred with young children while it's still a puppy in order to socialize it well around them, the same principle applies to other animals too. The German Wirehaired Sprointer is very energetic and active, making it the ideal companion for those who love the outdoors. Whether you're camping, hiking, swimming, hunting or just going for a light jog, the German Wirehaired Sprointer will be delighted to take part in the activity with you. Just make sure you spend plenty of time training him, so your dog knows exactly what you want him to do when you need him. As both parent breeds of the German Wirehaired Sprointer train quite easily, training a German Wirehaired Sprointer shouldn't be difficult overall, this also makes it a good choice for inexperienced dog owners. Just be prepared to spend a lot of time exercising him and practicing good training methods.

Needs and activities of the German Wirehaired Sprointer

Because the German Wirehaired Sprointer has two very active parent breeds, it's important to provide it with a sufficient amount of physical and mental stimulation several times a day. This will help your dog use his energy productively, avoiding the destruction of your property - as they say, a bored dog is a destructive dog. Some good activities you can do to help carry your German Wirehaired Sprointer would be outdoor adventures such as hunting, training, playing fetch in the yard, bike rides, a long jog, a long walk and trial classes. All these things help you bond with your dog and tire him out mentally and physically. While mental stimulation may not seem as important, for a highly intelligent dog it's extremely necessary. With early training sessions and plenty of bonding, you can ensure that your dog never gets bored and also learns to behave well in many different situations. Because the German Wirehaired Sprointer doesn't bark often and tends to do well in any size home as long as it has access to exercise, it can live anywhere, from the city to the countryside.

Maintenance of the German Wirehaired Sprointer

The German Wirehaired Sprointer is a low-maintenance dog. Both parent breeds shed seasonally, so be prepared for dog hair on your clothes and furniture. Although the German Wirehaired Sprointer can shed often, if you groom him at least twice a week with a metal comb and curry brush, you'll be able to remove any hair and dirt that may be on his body and help reduce the amount of shedding. You should only bathe your dog once every few months, or whenever your dog becomes particularly dirty. That's because the German Wirehaired Sprointer doesn't have a bad dog smell. In addition to bathing and brushing, it's important to thoroughly dry and clean your dog's ears after bathing or swimming. Because of the German Wirehaired Sprointer's folded ears, any residual moisture trapped inside the ear canal can cause infection and irritation. However, by carefully drying the ears, these problems can be avoided. Finally, be sure to trim your dog's paw nails every few weeks or whenever you hear the nails clicking against the floor. This will keep the nails healthy and free from tears or breaks.

Details: Written by: Francis Vandersteen; Also available:; Last Updated: 06 April 2024; Hits: 570

German Wirehaired Sprointer -- German Wirehaired Pointer X English Springer Spaniel