Enter a realm where passion meets purpose, where companionship intertwines with excellence. The Deutsch-Drahthaar, often revered as the quintessential versatile hunting dog, embodies the epitome of German engineering and dedication.
The Deutsch-Drahthaar (pronounced drot – like trot / har – like car) was created in Germany in the late 19th century by a small group of dedicated breeders who set out to develop a versatile hunting dog that would satisfy all aspects of German hunting in field, forest, and water. This group of breeders succeeded in creating a versatile hunting dog that took its traits from the best dogs of the existing coarse hair breeds, cross bred with the shorthair blood. These ancestors included the Stichelhaar, Pudelpointer, Griffon, and the Deutsch-Kurzhaar.
The Deutsch-Drahthaar is a mid-sized, substantial dog. The height at shoulder varies from around 61 to 68 cm for males, and 57 to 64 cm for females. The coat is generally wiry, and tightly fit with a thick under wool. This coat was developed to provide optimal protection form external influences such as moisture, cold and heat, as well as thorns, brush and insects. The extended “eyebrows” and the typical beard give the DD his characteristic appearance. The breed has a variety of colorations. They are: brown and white or black and white ticked usually with some solid patches, and solid brown with or without a white chest patch.
A group of breeders founded the Verein Deutsch-Drahthaar (VDD) in May 1902. The driving force behind the Deutsch-Drahthaar, Freiherr Sigismund of Zedlitz and Neukirch, demanded that the primary breeding goal of the hunting dog be versatile performance ability. His thoughts became the principle of the VDD breeding program: “through performance to standard”. This principle is still upheld today, with registered breeders following a tradition of required performance and physical evaluation for all of the dogs used in the breeding program.
Many breeders of the German Wirehaired Pointer (GWP) errantly refer to their breed as Drahthaar. In addition to significant differences in breed standard, the Wirehair has been bred without regulation or restriction since the late 1950’s, but especially without the performance testing that proves the ability of the Drahthaar. After years of unrestricted breeding and no versatile performance standards the German Wirehaired Pointer has evolved into a distinctly separate breed. Click here for a little more history on the German Wirehaired Pointer (GWP).
Today’s DD is the dog most frequently used by the German hunting establishment, and is rapidly gaining popularity elsewhere, and that is not without reason. The Deutsch-Drahthaar is a passionate, hard-working dog. They are noted for their endurance and willingness to obey, as well as the ability to concentrate on the work at hand. After persistently searching the field with a sensitive nose, the DD shows the game by pointing, so that the hunter comes to a calm shot. Shot birds are hunted down and retrieved to the master. In particular, DD’s exhibit the characteristic of a retriever of lost game. They do this by their inbred capacity to track and pursue (and even dispatch) wounded game persistently and uncompromisingly in some of the most difficult conditions. This saves the game from unnecessary suffering. Their endurance, swimming ability and heavy coat also make them well suited to waterfowl hunting in the most adverse conditions.
While the Deutsch-Drahthaar is a superb hunting companion, they are also well suited as a family dog. DD’s are normally gentle and friendly with children and other dogs, and are known to become protective of their “family” and home. Their intelligence and calm manner help them in adjusting to various living conditions. VDD Breeding Regulations specify that DD’s who show unwarranted aggressiveness toward people or other dogs are to be removed from the breeding program, so these traits do not get passed on.
As with all genuine hunting/working dogs, the DD needs legitimate specialty training and consistent guidance. Only when given sufficient training and activity does he seem content.
To ensure the continued quest for improvement of performance, regulations were established which require that all Deutsch-Drahthaar used for breeding must first meet certain hunting performance standards. This evaluation of performance is conducted at special field tests designed to demonstrate inherited qualities.
The testing program of Group North America adheres to all VDD and JGHV Test Regulations. To evaluate hunting ability, VDD/GNA sponsors Spring Natural Ability Tests (VJP), Fall Breed Tests (HZP), Fall Utility Tests (VGP), and Coat and Conformation evaluations (Breed Shows). For the purpose of breeding hunting dogs that are valued highly for versatility, the breed tests evaluate inherited ability, rather than establishing the superiority of one dog over another. To enter a dog in these tests, an owner must be a member of a JGHV affiliated club, such as VDD/GNA.
Testing of the dogs’ inherited natural ability begins with the Natural Ability Test (VJP) when the dog is approximately one year old and essentially untrained (i.e. the dog has not been trained to retrieve to hand, although it should have been exposed to furred and feathered game and demonstrated to the handler its ability to track furred game and search for and point feathered game). This “Puppy” Test is designed to evaluate the young Drahthaar’s inherited abilities in five different categories (pointing, nose, tracking, search, and cooperation).
Contact Joe today for more information on testing!
Fall breed Tests (HZP) are conducted each fall for the Drahthaar whelped prior to October 1st of the previous year. The HZP for the retrieving trained dog, again allows evaluation of the five qualities listed above, and adds several demanding retrieving tasks. Desire, obedience, and trainability are also important aspects of the is evaluation.
The ultimate field test for the fully trained Drahthaar is the Utility Test (VGP). This test allows evaluation in 26 categories, and 18 different hunting situations. This test is a comprehensive evaluation of the dog’s performance. Obedience is emphasized in the VGP, however, natural ability also is evaluated. Handlers of the Deutsch-Drahthaar are encouraged to strive toward the successful completion of the VGP.
Many breeders of the German Wirehaired Pointer (GWP) errantly refer to their breed as Drahthaar. In addition to significant differences in breed standard, the Wirehair has been bred without regulation or restriction since the late 1950’s, but especially without the performance testing that proves the ability of the Drahthaar. After years of unrestricted breeding and no versatile performance standards the German Wirehaired Pointer has evolved into a distinctly separate breed.
All certified judges at GNA sanctioned events have successfully trained and handled a dog through all tests, and have served as an apprentice judge in a minimum of two VJP’s, two HZP’s, and two VGP’s.
Many think the abilities of the VDD registered Drahthaar are phenomenal, but this should be expected when you consider the discipline, care and dedication which has gone into its development.
Preacher vom Wilde
D.O.B. – 04/11/2021
Color – Braum m. Abz.
ZB-Nr – 247046
DG StB – TBA
ZR# – TBA
Form/Hair – 10/11
Height/Length – 62/63
Furnishings – F/f
VJP – 69
HZP – 182/190
VGP – I./310TF
Other Tests – Breeding Soundness
Other Awards – 4th Place Armbruster
12 Duck Search
HD-frei – YES
OCD-frei – YES
ED-frei – YES
vWD-frei – YES DNA
Hemophilia B-frei – YES DNA
EIC-frei – YES DNA
Hyperuricosuria-frei – YES DNA
Owned by Ryan & Joe Aumann
Loyal, WI
715-613-6868
Ivan vom Seymour
D.O.B. – 04/17/2019
Color – Brsch
ZB-Nr – 240325
DG StB – TBA
Form/Hair – 10/10
Height/Length – 65/66
Furnishings – F/f
VJP – Covid/4
HZP – 166/179
VGP – NT
Other Tests – Marked Sight Loud, Formblatt 23b
Other Awards – NT
HD-frei – YES
OCD-frei – YES
ED-frei – YES
vWD-frei – YES DNA
Hemophilia B-frei – YES DNA
Owned by Dylan Bender
Great Falls, MT
406-770-0646
K litter
Sire: Ody vom Wendigjager
D.O.B. – 05/18/2017
Color – Brsch
ZB-Nr – 234705
DG StB – N/A
ZR# – N/A
Form/Hair – 09/09
Height/Length – 66/67
VJP – 73 Pts.
HZP – 179/192 Armbruster
VGP – NT
Other Tests – NT
Other Awards – Winner 2018 Armbruster
HD-frei – YES
OCD-frei – YES
ED-frei – YES
vWD-frei – YES DNA
Dam: Gracie vom Seymour
2019 Armbruster Winner
D.O.B. – 04/03/2018
Color – Brsch
ZB-Nr – TBA
Form/Hair – 10/11
Height/Length – 60/62
VJP – 74
HZP – 182/199/209.5 Armbruster
VGP – I./312TF
Other Tests – NT
Other Awards – 2019 Armbruster Best Female
HD-frei – YES
OCD-frei – YES
ED-frei – NT
vWD-frei – Yes
Puppies
Huskar vom Wiredhaus
D.O.B. – 05/10/2003 – 12/08/2016
R.I.P Huskar – he is greatly missed!
Color – Brsch
Zuchtbuch-Nr. – 191156
VJP – 72
HZP – 180
VGP – 262
NAVHDA – Versatile Champion 2006
Bibbi v.d. Westmark
D.O.B. – 10/18/2007 – 12/05/2017
R.I.P Bibbi – she is greatly missed!
Color – Schwsch
Zuchtbuch-Nr. – 205107
ZR – 364/07
Form/Hair – 11/11
Height/Length – 61/63
VJP – 77, 12 in nose at VJP
HZP – 196o.Sp./208m.Sp. Armb
VGP – I./311TF
NAVHDA – Versatile Champion 2012
HD-frei – YES
OCD-frei – NT
ED-frei – NT
vWD-frei – YES DNA
Brie vom Seymour
D.O.B. – 06/06/2012
Color – Schwsch
ZB-Nr – 220267Form/Hair – 9/11
Height/Length – 59/59
VJP – 64
HZP – 185
VGP – I./309TF
Other Tests – NT
Other Awards – VGP Prize I
HD-frei – YES
OCD-frei – YES
ED-frei – YES
vWD-frei – YES PED
Callie vom Seymour
D.O.B. – 05/12/2013
Color – Brsch
ZB-Nr – 223987
Form/Hair – 11/12
Height/Length – 59/59
VJP – 67
HZP – 189/225.5 Armbruster
VGP – TBA
Other Tests – NT
Other Awards – 7th @ Armbruster 2015
HD-frei – YES
OCD-frei – YES
ED-frei – YES
vWD-frei – YES PED