Are German Wirehaired Pointers Good Dogs? What Science Says

Last Updated: Nov 22, 2022

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Introduction to the Temperament of the German Wirehaired Pointer

The are many descriptions of the temperament of the German Wirehaired Pointer out there. However, most of these descriptions are difficult to verify or prove. They are based on mere speculations.

In this article, we will provide a factual description of the temperament of the German Wirehaired Pointer based on solid scientific research. This will give you a better understanding of what you can expect from the German Wirehaired Pointer breed.

We obtained our description of the temperament of German Wirehaired Pointer by analyzing raw scientific data from The Canine Behavioral Assessment & Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) database.

The C-BARQ dog temperament standard was developed by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania. It is considered the gold standard for measuring the behavior of dogs.

Over the years, the C-BARQ study has collected data on the temperament of thousands of dogs of different breeds including the German Wirehaired Pointer.

The C-BARQ study obtains its data by asking dog owners to score the behavior of their dogs on different behavior patterns.

The idea behind the C-BARQ study is that if it collects thousands of scores from thousands of dog owners on different aspects of dog behavior, a clear pattern will emerge on the temperament of different dog breeds.

The C-BARQ questionnaire measures 14 behavior aspects of dogs:

  1. Aggression towards stranger
  2. Aggression towards its owner
  3. Aggression towards other dogs
  4. How well they get along with other dogs
  5. Fear of strangers
  6. Fear of new things (new objects, unfamiliar loud sounds, etc)
  7. Fear of other dogs
  8. Separation anxiety
  9. Clinginess
  10. Trainability/ Stubbornness
  11. Prey drive
  12. Excitability
  13. Touch sensitivity
  14. Energy level

In this article, we will discuss the score of the German Wirehaired Pointer for each of these 14 characteristics. This will let you know the real temperament of the German Wirehaired Pointer.

The summary table below shows the score of the German Wirehaired Pointer for the different behavioral characteristics.

High percentage scores close to 100 are bad. Low percentage scores close to 0 are good.

Behavior Score
Attachment Attention Seeking 81.7 percent
Prey Drive 62.3 percent
Energy Level 57.5 percent
Excitability 53.9 percent
Nonsocial Fear 5.7 percent
Owner Directed Aggression 5.4 percent
Dog Directed Aggression 36.7 percent
Dog Rivalry 27.3 percent
Stranger Directed Aggression 27.0 percent
Separation Related Behavior 24.9 percent
Dog Directed Fear 17.5 percent
Touch Sensitivity 13.5 percent
Stubbornness 11.9 percent
Stranger Directed Fear 11.3 percent

Note that with proper training, you can better your German Wirehaired Pointer`s temperament. To learn how to properly train your German Wirehaired Pointer, I highly recommend that you go through Dr. Ian Dunbar`s online dog training classes, which you can find here.

I learned most of the things that I know about training dogs by reading Dr. Dunbar`s books and watching his training videos. Dr. Dunbar`s dog training methods are for people expecting to own a puppy soon, new dog owners, and experienced dog owners.

Another helpful online dog training class that I recommend is this one. The class will teach you how to properly train your German Wirehaired Pointer.

See also our complete ranking of dog breeds from the `best` to the `worst` based on temperament.

Are German Wirehaired Pointers Aggressive Towards Strangers?

Dog breeds that are aggressive to strangers show hostile responses to strangers approaching or invading the dog`s or the dog owner`s personal space, territory, or home range.

Stranger-aggressive dog breeds are quick to show aggression to unfamiliar people.

Typical signs of moderate aggression in dogs include barking, growling, and baring of teeth. More serious display of aggression generally includes snapping, lunging, biting, or attempting to bite.

German Wirehaired Pointers are a little bit aggressive towards strangers.

This is because the German Wirehaired Pointer ranks low for aggression towards strangers.

The German Wirehaired Pointer ranks number 81 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards strangers.

This information is based on what 19 German Wirehaired Pointer owners reported on the temperament of their German Wirehaired Pointer in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the German Wirehaired Pointer has a stranger-directed-aggression score of 27.0 %.

Other dog breeds that are a little bit aggressive towards strangers just like the German Wirehaired Pointer are listed in the table below

Stranger-Directed-Aggression Rank Breed Stranger-Directed-Aggression Score
78 Shiba Inu 27.3 %
79 West Highland White Terrier 27.2 %
80 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier 27.0 %
81 German Wirehaired Pointer 27.0 %
82 English Bulldog 26.4 %
83 Shetland Sheepdog 26.3 %
84 Papillon 26.2 %

The dog breeds that are most aggressive towards strangers are the:

  1. American Eskimo Dog
  2. Dachshund
  3. Miniature Pinscher
  4. Dachshund (Miniature)
  5. Miniature Schnauzer

The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards strangers are the:

  1. Siberian Husky
  2. Greyhound
  3. Irish Wolfhound
  4. Samoyed
  5. Black and Tan Coonhound

Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the most stranger-aggressive breed to the least stranger-aggressive breed.

Temperament of the German Wirehaired Pointer

Are German Wirehaired Pointers Aggressive Towards their Owners?

Due to human effort over the course of many centuries, the dog has become a very domestic animal. Dogs have learned to live well with humans. As a result, dogs respect and love their owners. Nevertheless, some dog breeds are less respectful to their owners than some other dog breeds.

Owner-aggressive dog breeds show threatening or hostile responses to their owner or other members of the household when challenged, manhandled, stared at, stepped over, or when approached while in possession of food, objects, or toys.

A dog that is owner-aggressive shows its aggression by barking, growling, and baring of teeth. In extreme cases, these dogs can snap, lunge, bite, or attempt to bite their owners.

German Wirehaired Pointers are not aggressive towards their owners.

This is because the German Wirehaired Pointer ranks very low for aggression towards its owner.

The German Wirehaired Pointer ranks number 115 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards their owners.

This information is based on what 19 German Wirehaired Pointer owners reported on the temperament of their German Wirehaired Pointer in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the German Wirehaired Pointer has an owner-directed-aggression score of 5.4 %.

Other dog breeds that are not owner-aggressive just like the German Wirehaired Pointer are listed in the table below

Owner-Directed-Aggression Rank Breed Owner-Directed-Aggression Score
112 Border Terrier 6.0 %
113 American Pit Bull Terrier 5.7 %
114 Mastiff (English) 5.6 %
115 German Wirehaired Pointer 5.4 %
116 Portuguese Water Dog 5.0 %
117 Bouvier des Flandres 4.9 %
118 Irish Setter 4.6 %

The dog breeds that show the most aggression towards their owners are the:

  1. Pekingese
  2. Basenji
  3. Australian Silky Terrier
  4. Lhasa Apso
  5. Alaskan Husky

The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards their owners are the:

  1. Chinook
  2. Pointer
  3. Irish Water Spaniel
  4. Rhodesian Ridgeback
  5. Italian Greyhound

Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are most aggressive to their owners to the ones that are least aggressive to their owners.

Are German Wirehaired Pointers Aggressive Towards other Dogs?

Dogs that are aggressive towards other dogs will direct aggressive threats or actions toward unknown or unfamiliar dogs.

A dog-aggressive dog will threaten or show hostile responses when approached by unfamiliar dogs

A dog that is dog-aggressive shows its aggression by barking, growling, and baring of teeth. In extreme cases, these dogs can snap, lunge, bite, or attempt to bite other dogs.

German Wirehaired Pointers are a little bit aggressive towards other dogs.

This is because the German Wirehaired Pointer ranks low for aggression towards other dogs.

The German Wirehaired Pointer ranks number 81 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards other dogs.

This information is based on what 19 German Wirehaired Pointer owners reported on the temperament of their German Wirehaired Pointer in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the German Wirehaired Pointer has a dog-directed aggression score of 36.7 %.

Other dog breeds that are a little bit dog-aggressive just like the German Wirehaired Pointer are listed in the table below

Dog-Directed-Aggression Rank Breed Dog-Directed-Aggression Score
78 German Shorthaired Pointer 37.1 %
79 Rottweiler 36.9 %
80 Redbone Coonhound 36.8 %
81 German Wirehaired Pointer 36.7 %
82 Cocker Spaniel (English) 36.5 %
83 Borzoi 36.4 %
84 Poodle (Standard) 35.7 %

The dog breeds that show the most aggression towards other dogs are the:

  1. American Eskimo Dog
  2. Parson Russell Terrier
  3. Chinese Crested
  4. Pit Bull mix
  5. Dachshund

The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards other dogs are the:

  1. Pointer
  2. Black and Tan Coonhound
  3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
  4. Irish Wolfhound
  5. Keeshond

Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are most aggressive to other dogs to the ones that are least aggressive to other dogs.

Personality of the German Wirehaired Pointer

Are German Wirehaired Pointers Afraid of Strangers?

Some dogs breeds tend to be fearful of strangers.

Dogs that are fearful of strangers will avoid strangers. These dogs will crouch, cringe, or tremble when approached by strangers.

Extreme fear in dogs is characterized by serious attempts to escape or hide from the feared stranger.

German Wirehaired Pointers are not fearful of strangers.

This is because the German Wirehaired Pointer ranks very low for fear of strangers.

The German Wirehaired Pointer ranks number 103 out of 124 dog breeds for fear of strangers.

This information is based on what 19 German Wirehaired Pointer owners reported on the temperament of their German Wirehaired Pointer in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the German Wirehaired Pointer has a stranger-directed-fear score of 11.3 %.

Other dog breeds that are not stranger-fearful just like the German Wirehaired Pointer are listed in the table below

Stranger-Directed-Fear Rank Breed Stranger-Directed-Fear Score
100 Labrador Retriever 12.8 %
101 Irish Setter 11.7 %
102 Pointer 11.5 %
103 German Wirehaired Pointer 11.3 %
104 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier 11.1 %
105 Borzoi 10.7 %
106 English Setter 10.5 %

The dog breeds that show the most fear of strangers are the:

  1. Dachshund (Miniature)
  2. Chinese Crested
  3. American Eskimo Dog
  4. Italian Greyhound
  5. Chihuahua

The dog breeds that are least fearful of strangers are the:

  1. Old English Sheepdog
  2. Irish Wolfhound
  3. Norwegian Elkhound
  4. Siberian Husky
  5. Giant Schnauzer

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are most fearful of strangers to the ones that are least fearful to strangers.

Are German Wirehaired Pointers Afraid of Other Dogs?

Some dogs breeds tend to show fear when an unfamiliar dog approaches them.

A dog that is fearful of other dogs will try to avoid meeting other dogs.

German Wirehaired Pointers are not fearful of other dogs.

This is because the German Wirehaired Pointer ranks very low for fear of other dogs.

The German Wirehaired Pointer ranks number 106 out of 124 dog breeds for fear of other dogs.

This information is based on what 19 German Wirehaired Pointer owners reported on the temperament of their German Wirehaired Pointer in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the German Wirehaired Pointer has a dog-directed-fear score of 17.5 %.

Other dog breeds that are not other-dog-fearful just like the German Wirehaired Pointer are listed in the table below

Dog-Directed-Fear Rank Breed Dog-Directed-Fear Score
103 Irish Water Spaniel 20.1 %
104 Scottish Terrier 19.7 %
105 Irish Wolfhound 17.6 %
106 German Wirehaired Pointer 17.5 %
107 Great Pyrenees 16.8 %
108 Gordon Setter 16.6 %
109 Bullmastiff 16.5 %

The dog breeds that are most fearful of other dogs are the:

  1. Dachshund (Miniature)
  2. Fox Terrier (Toy)
  3. Chinese Crested
  4. Chihuahua
  5. Lhasa Apso

The dog breeds that are least fearful of other dogs are the:

  1. Giant Schnauzer
  2. Ibizan Hound
  3. Eurasier
  4. Borzoi
  5. Kuvasz

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are most fearful of other dogs to the ones that are least fearful of other dogs.

Is the German Wirehaired Pointer a good pet

Do German Wirehaired Pointers Have Non-Social Fears?

Dogs that are fearful of sudden or loud noises, traffic, and unfamiliar objects and situations are said to exhibit nonsocial fear.

German Wirehaired Pointers are not fearful of unfamiliar sounds, situations, and objects.

This is because the German Wirehaired Pointer ranks very low for non-social fear.

The German Wirehaired Pointer ranks number 118 out of 124 dog breeds for being fearful of unfamiliar things and situations.

This information is based on what 19 German Wirehaired Pointer owners reported on the temperament of their German Wirehaired Pointer in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the German Wirehaired Pointer has a nonsocial-fear score of 5.7 %.

Other dog breeds that are not nonsocial-fearful just like the German Wirehaired Pointer are listed in the table below

Nonsocial-Fear Rank Breed Nonsocial-Fear Score
115 Portuguese Water Dog 6.1 %
116 English Setter 6.0 %
117 Rhodesian Ridgeback 5.9 %
118 German Wirehaired Pointer 5.7 %
119 Eurasier 5.7 %
120 Borzoi 4.0 %
121 Kuvasz 1.2 %

The dog breeds that are most fearful of unfamiliar situations and objects are the:

  1. Australian Silky Terrier
  2. Dingo
  3. Fox Terrier (Smooth)
  4. English Bulldog
  5. Italian Greyhound

The dog breeds that are least fearful of unfamiliar situations and objects are the:

  1. Giant Schnauzer
  2. Siberian Husky
  3. Irish Setter
  4. Kuvasz
  5. Borzoi

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are most fearful of unfamiliar situations to the ones least fearful of unfamiliar situations.

Do German Wirehaired Pointers Get Along Well With Other Dogs?

Some dog breeds display high dog rivalry. These dog breeds will threaten or act hostile to other familiar dogs in the same household.

These dog breeds will compete with other dogs. Also, these dog breeds do not get along well with other dogs.

German Wirehaired Pointers are a little bit competitive when dealing with other dogs.

This is because the German Wirehaired Pointer ranks low on dog rivalry.

The German Wirehaired Pointer ranks number 95 out of 124 dog breeds for displaying dog rivalry when dealing with familiar dogs.

This information is based on what 19 German Wirehaired Pointer owners reported on the temperament of their German Wirehaired Pointer in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the German Wirehaired Pointer has a dog-rivalry score of 27.3 %.

Other dog breeds that are a little bit competition-driven just like the German Wirehaired Pointer are listed in the table below

Dog-Rivalry Rank Breed Dog-Rivalry Score
92 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever 29.1 %
93 Flat-Coated Retriever 29.1 %
94 Black and Tan Coonhound 27.4 %
95 German Wirehaired Pointer 27.3 %
96 Whippet 26.3 %
97 Collie 26.0 %
98 German Shorthaired Pointer 25.4 %

The dog breeds that do not get along well with other dogs are the:

  1. Miniature Pinscher
  2. Parson Russell Terrier
  3. Fox Terrier (Smooth)
  4. French Bulldog
  5. Treeing Walker Coonhound

The dog breeds that get along well with other dogs are the:

  1. Chinook
  2. Saint Bernard
  3. Norwegian Elkhound
  4. Italian Greyhound
  5. Scottish Terrier

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on how well they get along with other dog breeds.

The German Wirehaired Pointer. Is it aggressive?

Are German Wirehaired Pointers Easy to Train?

Dogs have high trainability have the willingness to listen to their owner. These dogs are not stubborn. These dogs obey simple commands, and they learn very quickly.

Highly trainable dogs excel at fetching objects. They also respond positively to correction and ignore distraction.

German Wirehaired Pointers are very much easy to train.

This is because the German Wirehaired Pointer ranks very high for trainability.

The German Wirehaired Pointer ranks number 14 out of 124 dog breeds for easiness to train.

This information is based on what 19 German Wirehaired Pointer owners reported on the trainability of their German Wirehaired Pointer in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the German Wirehaired Pointer has a trainability score of 88.1 %.

Other dog breeds that are very much easy to train just like the German Wirehaired Pointer are listed in the table below

Trainability Rank Breed Trainability Score
11 Belgian Sheepdog 90.8 %
12 Poodle (Standard) 88.6 %
13 English Springer Spaniel 88.2 %
14 German Wirehaired Pointer 88.1 %
15 Collie 86.4 %
16 German Shepherd 86.0 %
17 Golden Retriever 85.8 %

The dog breeds that are most easy to train are the:

  1. Belgian Tervuren
  2. Belgian Malinois
  3. Border Collie
  4. Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
  5. Irish Water Spaniel

The dog breeds that are difficult to train are the:

  1. Dingo
  2. Treeing Walker Coonhound
  3. Basenji
  4. Afghan Hound
  5. Pekingese

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are easiest to train to the ones that are most difficult to train.

Learn more about how intelligent the German Wirehaired Pointer is and how the intelligence of the German Wirehaired Pointer affects its trainability in this article on how smart the German Wirehaired Pointer is.

Do German Wirehaired Pointers Get Along Well with Cats? Do They Get Along Well with Other Pets?

Dog breeds that have high chase-drive will run after (chase) cats, birds, and/or other small animals, given the opportunity.

German Wirehaired Pointers are quite a bit into chasing after other smaller pets like cats, squirrels, chickens, and birds.

This is because the German Wirehaired Pointer ranks high for small-pet-chasing.

The German Wirehaired Pointer ranks number 37 out of 124 dog breeds for chasing after smaller pets.

This information is based on what 19 German Wirehaired Pointer owners reported on the temperament of their German Wirehaired Pointer in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the German Wirehaired Pointer has a chasing score of 62.3 %.

Other dog breeds that are quite a bit into chasing after smaller pets just like the German Wirehaired Pointer are listed in the table below

Chasing Rank Breed Chasing Score
34 Alaskan Husky 63.0 %
35 English Setter 62.8 %
36 Giant Schnauzer 62.4 %
37 German Wirehaired Pointer 62.3 %
38 Staffordshire Bull Terrier 62.2 %
39 Australian Silky Terrier 61.5 %
40 Gordon Setter 59.6 %

The dog breeds that like chasing after cats and other smaller pets are the:

  1. Basenji
  2. Dingo
  3. Ibizan Hound
  4. Parson Russell Terrier
  5. Borzoi

The dog breeds that will not chase after cats and other smaller pets are the:

  1. Pug
  2. Bulldog
  3. Shih Tzu
  4. Bernese Mountain Dog
  5. Great Pyrenees

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their prey drive.

Things to know before getting the German Wirehaired Pointer

Do German Wirehaired Pointers Like Attention? Are they Clingy or Aloof?

Some dog breeds like to stay close to their owners all the time. These dogs like attention, and they like to receive the affection of their owners.

These dogs get jealous when their owners give attention to other dogs or other people instead of them.

Dogs with these traits are described as attachment/attention-seeking.

German Wirehaired Pointers are very much attachment/attention-seeking.

This is because the German Wirehaired Pointer ranks very high for attachment/attention-seeking behavior.

The German Wirehaired Pointer ranks number 8 out of 124 dog breeds for attachment/attention-seeking behavior.

This information is based on what 19 German Wirehaired Pointer owners reported on the temperament of their German Wirehaired Pointer in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the German Wirehaired Pointer has an attachment/attention-seeking score of 81.7 %.

Other dog breeds that are very much attachment/attention-seeking just like the German Wirehaired Pointer are listed in the table below

Attachment-Attention-Seeking Rank Breed Attachment-Attention-Seeking Score
5 American Eskimo Dog 85.0 %
6 Old English Sheepdog 84.5 %
7 Cocker Spaniel (English) 82.2 %
8 German Wirehaired Pointer 81.7 %
9 Miniature Schnauzer 79.7 %
10 Dachshund (Miniature) 78.6 %
11 Miniature Pinscher 78.6 %

The dog breeds that are always seeking the attention of their owners are the:

  1. Poodle (Toy)
  2. Fox Terrier (Toy)
  3. Australian Silky Terrier
  4. Australian Cattle Dog
  5. American Eskimo Dog

The dog breeds that are aloof are the:

  1. Norwegian Elkhound
  2. Borzoi
  3. Kuvasz
  4. English Setter
  5. Chow Chow

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their clinginess.

Do German Wirehaired Pointers have Separation Anxiety? Do They Like to be Left Alone?

Dog breeds that have separation anxiety do not like to be left alone.

These dog breeds tend to bark and destroy things when separated from their owners.

They become restless or lose their appetite when left alone.

German Wirehaired Pointers are not prone to developing separation anxiety.

This is because the German Wirehaired Pointer ranks very low for separation anxiety relative to other dog breeds.

The German Wirehaired Pointer ranks number 99 out of 124 dog breeds for separation anxiety.

This information is based on what 19 German Wirehaired Pointer owners reported on the temperament of their German Wirehaired Pointer in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the German Wirehaired Pointer has a separation anxiety score of 24.9 %.

Other dog breeds that are not prone to develop separation anxiety just like the German Wirehaired Pointer are listed in the table below

Separation-Related-Behavior Rank Breed Separation-Related-Behavior Score
96 Border Collie 25.4 %
97 Australian Shepherd 25.2 %
98 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier 25.1 %
99 German Wirehaired Pointer 24.9 %
100 Keeshond 23.7 %
101 Bulldog 23.6 %
102 Belgian Tervuren 23.3 %

The dog breeds that are most prone to develop separation anxiety are listed below. These dog breeds do not like to be left alone. These dog breeds are the:

  1. Treeing Walker Coonhound
  2. Fox Terrier (Smooth)
  3. Chinese Crested
  4. Miniature Pinscher
  5. Australian Silky Terrier

The dog breeds that are least prone to develop separation anxiety are the:

  1. Kuvasz
  2. Borzoi
  3. Giant Schnauzer
  4. Eurasier
  5. Bernese Mountain Dog

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their tendency to develop separation anxiety.

Temperament Profile of the German Wirehaired Pointer

Are German Wirehaired Pointers Touch Sensitive? Do They Like to be Groomed?

Dogs that are touch-sensitive are fearful of `painful` procedures such as bathing, grooming, nail clipping, and veterinary examinations.

These dogs do not like going through these `painful` procedures, and they will react to show they do not like the procedure.

German Wirehaired Pointers are not touch-sensitive.

This is because the German Wirehaired Pointer ranks very low for touch sensitivity.

The German Wirehaired Pointer ranks number 116 out of 124 dog breeds for touch sensitivity.

This information is based on what 19 German Wirehaired Pointer owners reported on the temperament of their German Wirehaired Pointer in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the German Wirehaired Pointer has a touch-sensitivity score of 13.5 %.

Other dog breeds that are not touch-sensitive just like the German Wirehaired Pointer are listed in the table below

Touch-Sensitivity Rank Breed Touch-Sensitivity Score
113 Poodle (Standard) 15.4 %
114 English Setter 15.1 %
115 Golden Retriever 14.5 %
116 German Wirehaired Pointer 13.5 %
117 Saint Bernard 12.8 %
118 Bernese Mountain Dog 12.7 %
119 Irish Water Spaniel 12.0 %

The dog breeds that are most touch-sensitive are the:

  1. Fox Terrier (Toy)
  2. Miniature Pinscher
  3. Pekingese
  4. Australian Silky Terrier
  5. Chihuahua

The dog breeds that are least touch-sensitive are the:

  1. Kuvasz
  2. Borzoi
  3. Pointer
  4. Gordon Setter
  5. Portuguese Water Dog

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their sensitivity to touch.

Are German Wirehaired Pointers Hyper? Are they Highly Excitable?

Excitable dog or hyper dog breeds display strong reactions to potentially exciting or arousing events, such as:

  • going for walks
  • car trips
  • sound of the doorbell
  • arrival of visitors, and
  • the owner arriving home

Highly excitable dog breeds have difficulty settling down after arousal.

German Wirehaired Pointers are quite a bit hyper (excitable).

This is because the German Wirehaired Pointer ranks high for excitability.

The German Wirehaired Pointer ranks number 32 out of 124 dog breeds for excitability.

This information is based on what 19 German Wirehaired Pointer owners reported on the temperament of their German Wirehaired Pointer in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the German Wirehaired Pointer has an excitability score of 53.9 %.

Other dog breeds that are quite a bit excitable just like the German Wirehaired Pointer are listed in the table below

Excitability Rank Breed Excitability Score
29 Fox Terrier (Wire/Wire-haired) 54.9 %
30 French Bulldog 54.7 %
31 Chesapeake Bay Retriever 54.0 %
32 German Wirehaired Pointer 53.9 %
33 American Staffordshire Terrier 53.7 %
34 German Shorthaired Pointer 53.5 %
35 Chihuahua 53.2 %

The dog breeds that are most hyper (excitable) are the:

  1. Australian Silky Terrier
  2. Fox Terrier (Smooth)
  3. American Eskimo Dog
  4. Parson Russell Terrier
  5. Miniature Schnauzer

The dog breeds that are least hyper (excitable) are the:

  1. Borzoi
  2. Samoyed
  3. Great Pyrenees
  4. Italian Greyhound
  5. Anatolian Shepherd

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on how hyper they are.

The German Wirehaired Pointer

Are German Wirehaired Pointers Playful? What is the Energy Level of German Wirehaired Pointers

Energetic dog breeds are very playful dog breeds. These are the dog breeds that do not get tired easily.

German Wirehaired Pointers are somewhat energetic.

This is because the German Wirehaired Pointer ranks average for energy level.

The German Wirehaired Pointer ranks number 61 out of 124 dog breeds for energy level.

This information is based on what 19 German Wirehaired Pointer owners reported on the temperament of their German Wirehaired Pointer in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the German Wirehaired Pointer has an energy-level score of 57.5 %.

Other dog breeds that are somewhat energetic just like the German Wirehaired Pointer are listed in the table below

Energy-Level Rank Breed Energy-Level Score
58 Redbone Coonhound 58.3 %
59 Yorkshire Terrier 58.2 %
60 Poodle (Standard) 57.9 %
61 German Wirehaired Pointer 57.5 %
62 Shetland Sheepdog 57.3 %
63 Labrador Retriever 57.1 %
64 Pembroke Welsh Corgi 56.8 %

The dog breeds that are most playful and most energetic are the:

  1. Belgian Malinois
  2. Belgian Tervuren
  3. Fox Terrier (Toy)
  4. German Shorthaired Pointer
  5. Ibizan Hound

The dog breeds that are laziest are the:

  1. Kuvasz
  2. Anatolian Shepherd
  3. Greyhound
  4. Great Pyrenees
  5. Pekingese

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the most energetic to the least energetic.

Conclusion on German Wirehaired Pointer Temperament

The temperament of your German Wirehaired Pointer comes from a combination of its genetics and what environment your German Wirehaired Pointer is exposed to.

You cannot change your German Wirehaired Pointer`s gene but you can change the things you expose your German Wirehaired Pointer to.

Exposing your German Wirehaired Pointer to dog training sessions early in its life can help you mold the temperament of your German Wirehaired Pointer to what you desire.

Again, with proper training, you can better your German Wirehaired Pointer`s temperament. To learn how to properly train a dog, I highly recommend Dr. Ian Dunbar`s online dog training classes, which you can find here.

I learned most of the things I know about training dogs by reading Dr. Dunbar`s books and watching his training videos. Dr. Dunbar`s dog training methods are for people expecting to own a puppy soon, new dog owners, and experienced dog owners.

Another helpful online dog training class that I recommend is this one. The class will teach you how to properly train your German Wirehaired Pointer.

If you think the German Wirehaired Pointer is the right dog breed for you, see our article on how much German Wirehaired Pointers cost and German Wirehaired Pointer puppy buying guide.

Also, see our list of reputable German Wirehaired Pointer breeders in the United States and the prices of their German Wirehaired Pointer puppies.