Gun Dog: Are German Wirehaired Pointers Good Dogs for Family Pets?

The German wirehaired pointer is a smart and energetic gun dog that can hunt any game, on land or in water. However, these are also great companion dogs for families that can keep them active and allow them to get all the exercise they need for their health.

Here are some ideas of how these gun dogs can make it when it comes to the domestic life as a family pet.

1. Behavior
This gun dog is such a great hunter because of how energetic and wired he is, according to Vetstreet. That could cause some problems at home because this is a dog that needs a lot of attention. When left alone for prolonged periods, the German wirehaired pointer gets depressed, which leads to barking and destruction of furniture. The dog needs a lot of attention and also needs a lot of exercise, so a house and a yard are required for maximum comfort when it comes to the house training of the dog.

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2. Training
If a person wants to make a German wirehaired pointer into a good family pet, persistent training will have to start at a young age, PetGuide.com said. Crate training is a necessity and they need to stay in there until they learn what they can and can't do around the house. However, it is also extremely important to add socialization to the training to prevent shyness and fear around other people.

3. Children
It is important to socialize the German wirehaired pointer with children while it is a puppy. They should always be supervised the first time they are around children, and older kids are a better bet with this dog, according to DogTime. Toddlers might be too small, and the energy levels of this dog could cause injury by knocking them down one too many times. The best bet is to raise the puppies with the toddlers and allow them to grow up together as companions.

4. Other Pets
That also holds true for cats. While the German wirehaired pointer is a natural hunter, a puppy raised with a kitten will often result in a great relationship between the two pets. However, if this dog sees a strange cat, it might mistake it as prey and create a dangerous situation. Rabbits and hamsters are also better to keep away, and the best home for a German wirehaired pointer is one without strange little furry pets.

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