Drathaar

History of the Drathaar breed

Drathaars are entirely a "product" of the activities of German breeders, which is hinted at by the name of the breed: "draht" (German) – "wire", "haar" – "hair". In the middle of the XIX century, the breeders of the then not yet united Germany set out to bring out a new kind of cop, which would incorporate the best working qualities of its predecessors. The future "model" had to have endurance, excellent flair and the ability to work equally well with both swamp and field game.

In the course of experimental mating, specialists finally managed to get a generation of hunting dogs with promising potential and rough, stiff fur. The genetic material in this particular case was well–known to European hunters Stikhelhaars, Kortals griffons, as well as clever clever poodle pointers. According to breeders, it was the crossing of representatives of the above breeds that made the drathaar an ideal hunter, able to work even in adverse weather conditions.

As for public recognition, it came to the German wire-haired cops already in the 70s of the century before last. Thirty years later, in 1902, the first club of drathaars lovers was founded in Germany, and exactly 22 years later the International Cynological Federation also added animals to its registers. By the beginning of the XX century, the breed managed to gain popularity in many countries of Western Europe, including England. But in the New World, the drathaars did not immediately find their niche, since American hunters, accustomed to highly specialized dogs, treated the bearded German "emigrants" with a bit of distrust for a long time.

Video: Drathaar

Appearance of drathaar

The appearance of the wire-haired cops is original and memorable. The strict, almost military bearing of the dog is complemented by the so-called broad muzzle, which gives the animal an imposing and overly serious look. For example, an adult drathaar has a drooping "mustache" and a sparse "beard", which, combined with an inquisitive look, slightly "age" him.

German wire–haired cops are medium-sized dogs, so the weight of an average representative of the breed should not go beyond the 23-32 kg approved by the standard. By the way, due to a somewhat "dried up" constitution, drathaars almost do not suffer from obesity, although with an abundant diet and lack of physical activity they are able to "eat" a few extra kilograms.

Head

Broad, slightly convex in the lateral parts of the skull with massive brow arches and a flat occiput. Muzzle with a slight hump, strong, of sufficient length and width. The stop (the transition from the frontal part to the muzzle) is well pronounced.

Nose

Lobe with wide nostrils, painted to match the shade of the coat of the drathaar.

Lips

Fleshy, elastic, tight to the gums. The lip color corresponds to the main coat color.

Jaws and teeth

Drathaar's teeth are large, in the amount of 42 pcs. When the jaws close, the lower incisors overlap with the upper ones (scissor bite type).

Eyes

Not very large, non-convex, planted shallowly. The eyelids cover the eyeball well. The color of the iris is dark brown. For puppies, a golden shade of the iris is considered acceptable, which becomes darker with age.

Ears

Small. The bases of the ears are set wide and are located just above the eye line (high landing).

Neck

The neck of the drathaar is of moderate length, muscular, with a raised nape and a clearly defined throat line.

Housing

Slightly stretched, with a sloping back and a strong, muscular lower back. The croup is wide, with a slight slope. Drathaar's chest is deep, noticeably expanded in breadth. The lower part of the body forms a single curved line due to the fitted abdomen and tightened inguinal zones.

Limbs

The front legs are straight, with oblique shoulder blades and elbows pressed against the body. The wrists are strong, the pasterns are set at an angle. The hind limbs stand parallel to each other. Drathaar's thighs are massive, with good musculature. The shins are elongated, dry; the hocks are strong. All four paws stand parallel, maintaining their position even when the animal is moving. The pads of the paws are hard, saturated color.

Tail

Of moderate thickness, continues the croup line and is held in a horizontal or slightly elevated position. Almost all purebred individuals have a docked tail. Exceptions are drathaars living in countries where this procedure is prohibited by law.

Wool

Wool consists of a "wire" cover hair and an abundant waterproof undercoat, providing the animal with reliable protection from the weather and accidental injuries. The optimal length of the drathaar 's coat is 2-4 cm . On the ears, head and belly, the hair is shorter than on the rest of the body.

On the dog's muzzle, the hair forms expressive "eyebrows" and "beard".

Color

Dense-speckled colors of black and brown tones are typical for drathaars, which are sometimes supplemented with spots. Rarely-speckled variants, as well as completely brown ones, are also acceptable. Individuals of brown color are allowed to have a white mark on their chest.

Defects and disqualifying vices

The defects of appearance that prevent exhibition individuals from getting the highest score include an incomplete dental formula, a short and excessively pointed muzzle and a sparse coat with a weakly pronounced undercoat. Drathaars with drooping eyelids, a hunchbacked or, conversely, a concave back and curved limbs do not get an excellent rating either.

There are a number of requirements for the dog's gait. For example, German wire-haired cops should not amble or mince.

If we are talking about disqualification, then animals with such malformations as:

• malocclusion (underbite/overbite);
• misalignment of one of the jaws;
• raznoglazie;
• entropy/ectropy;
• fracture or thickening of the tail;
• defective color.

Behavioral deviations are also included in the list of vices, respectively, when they are detected, the issue of an exhibition career for a pet will be closed forever. Most often, drathaars are disqualified for cowardice (fear of a shot, game) and increased aggressiveness.

Photo of drathaara

Character of drathaar

German wire–haired cops are 80% hunters and only 20% pets. Like true workaholics, these restless "bearded men" are ready to dissect for days in the company of the owner through forest glades and swamp swamps in order to take possession of the coveted trophy. And this is not surprising. The breed is primarily ruled by hunting instincts, which need to be given a way out. Deprived of the opportunity to run after the coveted game or at least a field mouse, the animal soon turns into a pale shadow of itself. So, if you don't particularly like hunting and forays into wild places, there is no point in getting a drathaar.

In relation to strangers, representatives of this breed are suspicious and slightly distrustful, therefore, wire-haired cops are easy to "retrain" into watchmen. By the way, they also make good companions. The drathaars do not offend children, willingly playing catch-up and other active games with them. If it is not possible to take the animal for a full walk, leave it for an hour with the little ones, who will be happy to "load" the dog with a variety of physical exercises.

Among the main advantages of the breed, owners of drathaars usually note a lively mind, diligence and responsibility of its representatives. Wire-haired cops are very sensitive to the mood of the owner and are well aware of what they want from them. The only drawback that can cause mutual misunderstanding between a dog and its owner is the animal's innate craving for dominance. With a friendly enough nature, these bearded hunters are absolutely not averse to subjugating a person, turning him into a performer of his own desires.

Education and training

Raising Drathaars is no more difficult than any other hunting breed. Like most cops, these good-natured "Germans" need a serious mentor who will not abuse the authoritarian style in dealing with them, but will not allow himself to be manipulated. From the first days of the appearance of the drathaar puppy in the house, they begin to cultivate courage in him. The kid should not be afraid of the sounds of gunshots and the sight of wild animals, no matter how impressive they may have. To accustom a dog to the smell of gunpowder and gun volleys is better somewhere away from civilization. At first, shots are fired at a distance of 200 m from the animal. If the drathaar does not show signs of panic and excitement, the interval is gradually reduced.

Those who are going to grow a professional bat bird aporterer from a pet will have to conduct a course of swimming lessons in open reservoirs with him. The puppy should be taught to swim smoothly, since many of them are afraid of water. In any case, do not throw drathaar into the river to develop courage and recklessness in him. Of course, he will not drown, but he will lose trust and respect for you forever.

"You can't!" and "To me!" are commands, the meaning of which a representative of the breed of wire–haired cops should learn as early as possible. Only after the puppy learns to react quickly and correctly to the imperious tone of the owner, you can proceed to get acquainted with the aportirovka. It is desirable to train a dog to carry objects from the age of five months. Traditionally, the training of the drathaar begins with the fact that a stuffed bird is brought to his nose. The animal must grab the offered "prey" and put it on the floor as soon as it hears the command "Aport!" from the owner.

German wire-haired cops really don't like monotony in everything, so it's better to combine several types of activities during training. Let the pet show itself in all its glory by "loading" it with various tasks for ingenuity and searching for objects, not forgetting to intersperse lessons with jogging and games.

Hunting with drathaar

The passion for hunting is inherent in the drathaars at the genetic level, so they are able to catch animals even without passing the appropriate training course. For example, dogs living in private homes often present their owners with "presents" in the form of rats or field rodents. An additional "amplifier" of the hunting talents of the drathaars is their dense, waterproof wool, which protects the animals from thorns and sharp branches. In races through the bush, where other cops thoroughly strip their sides, these charismatic "bearded men" only put on thorns and burrs.

According to domestic hunters, it is better to train a drathaar for some one type of prey. Although in the homeland of the breed, in Germany, wire-haired cops are trained to work simultaneously with three or four varieties of game.

As for the training technique, good results can be achieved by the usual imitation of hunting. As an example: a box is opened in front of a dog sitting next to the owner, from which a bird or one of the forest inhabitants is released. At the same time, the pet must show perseverance, take a stand and wait for the person's command, and not rush with all his legs after the fleeing animals.

The specifics of hunting with drathaar for waterfowl depends on the season. If the duck hunting trip occurred during the cold season, the dog should be fed before it. For the hit prey that fell into the icy autumn water, the cop is sent to the very last place before going home. If the dog has successfully fished out and brought game, he is given plenty to run around to warm up. In summer, when the water is already relatively warm, you can not adhere to these rules. But allowing a dog to swim after a wounded bird through swamps and lakes for more than 15 minutes is definitely not worth it. A fight won't run far anyway, while such swims will only exhaust the pet.

In addition to hunting waterfowl, you can successfully hunt hares and pheasants with drathaar. Thanks to the phenomenal sense and hearing, representatives of this breed are able to smell not only moving, but also lying motionless oblique. As soon as the long-eared object is detected, the dog gives a voice, which serves as a kind of guide for the hunter. The wire-haired cops also find pheasants without much effort. Having smelled the bird, the dog drives it out of the bush towards the owner so that he can aim properly.

Theoretically, it is possible to go wild boar hunting with drathaars, but, as experience shows, they are not the best picklers. Lacking sufficient springiness and ease of movement, wire-haired cops often become a target for a wounded angry beast. If you really want to test your pet on big game, teach him to hold his prey with his voice, without attacking it. Otherwise, the first hunt of your drathaar will be the last.

Maintenance and care

German wire–haired cops are mobile and energetic dogs, so keeping them in a city apartment is undesirable for them. The dream home for a pet will be a cottage or cottage with a plot, garden or forest thicket within walking distance. The drathaars have a dense coat, and they easily tolerate small frosts, so representatives of this breed can be settled in the yard, provided that you provide the pet with a warm kennel with double walls. But do not forget that when the temperature drops sharply (-20 ° C), the dog should be taken into the house.

Individuals forced to live in apartments need a good walking in combination with sufficient physical activity. Usually drathaars are walked twice a day, and each of these "excursions" should last at least 2-3 hours. You can include elements of training in the walk. For example, it will be useful for a dog to run a couple of kilometers.

Hygiene

The owner of the drathaar will not have to "dance" around his pet every day with a comb and a fluff. The wool of this breed is not the longest and practically does not get confused, so it is enough to walk over it with a brush once a week to remove dead hairs. But during the molting period, such a procedure will have to be carried out more often, especially if the animal lives in an apartment. To do this, buy a brush with metal teeth, since other varieties with a rigid "wire" dog hair simply will not cope. It is useful to comb the drathaar even after a race through forests and swamps to free the wool from plant seeds and thorns. In addition, for additional protection of the dog's "fur coat", you can buy a pair of blankets and put them on your pet every time you go out for a walk with him.

Drathaar's "mustache" and "beard" will have to tinker. While eating, the dog often dips them into a bowl, as a result, food particles get stuck in the wool, giving the animal an untidy appearance. Accordingly, after each feeding, the pet's muzzle must be wiped with a rag, and in particularly neglected cases, it must also be washed. If you don't want to turn into a footman for your four-legged friend, shorten his fur around the muzzle. Drathaar's charisma will suffer from this, of course, but you will be spared the need to be on duty near the dog with a napkin.

It is possible to bathe German wire-haired cops up to twice a year, but in fact the animal takes baths much more often, for example, while hunting waterfowl. The dog's ears and eyes should be regularly examined for the presence of inflammation. If the ear funnel of the drathaar is dirty, it is wiped with a damp cloth or napkin. It will not be superfluous to lift and straighten the hanging ear cloth of the pet to slightly ventilate the inside of the shell.

Individuals who are often taken hunting need regular paw inspection. In the heat of pursuit, dogs often step on sharp branches, driving wood particles into the soft surface of the pads. If cracks are found on the paws, this is a signal of a lack of fats in your pet's diet. In this case, treat the pads with any nourishing cream, additionally including vegetable oil in the dog's menu.

Once a month, the drathaars are treated with antiparasitic agents, which is especially important for animals that are in the aviary. In the period from March to October, the procedure can be carried out more often, since ticks are activated at this time.

Feeding

While domestic dog handlers continue to advocate for the natural feeding of wire-haired cops, European breeders successfully treat their pets with "drying". If you chose the second method as less labor-intensive, keep in mind that the drathaar feed should be grain-free and contain a large amount of protein (from 30%). Some owners practice mixed feeding, when the animal receives "drying" at one meal, and natural food at the second. This option is not considered ideal, but is allowed by most breeders.

The basis of drathaar's natural nutrition is raw lean meat and offal. At the same time, it is absolutely not necessary to feed the dog with tenderloin: German wire-haired cops are willingly content with scraps or meat waste. You can dilute animal proteins in the pet's diet with buckwheat, rice or oatmeal porridge, as well as fermented milk products. The dog's digestion also treats seasonal vegetables quite favorably, if it is not potatoes, peas or beans. Sometimes drathaar can be pampered with a chicken egg.

Drathaar's Health and Diseases

An active lifestyle and natural endurance do not insure German wire-haired cops from predisposition to a number of diseases. Most often, hip dysplasia, diabetes and hypothyroidism are detected in representatives of this tribe. Aortic stenosis, melanoma and cataracts are also considered quite common ailments of the breed. In addition, drathaars often suffer from decomposed granuloma, eczema and otitis media.

How to choose a puppy

• Before you start choosing a future pet, visit the breed club or section that controls the breeding activities of kennels to get full information about the mating and the true titles of the parents of puppies.
• If the puppy you like has a weakly pronounced "mustache" and "beard", it is better to postpone the purchase for several months. Perhaps, after some time, the fur on the muzzle will grow up. If this does not happen, give up the baby, because such a pet will not pass "face control" at any exhibition.
• Those who plan to acquire a capable hunter should ask if the puppy's parents have the appropriate experience. The best option is a baby from a bitch and a male who have at least two diplomas in swamp and field game.
• Watch how the drathaar puppy behaves in the pack. Give preference to curious individuals trying to dominate their fellows.
• Inexperienced owners are better off choosing girls. They are more contactable and malleable. Drathaar males are more stubborn and independent, they need a strict and self-confident mentor.

How much does drathaar cost

You can buy a drathaar puppy in Russian kennels for $200 - $250 . If the parents of the baby have working (hunting) diplomas, its cost automatically increases: on average, price tags for such individuals start from $300. The most economical options are offered by free ad sites. Virtual sellers, of course, do not give guarantees about the purity of the breed, but you can buy drathaars from them at very tempting prices: from $40 to $70.