Slovakian Wirehaired Pointer

This Slovakian pointer was developed in the mid 20th century by crossing Weimaraners with wirehaired Griffons to produce an all-round hunting dog equally at home in water, forest, and field. A male can weigh up to 31 kilograms on a muscular frame, with a harsh, weatherproof coat and heavy brows and beard that protect the muzzle from brush and cold. The breed's distinctive grayish steel color comes down from its Weimaraner ancestry. It's still seen far more often in the hunting field than at dog shows or in a city apartment. It needs regular exercise and a job to do, since boredom tends to turn into destructive behavior indoors. It works closely with its handler and picks up commands quickly in outdoor conditions. Life expectancy runs 12 to 14 years.

Browse dog food sized right for this breed

Slovakian Wirehaired Pointer: how old in human years?

57–68 cmHeight
20–31 kgWeight
12–14 yrsLife expectancy

Cesky Fousek

FCI group: Pointing Dogs
FCI section: Section 1.3: Continental Pointing Dogs, Type Griffon
FCI: 320
Country of origin: Slovakia

Energy level

5/5
Trainability

4/5
Family friendly

4/5
Grooming need

3/5

At a glance

Height

Males 62–68 cm

Females 57–64 cm

Weight

Males 25–31 kg

Females 20–28 kg

Life expectancy

12–14 yrs

Coat

wiry, harsh, weatherproof (wire-haired)

Temperament & Family Life

Slovakian Wirehaired Pointer's average temperament and family-life score for this breed is moderate.

Family friendly 4/5
Good with children 4/5
Good with other dogs 3/5
Friendly with strangers 3/5
Intelligence 4/5
Trainability 4/5

Exercise, Energy & Space

Slovakian Wirehaired Pointer's energy and exercise needs are high.

Energy level 5/5
Exercise need 5/5
Apartment friendly 1/5
Prey drive 5/5
Hunting instinct 5/5

Guarding & Alertness

Slovakian Wirehaired Pointer's guarding and alertness traits are moderate.

Guarding instinct 2/5
Watchfulness 3/5
Barking level 3/5

Grooming & Care

Slovakian Wirehaired Pointer's grooming needs are low.

Shedding 2/5
Drooling 1/5
Grooming need 3/5

Living with the Slovakian Wirehaired Pointer

Early morning, dew on the stubble, and the dog suddenly freezes: muzzle stretched out, one paw lifted, its whole body pointing at the bush where a partridge is hiding. The Slovakian Wirehaired Pointer is a versatile gundog: it searches, points, retrieves and never says no to a jump into water. That passion doesn't switch off in town, so it needs real work: long fields and forests, swimming, search games or hunting.

It has a great deal of energy, and half an hour on the lead won't settle it. Left with nothing to do, it soon finds its own entertainment, and you are unlikely to enjoy it. A flat doesn't suit it; a house with a yard and an owner who loves being active is best. In return, it wants to learn and is good at it: clever, attentive and quick to grasp what you expect, especially when training feels like work rather than a chore.

Back home and well exercised, it becomes a gentle, friendly member of the family that generally gets on with children and is happy to lie at your feet. It greets strangers with reserve but without hostility, and it usually finds common ground with other dogs. Cats and small pets can be too much of a temptation for its hunting instinct, so take care with them. If your weekends are spent outdoors, you will struggle to find a better companion.

Grooming and coat

The Slovakian Wirehaired Pointer's coat is harsh and wiry, made to shrug off brambles, reeds and cold water. It sheds lightly, and a weekly once-over with a firm brush is enough to lift out dead hair and sand. A few times a year it is worth plucking out the dead hair by hand, or having a groomer do it: that keeps the coat harsh and weatherproof. Clipping it is best avoided, since it softens the coat and takes away its protection.

The beard and eyebrows give the face its character, but the beard will be wet after every drink, and grass and mud can catch in it on walks, so give it a daily wipe with a towel. After fields and woods, check the skin and the drop ears for ticks and burrs, and dry the ears well if the dog has been in water. Trim the nails regularly, though an active dog wears some of that down itself.

How to do it:

By age:

Health and possible conditions

We don't have reliable health information specific to this breed, so we don't list conditions here. Keep up regular vet check-ups, and if you are getting a puppy, ask the breeder about the parents' health testing.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.

Food for large breeds — cheapest per kg

This list is chosen by the breed's weight (31 kg) rather than the breed itself: shops label food by dog size, so every breed of the same size gets the same list. Prices are updated daily.

≈ 340 g of dry food a day, from €18,63 a month For a neutered, normally active 26 kg dog. Calculate for your dog