Devised by German sportsmen at the turn of the twentieth century, the German Wirehaired Pointer is a multi-purpose hunting dog that possesses the four key characteristics required in the field: strength, boldness, stamina, and intelligence. Prized for his eager-to-please personality, the German Wirehaired Pointer has even more fans who don't require him to point, retrieve, or hold wounded game. Today the GWP is a superb family companion, a true "people" dog that thrives on interaction with his family. Gentle and even-tempered, the GWP is ideal for a household with children, with whom he's eager to share his fun-loving personality. Given the breed's workaholic mentality, an active family who will provide the GWP with a job to do is ideal; the breed's characteristics are outlined in chapter two, and all potential owners will gain a clearer insight into the breed's requirements from reading this concise and helpful chapter.New owners will welcome the well-prepared chapter on finding a reputable breeder and selecting a healthy, sound puppy. Chapters on puppy-proofing the home and yard, purchasing the right supplies for the puppy as well as house-training, feeding, and grooming are illustrated with photographs of handsome adults and puppies. In all, there are over 135 full-color photographs in this useful and reliable volume. The author's advice on obedience training will help the reader better mold and train into the most well-mannered dog in the neighborhood. The extensive and lavishly illustrated chapter on healthcare provides up-to-date detailed information on selecting a qualified veterinarian, vaccinations, preventing and dealing with parasites, infectious diseases, and more. Sidebars throughout the text offer helpful hints, covering topics as diverse as historical dogs, breeders, or kennels, toxic plants, first aid, crate training, carsickness, fussy eaters, and parasite control. Fully indexed.