The discipline and focus of the German Wirehaired Pointer make it a great candidate for the show ring. If you're thinking about showing your new pet, it is important that you know what the judges look for in the German Wirehaired Pointer. At the same time, you should also make sure that you are familiar with the breed standard for your dog. Ask breeders and other owners of German Wirehaired Pointers what to expect in the show ring and what is expected of your dog.
Resources
Your best resource for showing your German Wirehaired Pointer will be specialty shows that cater to owners of German Wirehaired Pointers. In this environment, you can meet with owners, breeders and judges who can tell you exactly what a prize winning show dog looks like. Observe the entire competition so that you can see the demeanor of the dogs that perform well, and what makes the champions stand out. This will provide you with most of what you need to know. For other information, you can consult books and breed experts.
Breed Standard
The breed standard is a set of guidelines to make sure that your dog conforms to certain set characteristics of its breed. Also, the standard is used in judging as a "standard" for each specific breed of dog. For instance, your male German Wirehaired Pointer should weigh no more than 75 pounds and a bitch should weigh no more than 64 pounds. Having an over or underweight dog is a definite no-no in the show ring.
What Now?
Now that you are probably aware of everything you need to know about your German Wirehaired Pointer to prepare it for competition, it's time to implement what you have learned. Most competitions require that your puppy be at least six months old before it appears in the ring. By this time, your dog should have sufficient socialization skills. These skills will come in handy because the most important part of any competition is the judging. During the judging process, the judges will have to touch your dog's body and insert their hands into its mouth. Because the German Wirehaired Pointer does not respond well to strangers, you must take every precaution available to prepare your dog for this. A poor reaction during judging will greatly affect your dog's chances of winning.
You will also need to demonstrate your dog's movement, or gait it for the judges. For the German Wirehaired Pointer, the gait should be very smooth because this breed is capable of covering a wide area in just a few strides. This is something you can work on during your daily exercise routine. Once you're confident that your pet is ready, you can show your German Wirehaired Pointer in competition.
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