Let's talk Slovakian Wirehaired Pointers
The Slovakian Wirehaired Pointer exudes outdoorsy, strong and active vibes, which the breed combines with grizzly good looks (that’s the wirehair part, in beautiful shades of grey) and a gentle, affectionate temperamen. It’s all win-win. These big strong dogs (which unsurprisingly come from Slovakia) are gentle giants, forming strong bonds with their humans. That said, they probably don’t make the ideal pet for apartment dwellers. They thrive on fresh air and exercise – and plenty of both.
Official name: Slovakian Wirehaired Pointer
Other names: Slovenský Hrubosrstý Stavac, Slovak Rough-haired Pointer, Slovak Pointing Griffon
Origins: Slovakia
| Drooling tendencies |  |
Warm weather? |  |
| Shedding level | |
Suited to apartment living? |  |
| *Energy Level | moderate | *Friendly pet? |  |
| Compatibility with other pets | |
*Can stay alone? | |
* We advise against leaving pets alone for long stretches. Companionship can prevent emotional distress and destructive behavior. Speak to your veterinarian for recommendations.
Every pet is different, even within a breed; this snapshot of this breed specifics should be taken as an indication.
For a happy healthy and well-behaved pet, we recommend educating and socializing your pet as well as covering their basic welfare needs (and their social and behavioral needs).
Pets should never be left unsupervised with a child.
Contact your breeder or veterinarian for further advice.
Male
62 - 69 cm
Height
22.5 - 29.5 kg
Weight
Female
57 - 64 cm
Height
22.5 - 29.5 kg
Weight
| Baby age | Birth to 2 months |
| Puppy age | 2 to 12 months |
| Adult age | 1 to 7 years |
| Mature age | 7 to 10 years |
| Senior age | From 10 years |
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Get to know the Slovakian Wirehaired Pointer
All you need to know about the breed
The adaptable and active Slovakian Wirehaired Pointer is a little known breed outside Slovakia, which is a shame, because these dogs are a delight, combining impressive strength and stamina with an affectionate, loyal nature. They really deserve to be better known – and we deserve more of these great dogs!
Most Slovakian Wirehaired Pointers are still used as working dogs nowadays, thriving on that rugged lifestyle. They’re renowned for their all-terrain abilities: pointing, tracking and retrieving in woodland or across plains, or in lakes and rivers. They can also fit in perfectly as pets for the right, sporty and outdoorsy, household. If all that sounds a bit too exhausting, they are also known for being calm and devoted companions at home (as long as they’ve had enough exercise). Once trained, they also get on well with children, though like any other breed should not be left alone with them.
That training should be straightforward as Slovakian Wirehaired Pointers are eager-to-please and intelligent. They are sociable too, getting on with people and other dogs fine. However, while they may be big softies in general, they are not suitable pets for households containing smaller animals such as guinea pigs or hamsters because of their strong prey drive.
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2 facts about Slovakian Wirehaired Pointers
1. Pointer power
Like other pointing breeds, Slovakian Wirehaired Pointers have a special skill. When they want to draw their human’s attention to prey, they freeze, stock still, “pointing” the way.
2. Canine alter egos
Despite their relative obscurity as a breed, the Slovakian Wirehaired Pointer has an impressive array of alternative names. The breed is also known (at home) as the Slovenský Hrubosrstý Stavac, the Slovak Rough-haired Pointer or Slovak Pointing Griffon (a griffon is the term for a pointer or hound with shaggy hair). Whatever you choose to call them, they’re lovely dogs.
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History of the breed
A recent addition to the pantheon of dog breeds, Slovakian Wirehaired Pointers were developed in the 1950s. Enthusiasts (in the country then called Czechoslovakia) crossed German Wirehaired Pointers and Český Fouseks (a Czech pointing breed) in a bid to create a hardy all-rounder as a hunters’ companion. Weimaraners were later added to the mix, lending the distinctive grey colouring.
The breeders certainly managed what they set out to achieve: tracking, pointing, retrieving, in land, on water – it’s all in a day’s work for the tireless Slovakian Wirehaired Pointer. And most examples of the breed are still used as working dogs, today, even if their affectionate, loyal nature also means they make great companion dogs.
The Slovenský hrubosrstý stavač breed, to use the original name, is still little known outside Slovakia, and was only recognised by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) in 1983.
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From head to tail
Physical characteristics of Slovakian Wirehaired Pointers
1. Coat
Wiry topcoat and short, firm undercoat in grey, sometimes with brown or white markings or freckling.
2. Head
Strong, lean head with rounded ears.
3. Tail
Solid, muscular, tall build, high-set tail.
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Things to look out for
From specific breed traits to a general health overview, here are some interesting facts about your Slovakian Wirehaired Pointer
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Caring for your Slovakian Wirehaired Pointer
Grooming, training and exercise tips
Slovakian Wirehaired Pointers are easy to groom – they just need a regular simple brush through to help keep their coat under control, especially during shedding season. As with any other breed, it is important to brush their teeth regularly (daily if possible) to maintain good dental hygiene. Nail clipping every few weeks is important too. They need plenty of exercise, and, as extremely companionable dogs, will thrive on shared activities such as jogging or hiking with their owner. They also need to be let off the lead to run freely but their prey instinct is still strong so this needs to be in a securely enclosed space. Slovakian Wirehaired Pointers are intelligent and eager-to-please making them easy to train, although they can sometimes have a short attention span: make sure you keep things interesting! Any food rewards used for training should come out of their daily food rations to avoid them becoming overweight.
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All about Slovakian Wirehaired Pointers
Yes they do – they’re considered average shedders but regular brushing, especially during shedding season, should help keep the fluffy stuff under control.
Slovakian Wirehaired Pointers can sometimes be wary of other dogs, and may growl. Socialisation from an early age should help make sure they get on well with others. These dogs are not known to be aggressive to humans, and form close bonds with their human families.
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Sources
1 - Veterinary Centers of America https://vcahospitals.com/
2 - Royal Canin Dog Encyclopaedia. Ed 2010 and 2020
3 - Banfield Pet Hospital https://www.banfield.com/
4 - Royal Canin BHN Product Book
5 - American Kennel Club https://www.akc.org/