Wirehaired breeds of dogs are fantastic because of the way that they look.
And in today’s post I will list nine large wire haired dog breeds.
It is not just the rough looking coat which can give these dogs a dishevelled and chaotic appearance but it is the “facial furniture” that many of these breeds come with.
Facial furniture? By this I mean the beards, moustaches and bushy eyebrows which adorn these dogs.
Breeders call them “furnishings”…
It gives them the air of eccentricity.
I just want to dress them in a tweed suit and a deerstalker hat- like a character from Sherlock Holmes.
Of course, certain dog breeds have a wire coat because it gives them better protection than a soft haired coat.
When you are chasing your prey in and out of bushes and brambles, you need the protection that a tougher more resilient coat can give you.
And although these dogs on the whole no longer do this kind of work, having a wire coat means that in today’s world, these breeds are better for people with allergies.
But enough of that, let’s dive in and meet our first breed.
Which is my next dog (in my dreams!)
[1] Wirehaired Vizsla:
The Wirehaired Vizsla, an excitable water and land hunter, is characterized by its dense, wiry double coat that can be about 1 inch long. Wirehaired Vizslas also have a shaggy look to them, with their hair growing straight and long if not groomed.
Wirehaired Vizslas are generally a rusty-gold colour, but they can also be golden, red, sandy, or a mix of the three.
This breed is often confused with its cousin, the Vizsla, who has a sleek coat rather than a wiry one. However similar, the Wirehaired Vizsla and Vizsla are two distinct breeds with significant differences in the skin.
The Wirehaired Vizslas will grow up to 25 inches (64 cm) in height and weigh up to 66 pounds (30 kg). This makes it the smallest dog on our list. As a medium-sized gun dog, the Wirehaired Vizsla needs a ton of exercise. They love being around their owners, especially while hiking, biking, or jogging. Be sure to give this pup lots of activity!
[2] German Wirehaired Pointer
undergrowth that his coat is designed to
protect him from ²
The German Wirehaired Pointer is another medium-sized gun dog that can grow up to 26 inches (67 cm) in height and weigh up to 70 pounds (32 kg). Easy to train and fiercely loyal, the German Wirehaired Pointer makes a great family dog or hunting dog.
The German Wirehaired Pointer is closely related to the German Short-haired Pointer. However, the Wirehaired pointer has a harsh, wiry coat that protects against bad weather and harsh environments. Their fur is generally longer: reaching up to 2 inches in length. The German Wirehaired Pointer can have a spotted, roan, or ticked white and liver patterned coat, which gives it many similarities to the Shorthaired Pointer.
The German Wirehaired Pointer’s coat is also very similar to that of a Wirehaired Point Griffon, one of the breeds used to create German Wirehaired Pointers. Both are similar in exercise needs and temperament as well.
[3] Slovakian Wirehaired Pointer
Slovakian Wirehaired Pointer, or Slovakian Rough-haired Pointer, is a medium-sized work dog of moderate strength and is considered an uncommon breed than other large wirehaired dogs. A Slovakian Wirehaired Pointer’s coat is harsh, wiry, and somewhat long, which give this breed a shaggy look. The Slovakian Wirehaired Pointer is coloured grey most of the time. However, they can also have white markings all over their bodies.
Generally, the Slovakian Wirehaired Pointer stands at 27 inches (68 cm) tall. It will weigh up to 77 pounds (35 kg), making it one of the larger ‘medium-sized’ dogs of the wirehaired kind. In terms of size and coat, the Slovakian Wirehaired Pointer is also very similar to the German Wirehaired Pointer.
The Slovakian Wirehaired Pointer is a high energy dog with an outgoing personality. They need plenty of exercise and enjoy running freely in large open spaces.
[4] Irish Wolfhound
the rough texture but different colours ³
The Irish Wolfhound is the largest breed of wirehaired dogs, standing at 32 inches (81 cm) minimum and weighing in at 120 pounds (54 kgs). The Irish Wolfhound is known to be one of the tallest dog breeds as well.
This breed is known for its long and rough wired coat, which comes in many colours such as white, gray, brindle, red, black, and fawn.
The Wolfhound is also known for the shaggy look it has to it because of its hair. Other similar breeds with wiry coats include the Scottish Deerhound and the Miniature Irish Wolf Schnauzer.
Although the Wolfhound’s name sounds ferocious, the Irish Wolfhound is far from aggressive. They are known as gentle giants and are generally very good with children.
Generally, the Irish Wolfhound, although massive, does not have substantial exercise needs. A daily walk and a large yard to run around in should suffice.
[5] Giant Schnauzer
The Giant Schnauzer, the larger cousin of the Standard Schnauzer, is the second biggest dog on this list. Weighing in at 85 pounds (39 kg) and standing at 28 inches (71 cm), the Giant Schnauzer is a giant breed. They are strong, imposing, and fiercely loyal to their owners, making them a great dog have around the house.
The Giant Schnauzer is known for its rich double coat with a wiry exterior and soft, dense interior, which grows to about an inch or two in length. The coat looks silky, but it can actually be quite rough to the touch! The Giant Schnauzer requires a lot of grooming to achieve its beautiful look. They require daily brushing to maintain a healthy and attractive coat.
Other than the standard black, the Giant Schnauzer can also come in salt and pepper, a black and gray/white mix.
[6] Otterhound
The Otterhound is a big, affectionate, and bouncy dog breed characterized by its long wiry coat that is waterproof.
In general, the Otterhound’s fur will grow between 1-2 inches long and will be of a sandy and black-brown colour. They can also be entirely black, grey, wheaten, liver, blue, tan, cream or a mix of these colours.
Although they only stand at a maximum of 27 inches (69 cm), they weigh the most by far on this list. Adult males can reach up to 115 pounds (52 kgs). These large dogs need regular exercise and enjoy long walks, obedience classes, and agility training.
These dogs were initially bred to hunt otters, so they are proficient swimmers. They can swim for long periods without tiring. Their large black noses are very sensitive to sniffing out animals, especially otters.
[7] Wirehaired Ibizan Hound
The Wirehaired Ibizan Hound is a rare and ancient dog originating from Egypt and named after Ibiza’s Spanish island. The Wirehaired Ibizan Hound is very similar to its cousin to the Ibizan Hound. The Wirehaired variety has a dense rough coat that hangs shaggy and can grow long. Colours of the Wirehaired Ibizan Hound can range from white, red, and fawn or a mix of the three.
The Wirehaired Ibizan Hound can grow up to 28 inches (71 cm) tall and weigh up to 50 pounds (23 kgs), making it a very long and slim dog.
These dogs are very energetic and require lots of activity. Wirehaired Ibizan Hounds are so active they are known to jump 5-6 feet in the air. Wirehaired Ibizan Hounds enjoy vigorous play-sessions, long walks, chases, and jogging.
[8] Berger Picard
The Berger Picard is a lean, large dog characterized by their long shaggy hair that can grow between 2 and 3 inches long. Their wavy brindle or fawn coat is distinguished by shaggy eyebrows and beard. Generally, they do not require much grooming, despite their fur. An occasional bath and brushing should do for this breed.
The Berger Picard is a very athletic dog that requires tons of exercise. Since they are large, growing up to 26 inches (66 cm) in height and 70 pounds (32 kg) in weight, they love being active. Berger Picards are probably one of the most energetic dogs out there. If not appropriately exercised, they become bored and, therefore, destructive.
Similar breeds to the Berger Picard include Shikokus and the Bergamasco Shepherds.
[9] Pudelpointer
The Pudelpointer is another medium-sized gun dog that is friendly and willing to please. They are a cross between a Poodle and a Pointer and are very similar to both in size and temperament. The Pudelpointer can grow to be 26 inches (66 cm) tall and 70 pounds (32 kg) in weight.
This breed is characterized by its wirehaired coat that ranges in colour from light brown to black, and occasional white markings. The length of their hair ranges from 1-2 inches. However, the Pudelpointer also comes in a smooth and short-haired variety if you look for a dog that sheds less.
The Pudelpointer is a dog that requires a moderate amount of exercise. Playtime in the backyard, long walks, hide-and-seek, swimming and hiking are suitable for this breed. These dogs also like learning new tricks and training exercises in obedience and agility.
Photo Credits
² Photo by fkallgren on Flickr
³ Photo by Airwolfhound on Flickr
⁴ Photo by Barbara Dieu on Flickr
⁵ Photo by kerryMD2014 on Flickr
