German Roughhaired Pointer

The German Roughhaired Pointer, or Deutsch Stichelhaar, is a rough-coated pointing breed from Germany and should not be confused with the German Wirehaired Pointer or Deutsch Drahthaar. It developed from old harsh-coated bird dogs and was standardized in the late nineteenth century for pointing, retrieving, and tracking game. The coat is stiff and bristly rather than shaggy, usually brown, brown roan, or brown and white, with a beard and eyebrows that are present but less profuse than in some wirehaired breeds.

In the field, the Stichelhaar is expected to work with independence while remaining responsive to the hunter. It needs serious daily exercise, patient training, and exposure to game and water if kept for its traditional purpose. The harsh coat sheds dirt well but still needs brushing, burr removal, and checks around the beard, feet, and ears after cover. Because numbers are limited in many countries, prospective owners should be prepared for breeder screening, waiting lists, and an emphasis on performance, nerve, and sound structure rather than fashionable rarity.