German Rough-haired Pointer
DOYTCH SHTIK-hl-hahr
Germany· Germany
The German Rough-haired Pointer — the Deutsch Stichelhaar — is the least numerous of Germany's three classic pointing breeds, distinguished from the smooth-haired Kurzhaar and the wire-haired Drahthaar by its harsh, bristly 'stichelhaar' coat. It is a versatile continental gundog expected to point, track and retrieve on land and in water, in all weathers.
At a glance
Quick facts
Size
Large
Exercise needs
Very high (2+ hours daily)
Home size suited to
Rural home
Grooming frequency
Weekly brushing; occasional hand-stripping
Coat length
Medium
Sheds
Moderate
Lifespan
12–14 years
Town or country
Country
Garden size needed
Large, securely fenced garden
Where it comes from
Origins of the German Rough-haired Pointer
The oldest of Germany's three pointing coat varieties, bred for all-round work in field, forest and water.
- Region
- Germany
- Climate it was bred for
- Temperate European
- Original job
- Versatile pointing, tracking and retrieving gundog
The long read
About the breed
The Stichelhaar is the oldest of the German pointing coat varieties, descending from rough-coated pointing dogs already established in Germany before the nineteenth-century influx of English pointers reshaped the smooth-coated branch. Modern breeding, organised from the late nineteenth century, fixed the present type: a powerful, medium-large dog with a hard, moderately long, bristly coat and a characteristic beard and eyebrows.
In the home the Stichelhaar is balanced, affectionate and steady, while in the field it is purposeful, hard-going and determined, with a pronounced hunting passion. It needs an active, outdoors life and regular work for its nose and retrieving instinct; as a pure sofa companion it will be unhappy and is rarely found outside sporting homes.
Living with one
Temperament & needs
Our own ratings, based on the breed standard and how these dogs behave in ordinary homes.
Energy
5/5
Calm and low-key around the home.
Barking
3/5
Will give voice when working or alarmed.
Grooming
2/5
Minimal grooming beyond a weekly once-over.
Sociability
3/5
Steady with people it knows.
Independence
3/5
Balanced — works with you, thinks a little too.
Trainability
4/5
Quick to learn and keen to work.
Illustrated breed standard
The points of the breed
Hover or tap a numbered point to read what the standard asks for.
Point 1
Head
Long and strong, in proportion to the body, with a broad, slightly arched skull and a moderate stop.
Colours & patterns
Recognised coats
Which coats the standard accepts — and which are simply popular.
Brown
Standard colour
Solid liver-brown, sometimes with a white blaze or chest patch.
Brown Roan
Standard colour
Brown mixed evenly with white hairs, giving a roaned appearance.
Timeline
History & development
1700s–1800s
Old rough stock
Rough-coated pointing dogs were already widespread in Germany before English pointer blood modernised the smooth-haired branch.
1892
Club founded
The Verein Deutsch Stichelhaar was founded to preserve the old harsh-coated type as a distinct breed.
20th century
Continued selection
Breeding continued for a hard, weatherproof coat and all-round hunting ability, keeping numbers modest but consistent.
Today
Rare gundog
The Stichelhaar remains the rarest of the German pointers, kept almost entirely by working hunters.
Reference
Breed standard summary
- body
- Strong and slightly longer than tall, with a straight, firm back, muscular loin and deep chest.
- coat
- Harsh and bristly ('stichel'), about 4 cm long on the body, lying close, with a moderate undercoat, beard and eyebrows.
- ears
- Set high and broad, of medium length, hanging close to the head with slightly rounded tips.
- eyes
- Slightly oval, of medium size, with tight rims and a clear, energetic expression; colour brown to amber by coat.
- gait
- Springy, ground-covering and enduring, with good reach and drive.
- head
- Long and strong, in proportion to the body, with a broad, slightly arched skull and a moderate stop.
- size
- Males stand 60 to 70 cm at the withers; females 58 to 68 cm.
- tail
- Carried straight or slightly sabre-like; historically docked in working countries, now left natural where docking is banned.
- colour
- Brown, brown roan, or brown with white markings; light-coloured ticking is accepted.
- muzzle
- Long, strong and straight, with a brown nose and tight lips.
- temperament
- Balanced, calm and self-assured at home; passionate, hard-going and determined in the field, with a strong retrieving and tracking instinct.
- general appearance
- A medium-large, powerful pointing dog of rectangular outline, with a hard, bristly coat, pronounced beard and bushy eyebrows.
Health
What to screen for
Green means little to worry about, amber means ask the breeder for test results, red means manage it actively.
Hips
Watch closely
Hip scoring routine for breeding animals, as with other German pointers.
Working injuries
Watch closely
Ears and coat should be checked for seeds and cuts after cover work.
Data
Watch closely
Rare breed — limited formal health data.
General information only — always speak to your vet about your own dog.
From real owners
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Made for the German Rough-haired Pointer
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German Rough-haired Pointer Framed Poster
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Hoodie
German Rough-haired Pointer Hoodie
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Mug
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Accessory
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