German Wirehaired Lab

also known as German Wirehaired Labrador Retriever

Breed Information


Type

Is German Wirehaired Lab a purebred?

Cross Breed

Purpose

What were German Wirehaired Labs originally used for?

Sporting

Lifespan

How Long Do German Wirehaired Labs Live? What is average life expectancy for a German Wirehaired Lab? How long can German Wirehaired Labs live?

12-14 years

The average German Wirehaired Lab lifespan is somewhere between 12-14 years, provided they aren't beset by any exceptional health issues or injuries.

German Wirehaired Lab Height & Weight


How big is a full grown German Wirehaired Lab?

What is the average height of a German Wirehaired Lab? How big is a Cross Breed German Wirehaired Lab height? German Wirehaired Lab dog height:
Height
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 22-25 inches (55.9 - 63.5 cm) 22.0 inches (55.9 cm) 35.0 inches (88.9 cm) 35.0 inches (88.9 cm)
Female 22-23 inches (55.9 - 58.4 cm) 21.0 inches (53.3 cm) 34.0 inches (86.4 cm) 34.0 inches (86.4 cm)
What is the average weight of a German Wirehaired Lab? How much should German Wirehaired Labs weigh?
Weight
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 65-80 pounds (29 - 36 kg) 80.0 pounds (36 kg) 150.0 pounds (68 kg) 150.0 pounds (68 kg)
Female 55-70 pounds (25 - 32 kg) 60.0 pounds (27 kg) 140.0 pounds (64 kg) 140.0 pounds (64 kg)
Hypoallergenic

Are German Wirehaired Labs Hypoallergenic?

No

Unfortunately, the German Wirehaired Lab is not hypoallergenic, making it not a good choice for a dog lover who suffers from pet allergies.

Temperament

What is a German Wirehaired Lab personality? What are German Wirehaired Lab dogs best known for?

Active
Playful
Loving
Energetic
Alert
Intelligent
Friendly
Responsive
Affectionate
Loyal
Gentle
Going
Social
Cheerful
Willful

Shedding Level

Are German Wirehaired Labs heavy shedders? How Much Does a German Wirehaired Lab Shed?

German Wirehaired Lab dogs are not heavy shedders, but they will lose a significant amount of hair each year. To decrease the amount of shedding, you can regularly brush your German Wirehaired Lab. This will remove loose hair and keep his coat growing in the same direction.

Breed History


Ancestry

What are German Wirehaired Labs descended from?

German Wirehaired Pointer, Labrador Retriever

Breed recognition

What organizations or kennel clubs recognize/register the German Wirehaired Lab breed?

DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc.

Date of Birth

When were German Wirehaired Labs first bred? How old is the German Wirehaired Lab breed?

2000s

German Wirehaired Lab Appearance


Eye Color Possibilites

What color are German Wirehaired Lab eyes?

Brown
Amber

Nose Color Possibilites

What color can German Wirehaired Lab nose be naturally?

Black

Coat Color Possibilites

What color can German Wirehaired Lab coat be naturally?

Black
Brown
White
Pied

Coat Length

How long is a German Wirehaired Labs coat?

The coat of a German Wirehaired Lab dog ranges in length from short to medium.

Coat Density

How Dense Is The German Wirehaired Lab Coat?

Coat Texture

What is the texture of the hair of a German Wirehaired Lab?

Wiry

Litter Size

How many puppies can a German Wirehaired Lab have in a litter? How many puppies can a German Wirehaired Lab have in her first litter?

6-10 puppies per pregnancy

A German Wirehaired Lab can have a litter of 6-10 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

Adaptability

German Wirehaired Labs are known for their adaptability and versatility, they are capable of adapting well to a wide range of lifestyle changes and living environments. They are a highly adaptable breed, and make great companions for families and individuals of all lifestyles.

German Wirehaired Lab Health Issues


Health Issues

Do German Wirehaired Labs have a lot of health problems?

The German Wirehaired Lab is generally considered to be healthy. However, like all breeds, they are susceptible to certain health issues and it is important to keep an eye out for them and address them with your veterinarian as needed.

Major Concerns

What are the major health concerns to be aware of when owning a German Wirehaired Lab?

Elbow Dysplasia
Hip Dysplasia

Minor Concerns

What are the less significant issues to keep in mind when it comes to German Wirehaired Labs?

Entropion
Cataracts

Occasional Diagnoses

Allergies
Obesity
Ear Infections

Occasional Tests

What are the occasional tests recommended for German Wirehaired Lab breed?

X-Rays
Fluorescein Test
Full Physical Examination

German Wirehaired Lab Needs and Activities


Social Needs

Do German Wirehaired Labs need socialization? How social are German Wirehaired Labs?

German Wirehaired Lab have above average social needs compared to other breeds.They thrive in environments where they have a lot of interaction with humans and other dogs.

Sleeping Need

How much sleep should a German Wirehaired Lab have? Do German Wirehaired Labs sleep a lot?

German Wirehaired Labs are active dogs that don't require as much sleep as other breeds. However, they still need enough sleep to stay healthy.

Mouthiness

Are German Wirehaired Labs mouthy?

Roaming urge

What is the likelihood of a German Wirehaired Lab running away? Do they have a tendency to explore or wander frequently?

Prey Drive

Do German Wirehaired Lab dogs have a high prey drive?

Past times

What do German Wirehaired Labs enjoy doing? How do I keep my German Wirehaired Lab busy?

Playing Ball, Fetch, Hiking, Walks, Swimming, Hunting, Catch balls, Fetch bumper, Catch treats, Tug-of-war, Tag, Running, Road trip, Tracking, Tricks, Tug, Obstacles, Rides, Trackin, 4 months, Cuddles

Activity Level

What is the energy level of a German Wirehaired Lab? How much energy does a German Wirehaired Lab have?

High

German Wirehaired Labs are high-energy dogs. They need mental as well as physical exercise. These dogs require a lot of your involvement and without it they can, and will, become problematic dogs.

Tolerance of being left alone

Walks per Week

How far should a German Wirehaired Lab walk each week? How many miles should a German Wirehaired Lab walk every week?

12 miles / week

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For German Wirehaired Lab, it's at least 12 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

Activity per Day

How much a German Wirehaired Lab should exercise a day? How much activity does a German Wirehaired Lab need?

120 minutes

In general most German Wirehaired Labs usually need at least 120 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

Grooming

What level of grooming should be provided for a German Wirehaired Lab?

The German Wirehaired Lab is a breed of dog that is known for its low grooming needs.

Brushing Frequency

How often should you brush a German Wirehaired Lab?

Weekly

German Wirehaired Lab should be brushed at least once a week. Of course you can give them more frequent brushes if you find that they are still shedding a lot

Brushing Tools

What are the most commonly used brushing tools for German Wirehaired Labs?

Pin Brush
Slicker Brush
Nail Clipper

Costs


Cups

How many cups of food does a German Wirehaired Lab eat?

3 cups

For an average 65-80 pound (29 - 36 kg) German Wirehaired Lab feed 3 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

Daily Cost

How Much Does a German Wirehaired Lab Cost Daily?

$1.70 - $2.00 / day

The average cost of a German Wirehaired Lab is somewhere $1.70 - $2.00 per day.

Monthly Cost

How Much Does a German Wirehaired Lab Cost Per Month?

$48 - $63 / month

The average per month expenses of a German Wirehaired Lab is between $48 - $63. This makes an average of $576 - $756 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

German Wirehaired Lab Characteristic


Sensitivity Level

How sensitive is a German Wirehaired Lab dog?

This dog breed is particularly attuned to its environment and the emotions of those around it. It can be easily overwhelmed by loud noises, new environments, and unfamiliar people or animals. This dog is best suited for individuals or families who are patient, gentle, and understanding of its sensitive nature. It may also benefit from a calm and stable home environment, with a consistent routine and plenty of positive reinforcement training.

Apartment Friendly

Do German Wirehaired Lab do well in apartments? Are German Wirehaired Labs good indoor dogs?

It's not recommended to keep the German Wirehaired Lab in an apartment, but this breed make good apartment dogs as long as they get to spend a good amount of time outside of the apartment. German Wirehaired Labs living in apartments will need plenty of physical exercise and stimulation throughout the day to remain happy and well-behaved.

Child Friendly

Are German Wirehaired Labs good with kids? Are German Wirehaired Labs good around children?

German Wirehaired Labs are kid-friendly dogs. They are good with children and excellent dogs with children if they are socialized and trained at a young age.

Senior-friendly

Are German Wirehaired Labs good for elderly?

Cat Friendly

Are German Wirehaired Labs good with cats? How friendly German Wirehaired Labs are toward cats?

German Wirehaired Labs are an average cat friendly dog. They do well with cats, even more if raised together from puppyhood,

Dog Friendly

Do German Wirehaired Lab dogs get along with other dogs? Are German Wirehaired Labs OK with other dogs?

German Wirehaired Labs are very friendly towards other dogs. This breed typically have a happy and affectionate temperament around dogs.

Pet friendly

How do German Wirehaired Lab dogs interact with other pets? Are they considered pet-friendly?

Stranger Friendly

Are German Wirehaired Labs friendly with strangers?

German Wirehaired Labs are very friendly around strangers.

Playfulness

Do German Wirehaired Labs like to play? Are German Wirehaired Labs playful?

German Wirehaired Labs are known to be highly playful dog. So if you're not up for all that, think about adopting a slightly older German Wirehaired Lab for a mellower experience.

Trainability

Are German Wirehaired Lab easily trained?

The German Wirehaired Lab is a breed of dog that is known for being very easy to train. They are highly intelligent and eager to please, which makes them a great choice for both experienced and novice dog owners.