07/27/2025
The Deutsch-Drahthaar (DD) breed, established in the late 19th century, was created by blending traits from various German hunting dogs, including the Deutsch Stichelhaar. DD breeders prioritize a holistic approach to maintaining the breed's versatility and performance as an all-around hunting dog, rather than exclusively focusing on traits from a single ancestral line like the Stichelhaar.
However, qualities contributed by the Stichelhaar are highly valued and crucial to the overall breed standard and are therefore considered when selecting dogs for breeding. These include:
Harsh, wiry coat: The Stichelhaar's distinctive coarse and dense double coat, including a thick undercoat, is essential for providing optimal protection against various weather conditions, thorny terrain, and water, enabling the DD to work effectively in diverse hunting environments.
Strong tracking and retrieving abilities: Stichelhaar were known for their excellent retrieving, tracking, and water work capabilities. DD breeders prioritize these instincts, ensuring the dogs can locate and retrieve shot game effectively, both on land and in water.
Intelligence and trainability: While some sources mention that Stichelhaar might have required some improvement in terms of intelligence, modern DDs are bred to be intelligent, mentally flexible, and highly trainable, showing a willingness to obey and concentrate on their tasks.
It's important to note that the overall DD breeding program, as regulated by organizations like the Verein Deutsch Drahthaar (VDD) and VDD-GNA, focuses on rigorous performance testing to ensure that all breeding dogs meet high standards of inherited abilities, physical soundness, and temperament. These tests evaluate various aspects of hunting performance, including nose work, pointing instincts, tracking, retrieving, cooperation, and temperament. By focusing on these comprehensive performance evaluations, DD breeders indirectly prioritize and preserve the valuable traits inherited from the Stichelhaar and other foundation breeds, ensuring the continued success of the Deutsch-Drahthaar as a versatile hunting companion.