Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer - breed info

by colin
(brighton, sussex)

The Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer has a few rather confusingly similar names including Slovakian Wire Haired Pointer, Slovakian Pointing Griffon, Slovakian Wire Haired Pointing Gun Dog or Slovensky Hrubosrsky Stavac!

The breed type was founded in Slovakia around the 1940’s. A hardy, versatile hunting dog was what was required and they were selectively bred, using the best available stock of the time.

They consist of a mix, roughly a Weimaraner, German Wire Haired Pointer and Ceski Fousek.

Slovakian Rough Haired Pointers are usually grey or sable in colour and can be roan. White markings are allowed on the chest and feet. They are double coated with a short to medium length coarse outer coat and a soft under coat.

Being relatively new to this country Slovakian Rough Haired Pointers, have only been acknowledged by the Kennel Club since 1998. Unfortunately though they still have no breed standard, and therefore are unable to be shown in the U.K.

They made an appearance on “Meet the Breed” at Crufts for first time in 2007 where they were they were well received. They can however, be shown abroad as they are recognised by the FCI (a sort of international Kennel Club) as a Continental Pointing Dog of the braque type, group 7 section 1.1 320 ).

Their working category is HPR Hunt, Point, Retrieve. Thus they can compete at KC licensed field trials, and agility classes.

With their superb nose they are natural trackers, good at following air and ground scents. They are steady at point. They generally work after the quarry has been shot and can track game at a good pace, and have stamina over large areas of land.

With their thick coats they are equally happy in heavy undergrowth, forest or water. With their physical size but soft mouths they are reputed to manage all size of game large and small.

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