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FREEZE-DRIED RAW FEEDING GUIDE

How to feed a German Wirehaired Pointer

The German Wirehaired Pointer is a tireless hunting athlete in a weatherproof wiry coat - a dog bred to run hard all day, which means its food has to keep pace. How you feed a GWP is really about fueling stamina, protecting hard-working joints, and keeping that harsh double coat in condition.

Here is exactly how to feed a German Wirehaired Pointer on freeze-dried raw: by weight and life stage, with the real-meat nutrition that backs up an active, outdoor life.

  • Adult weight50–70 lb
  • SizeMedium
  • EnergyVery High
  • Lifespan14-16 years
  • CoatHarsh, wiry double coat - weatherproof
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A healthy German Wirehaired Pointer
iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

What a German Wirehaired Pointer's body needs

Every German Wirehaired Pointer trait comes back to one thing: how you feed them. Here's what matters most.

  • High-drive sporting athlete

    Needs: High-quality animal protein

    83% meat, organs and bone fuels lean muscle and the steady, all-day stamina a GWP runs on - without the carb fillers that spike and crash.

  • Hip & elbow dysplasia risk

    Needs: Joint support + lean weight

    Real meat, organ and ground bone supply natural glucosamine and chondroitin; omega-3s ease joint inflammation, and a lean frame takes load off hard-working joints.

  • Harsh, weatherproof double coat

    Needs: Omega-3 fatty acids

    Whole-food animal and fish fats feed the skin barrier from the inside, keeping the wiry coat conditioned and the skin resilient through outdoor seasons.

  • Spends life outdoors, skin-sensitive

    Needs: Low-inflammation whole-food diet

    Minimally processed raw skips the starchy fillers that can feed the skin flakiness and irritation a GWP is prone to from constant time in the field.

  • Burns calories fast, weather-dependent

    Needs: Calorie-dense, adjustable portions

    Freeze-dried raw is concentrated fuel you measure by weight, so it is easy to dial up on a big hunting week and back down on a quiet one.

How much to feed a German Wirehaired Pointer

Quick answer: a healthy adult German Wirehaired Pointer (50–70 lb) needs about 7.5–10.5 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split across two meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry — so it's much less by volume than kibble. Feed to a lean waistline and adjust every few weeks.

Ideal adult weightFreeze-dried per dayPer meal (×2)
50 lb 7.5 oz 3.8 oz
55 lb 8.3 oz 4.1 oz
60 lb typical German Wirehaired Pointer 9.0 oz 4.5 oz
65 lb 9.8 oz 4.9 oz
70 lb 10.5 oz 5.3 oz

Starting points for a moderately active adult (~0.15 oz of freeze-dried per lb of ideal weight). Active dogs need a little more, couch companions a little less — always adjust to body condition, not the bag.

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What to feed a German Wirehaired Pointer

For a German Wirehaired Pointer we recommend complete freeze-dried raw as the daily base - real meat, organs and ground bone with no heat-processed filler - or as a topper while you transition. It delivers concentrated, clean fuel for an athletic dog in a small, easy-to-pack serving.

Rotate lean proteins like Chicken and Wild-Caught Cod with a richer Beef on heavy-work days. Just add water and serve - ideal for fueling up before a long hike or hunt.

Recipes for German Wirehaired Pointers

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Daily support for German Wirehaired Pointers

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Treats German Wirehaired Pointers love

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Feeding a German Wirehaired Pointer by life stage

  • Puppy: German Wirehaired Pointer puppies should grow steadily, not explosively, to protect developing joints. Feed roughly 5-8% of current body weight across 3-4 meals and avoid overfeeding - measured, even growth is best for a sporting breed prone to hip and elbow dysplasia.
  • Adult: Feed an active adult to a lean, visible waist across two meals, and flex the amount with the dog's workload. Use the chart below as a starting point and adjust to body condition, not the bag.
  • Senior: A GWP often stays game well into its long life. As activity eases, trim portions to prevent weight gain, keep protein high to hold lean muscle, and lean into joint-supporting nutrition.

Common German Wirehaired Pointer concerns — and the diet connection

  • Hip & elbow dysplasiaLargely genetic, but lean weight plus joint nutrients (glucosamine from bone and cartilage, omega-3) help support comfort and slow day-to-day wear on an active dog.
  • Hypothyroidism & weight gainAn underactive thyroid can slow metabolism and dull the coat; a measured, protein-forward diet and a lean body condition support healthy weight, while omega-rich whole foods nourish skin and coat.
  • Skin sensitivity & coat conditionA life spent outdoors challenges the skin barrier; a whole-food, omega-rich, low-filler diet supports skin resilience and helps keep the harsh wiry coat in good shape.
  • Energy & lean muscleA hard-working GWP runs on clean animal protein and fat for sustained stamina and muscle maintenance - not on carbohydrate fillers that burn off fast.
  • Von Willebrand diseaseThis inherited clotting disorder is managed with veterinary care, not diet, but keeping a GWP at a healthy lean weight on whole-food nutrition supports overall wellbeing and resilience.

Diet supports health but doesn't replace veterinary care — ask your vet about any specific condition.

Feeding a German Wirehaired Pointer: what to know

A working-built GWP burns serious energy, so feed to the dog in front of you, not a fixed number - a hunting or hard-hiking week needs more than a quiet, rainy one. You should always be able to feel the ribs easily and see a clear waist from above.

Because this breed is so driven and active, split the day's food across two meals and re-check the amount every few weeks, especially as the seasons and your dog's activity change.

German Wirehaired Pointer feeding questions

How much should I feed my German Wirehaired Pointer?
A healthy adult GWP (50-70 lb) needs roughly 7.5-10.5 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split between two meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry, so it is far less by volume than kibble - feed more on heavy-activity days and adjust to a lean waistline.
What is the best food for an active, athletic German Wirehaired Pointer?
A complete freeze-dried raw diet built on real meat, organs and bone gives a sporting dog clean, concentrated fuel for stamina and lean muscle. Rotate lean proteins like Chicken or Cod for everyday meals and a richer Beef on hard-work days.
How do I switch my GWP to raw?
Transition over 7-10 days, mixing a little more Land Animal into the old food each day. It is rich and concentrated, so start at the lower end of the range and watch the waistline as your dog adjusts.
Does a German Wirehaired Pointer need joint support?
Many benefit from it, given the breed's hip and elbow risk and athletic lifestyle. Freeze-dried raw with real bone and organ provides natural glucosamine and omega-3, and keeping your GWP lean is the most effective joint protection there is.
How do I keep my GWP's wiry coat and skin healthy through diet?
Feed an omega-rich, whole-food diet. The animal and fish fats in freeze-dried raw nourish the skin barrier from the inside, supporting resilient skin and the harsh, weatherproof coat the breed is known for - a Skin & Coat Omega supplement can add extra support.

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  • "Knowing exactly how much to feed took all the guesswork out. He's leaner, with more energy on our walks."

    — Jenna & Cooper

  • "My picky rescue finally runs to the bowl — and cleanup in the yard is a fraction of what it was."

    — Priya & Luna
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Portions are starting points for freeze-dried raw and AAFCO complete-and-balanced recipes. Always feed to your individual dog's body condition and ask your vet about specific health needs.