World (Dog) Beard Day

If you're reading this, it's likely not September 4th. But September 4 happens to be World Beard Day —and while we don't often spend much time concerning ourselves with these somewhat frivolous "holidays" and you probably don't either — we thought it’s an excuse to highlight a few of our ruggedly-handsome bearded hunting buddies. Which you can enjoy, even when it's not September 4th.

German Wirehaired Pointer

Photo courtesy of Try Upland

The German Wirehaired Pointer is a highly enthusiastic versatile hunting dog with quite the five o’ clock shadow. These hunting buddies run between 50-70 lbs and live a long life of 14-16 years. They tend to be liver, white, black or a combination of beautiful ticking and the three colors. With their wirey hair and determined personality, they can withstand busting through thorn thickets to sniff out their birds and track wounded game. The GWP is an incredibly athletic and energetic dog that needs exercise each day; hence why it’s so talented when hunting by your side.

Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

Photo courtesy of Amber Toner

Not to be confused with the GWP, the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is a fantastically bearded gun dog that does a fine job searching for game. These versatile dogs are typically a little smaller than the GWP and their coloring can also be similar. Their fur is usually chestnut and gray and may have some roan and ticking. Black is not part of the breed standard and some can have a tinge of orange in their fur. Most Griffons are extremely affectionate dogs and enjoy spending time around family when they aren’t feverishly pursuing game in the field. Their rugged looks help to keep them safe when wading through murky swamps and thick bushes.

Pudelpointer

The Pudelpointer is a loving, medium sized dog that was bred during the 1800s. These dogs are liver and black and can have small, white markings. With a good lifespan of ~14 years, the Pudelpointer can be your bearded hunting buddy for season after season. Unlike many of the Puelpointer’s wirey-haired buddies, their fur can also be smooth and soft, rather than always dense and bushy.

As a versatile hunting dog, they can be used to hunt all manner of wild game. The Pudelpointer usually has a real “blue collar” attitude and loves to work hard in the field; as a result, these dogs can be tough to wrangle if their owners aspire to have a couch potato.

Drahthaar

Photo courtesy of Levi Glines

The Drahthaar is a workhorse with a beard. Releasing a Draht in a field is like handing an axe to a lumberjack. These dogs are natural workers and have been fearlessly hunting game across the globe for generations. Drahthaars are muscular, weather-resistant hunting dogs whose loyalty is unmatched. Generally anging from 60-75lbs, these dogs are built for rigorous exercise and for pursuing game for extended periods of time. The unique breeding standards for these burly dogs is very strict, which has helped to maintain the quality of their pedigree for generations. 

Fact: Draht's can trace two of the breeds on in this list in its ancestry— the Pudelpointer and Griffon.

Honorable Mention: The Teckel

You may not have thought a Dachshund would make our list, but their whiskers do make our list for best hunting beards. A Teckel is a common breed of dog in Germany and they’re fierce little blood trackers and small game hunters. Much like many of the hunting breeds originating from Germany, these dogs have been around and used in the fields for a long, long time. The furry weiner is a loyal partner who thrives in the field or in the swamp. Because of their size and wirey coat, these Wirehaired Dachsunds dry quickly and can be easily transported. In fact, we recommend the small G1 Kennel for our Teckel friends.

Remember our article on Llewellin Setters? All Llewellins are English Setters but not all English Setters are Llewellins. Well, the same is true with the Teckel; all Teckels are Dachshunds but not all Dachshunds are Teckels.