Slovak Rough-haired Pointer
A tough, grey-coated Slovak all-round gundog that is devoted to its handler and built for hard work.
At a glance
- Size
- Large
- Height at the withers
- Males 62–68 cm · Females 57–64 cm
- Weight
- Males 28–35 kg · Females 25–30 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–14 years
- Exercise
- 90–150 min a day
- Grooming
- Once a week
- Coat
- Wire-haired, short, medium
- Colours
- Grey, Brown, Roan
- Bred for
- Pointing, Hunting by scent, Retrieving, Water work
- Country of origin
- Slovakia
- FCI
- Group 7, no. 320 · Pointing dogs
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 4/5 – High |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 4/5 – High |
| Good with other dogs | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good with cats | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Open to strangers | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Energy | 4/5 – High |
| Playfulness | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Needs mental stimulation | 5/5 – Very high |
| Easy to train | 4/5 – High |
| Prey drive | 4/5 – High |
| Watchful and protective | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Barking | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Shedding | 2/5 – Low |
| Grooming effort | 2/5 – Low |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good for first-time owners | 2/5 – Low |
| Suits apartment living | 1/5 – Very low |
| Adaptability | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with cold | 4/5 – High |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- hunt or do demanding outdoor sports
- want a robust, weatherproof working dog
- have experience with gundogs
Think twice if you …
- want a relaxed companion with modest needs
- live in the city with little open space
- are a first-time dog owner
Care
Temperament
Loyal, persistent and hardworking, with a strong bond to its handler. It can be watchful and reserved with people it does not know.
Exercise
Needs at least one and a half hours of activity daily, ideally with real tasks. Hunting, tracking, retrieving, swimming and long hikes suit it.
Grooming
The harsh coat needs a weekly brush and occasional removal of dead hair by hand. It is weather-resistant and sheds moderately.
Training
Intelligent and eager to work, but it needs a consistent, confident handler. Early socialisation and steady recall training are important.
Health
Hip and elbow dysplasia are the main known risks in this generally robust working breed. Ask the breeder for hip and elbow scores and any eye results.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Hips (HD)
- Elbows (ED)
- Eye examination
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Slovak Rough-haired Pointer was developed in Slovakia after the Second World War, using mainly Weimaraners, German Wirehaired Pointers and the Czech Fousek. Breeders wanted a versatile hunting dog that could point, track and retrieve on land and in water in all weather.
It is a serious working dog with a lot of stamina and drive. With its own family it is loyal and affectionate, and it is often reserved with strangers. It is happiest with an active owner who hunts or trains it in a dog sport; as a pure house pet without a job it can become frustrated.
Did you know?
Puppies are born dark brown and gradually lighten to the breed's typical grey colouring.