Mustad,

Since I just spent the last half a year researching pups and breeds, let me answer this. please. The german breeding registry for the deutsch drahthaar has a strict set of tests that every dog must pass including field ability and confirmation in order to be bred. If your dog does not pass these tests (at least two of the tests, and each test may only be taken twice) it cannot be bred and registered as a DD. There are no problems that I found during my research.

In the AKC, there are no restrictions on breeding the german wirehaired pointer. If you have a dog you may breed to any registered bitch regardless of field ability or confirmation. Is there a difference? I don't know. Probably not much among well bred dogs of both breeds. Where I saw the difference when researching kennels were that

1) there are an awful lot of German Wirehaired Pointers that are strictly show dogs. I never realized this until I started digging.

2) there is a group that breeds GWP for horseback trials. These dogs seemed to have a lot lighter color, less hair, less size, etc.

3) I think Dr. Fatguy is right that there are more GWPs, but if you are considering true versatile bred dogs like NAVDHA vs. DD, there seemed to be more selection among the DD's.

For versaitlity, NAVDHA still had guys that produced all around dogs. I was open to either a DD or a NAVDHA GWP. I went with the DD because I liked the breeder that I chose a pup from.