VJP — Verbands-Jugend-PrüfungSpring Young Dog Test
Evaluates natural ability: tracking, nose, search, pointing, and cooperation. First test in a dog’s life and mandatory for breeding certification (tracking score must be at least Sufficient).
About the Breed
The Deutsch Drahthaar was created in Germany in the late 19th century by dedicated breeders who developed a versatile hunting dog for field, forest, and water. Its ancestors include the Stichelhaar, Pudelpointer, Griffon, and Deutsch-Kurzhaar. The breed was founded on the principle “durch Leistung zum Standard” — “through performance to standard” — established by Freiherr Sigismund von Zedlitz und Neukirch in May 1902. This founding principle is still upheld today: registered breeders follow required performance and physical evaluation.
The Deutsch Drahthaar is not the same as the German Wirehaired Pointer. The GWP has been bred without regulation or performance testing since the late 1950s and has evolved into a distinctly separate breed. This distinction matters to VDD members and must not be blurred.
The Deutsch Drahthaar is a passionate hunting dog with industry and endurance — calm by nature, friendly in relations. It needs legitimate specialty training and guidance. It is also a suitable family dog, gentle with children, friendly with people and other dogs. Dogs showing unwarranted aggressiveness are removed from the breeding program.
Mid-sized and substantial, males stand 61–68 cm at the shoulder and females 57–64 cm. The coat is wiry and tightly fitting with a thick under wool, featuring extended eyebrows and a characteristic beard. Colors are brown/white or black/white ticked with solid patches, and solid brown with or without a white chest patch.
About Our Chapter
The Big Rivers Chapter is one of eight regional chapters of VDD-GNA, the Verein Deutsch-Drahthaar Group North America. We serve a six-state region:
We host training days, VJP/HZP/VGP test events, and local activities across the region. Tests are held in multiple locations, and the chapter holds an annual meeting with breed show and auction. Our BRC Performance Awards program recognizes the top owner-trained-and-handled dogs each season.
Training days are the chapter’s primary member-facing activity. They’re where new handlers get mentorship from experienced members, expose dogs to test conditions before entering, and learn what to expect. The chapter supports members through the VDD testing system and provides fellowship for dedicated Deutsch Drahthaar owners and handlers across the six-state region.
The Testing System
The VDD testing program adheres to VDD and JGHV test regulations. Tests are not competitions — each dog is evaluated against a standard. The JGHV group/club number for VDD-GNA is 2135. For full details, visit the national VDD-GNA website.
HZP — Herbstzucht-PrüfungFall Breed Test
Evaluates nose, search, pointing, cooperation, desire, water work, retrieving, and obedience at a higher standard than VJP. Includes blind retrieve from water, search behind live duck, and drags of feathered and furred game.
VGP — Verbands-GebrauchsprüfungTwo-Day Utility Test
Rigorous evaluation of a fully trained dog in field, forest, and water. An elite qualification including fox retrieve over obstacle, 400m blood track, forest search, and obedience under simulated drive hunt.
VSwP — Verbands-SchweißprüfungenBlood Tracking Test
Specialty tracking tests at 20-hour and 40-hour levels for tracking wounded deer or boar.
ArmbrusterInternational Fall Test
Hosted annually by VDD-GNA, modeled on HZP with stricter entry requirements. Very prestigious. Big Rivers Chapter hosted the 2026 VDD-GNA Annual Meeting, June 4–6, Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas.
PhilosophyPerformance to Standard
All tests evaluate against a standard, not against other dogs. The system upholds the founding principle “durch Leistung zum Standard” — performance defines the breed.
Photo Gallery
Join Us
Join a community of dedicated Deutsch Drahthaar owners and handlers across Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. Access training days and test events, get mentorship from experienced members, and connect to the national breeding and testing system.
Join VDD-GNA
Membership in the national organization — your first step into the VDD system.
Join VDD-GNA →Visit Our Facebook Group
Training day dates, event updates, and chapter fellowship happen here.
Facebook Group →