The German Shorthaired Pointer
The German Shorthaired Pointer originated in Germany where it is a popular hunting dog. The breed has become common in the United Kingdom and United States due to it being a versatile hunter and affectionate dog as well suited to family life as they are hunting.
Loyal, intelligent and easily trained, this dog is a suitable pet for active homes of experience dog owners.
The Appearance
Height: 21-25 inches
Weight: 45-70 pounds
Lifespan: 12-15 years
The German Shorthaired Pointer is a lean, well-balanced, dog. The muzzle is long and the broad ears are set high and lie close to the chiseled head. The almond-shaped eyes and nose are brown.
These dogs have long legs with webbed feet and their tails are customarily docked by 60%.
The short, sleek, water resistant coat should be solid liver or liver & white, with the head is solid or nearly solid and the body speckled, patched, or roan. The German Shorthaired Pointer also has a very thick undercoat making it ideal for hunting in cold weather. This breed is easy to groom and an average shedder.
Using in the Field
The German Shorthaired Pointer is an intelligent breed capable of performing nearly all gundog roles including hunting larger and more dangerous game. It is a pointer and retriever, an upland bird dog and water dog and in addition has a scent hound's talented nose. It is an excellent swimmer but also works well in rough terrain. It is tenacious, hardy, reliable, and thoroughly capable of working out of sight of its handler.
The German Shorthaired Pointer has an instinct to escape and they have been known to jump or climb 4 to 6 foot fences. Tracking devices are recommended on this dog.
At Home
The German Shorthaired Pointer is very energetic, cheerful and friendly. They are loyal and protective and not happy if isolated from the family. This dog's strong hunting instinct not always good for small pets such as cats or rabbits but, with training, the dog can learn to discern what is prey and what is not, and can live quite peacefully with other family pets.
German Shorthaired Pointers have an independent character and superior intelligence. They need to have regular exercise to vent their energy and do interesting things. Bored German Shorthairs can chew through drywall, rip the stuffing out of sofas, and turn your yard into an excavation pit. This breed is not recommended for apartment life and does best with a large yard and an athletic family. At least a 6-foot high fence is necessary
The History
The breed originated in Germany and is believed to have resulted from the mixture of the German Tracking Hound, Old Spanish Pointer, Hounds of St. Hubert, as well as French hounds and the Foxhound. In the late 1800s it was bred with the English Pointer to gain more speed and agility.
Today, the German Shorthaired Pointer is found widely in Europe and the United States. In addition to hunting, the German Shorthaired Pointer has been used in Scandinavia as a sled dog for the popular sport of Dogsled racing.
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