A German Shorthaired Pointer is a medium sized breed developed in the 19th century in Germany. Its purpose was for it to be a hunting dog, for which it is still used today. It is a loyal, vigorous and energetic dog which can also be a companion. Its purpose in hunting is very versatile as it can go after both bigger and smaller game. What is also great about its ability is that it can hunt both on land and in water. The most recognized picture of a German Shorthaired Pointer is when the dog assumes the pointing stance when it locates its pray. In Germany, this breed is referred to as Deutscher kurzhaariger Vorstehhund.
German Shorthaired Pointer History & Origins
The origin of the German Shorthaired Pointer is pretty unclear. As there were no record back then to indicate to which breeds were used, we can only guess how the breeding process went. Most likely, the German Shorthaired Pointer descends from German Bird Dog, which itself descends from the Old Spanish Pointer, brought to Germany in the 17th century. After that it is most likely that other German based breeds were mixed. Probably, some tracking German breeds were added and the English Pointer and the Arkwright Pointer as well. The breed was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1930.
Their originally purpose of being a multipurpose hunting dog has not been lost to this day. Some people prefer using this dog as a family pet, but there are a lot of people who keep this dog primarily for hunting purposes. Its quality and innate ability for tracking all kinds of game makes this dog a valuable allay when you go hunting.
Characteristics & Temperament
The characteristics of a German Shorthaired Pointer describe this dog as bold, intelligent and eccentric dog. But at the same time it is a smart and very friendly dog which is willing to cooperate. This makes the German Shorthaired Pointer dog which is very easy to train. They absolutely love being around humans which makes them perfect pets and dogs to keep in your household. At the same time they are good with kids and love playing with them.
When training your dog, you need to make sure that you expose it to as many experiences as possible. This also include allowing it to train vigorously as these dogs have a lot of energy. They like running around and they need the exercise so they can train their bodies. Keep in mind these characteristics when dealing with this dog so you manage to give it everything it needs.
German Shorthaired Pointer Appearance, Colors, Size
The German Shorthaired Pointer has a coat with short and flat hair. This is useful as it is water resistant and at the same time very warm in cold weather, giving this breed the necessary characteristics for the traits that are aimed for it. There are several colors which are accepted and they include dark brown, liver (also called chocolate or chestnut), black, black roan, white, liver roan, liver and white, and black and white.
It is a medium size dog which can grow to be 23 to 25 inches tall and weigh up from 50 to 77 pounds for males, while females can be 21 to 23 inches tall and weight approximately 45 to 60 pounds.
It is a powerful dog with string legs as it enjoys running. It has moderately floppy ears and a long, broad muzzle. The profile is straight and Roman nosed. The tail is docked, but in some countries this has been banned.
A German Shorthaired Pointer is a very tough breed of dog. It is healthy and able to survive without serious medical problems. But due to some hereditary issues, the dog can he afflicted by certain conditions and diseases. According to certain surveys conducted in various countries, the German Shorthaired Pointer has a lifespan between 9 and 15 years and in some cases they are capable of living up to 17, if cared properly and depending on their genes.
Condition which affect this dog are numerous on the other hand. Something that you will have to watch out for are hypothyroidism, hip dysplasia, osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD), pannus, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), epilepsy, skin disorders and cancerous lesions in the mouth. Additionally, female dogs are also prone to breast cancer which is something that afflicts various breeds of dogs, not just this one.
German Shorthaired Pointer Grooming & Shedding
German Shorthaired Pointers shed constantly. For this reason you have to take care of their needs and make sure to groom them properly. But luckily the grooming is not so hard to do. They can be ordered pretty easily with periodic brushing and occasional bathing. This breed is known to be pretty clean and does not smell so you will not have to give it more frequent baths. Because of their floppy ears, you have to check them from time to time for bacteria and keep them clean. Since they are very active and need to use a lot of energy they also have to consume a lot of food. This dog also needs a proper diet to keep it fit.
Price and Breeders
Germany is the main country where you will be able to find German Shorthaired Pointer dogs. But since the popularity of the breed has jumped up these dogs are bred in all countries where hunting is popular. If you want to get a dog the price is very acceptable being that a pup will cos between 300 and 700 US dollars. But if you want dog with a pedigree and want to use it for showrooms, you cannot go lower than 1,000 US dollars for a single pup.
German Shorthaired Pointer Rescue
A German Shorthaired Pointer is now fairly easy to find. The popularization of this breed and its multipurpose in hunting has given it a lot of followers. Many breeders decided to develop this breed and you can find it almost everywhere people hunt. Also, many organizations have been created that allow you to rescue this type of a dog. If you are interested check out Mid-Atlantic German Shorthaired Pointer Rescue, NorCal GSP Rescue and English and German Shorthaired Pointer Rescue for more information about rescuing one of these beautiful hounds.