German Shorthaired Pointer Photo

German Shorthaired Pointer Dog Breed Info & Pictures

The German Shorthaired Pointer dog, with its athletic physique and smooth lines, conveys the image of a competent and well-rounded hunter. The head is clean-cut and well-developed, with the ears sitting high and lying flat against the dog's relatively broad skull. The eyes are almond-shaped and dark brown in color, conveying an expression of intelligence and alertness. The body is compact and strong, with a short back and deep chest. The forequarters are long and well-muscled, and the hindquarters are defined and angulated. The tail is set high and customarily docked. The coat is short, thick, and somewhat coarse, and it is either solid liver or some combination of liver and white in color. The dog walks with a smooth and agile gait, running with a powerful driving motion.

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German Shorthaired Pointer Fast Facts

Sporting
13 - 14 years
Germany
17th century
55 - 70 lb
45 - 60 lb
23 - 25"
21 - 23"
German Shorthaired Poinnter,German Shorhhaired Pointer, or Grman Shorthaired Pointer
Deutscher Kurzhaariger Vorstehund, German Pointer, Kurzhaar, Pointer Dog

Photos

Temperament

The German Shorthaired Pointer is a great dog at home and in the field....

Being an active dog, it needs ample daily physical and mental exercise, otherwise it can become frustrated and destructive. The dog tends to be too energetic and raucous for very small children, but is nevertheless a delightful playmate for child and adult alike. It is in the breed's nature to hunt mammals, so some German Shorthaired Pointers may be aggressive toward small pets (e.g. cats) unless they are raised with them. Generally, this breed is a pretty good people pleaser and should warm to strangers and newcomers fairly quickly. Keep in mind that the German Shorthaired Pointer is very sensitive, so gentle training is crucial; the dog can get into the habit of whining and barking excessively if mistreated.

Caring For a German Shorthaired Pointer

A high-energy dog, the German Shorthaired Pointer needs at least an hour of physical or mental exercise every day....

If they can't hunt, they are just as satisfied with running, hiking, or playing with their human. They love water, so they will swim if they are presented with the opportunity. The German Shorthaired Pointer is able to live outside, but they are a companion breed that does best with the family and access to a yard. The coat needs minimal care, only an occasional brushing to remove dead hairs. The Pointer dog breed has a propensity to develop a health condition known as lymphedema. Other less common problems include canine hip dysplasia, entropion, gastric torsion, von Willebrands disease, pannus, and hypothyroidism.

German Shorthaired Pointer History

Breed History

The German Shorthaired Pointer, with its ability to point, retrieve, trail and even kill game, is one of the most versatile hunters in the dog world....

This all-around dog is the culmination of centuries of breed-blending and controversy. Many hunters in the seventeenth century agreed upon the need for an all-purpose hunting dog, but not everyone could agree on how to achieve such a goal. Experimentation with crosses between several breeds, among them the Hannover Hound and the English Pointer, sometimes led to success and other times led to failure (for instance, certain crossings produced dogs that were averse to water). Eventually, the various crossings of different breeds led to an acceptable new dog. In the early 19th century, two German Shorthaired Pointers named Nero and Treff, often thought of as the foundation of the breed, gained recognition at the German Derby as exceptional pointers. In 1930, the American Kennel Club recognized the German Shorthaired Pointer as a distinct breed. Today, the German Shorthaired Pointer enjoys a well-deserved reputation as an excellent "do-it-all" hunting dog and a loving pet.

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