Family-friendly: 5/5 Exercise needs: 5/5 Easy to train: 5/5 Tolerates being alone: 1/5 Likes other pets: 4/5 Energy level: 5/5 Grooming needs: 3/5 Shedding: 2/5

German Short-Haired Pointer

The short-haired German Pointer is a large, muscular, noble-looking dog. Energetic and affectionate, these dogs might be difficult to handle for first-time owners, but they’re a joy to be around and will make a lovely companion.

German Shorthaired Pointer running at green grass

German Shorthaired Pointer walking in the forest

Lifespan

12–14 years

Weight

25–32kg

Height

Males measure between 58–64cm and females 53–59cm

Colours

Liver, white and black

Size

Large

Kennel Club group

Gundog

The need-to-know

Dog suitable for owners with some experience
Extra training required
Generally healthy breed
Enjoys active walks
Enjoys more than two hours of walking a day

Large dog
Some drool
Requires grooming once a week
Quiet dog
Welcomes everyone happily

Generally friendly with other dogs
Gets along with other pets with training
Great family dog
Needs a large garden
Can live in semi-rural areas

Can be left occasionally with training

Generally healthy breed

The short-haired German Pointer can suffer from:
- Hip dysplasia
- Gastric dilatation volvulus.
- Von Willebrand's disease which is where a dog produces insufficient or faulty clotting factors which can result in uncontrolled bleeding.
- Dilated cardiomyopathy¹ which is a condition where the heart muscle becomes progressively weak and cannot beat properly.
- Entropion² which is a painful eye condition where the eyelids roll inwards.
- Cruciate disease³ which is where the ligaments in the knee become diseased and damaged which can lead to pain and limping.

Priority Kennel Club health schemes and testing:
- Hip dysplasia screening scheme

¹S. Simson et al, 'Genetics of Human and Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy', 2015, International Journal of Genomics.
²F. C. Stades, 'Diseases and surgery of the canine eyelid', 2008, Essential of Veterinary Ophthalmology.
³A. Necas et al, 'Predisposition of dog breeds to rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament', 2000, Acta Veterinaria Brno.

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Personality

The German Shorthaired Pointer is a gentle, loving, people-oriented dog who makes a good companion for an active family or individual who can give them the exercise, training and attention they need. They are highly attached to their owners and do not like to be left alone. They may not be reliable with small fluffy animals or unfamiliar cats although can learn to get on with their own.

Vet Rating

Family-friendly:	5/5
Exercise needs:	5/5
Easy to train:	5/5
Tolerates being alone:	1/5
Likes other pets:	4/5
Energy level:	5/5
Grooming needs:	3/5
Shedding:	2/5

History and Origins

The German Shorthaired Pointer was created in Germany in the 17th century by crossing the Spanish Pointer with some of the early German bird dog breeds and, some historians suggest, Bloodhound. This was successful, but the new breed was heavy and slow and so in the 19th century steps were taken to improve the breed by crossing them with the English Pointer which produced a lighter, faster dog.

However, the emphasis has always been on the breed’s searching ability rather than their speed. The GSP is one of the versatile Hunt, Point and Retrieve (HPR) breeds and is happy to work on land and water. To their supporters, the German Shorthaired Pointer is the perfect, all-round gundog.

Ideal Owner

If you really enjoy all things ‘gundoggy’, like very long walks, love training no matter what the weather and want an elegant and clever companion with bags of stamina – the GSP has all you need. Ideal owners should have prior pointer experience, be familiar with teaching a good retrieve to hand and understand how to avoid resource guarding, which is common when gundog behaviour is mishandled. Good for the family with older children who are home most of the day and spend a lot of time outdoors.

Exercise Needs

The German Shorthaired Pointer is very active and needs at least two hours of daily dog exercise. In addition to this they need plenty of enrichment, brain-games, training and stimulation to prevent them getting bored and making up their own entertainment - which can include digging, chewing, hyper-activity and generally getting up to mischief!

Space requirements

This is a large country dog who needs space both indoors and out - and plenty of open countryside for exercise.

Nutrition and Feeding

Large breed dogs, as well as having large appetites, benefit from a different balance of nutrients including minerals and vitamins compared to smaller-breed dogs. German Shorthaired Pointers need a balanced diet that includes the main nutrients groups and a constant supply of fresh water.

Grooming German Shorthaired Pointer

When it comes to dog grooming, the short coat of the German Shorthaired Pointer is quite coarse in texture and is a little longer underneath the tail. It is very low-maintenance, requiring just a brush through once a week.

Training German Shorthaired Pointer

The German Shorthaired Pointer is an intelligent, clever dog who loves working with their owners and so can be trained to a high standard. They will excel with owners who can find pet gun dog classes where they can be taught to give these active working dogs an appropriate outlet for their natural hardwired hunting behaviours.

Suitability for Family Life

Being affectionate and friendly the German Shorthaired Pointer makes are great dog for active, sporty families. Their activity levels and playfulness may make them too boisterous around small children.

While many dogs are traditionally thought of as being good with children, all dogs and children need to be taught to get on with each other and be safe together. Even so, dogs and young children should never be left alone together and adults should supervise all interactions between them.