German Longhaired Pointers are medium-sized dogs that originated in Germany where they were developed as excellent bird dogs. They are known by a handful of different names including German Longhaired Pointers, GLPs, German Longhaired Pointing Dogs, Deutscher Langhaariger Vorstehhunds, Deutscher Langhaarigers and Langhaars. GLPs were in existence in Germany since the 19th century. However, these early dogs were a bit slow in the field. As such, breeders began crossing them with other setter breeds and English Pointers in an effort to improve their speed in the fields. The first GLPs were shown in Frankfurt during the late 1870s, and it was at this time that the breed’s standard was established.
Fully grown German Longhaired Pointers typically weigh about 65 to 70 pounds. They have medium-length hair that is longer on their tails, ears, chest and the back of their legs. Acceptable colors include brown, light or dark roan, and brown and white. The muzzle of the GLP is square-shaped, and the nose should be self-colored. The eyes should be almond-shaped and dark brown in color. The German Shorthaired Pointer’s ears are floppy, heavily feathered and hang just below the cheeks or a bit lower. The tail is long, with profuse feathering and held level with or slightly higher than the back when alert. The German Longhaired Pointer is a medium-sized, athletic dog. GLPs are athletic, agile and strong. They have long, lean bodies and strong legs. Their muzzles are long and they have very large, pendant ears. Like most pointers, their feet are webbed. They also have feathering around their deep chests, legs and tails. Their shiny coats are medium-length and either wavy or straight GLPs need to be brushed regularly. The ears should be checked regularly to prevent infection.
Personality
The German Longhaired Pointer is a mild-mannered, gentle dog that makes a great pet for kids. It tends to form strong bonds with its human family and may experience separation anxiety if left alone for long periods of time. They are quite active and do not adapt well to sedentary lifestyles. Due to their strong hunting instincts, they are not recommended for homes that have such small pets as birds, rabbits, rodents or cats. GLPs are friendly, outgoing and affectionate dogs that are very people-oriented. They were originally bred to hunt and are happiest when they have a task. They are smart and need plenty of mental and physical exercise. They can sometimes be hyper and demand a lot of attention. This dog breed is very fond of children and makes excellent playmates. They can sometimes be aggressive as puppies, but only because they tend to be rambunctious, they are never vicious. They can be protective but are usually friendly towards strangers and other dogs. They often develop separation anxiety if they are left alone for too long.
Breed Characteristics
| Life Span: | 12 – 15 years |
| Nicknames: | German Longhaired Pointers, GLPs, German Longhaired Pointing Dogs, Deutscher Langhaariger Vorstehhunds, Deutscher Langhaarigers, Langhaars |
German Longhaired Pointer Build Information
Fully grown German Longhaired Pointers typically weigh about 65 to 70 pounds. They have medium-length hair that is longer on their tails, ears, chest and the back of their legs. Acceptable colors include brown, light or dark roan, and brown and white. The muzzle of the GLP is square-shaped, and the nose should be self-colored. The eyes should be almond-shaped and dark brown in color. The German Shorthaired Pointer’s ears are floppy, heavily feathered and hang just below the cheeks or a bit lower. The tail is long, with profuse feathering and held level with or slightly higher than the back when alert. The German Longhaired Pointer is a medium-sized, athletic dog. GLPs are athletic, agile and strong. They have long, lean bodies and strong legs. Their muzzles are long and they have very large, pendant ears. Like most pointers, their feet are webbed. They also have feathering around their deep chests, legs and tails. Their shiny coats are medium-length and either wavy or straight GLPs need to be brushed regularly. The ears should be checked regularly to prevent infection.
| Size: | Medium |
Behaviour and Personality
The German Longhaired Pointer is a mild-mannered, gentle dog that makes a great pet for kids. It tends to form strong bonds with its human family and may experience separation anxiety if left alone for long periods of time. They are quite active and do not adapt well to sedentary lifestyles. Due to their strong hunting instincts, they are not recommended for homes that have such small pets as birds, rabbits, rodents or cats. GLPs are friendly, outgoing and affectionate dogs that are very people-oriented. They were originally bred to hunt and are happiest when they have a task. They are smart and need plenty of mental and physical exercise. They can sometimes be hyper and demand a lot of attention. This dog breed is very fond of children and makes excellent playmates. They can sometimes be aggressive as puppies, but only because they tend to be rambunctious, they are never vicious. They can be protective but are usually friendly towards strangers and other dogs. They often develop separation anxiety if they are left alone for too long.
| Activity Level: | Very Active |
| Affection Level: | Affectionate |
| Kid Friendliness: | Friendly |
Appearance
To prevent your German Longhaired Pointer’s hair from developing mats, you will want to brush its hair daily. Furthermore, if your pet is a hunting dog, be sure to check its coat for ticks and burrs after hunting trips. Other things you will need to do from time to time include check its ears for wax buildup and trim the tips of its nails.
| Shedding: | Moderate |
| Grooming: | Medium Maintenance |
German Longhaired Pointer Common Health Conditions
The GLP is an amazingly healthy dog that can live up to 11 years or longer. Since the breed has not been subjected to over-breeding, the only known health issues that German Longhaired Pointers may develop are ear infections due to their long ears.
German Longhaired Pointer Pet Insurance
When adding a dog or cat to your family you want to make sure your pet is happy, healthy and protected. During its lifetime your pet is exposed to many illnesses and diseases and some breeds are affected by a congenital disease which is a condition existing at birth. At these moments when your pet is ill or maybe needs surgery, you want to be protected for the unexpected and high veterinarian costs.
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Breed Talents and Facts
German Longhaired Pointers excel in a variety of arenas including hunting, field trials, tracking, obedience, agility and flyball. The standard for GLPs has remained constant since 1879. German Longhaired Pointers have webbed feet. If you are looking for a pet that will make a great companion and/or an excellent family dog, a German Longhaired Pointer may be the perfect choice! GLPs are some of the best bird dogs known today, and they are extremely gentle and patient with kids. They also get along quite well with cats so long as they are raised together.
| Training: | Moderately Easy |
