German Shorthairs were developed during the 17th century by crossing Hanover Hounds with Spanish Pointers. This resulted in dogs that were popular among hunters looking for versatile hunting dogs. It is thought that the English Pointer may have been used in the development of the German Shorthair as well. German Shorthaired Pointers have their roots in Germany where they were developed to be excellent multi-purpose hunting dogs. They are known by a handful of different names including German Shorthaired Pointers, GSPs, German Shorthaired Pointing Dogs, German Shorthairs, Deutsch Kurzhaars and Deutscher Kurzhaariger Vorstehhunds.
GSPs are medium-sized dogs that can weigh between 45 and 70 pounds upon maturity. They have a short coat that comes in a variety of colors including liver and white, liver, liver roan, liver ticked, or white ticked. The muzzle should be somewhat square-shaped with a liver or brown nose. The eyes of the German Shorthair are almond-shaped and dark brown in color. The floppy ears hang down to just below the jowls. The body of the GSP is thick and muscular, and the legs are long and sturdy. The tail can be left long; however, most GSP breeders choose to dock their puppies’ tails. The shorthaired German Pointer is medium-sized, compact dog that was bred to hunt with great agility. It can run tirelessly for hours and loves to hunt and trail. It has large ears and a short tail. Its coat is short and needs minimal care.
Personality
German Shorthairs are energetic, good-natured dogs that require a lot of space to play and run. These dogs are great for kids of all ages; however, they may not get along with such household pets as cats, rabbits, birds or rodents. They are happiest when they are kept busy and often become destructive when bored or left alone too long. If you are looking for a great hunting dog, companion or family pet, why not consider a German Shorthaired Pointer? Not only are these dogs excellent with kids, but they are terrific hunting dogs as well. However, if you choose to bring a GSP into your home, be prepared to provide it with plenty of exercise. The German Shorthaired Pointer is an active, friendly dog breed that needs a lot of exercise. If it doesn’t get sufficient exercise it gets frustrated and mischievous. It’s very affectionate with its family and likes children a lot. It’s a gentle breed that can bark a lot but is normally friendly towards other dogs and strangers.
Breed Characteristics
| Type: | Pure |
| Family: | Gun Dog |
| Function: | Hunting |
| Origin: | Europe |
| Preferred Climate: | Any Climate |
| Group: | Sporting |
| Life Span: | 12-15 Years |
| Nicknames: | German Shorthaired Pointers, GSPs, German Shorthaired Pointing Dogs, German Shorthairs, Deutsch Kurzhaars, Deutscher Kurzhaariger Vorstehhunds |
| Hypoallergenic: | No |
German Shorthaired Pointer Build Information
GSPs are medium-sized dogs that can weigh between 45 and 70 pounds upon maturity. They have a short coat that comes in a variety of colors including liver and white, liver, liver roan, liver ticked, or white ticked. The muzzle should be somewhat square-shaped with a liver or brown nose. The eyes of the German Shorthair are almond-shaped and dark brown in color. The floppy ears hang down to just below the jowls. The body of the GSP is thick and muscular, and the legs are long and sturdy. The tail can be left long; however, most GSP breeders choose to dock their puppies’ tails. The shorthaired German Pointer is medium-sized, compact dog that was bred to hunt with great agility. It can run tirelessly for hours and loves to hunt and trail. It has large ears and a short tail. Its coat is short and needs minimal care.
| Size: | Medium |
| Length (Male): | 19-25 in. |
| Length (Female): | 22-24 in. |
| Weight: | 41 – 65 lbs |
| Litter Size: | 5 – 10 Puppies |
| Tail Dock or Crop: | Docked |
Behaviour and Personality
German Shorthairs are energetic, good-natured dogs that require a lot of space to play and run. These dogs are great for kids of all ages; however, they may not get along with such household pets as cats, rabbits, birds or rodents. They are happiest when they are kept busy and often become destructive when bored or left alone too long. If you are looking for a great hunting dog, companion or family pet, why not consider a German Shorthaired Pointer? Not only are these dogs excellent with kids, but they are terrific hunting dogs as well. However, if you choose to bring a GSP into your home, be prepared to provide it with plenty of exercise. The German Shorthaired Pointer is an active, friendly dog breed that needs a lot of exercise. If it doesn’t get sufficient exercise it gets frustrated and mischievous. It’s very affectionate with its family and likes children a lot. It’s a gentle breed that can bark a lot but is normally friendly towards other dogs and strangers.
| Activity Level: | Very Active |
| Affection Level: | Moderate Affectionate |
| Aggressiveness Level: | Moderate |
| Barking: | Noisy |
| Dominating or Submissive?: | None |
| Energy Level: | Very Active |
| Good to Other Pets: | Friendly |
| Guardian Skills: | No |
| Independant: | Moderate |
| Kid Friendliness: | Friendly |
Appearance
The German Shorthaired Pointer is a low-maintenance dog that only requires an occasional bathing and brushing. Once or twice a month, you will need to check your pet’s ears and clean them with the corner of a damp rag if necessary. When trimming nails, use a pliers-style clipper to trim the small hooks on each nail.
| Colors: | Liver, White |
| Shedding: | Moderate |
| Grooming: | Low Maintenance |
| Coat Type: | Dense |
German Shorthaired Pointer Common Health Conditions
Most German Shorthaired Pointers are healthy, resilient dogs that can live as long as 12 to 15 years or even longer. However, just as with many other breeds today, some of them do develop various genetic health issues such as those listed below: Hip Dysplasia, Epilepsy, Skin Allergies, Gastric Torsion (Bloat), Various Eye Problems and Various Forms of Cancer.
German Shorthaired 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 Shorthaired Pointers are excellent escape artists. As such, you will want to be sure and provide your pet with a secure yard. GSPs require at least an hour of intense exercise every day. The German Shorthair is known to bark a lot. Thus, if you do not like loud dogs, this is not the breed for you
| Training: | Easy |
| Hunting Companion: | Yes |
| Jolly for Jogging: | Yes |
| Sighting Capabilities: | Yes |
| Ideal for Tracking: | No |
| Retrieving Skills: | Yes |
| Pointing Breed: | Yes |
| Herding Skills: | No |
| Dutiful Watchdog: | Yes |
| Security Guard Capable: | No |
| Police Performer: | No |
| Wet Water rescues: | No |
| Assist Disable Owners: | No |
| Dog Sledding: | No |
| Able to Perform Dog Carting: | No |
| Fun with Lure Coursing: | No |
| Obedient: | No |
| Possible Schutzhund Work: | No |
| Trainable for Tricks: | No |
