German Shorthaired Pointers - Breed Introduction

The German Shorthaired Pointer is related to the German Wirehaired Pointer, but is more popular than its cousin in both England and America. German Shorthaired Pointers are full-service hunting dogs, excelling at pointing, trailing, and retrieving, both on land and in water.

Puppies of this breed will tremble with excitement at the mere sighting of a bird or other small, moving object. These dogs not only make great hunting buddies, but they make wonderful companion dogs in general, as well.

The German Shorthaired Pointer is 21 to 25 inches (53 to 64 centimeters) in height, and can weigh anywhere from 45 to 70 pounds (20 to 32 kilometers).

History of Breed

The German Shorthaired Pointer is one of the most versatile hunting dogs known to mankind. Its ancestry dates back as far back as the 17th century; however, it wasn’t until the 19th century that the breed was fully developed. It was bred in Germany to meet the needs of hunters who wanted an excellent pointer that would also have a good nose and be able to retrieve birds and game.

The German bird dog was subsequently crossed with Spanish pointers, local scent hounds (such as the Hannover hound), and English pointers. Crosses between the German bird dog and the Spanish pointer and the Hannover hound showed some promise, but unfortunately, their offspring had a tendency to bay when trailing. Crosses with English pointers resulted in dogs with other undesirable characteristics -- an aversion to water and tracking.

Determination and further breeding efforts eventually won out, as today’s German Shorthaired Pointer is adept at pointing, retrieving, and trailing, on both land and water.

The German Shorthaired Pointer was introduced to the United States in the 1920s, and was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) a decade later.

Color and Coat

This double-coated breed has a thick, smooth outer coat that is generally short, but is longer at the back edge of the haunches and under the tail. The color of the coat may be solid liver or a combination of liver and white.

Personality and Temperament

German Shorthaired Pointers are enthusiastic, friendly, and good-natured, though they may be a bit aloof with strangers. They have a tendency to bark quite a bit, and make good watchdogs. Though natural hunters, these dogs are also content to lie at their master’s feet, too.

They don’t like to be left alone, and may become nervous and destructive if left to their own devices for long periods of time at a stretch. In general, males tend to be more dominant than females, and are more aggressive hunters.

German Shorthaired Pointers are intelligent and trainable, but they can be stubborn, and need to learn early on who’s in charge. They are tireless, hard-working dogs, and they appreciate having a job to do. They need both mental and physical outlets for their energy, and may become frustrated if these are not provided. Accordingly, they require a good deal of exercise and engagement in activity – about two hours daily.

German Shorthaired Pointers are very good with children, though they may be a little too rambunctious for the very young. They can adapt to other animals in the household if raised with them, but by nature, they are hunters and may display an aggressive nature toward small pets.

These dogs do best with active, experienced dog owners. They thrive in the country, but can adapt to suburban life as well. They are too active to be kept in small apartments.

Show Characteristics

German Shorthaired Pointers are muscular, square or rectangular in shape, well-balanced, and symmetrical. They are slightly longer than they are tall. Their heads are square and proportionately sized to their bodies, with clean lines.

The muzzle is long, and the nose is generally large and brown, with wide open nostrils. The teeth have a scissors bite and intermeshing molars. The eyes are almond-shaped and amber or dark brown, and appear to have an energetic and intelligent expression.

The drop ears are broad  and set quite high, lying flat against the head. The tail is docked to about two-fifths of its natural length, and is set high. It should hang down when the dog is at rest and be held horizontally when the dog is active.

Typical Health Concerns

The German Shorthaired Pointer has few major health problems. They may be prone to hip dysplasia and lymphedema.

Grooming

This breed requires minimal grooming. An occasional brushing with a firm bristle brush is sufficient. Rubbing the coat with a chamois will keep it nice and shiny. These dogs should be bathed only when necessary.

After hunting, their feet should be checked for any potential problems, and they should be dried thoroughly to prevent them from getting chilled. The ears are prone to infection, so they should be cleaned and checked on a regular basis. The breed is considered to be a medium shedder.

Country of Origin

The German Shorthaired Pointer was developed in Germany, as indicated by its name.

Average Life Span

The average life expectancy of the German Shorthaired Pointer is 12 to 14 years.