The German Shorthaired Pointer is an execllent hunter and good family dog.
 Intelligent and highly trainable, Shorthairs have many talents which have been used not only for hunting, but also for drugs and bomb detection. Their wondeful disposition and affectionate nature made them very popular as therapy and service dogs.
It is commonly believed that the German Shorthaired Pointer was created by crossing the old Spanish Pointer with the Hound of St. Hubert, English Foxhound and English Pointer in the 19th century in Germany. As the result of careful selection focusing on the dogs' working abilities, the world of sporting dogs got a versatile hunter with superb nose, great stamina and speed and physical beauty that was capable point, flush and retrieve shot game and that had enough courage to stalk deer, fox and hare. The German Shorthaired Pointer is the National Gundog of Germany.
Photo courtesy of Liebmeister Kennels
German Shorthaired Pointer Breed Outline
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Country of Origin: | Germany |
| FCI Classification: |
Group 7-Pointing Dogs; Continental Pointing Dogs "Braque" Type (with working trial) | =
| Utilization: | Versatile hunting dog |
| AKC Classification: |
Sporting Group |
| Size Category: | Medium |
| Height: | 21-25 inches at shoulders |
| Colors: | Solid brown, without markings; brown with small white or flecked markings at chest and legs; dark brown roan, with brown head, brown patches or specks; light brown roan with brown head, brown patches, specks or without patches; white with brown head markings, brown patches or specks. |
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FCI Official Name: | German Shorthaired Pointing Dog |
| AKC Name: | German Shorthaired Pointer |
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Other Names: | GSP, Shorthair, Deutsch Kurzhaar |
| Average Litter Size: | 8 |
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Life Span: | 9-14 years |
| Personality: | Affectionate, loyal, reserved with strangers, eager to please, good watch and guard dog. |
| Grooming Requirements: |
The German Shorthaired Pointer's coat is easy to keep clean. The teeth are less prone to accumulation of tartar than most other breeds. |
| Shedding: | Little |
| Social skills: |
The German Shorthaired Pointer gets along with other household animals. |
| Suitability for Children: | Being sweet-natured and playful, they make good playmates for children. But considering their size, small children should never be left unsupervised around these big dogs. |
| Exercise Needs: | Shorthairs love running, walking, swimming, and games of fetch. Being high energy dogs, they need at least 2 hours of vigorous daily exercise and lots of attention. |
| Train Ability: | Puppies are easy to housebreak. Shorthairs respond well to firm, but gentle training. |
| Health & Behavior Issues: | The German Shorthaired Pointer is a very healthy breed. There have been reported cataracts, hip dysplasia and PRA (blindness). |
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