German Shorthaired Pointer
Modified: 30-11--0001 00:00:00
The German Shorthaired Pointer was developed in the 1800s in Germany for hunting. They were bred by crossing an older German Pointer breed, with the English Pointer, the result a lean, athletic, and responsive breed. Many beleive it to be the most versatile of all gun dogs and its intelligence and affectionate nature make it a popular companion dog for active owners.
Appearance
The German Shorthaired Pointer's coat is short, flat, thick, and harsh. It is water-resistant. The colour can be liver (often called chestnut), black, or either colour with white. Commonly the head is a solid or near solid colour and the body is white that is speckled or ticked with liver or black, with saddles or large patches of solid color. Roan coats also occur and, rarely, yellow colouring.
It has longish floppy ears set high on the head. Muzzle is long, broad, and strong, allowing it to retrieve even heavy furred game. Its tail is often docked, although this is now prohibited in some countries.
They are lean, athletic, and graceful yet powerful, with strong hindquarters that allow it to move and turn quickly. Various breed standards set its height anywhere between 21 and 26 inches (53 to 65 cm), making this a large breed. Adults typically weigh from 55 to 70 lbs (25 to 32 kg), with the bitch usually slightly shorter and lighter than the male.
Temperament
German Pointers can be shy, yet affecionate and loyal. They are usually good with children and make good family pets or companion dogs. They crave interaction and have been referred to as "velcro dogs" often needing to be in physical contact with a member of their human family or very nearby, sometime almost underfoot. It needs plenty of vigorous activity, so it is not a good pet for an inactive home. The breed generally gets along well with other dogs. Some Shorthaired Pointers make good watchdogs, but others are too good-natured.
Like the other German Pointers -the German Wirehaired Pointer and the German Longhaired Pointer - this is one of the few hunting breeds that can perform virtually all gundog roles. Point, flush, retireve. It is an excellent swimmer but also works well in rough terrain. It is tenacious, tireless, hardy, and reliable. In short, it is a superb all-around field dog that remains popular with hunters of many nationalities.
This is an intelligent and trainable breed. Like most intelligent dogs, it can develop an independant streak so the breed requires training to ensure that it understands that the owner is in charge. Along with its superb hunting ability and companionable personality, its intelligence and biddability (trainability) continue to make this one of the more popular large breeds.
Health
The Shorthaired Pointer is generally a healthy breed. Seizures have been a problem in some lines, and a few individuals may suffer from hip dysplasia, genetic eye diseases, or skin cancer. Like all dogs with flop ears, it can be prone to ear infections and its ears require regular checking and cleaning. It has a longer life expectancy than many breeds of this size, commonly living 12 to 14 years.
Care
Its short coat needs very little grooming, just occasional brushing. The dog should be bathed only when needed.
As it is a large, active breed, it can require considerable food; however, it can also become obese if too much food is given for its activity level.
History
The German Shorthaired Pointer is descended from the old Spanish Pointer, which was taken to Germany in the 1600s. It is impossible to identify all of the dogs that went into creating this breed, however most-likely candidates for its ancestors include local German breeds such as other hunting dogs and scent hounds, the Bloodhound, the Foxhound, various French hounds, assorted Scandinavian breeds, the German Bird Dog, and the Italian Pointer. In the late 1800s, breeders added the English Pointer to the lines, rounding out the breed's all-around utility.
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