Meet the German Shorthaired Pointer (GSP)! The German Shorthaired Pointer Dog is a multipurpose hunting dog that happens to be a perfect family dog. These guys are intelligent, energetic,c and capable of thinking independently, so you won’t always find them underfoot waiting for you to tell them what to do.
Plus…
These guys are almost loyal to a fault. The German Shorthaired Pointer (GSP) will be your friend to the very end. He loves children and feels very protective of them, which is why you may notice that you may seem to always be on alert, ever vigilant of anything that doesn’t look right and needs to be further investigated.
All of these factors, plus many more, are what make the GSP a perfect watchdog. But will he be the “right” kind of dog for you? We hope to help you answer this real question today in our article about the German Shorthaired Pointer. While there is little doubt that these animals are great, their high energy requirements and somewhat short fuse with other furry little creatures already living in your home might make these guys a “poor” choice for you.
This is why…
We wanted to take a moment and discuss what it might be like to own a German Shorthaired Pointer so that if you’re ever allowed to own one of these guys, you’ll know for sure if it’s a good idea.
So, without further ado, let’s dive right in.
German Shorthair Pointer Fast Facts
Country of Origin: Germany
Original Purpose: General hunting
Height: 21 to 25 inches tall
Weight: 45 to 70 pounds
Lifespan: 12 to 18 years
Dog Breed Classification: Sporting Group
Origin of the German Shorthaired Pointer
The German Shorthaired Pointer is the product of literally centuries of cross-breeding that occurred within Germany throughout the 17th and 18th centuries. During this time, German sportsmen experimented by crossing Spanish Pointers with multiple types of trailing hounds to produce a do that could not only tail an animal on land but also “point” out the hunted prey and retrieve them from the water.
Eventually, in 1883…
Two exceptional dogs that went by the names of Nero and Treff could distinguish themselves at the German Derby, which led to the basis of what would later become known as the German Shorthaired Pointer dog breed. Shortly after that, the species was eventually introduced into the United States in the early 1920s, ultimately officially being recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1930.
Physical Characteristics
The German Shorthaired Pointer is a mid-sized dog, not big by any means, but has a very muscular physique. This is why you may think these guys are more significant than they are. A healthy GSP will be lean and muscular and generally weighs between 40 to 70 pounds. They are giving him a somewhat athletic look, which will be even further accentuated by his flat and course coat.
A coat that is…
Usually ticked or spotted, and can come in many shades of white and brown but also sometimes in shades of other colors such as:
- Black,
- Red,
- Orange,
- Or tan and lemon.
They’ll also have a tail that will be cropped and, according to their breed standard, should never be more than a few inches in length. Lastly, like many of the hounds that went into creating this breed, the German Shorthaired Pointer will have relatively large and “floppy” ears, which look pretty distinguished upon his head.
German Shorthaired Pointer grooming concern
One thing you need to be aware of when it comes to the German Shorthaired Pointer is that these guys tend to shed a lot! So, there could be a lot of rough hair strewn across the house unless you brush his coat regularly – at least once a week. To avoid this issue, give him a quick brush at least once a week and try to give him a good bath every month. That’s all you need to do to care for the Pointer Dog.
Comparison breeds
The German Shorthair Pointer Dog is a close cousin of the German Wirehaired Pointer. He shares a lot in common with dog breeds, such as:
- Flat-Coated Retriever,
- English Setter Spaniel,
- German Shepherd,
- Bull Terrier,
- Lagotto Romagnolo,
- Labrador Retriever
- and the Curly-Coated Retriever.
Personality and Temperament
The German Shorthaired Pointer is a vibrant, energetic dog that tends to bark. It is excellent if you’re looking for a fun and active dog to make an excellent watchdog because these guys can be trained to do just about anything! Plus, he loves children. And is very protective of them. So you can be sure that your kids are safe with him. Kids adore him, too; he makes for a perfect playmate.
He also has…
He has a lovable and charming personality and is a joy to be with. That’s what makes him such an adorable pet. He is easy to train as long as the training and socialization start early. But remember that anytime you have an intelligent and active dog on your hands, you will always want to provide them with the physical stimulation they need; otherwise, you may have a very destructive dog on your hands.
Now, this isn’t because these dogs are purposely destructive or mischievous; they’re just looking for ways to entertain themselves, and many times, what a two-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer finds entertaining isn’t necessarily going to “mesh” well with what you see as appropriate behavior. So just be sure that if you are thinking about adopting a German Shorthaired Pointer puppy or, better yet, adopting a German Shorthaired Pointer rescue dog, you are ready to commit to at least one or two daily walks so that the campers stretch their legs!
Potential Health Concerns
The German Shorthaired Pointer Dog is one of the healthiest dog breeds; we are not exaggerating. He is a very healthy dog, and it’s rare for him to catch an illness or ailment. However, some genetic conditions seem to be linked to the GSP breed that you should be aware of. Conditions such as:
While some medical conditions may not be life-threatening, they may still be expensive, particularly if they become chronic or reoccurring. This is why we here at IndulgeYourPet also recommend that any new pet owner take a moment and see what it might cost for you to purchase a pet insurance policy for your new animal.
Now, will a pet insurance policy be suitable for everyone?
No, probably not. But until you fully understand what these policies “will” and “won’t” cover and how much these pet insurance policies cost, how will you know if one might be right for you?
For more information on who we feel currently offers the “best” pet insurance policies out there, we would encourage you to check out our Best Pet Insurance Policies article.
