German Shorthaired Pointer: temperament, size, care and health

About the German Shorthaired Pointer

The German Shorthaired Pointer, often called the GSP, is a muscular, medium-large dog built for covering rough ground at speed. It has a noble head, a long neck, deep chest and a docked or natural tail depending on the country. The coat is short and close, usually solid liver, liver and white, or liver roan with ticking. Some show black equivalents, which are accepted in many registries.

It was developed as an all-purpose hunting dog that could point and retrieve upland game, track wounded animals, and swim to bring back waterfowl. Owners who hunt still prize that range. Many people who do not hunt keep a GSP as a running or hiking partner.

Temperament and family life

A GSP is affectionate and wants to be with its people. It forms close ties and often follows family members from room to room. With enough exercise it is a lively but friendly housemate, generally good with older children who can handle its bounce. Younger children may be knocked over by a joyful dog that has not learned restraint.

The breed is not a naturally calm pet. Without adequate work it becomes noisy, destructive and difficult to settle. Prey drive is strong, so cats, birds and small animals can be seen as quarry, and an unfenced yard is a risk because the dog will follow a scent.

Exercise and training

This is one of the more demanding sporting breeds. Plan on at least an hour and a half of vigorous exercise daily, ideally running off leash in a safe area, plus mental tasks. Fetch, hunt training, scent games, agility and long trail runs all suit it. A walk around the block does not meet its needs.

GSPs are intelligent and learn quickly, though they can be willful and easily distracted by smells. Start socialization and basic manners early, use positive methods and be consistent. A reliable recall takes patience because the nose often overrides the owner's voice.

Grooming and shedding

Grooming is minimal. A weekly rubdown with a rubber curry or hound glove removes dead hair, and an occasional bath is enough. The short coat does shed, and the stiff hairs can weave into upholstery and fabric.

Floppy ears should be wiped and checked, particularly after swimming or time in brush. Check feet, legs and skin for burrs, ticks and small cuts after outdoor work. Nails grow quickly on dogs that exercise mostly on soft ground.

Health

The breed is generally sturdy, but hip dysplasia occurs, as does bloat, a sudden stomach emergency that affects deep-chested dogs, which makes feeding routines and veterinary advice worthwhile. Other conditions include lymphedema in young puppies, heart disease, entropion and ectropion of the eyelids, hypothyroidism, and skin and ear problems. Responsible breeders screen hips and often hearts, eyes and thyroid. None of this replaces an examination, so take questions about an individual dog to a veterinarian.

History

The GSP was developed in Germany during the 1800s, by breeders who wanted a versatile gun dog for hunters who owned only one animal. The ancestry is generally traced to older German bird dogs and tracking hounds, with English pointer blood added to improve speed and style. Breed standards were set in Germany in the late 1800s, and the first dogs came to North America in the 1920s. The breed gained American Kennel Club recognition in 1930.

Is the German Shorthaired Pointer right for you?

A GSP suits an outdoorsy household with a fenced yard, a flexible schedule and an appetite for training. It does well with hunters and with runners, hikers and sport enthusiasts. It tends to be a poor match for apartment life, for people away from home for long stretches or for someone looking for a mellow pet.

If you like the look but want a rougher coat, compare the German Wirehaired Pointer. The Vizsla is similarly active and clingy, and the Weimaraner is larger and often more intense. The Pointer is a lighter, finer, single-purpose bird dog.