Skip to Content

Discover German Shorthaired Pointer

German Shorthaired Pointer

The adaptable sports dog breed known as the German Shorthaired Pointer hunts various game, retrieves on land or from the water and makes a loving companion. They require much intense exercise yet have an attractive, easy-to-care-for coat.

German Shorthaired Pointer

This dog will become your best friend if you can provide it with the mental and physical challenges it enjoys. However, apartment dwellers and anyone frequently away from home should exercise caution. If your dog is bored and lacks space to play and exercise, you might discover it acting out when you arrive home.

Fast Facts About the German Shorthaired Pointer

German Shorthaired Pointer
  • Origin: Germany
  • Breed Group: Sporting
  • Weight: 45-70 pounds
  • Height: 21-25 inches at the withers
  • Life Span: 12–14 years

Appearance

German Shorthaired Pointer

The German shorthaired pointer is a medium-to-large-sized dog with a stately gait and an appearance of confidence. Males mature to a height and weight of 23-25 inches and 55-70 pounds, respectively. Meanwhile, females grow to a height and weight of 21-23 inches and 45-60 pounds.

All GSPs share the same characteristics: a big brown snout, floppy ears, and dark almond-shaped eyes. Thanks to their distinctive appearance, they are one of the most well-known breeds. While solid colors are possible for German shorthaired pointers, liver and white or black and white with patterns are the most prevalent (referred to as “patches” or “ticking”). But you can count on one thing that is true about all GSPs: their noses are always the same color as the rest of their coats.

Beyond routine brushing and the odd bath, this breed requires little maintenance. When shedding, they need more frequent brushing to get rid of the loose hairs that can be challenging to get out of carpet and furniture. However, they are considered very clean dogs and light shedders compared to other breeds.

Habitat and Distribution

German Shorthaired Pointer

There should be plenty of room for the German shorthaired pointer to run and play. Having a hyperactive GSP in an apartment environment is not a good set-up. For their boundless energy to be properly channeled, these dogs need an owner with an active lifestyle and preferably a large enough yard.

If not given direction, dogs of this breed may resort to destructive chewing and barking. Their boundless activity can be overwhelming for inexperienced or impatient owners when they are young.

Sensitive German shorthaired pointers do best with consistent training and lots of praise. They become lonely easily, so if you’re frequently out of the house, GSP ownership might not be the best choice for you. These super-intelligent canines require patient owners committed to seeing them through the puppy stage.

Diet 

German Shorthaired Pointer

The dog should be fed a high-quality diet suitable for their life stage (puppy, adult, or senior) and exercise degree. When the GSP is a puppy, it has to be fed three or more times a day. When it’s an adult, two meals a day are all it needs. Due to the breed’s susceptibility to bloat, feeding or allowing the dog to engage in vigorous activity less than an hour after eating and drinking is not recommended. If you can wait until after you’ve finished your day’s physical activity, that’s when you should eat dinner.

To keep your German Shorthair in shape, you should feed him twice a day using a measured amount of food. Give your dog the eye exam and the hands-on test if you have any doubts about his weight. 

Mating and Life Cycle

German Shorthaired Pointer

Even though German Shorthaired Pointer puppies are among the loveliest you’ll ever see. If you acquire a female, there are a few extra things you need to know about. Questions about their menstrual cycle frequently rank highly on the list. So what is the actual situation there?

Every six months, German Shorthaired Pointers go into heat. Most of them will go through their first heat cycle when they are between five and fourteen months old. If there are no health problems, the cycle will repeat six months after the initial one and continue throughout the dog’s life.

When in heat, German Shorthaired Pointers exhibit various physical and behavioral changes. An enlarged vulva and frequent urination are the first two symptoms. Bleeding will continue for the next 12 to 21 days. Dogs in heat may become more tense and alert in terms of behavior.

When your dog is prepared to mate, she will tilt her tail to the side and lift her ears toward male canines.

Take steps to keep her away from males if you want to prevent having to raise puppies before the signs of mating. The male dogs will try to mate as soon as they notice that a female is in heat.

Remember that your dog can become pregnant at any point throughout her heat cycle, even though the ovulation period is when she has the highest likelihood of doing so.

Endangerment

German Shorthaired Pointer

Despite their enormous popularity, the numbers of German Shorthaired Pointers are declining because of reckless breeding and refusal to acknowledge this breed’s unique health care needs. As a result, there has been a decrease in genetic diversity and an increase in diseases. If the breed is not given the care and education it needs, its future is in doubt.

Cause of Endangerment

German Shorthaired Pointer

#1 Inbreeding

By selectively breeding German Shorthaired Pointers for generations to favor certain outward appearances, breeders have exacerbated hereditary health problems and reduced genetic variation. The result has been a decline in their numbers.

#2 Puppy mills

There is a rise in the number of sick or genetically unhealthy German Shorthaired Pointers because of the prevalence of puppy mills, industrial-scale breeding enterprises that put profit before the dogs’ well-being.

#3 Inadequate Awareness

There has been an upsurge in the number of German Shorthaired Pointers sold by puppy mills and backyard breeders since many individuals are unaware of the common health issues in this breed.

#4 Subpar Diet

German Shorthaired Pointers can develop a wide range of health problems due to poor diet, including concerns about their skin and coat, digestion, and more. The increased susceptibility to disease can have additional negative effects on their population.

Ways to help

#1 Adoption

You may do a lot to lessen the endangerment of German Shorthaired Pointers by adopting one from a rescue group or shelter. This frees up space so additional German Shorthaired Pointers can be adopted and allowed a better life while giving a loving home to a puppy in need.

#2 Education

An excellent method to help is by raising awareness of German Shorthaired Pointers’ dangers. You may contribute to developing a community that is more conscious of the problem and more willing to act to aid by educating the public about the causes of their endangerment and the solutions available.

#3 Contributions

A better option could be donating money to organizations supporting German Shorthaired Pointers, such as rescue groups and shelters. These groups frequently depend on donations to support their work and give the puppies they rescue the care they need.

#4 Foster

Fostering a German Shorthaired Pointer can be a successful endangerment management strategy. By giving a homeless dog a temporary home, you may make room and allocate funds so that other German Shorthaired Pointers can be adopted.

Fun Facts About the German Shorthaired Pointers

YouTube video

#1 German Shorthaired Pointers Are Versatile

These dogs have been employed to hunt a wide variety of prey, from rabbits and raccoons to game animals and even deer, as they have been bred to possess a high degree of instinctual hunting ability.

#2 The vitality of German Shorthaired Pointers never stops

This dog is not the type to take a quick walk after work. Running, swimming, taking long walks, playing in a fenced-in area, and any other form of vigorous exercise are essential for the GSP. 

#3 The GSP is a fantastic swimmer.

Most GSPs enjoy being in the water because of their webbed feet and muscular, athletic frame. Be careful with your GSP during the winter; they may get too cold in the water without realizing it themselves.

FAQs

German Shorthaired Pointer
What is the ideal diet for German Shorthaired Pointers?

Pay special attention to fresh foods like sweet potatoes, chicken, salmon, or turkey. Brown or white rice cooked is a great fiber and hydration source. If your GSP has a sensitive stomach, avoid peas and potatoes. Never season dog food with spices and avoid using onions and garlic.

How frequently should German Shorthaired Pointers take a bath?

Baths should be given to your German Shorthaired Pointer at the very least twice or three times a year and even more frequently if necessary. Use a conditioner and shampoo that won’t dry out your dog’s coat.

Conclusion

German Shorthaired Pointer

When it comes to close work, the German Shorthaired Pointer is unrivaled because of its unique blend of speed, strength, and stamina. If you enjoy exercise the German Shorthaired Pointer will be an ideal workout partner, gladly joining you for runs at any given time. However, on the other hand, if you don’t lead a very active lifestyle this type of dog is not a great fit for you. Without sufficient exercise your furry friend will begin to display lots of unwanted destructive behaviors.

Thank you for reading this article! If this adorable doggo doesn’t feel like a great fit for you, fear not. There’s countless other dog breeds to choose from. Take a look at our posts on the Yorkie Poo or Chiweenie.