The German Short-haired Pointer dog is a smart, energetic dog that makes an excellent family pet for active people. This highly trainable pup was bred as a gun dog and has boundless enthusiasm for running, swimming, and other outdoor adventures. German Short-haired Pointers are athletic, medium- to large-sized dogs that are eager to please and excel at dog sports.
German Short-haired Pointer Dog Breed Rundown
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Height: 23 to 25 inches (males), 21 to 23 inches (females)
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Weight: 55 to 70 lbs. (males), 45 to 60 lbs. (females)
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Lifespan: 10 to 14 years
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Origin: Germany
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Personality: Friendly, energetic, smart, playful, and eager to please.
German Shorthaired Pointer Appearance
The German Short-haired Pointer, often called GSP for short, is a lean, short-haired dog built for the rigors of hunting on land and in water. This athletic canine has a muscular and agile appearance.
GSPs have short fur that can come in different colors and patterns, including solid black or solid liver (dark brown), or a combination of liver and white or black and white, according to the American Kennel Club. German Shorthaired Pointers often have spots, patches, or speckled coloring.
German Shorthaired Pointer History
The German Short-haired Pointer dog was developed in Germany as a versatile hunting breed. In Germany, pointing breeds have been used as far back as the 13th century to “point” to game to signal to hunters where prey was. The German Shorthaired Pointer was bred to hunt a wide range of game on foot, working with hunters to track and hold deer, rabbits, raccoons, and foxes at bay.
GSPs were bred to hunt on land and water and to also live indoors as companion dogs when not hunting. In addition to pointing out game, GSPs often retrieve the hunter’s prey in land or water. German Shorthaired Pointers are athletic, smart, trainable dogs with plenty of energy to hunt.
The first German Shorthaired Pointers came to the U.S. from Germany in the 1920s and the breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1930. GSPs have become a popular family pet and companion for active people. They make excellent companions and can excel in many areas of dog sports, including hunting, agility, and obedience. They are also gentle and affectionate dogs that can do well in therapy work.
German Short-haired Pointer Personality
German Short-haired Pointers are versatile pups that have a high activity level. They enjoy vigorous exercise and plenty of mental stimulation. GSPs make ideal pets for people with active lifestyles who enjoy hiking, running, hunting, or swimming.
GSPs also excel in many dog sports, which gives them time to bond with their humans while having physical and mental stimulation. They do particularly well in obedience, agility, tracking, dock diving, and hunting trials.
Today’s GSPs are often pets that offer wonderful companionship. They’re adaptable, friendly, and energetic dogs that love to be with their owners.
Training German Shorthaired Pointers
The German Short-haired Pointer dog is not the kind of dog you can just leave alone all the time. These athletic pups need plenty of exercise and training to thrive and be happy. GSPs are very intelligent and eager to please, making them easier to train than many breeds.
GSPs can present some challenges, as they tend to have short attention spans and a high energy level. Exercising your dog before training and keeping sessions short can help your pup focus. Positive reinforcement and plenty of playtime will help your GSP stay happy and attentive in training sessions.
Famous German Shorthaired Pointers
These are some famous German Shorthaired Pointers that should be on your radar:
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CJ is a GSP who won Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 2016.
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Actor Bradley Cooper rescued a German Short-haired Pointer named Samson (who died in 2010 at the age of 15).
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Country singers Tim McGraw and Chase Bryant have both owned German Short-haired Pointers.
German Short-haired Pointer Health
German Short-haired Pointers are generally healthy dogs but they can be susceptible to certain health conditions. These include:
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Hip dysplasia, which can cause stiffness and pain in the hip joints.
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Progressive retinal atrophy is an eye condition that eventually leads to blindness.
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Bloat is a life-threatening condition that occurs from a twisting of the stomach in larger breeds. Preventive surgery can greatly reduce a dog’s risk of developing bloat.
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Cancer is a common cause of death in older GSPs.
Where to Get a German Shorthaired Pointer
If you’d like to adopt a German Shorthaired Pointer puppy or dog, there are many rescues with GSPs. Search Petfinder for German Shorthaired Pointers in your area at local rescues. There are also GSP breed rescue groups throughout the country.
If you’re interested in breeders, do a thorough investigation to find a reputable breeder. Breeders should screen for health issues and allow you to come and visit their home to meet pups and their parents.
Here are resources for adopting GSPs:
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German Shorthaired Pointer Club of America is the official breed club recognized by the AKC. The club has an education section and resources for finding breeders.
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Petfinder is a directory of rescue dogs that allows you to search for the breed of your choice at local rescues.
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German Shorthaired Pointer Rescue of New Jersey has adoptable German Shorthaired Pointers in the Northeast.
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Mid-Atlantic German Shorthaired Pointer Rescue has GSPs for adoption in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Delaware.
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Southeast German Shorthaired Pointer Rescue is a German Shorthaired Pointer rescue covering Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
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California GSP Rescue has GSPs available for adoption on the West Coast.
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