German Shorthaired Pointers - About

German Shorthaired Pointer

GSPs

About

The German Shorthaired Pointer (GSP) is a breed of dog that was developed in Germany in the 19th century for hunting. This medium to large sized breed is known for its versatility as an all-purpose dog suitable for both land and water. With strong legs and webbed feet, the GSP is streamlined yet powerful, making it able to move rapidly and turn quickly.

The German Shorthaired Pointer is a member of the Sporting Group.

German Shorthaired Pointers are still currently used as versatile hunting and gun dogs. With their high intelligence and athleticism, the GSP performs well in many AKC sports such as agility, dock diving, and obedience. German Shorthaired Pointers are also used in law enforcement for the detection of illicit substances and tracking, and the they do exceptionally well as a service dog.

Temperament

The German Shorthaired Pointer was developed to be a dog suited for family life, as well as a versatile hunter. Therefore its temperament is that of an intelligent, bold, boisterous, eccentric, and characteristically affectionate dog that is cooperative and easily trained. This breed is smart, friendly, willing, and enthusiastic.

Appearance

The GSP has moderately long floppy ears set high on the head. Its muzzle is long, broad, and strong, allowing it to retrieve even heavy game. The dog's profile should be straight or strongly Roman-nosed. The eyes are generally brown and the tail is commonly docked.

Color: Liver, liver and white, liver roan, black, black and white, and black roan. Commonly, the head is a solid or nearly solid color, and the body is speckled or "ticked" with liver and white, sometimes with large patches of solid color called "saddles."

Coat: The German Shorthaired Pointer's coat is short and flat with a dense undercoat protected by stiff guard hairs making the coat water resistant and allowing the dog to stay warm in cold weather. GSPs are a very clean breed. The short GSP coat needs very little grooming, just occasional brushing.

Height: Males on average are 23-25 inches tall and females are 21-23 inches

Weight: Males range from 55-70 pounds and females are smaller at 45-60 pounds

Exercise

Sporting dogs like German Shorthaired Pointers need ample exercise and room to run around. GSPs are known for their high energy levels and can become bored and destructive if not given enough attention. It's important to note that GSPs don't thrive when left alone for extended periods or confined to a kennel without enough human interaction.

Hunting Ability

German Shorthaired Pointers are a type of dog that can perform a wide range of roles. They are skilled in both pointing and retrieving, and are equally adept at hunting on land and in water. These versatile dogs are proficient in hunting various types of game, including pheasant, quail, grouse, waterfowl, raccoons, possum, and even deer.