German Shorthaired Pointer
AKA: Deutscher kurzhaariger Vorstehhund, Deutsch Kurzhaar, Kurzhaar
Description: The German Shorthaired Pointer is a well-balanced hunting dog with a nicely chiseled head. The muzzle is long, with the same length as that of the skull, and not pointed. The nose is brown, and so are the eyes. The larger the nose, the better. The eyes are almond-shaped and give off an intelligent expression. The ears lie high and close to the head, and the teeth form a scissors bite.
The skin of the German Shorthaired Pointer would appear tight. Generally, the tail is docked by 60%, letting the dog sit on it. The German Shorthaired Pointer’s feet are webbed. The dewclaws from both legs are removed.
Dynamics: The German Shorthaired Pointer is one of the best companion dog for a family with children. It is loyal and protective, at the same time very cheerful, energetic, and willing to please. This breed is people-oriented, and likes to be in the company of its family. It can be reserved with strangers, though, and it likes to bark. Without proper exercise and socialization, this breed will become disagreeable and nervous. The German Shorthaired Pointer can get along very well with other dogs and pets when socialized with them from an early age.
The German Shorthaired Pointer is by nature a hunting dog. The male tends to be more aggressive than the female, and energy levels generally vary among the breed.
Breed Group: Gun Dog, Sporting
Weight: males 55-70 lbs (25-32 kg), females 45-60 lbs (20-27 kg)
Height: males 23-25 inches (59-64 cm), females 21-23 inches (53-58 cm)
Color: The coat of the German Shorthaired Pointer can be solid liver or liver and white. It can be patched, ticked, or roan.
Country of Origin: The German Shorthaired Pointer came from Germany, where German hunters made efforts to bring about a breed with that could retrieve and track, from water or land, and had a good nose. The breed is the result of mixing the Old Spanish Pointer, Hounds of St. Hubert, the Foxhound, other hounds, and the English Pointer.
Activities: For an energetic breed like the German Shorthaired Pointer, exercises are very important. Otherwise, the dog will become restless and destructive. This breed is used for hunting and it is capable of high performance in both field and water. It requires little training when it comes to hunting, tracking, and retrieving.
Grooming: Grooming the German Shorthaired Pointer is not that hard to do. Regular brushing with a bristle brush is enough. Bathe only when necessary. Rubbing the coat with toweling or chamois can make the coat soft and shiny. Always dry the dog after hunting to prevent it from feeling cold and chilly. Its feet should also be checked, as with the ears.
Other Info: The German Shorthaired Pointer has a life expectancy about 12-15 years. It is generally a healthy breed but it is prone to epilepsy, hermaphrodism, and lymphedema. It is also prone to minor health problems like CHD, entropion, gastric torsion, WWD, pannus, and OCD. This breed is not fit for an apartment life. It has a very huge amount of stamina and energy that it will need a large yard or area to live comfortably. This breed does well in most climates.
Tags: breed, dog, german shorthaired pointer