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While not as recognizable as other Sporting dogs such as Spaniels and Retrievers, the German Shorthaired Pointer possessed the best qualities of both breeds and has become a popular breed in the U.S. with little fanfare.

Short History of the Breed

The German Shorthaired Pointer was developed by the German nobility in the 1800s to be a versatile field hunting dog as well as pet and companion. It is a descendent of the Spanish Pointer and likely several other breeds including hounds and Scandinavian breeds.

The German Shorthaired Pointer has always been a popular choice and became an AKC-recognized breed in 1930. This breed continues to be a top choice for pet owners and is consistently one of the top 20 most popular dogs in the U.S.

Physical Description & Size

This breed is a lean, medium-sized hunting dog with an average height from 21 to 25 inches with a weight range from 55 to 70 pounds.

The short, thick, waterproof coat usually has black or chestnut (liver) colored spots on a white. The head is usually a solid color and the body is densely spotted.

The German Shorthaired Pointer's long flop ears hang close to the head, and the long, pointed tail is sometimes docked, although that practice has waned in recent years.

Temperament

The German Shorthaired Pointer is an affectionate, intelligent, and easily trained dog that makes an excellent companion for active owners and families with children or other pets. It is a versatile hunting dog, gun dog, bird dog, and water dog (they love to swim!), and has the sensitive nose of a hound. Their intelligence and carefree attitude make them one of the more popular large breeds for pets.

Dog Care (exercise, grooming, diet)

The German Shorthaired Pointer is first and foremost a lean and athletic hunting dog and needs room to roam and run around. This breed loves to play and fetch and should get a fair amount of daily exercise with lots of stimulating play.

The coat needs minimal care other than the occasional brush, and should be bathed only when necessary. As with many dogs with large flopped ears they requier daily ear cleaning becaus they are prone to ear infections.

Since this an active breed, most dogs will require 1 cup in the morning and one in the evening of high-quality food,usualy works well with this breed. It's important to match the amount of food to the activity level of each dog, however, to prevent obesity.

Being a natural hunter, German Shorthaired Pointers can have a mind of their own, so it's important that these dogs are thoroughly trained so they know who's boss. Though these dog are easaly trained . Though this can differ between indivigual dogs.

Health Issues, Life Expectancy

This is a hearty breed and most German Shorthaired Pointers can live to be 12 to 14 years old, which is exceptionally long for this type and size of dog.

Some health concerns for this breed are a tendency towards seizures, hip dysplasia, ear infections, and eye problems. However, many of these concerns can be minimized by getting good stock from a reputable breeder.

AKC Group

The German Shorthaired Pointer belongs to the AKC Sporting group. Other dogs in this group include various Spaniel breeds, the Labrador Retriever, and the Golden Retriever.

Additional Resources

• German Shorthaired Pointer - Online Community

• German Shorthaired Pointer Online Community - DogBreed.org
• GSP Rescues By State
• Yahoo! Pets
• AKC
• German Shorthaired Pointers Page
• German Shorthaired Pointer Club of America