German Shorthaired Pointer: Your Complete Guide

The German shorthaired pointer (GSP) is a beautiful breed that is well-known for its prowess in the hunting field. However, the GSP is quite versatile and can also be an adoring companion. If you have any interest in this breed, then you’ve come to the right place.

Today, we will share everything you could possibly want to know about the German shorthaired pointer. You’ll learn about this breed’s history, temperament, energy level, intelligence level, coat type, and grooming needs, health, and much more. If you have a question about this breed, we probably have the answer, so keep reading!

Quick Look at the German Shorthaired Pointer

Below is a chart that provides a quick overview of the German shorthaired pointer. This should give you a preliminary sense of whether or not this breed could be right for you.

What Is the History of German Shorthaired Pointers?

The German shorthaired pointer dates back to the 1800s. As the name suggests, the breed hails from Germany, where hunters strove to create the perfect hunting dog – they were hoping to create a bird dog that was versatile in that it could hunt other game or take on roles other than hunting.

A nobleman named Prince Albrecht zu Solms-Braunfels is credited for the creation of the GSP. Solms-Braunfels and his peers succeeded in creating the versatile dog the Germans had been dreaming of.

The German shorthaired pointer is an incredible pointing bird dog, is versatile enough to hunt other game such as rabbits, possums, raccoons, and deer, and can take on other roles such as companion or watchdog.

What Do German Shorthaired Pointers Look Like?

German shorthaired pointers come in a few different colors. They can be all black, all brown (liver), or a mixture of colors. Standard colors for this breed include liver, liver and white, liver roan, white and liver, black and white, black, and black roan. This breed can also have markings such as patches (like a big splotch of color), ticking, or both!

Though GSPs can be solid black or brown, you will more commonly see them as a mixture of colors. Some have a sort of salt and pepper look going on, whereas others look very much like a speckled egg (sometimes with patches), and still others look mostly white but have big brown or black patches.

The GSP’s head and ears are almost always a solid, dark color even when the body is mostly white. The face can have white markings though, such as a white muzzle or a stripe that goes between the eyes and down the nose.

Typically, the eyes are brown, but they can also be amber-colored. German shorthaired pointers’ ears are triangle-shaped and hanging, and their tails are often docked to about 40% of their original length.

What Size Is a German Shorthaired Pointer?

German shorthaired pointers are medium to large-sized dogs. Females are between 21 and 23 inches tall and weigh 45 to 60 pounds. Males are slightly bigger, standing between 23 and 25 inches tall and weighing 55 to 70 pounds.

What Is a German Shorthaired Pointer’s Coat Type and Length?

German shorthaired pointers have smooth coats made up of short, straight hair. The fur lies flat against the body and is soft to the touch. This breed does not have a double coat.

What Is a German Shorthaired Pointer’s Temperament?

German shorthaired pointers are an energetic breed that loves activity and play. They are good with most children and get along with other dogs, making them good family pets for anyone who can handle their energy.

They’re quite smart and trainable (though their teenage phase can be challenging), and they also tend to be friendly toward strangers. They’re loyal and loving toward their families, and some GSPs may have a protective streak.

Are German Shorthaired Pointers Good With Kids?

German shorthaired pointers can be a great option for families with kids as this breed is energetic, playful, and will usually love children. However, GSPs can be especially exuberant and due to their size, could accidentally knock children over in their excitement.

Children and dogs should always be supervised when they’re together. Children must be taught how to interact with dogs in a manner that is gentle and respectful of the dog’s boundaries. This way, interaction will be safe and pleasant for both dog and child.

Are German Shorthaired Pointers Good With Other Animals?

German shorthaired pointers get along well with other dogs, but that isn’t always the case for other pets. This breed is a hunting breed that was created to be versatile and hunt multiple species. As such, they may also see small pets like cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, birds, etc. as prey.

If you get a GSP as a puppy and do a good job with training and socialization, there is a chance that you can teach them to leave other pets alone. However, you should always supervise your GSP around other pets and keep them separated when you are unable to keep an eye on them.

Because this breed is prey-driven, you can expect them to want to chase animals in the yard. A fenced-in yard is a good idea for a GSP, though with rigorous training they can learn to stay in the yard without a fence or a leash.

Are German Shorthaired Pointers Aggressive?

German shorthaired pointers are not inherently aggressive. On the contrary, they tend to be pretty friendly.

However, any dog can become aggressive if they are mistreated or do not receive proper socialization while they are puppies. If aggression develops later in life, there is often a cause. In the majority of cases, aggression can be eliminated with the help of a professional trainer.

Do German Shorthaired Pointers Bark?

German shorthaired pointers are moderate barkers. They will bark to alert you to the presence of a visitor, and they may also bark to communicate other things, such as when they need to go potty.

Sometimes, GSPs will bark during play. Though they aren’t known to be an especially yappy breed, they may bark too much for apartments with noise restrictions.

Are German Shorthaired Pointers Affectionate?

German shorthaired pointers are surprisingly affectionate. Some even consider them to be velcro dogs – that is to say, they are clingy and don’t want to leave your side (at least while you’re indoors).

All dogs are individuals and express affection in different ways, so we can’t promise that a GSP will be a cuddler. However, it is definitely a possibility as the breed is known to enjoy curling up on the couch next to their human. It is very likely that GSPs who aren’t into cuddling will be very into pets and belly rubs.

Though they’re only clingy with their families, GSPs tend to love humans in general. They’re known to be friendly and warm up to strangers quickly.

As affectionate as this breed is, don’t expect that clinginess to remain once you’re outdoors. This breed is very prey-driven, so they are likely to want to follow their nose instead of you!

Are German Shorthaired Pointers Intelligent?

German shorthaired pointers are incredibly smart! They tend to be pretty curious, especially outdoors where there are a plethora of exciting scents for them to follow. However, that curiosity can get them into trouble indoors as they may get into things they shouldn’t, especially if they’re bored. This breed is also alert enough to be decent watchdogs.

Are German Shorthaired Pointers Energetic?

Bred to hunt, GSPs have a lot of energy so they can spend long hours in the field. As such, they are a high-energy breed that is going to require a fair amount of activity every day. You shouldn’t be surprised to find your GSP needing at least two hours of moderate to vigorous exercise.

Luckily, this breed loves to run, so letting them run in the yard or taking them to a dog park can be a great way to burn some energy. Be aware that simply letting your dog out in the yard every day will never be enough for the GSP. They need more variety than this to be satiated. Walks are always beneficial for dogs, and you can also teach this breed to run alongside your bike.

Just be sure to be safe about it – use a harness that doesn’t rub and never attach the leash to your handlebars. Get a bike attachment such as the Walkydog or the Bike Tow Leash. Some GSPs will also enjoy playing fetch, which is a great way to exercise them if you yourself don’t feel like moving!

Finally, be aware that a high-energy, intelligent breed such as this one needs more than just physical exercise. German shorthaired pointers need mental exercise, too. Sometimes, you might find that no matter how much you exercise your GSP, they still seem to be bored (which can lead to mischievous or downright unwanted behaviors like destructive chewing).

This means they need something to stimulate that brain of theirs! Training sessions, puzzle toys and Kongs, and games like hide and seek are all great ways to provide mental stimulation for this breed.

Are German Shorthaired Pointers Easy to Train?

German shorthaired pointers are eager to please and often highly motivated by positive reinforcement training. Because they’re so smart, they tend to learn quickly.

However, this breed’s prey drive is intense, which means they may struggle more once you are taking them outdoors to learn among all the distractions of the wild. Many people also struggle with high-energy breeds like this one once the pup reaches about six months old.

They can be an absolute handful during their teenage phase, as they’re very curious and may try to push boundaries and see what they can and can’t get away with. You could consider GSPs to be too smart for their own good.

This is why we wouldn’t recommend them to inexperienced owners. Be sure to redirect any undesirable behaviors and provide plenty of physical and mental stimulation.

Because GSPs are so smart and athletic, they are capable of learning complex tricks and are good candidates for dog sports. They’ll excel in agility, field trials, flyball, dock diving, and obedience. They’re also good candidates for scent work.

Are German Shorthaired Pointers Good Watchdogs?

German shorthaired pointers will bark to alert you of the presence of a visitor on the premises. For this reason, they make solid watchdogs. Usually, this breed is quite friendly, so they aren’t always good guard dogs, but we have heard of GSPs with a protective streak.

You should never train a dog to be aggressive, and you should always use socialization to ensure your dog is friendly when meeting new people. That said, some GSPs may naturally be more wary, and their loyalty to their family may cause them to step in if they ever feel you are in danger.

Again, this is on a dog to dog basis, so not all GSPs will be good for protection. However, most will certainly sound the alarm at cars or people who arrive on your property.

Are German Shorthaired Pointers Good Service Dogs?

Whether or not a dog could become a service dog is up to the individual dog. Even Labradors, one of the all-stars in the service dog world, regularly fail service dog training. If your GSP is able to be calm, focused, and obedient, there is a possibility that they could be a great service dog.

A dog with the right disposition could do any kind of service work, including being a psychiatric service dog. Training a GSP for service work may be challenging due to their prey drive, but it is not impossible with the right dog.

Though not every GSP will be the right fit for service work, they can make fantastic emotional support animals because they are very affectionate, sometimes to the point of clinginess. If you want a dog that will provide comfort through interactions such as petting, hugging, and cuddling, the GSP is definitely a good candidate.

As for therapy work, GSPs can sometimes be a good fit because they tend to be quite friendly. However, they can also be boisterous at times, so it may take a fair bit of training to ensure a GSP is calm and won’t jump on children or the elderly.

How to Care for a German Shorthaired Pointer

As their name suggests, German shorthaired pointers have short hair, which makes them a relatively low-maintenance breed. They should have their ears checked regularly for infection, their teeth brushed daily, and their nails kept short.

Do You Need to Groom a German Shorthaired Pointer?

Because GSPs have short, single coats, they don’t require much grooming. A quick brushing once a week is enough to keep their coats in good condition and reduce the amount of fur that becomes one with your furniture.

This breed only needs the occasional bath, and you can easily do this at home if you’d like. If you prefer to have someone else bathe your dog, you can take your GSP to the groomer, but it is not necessary.

Regular upkeep for your GSP will include checking the ears for infection, brushing their teeth daily, and trimming their nails regularly.

Do German Shorthaired Pointers Shed?

The GSP is a moderately shedding breed, and their fur is quite good at embedding itself in your furniture, clothing, and carpets. You may also find that your GSP sheds more profusely during certain times of the year, such as when they’re changing between their summer and winter coats.

The German shorthaired pointer is not considered a hypoallergenic breed, but the idea that hypoallergenic dogs exist at all is a myth. The reality is that all dogs release allergens into their environments, but some emit fewer than others, and breed does not appear to be a factor in this.

In fact, one study found that poodles (a low-shedding breed) released more allergens than Labradors (a high-shedding breed). Therefore, if you have allergies but want a GSP, your best option will be to speak with your doctor about what steps you can take to manage your symptoms.

What Health Problems Do German Shorthaired Pointers Have?

German shorthaired pointers are at risk for hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, subaortic stenosis, von Willebrand’s disease, hemophilia, thrombocytopenia, epilepsy, and gastric dilatation volvulus (bloat).

Health risks are concerning, but you can increase your odds of getting a healthy pup by adopting from a reputable breeder. Reputable breeders use health tests to ensure they are only breeding healthy animals that won’t pass on any health conditions to their offspring. Any breeder worth their salt will be willing to share the results of the health tests with you.

It also helps to know the signs of life-threatening emergencies like bloat. Bloat is when the stomach fills with gas and twists, causing its entry and exit to be blocked.

Signs of bloat may include unsuccessful attempts at vomiting or burping, inability to defecate, dry heaving, pale gums, restlessness, excessive drooling, a swollen abdomen, shortness of breath, weakness, and collapse. A dog that collapses is likely in critical condition and needs to be rushed to the nearest emergency clinic.

There are some things you can do to reduce your dog’s risk of bloat. Avoid using raised feeders, use slow feed bowls to prevent quick eating, feed more than one meal per day, and try adding canned food to your dog’s diet.

How Long Do German Shorthaired Pointers Live?

On average, GSPs live for 10-14 years.

What Should a German Shorthaired Pointer Eat?

A German shorthaired pointer should be given the highest quality dog food you can afford. The best foods are formulated by a veterinary nutritionist, have undergone feeding trials, and meet AAFCO guidelines. Make sure to choose a food that is appropriate for your dog’s life stage (puppy, adult, senior).

To determine how much to feed your GSP, you can follow the directions on your chosen dog food. Alternatively, you can calculate your dog’s caloric needs yourself, or use an online calculator. Be sure to monitor your dog’s weight to determine if their portion needs to be adjusted.

Is a German Shorthaired Pointer the Right Dog for Me?

The German shorthaired pointer is an intelligent and energetic dog, so it won’t be right for everyone. This breed is best suited to an active owner who has ample time for training and exercise. Remember, this breed needs at least two hours of moderate to vigorous exercise per day.

It also goes without saying that anyone who wants a pointing breed for hunting would be pleased with the GSP.

The combination of high intelligence and energy often leads to dogs that are easily bored and can get into trouble. They may try to push boundaries or exhibit undesirable behaviors. GSPs can be too smart for their own good, and if you aren’t experienced, they’ll be the ones training you! Therefore, we wouldn’t recommend this breed to inexperienced owners.

The German shorthaired pointer can be a great fit for families since this breed loves to play and gets along well with children, but again, it’s important that the adults in the family take responsibility and ensure the GSP is given sufficient exercise and mental stimulation.