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The German Shorthaired Pointer is a breed of dog developed in the 1800s in Germany for hunting. This gun dog was developed by crossing an older German Pointer breed with the English Pointer to create a lean, athletic, and responsive breed. Some authorities consider it to be the most versatile of all gun dogs and its intelligence and affectionate nature make it a popular companion dog for active owners.
Appearance: The German Shorthaired Pointer's coat is
short, flat, thick, and harsh. It is dense enough to be
water-resistant. The color can be liver (often called
chestnut), black (although any area of black is cause for
disqualification in American Kennel Club and Canadian Kennel
Club sanctioned shows), or either color with white.
Commonly the head is a solid or nearly solid color and the
body is white that is speckled or ticked with liver or black,
with saddles or large patches of solid color. Roan coats also
occur and, rarely, yellow coloring (dogs with any area of
yellow will also be disqualified in AKC and CKC shows).
It has moderately long flop ears set high on the head. Its
muzzle is long, broad, and strong, allowing it to retrieve
even heavy furred game. Its tail is commonly docked, although
this is now prohibited in some countries.
The breed is lean, athletic, and graceful yet powerful,
with strong hindquarters that make it able to move rapidly and
turn quickly. Various breed standards set its height at the
withers anywhere between 21 and 26 inches (53 to 65 cm),
making this a large breed. Adults typically weigh from 45 to
70 lbs (24 to 32 kg), with the bitch usually slightly shorter
and lighter than the male.
Temperament: This variety of German Pointer can be
shy; however, it is usually good with children and is
affectionate and loyal, making it a good companion dog. These
dogs crave interaction and have been referred to as
"velcro dogs" often needing to be in physical
contact with a member of their human family or very nearby,
sometimes almost underfoot. It needs plenty of vigorous
activity, so it is not a good pet for an inactive home. The
breed generally gets along well with other dogs. Some
Shorthaired Pointers make good watchdogs, but others are too
good-natured.
Like the other German Pointers—the German Wirehaired
Pointer and the German Longhaired Pointer—this is one of the
few hunting breeds that can perform virtually all gundog
roles. It is pointer and retriever, bird dog and water dog,
can be used for hunting larger and more dangerous game, and in
addition has a scent hound's talented nose. It is an excellent
swimmer but also works well in rough terrain. It is tenacious,
tireless, hardy, and reliable. In short, it is a superb
all-around field dog that remains popular with hunters of many
nationalities.
This is an intelligent and trainable breed. Like most
intelligent dogs, it can have a mind of its own and so the
breed requires training to ensure that it understands that the
owner is in charge. Along with its superb hunting ability and
companionable personality, its intelligence and biddability
(trainability) continue to make this one of the more popular
large breeds.
Health: The Shorthaired Pointer is generally a
healthy breed. Seizures have been a problem in some lines, and
a few individuals may suffer from hip dysplasia, genetic eye
diseases, or skin cancer. Like all dogs with flop ears, it can
be prone to ear infections and its ears require regular
checking and cleaning. It has a longer life expectancy than
many breeds of this size, commonly living 12 to 14 years.
Care: Its short coat needs very little grooming,
just occasional brushing. The dog should be bathed only when
needed. As it is a large, active breed, it can require
considerable food; however, it can also become obese if too
much food is given for its activity level.
History: The German Shorthaired Pointer is descended
from the old Spanish Pointer, which was taken to Germany in
the 1600s. From that time until the first studbook was created
in 1870, however, it is impossible to identify all of the dogs
that went into creating this breed.
Most-likely candidates for its ancestors include local
German breeds such as other hunting dogs, the Bloodhound, the
Foxhound, various French hounds, assorted Scandinavian breeds,
the German Bird Dog, and the Italian Pointer. In the late
1800s, breeders added the English Pointer to the lines,
rounding out the breed's all-around utility.
Miscellaneous: On February 15, 2005, a German
Shorthaired Pointer, "Ch Kan-Point's VJK Autumn
Roses" (callname Carlee), took the Westminster Kennel
Club Dog Show's prize for Best in Show.
In art and literature: Robert B. Parker's most
popular mystery series features a Boston detective known only
as Spenser who has had a series of three solid-liver German
Shorthairs, all named Pearl: one who stood with him during a
bear charge in his rural youth; one given to his girlfriend by
her ex-husband; and the third Pearl, to keep company with
Spenser and his girlfriend in their late middle age. Author
Parker appears on many of the Spenser dustjackets with a
solid-liver GSP bitch identical to the three incarnations of
Pearl in the series. The logo of the American Kennel Club is a
Pointer, not a German Shorthaired Pointer, though frequently
mistaken for the latter.
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