German Shorthaired Pointer Dog

The German Shorthaired Pointer has a short thicktend to have a happy air around them. They do need
coat that is predominately liver in colour, either solidlots of exercise, and if they do not receive the
liver, liver and white, liver patches/liver roan. In someamount they need they can become highly strung
countries their tails are docked, but this practice isand very frustrated. They enjoy constructive
now illegal in most countries. They have slightly longactivities, and they need an order and structure to
ears that lie flat and close to the head. They cantheir life. They need a calm yet firm owner, who the
stand up to 23 to 25 inches tall and weigh betweendog must know is in charge, without leadership these
55 and 70 lbs. they are well proportioned dog with adogs can become nervous and destructive. They do
broad and rounded skull, they have a slight stop andnot cope well with being kept in a kennel, but love
brown open nose. They have almond shaped eyesnothing more than doing what they were bred to do,
and compact feet that are webbed, their fur is roughwhich is to hunt.
to the touch but softer on their ears and head. TheyHealth Issues: Overall a very healthy breed, but like
are streamlined dogs, powerful and are able to movemany dogs they are prone to hip dysplasia and they
and turn rapidly.can also suffer from epilepsy and genetic eye
History: The German Shorthaired Pointer was bred todiseases. They can also get cancerous lesions in their
be an excellent Hunter as well as a good familymouth or on the skin in other areas of their body,
companion. It is thought to descend from manyand similar to other breeds the German Shorthaired
German dogs including hunting dog, scent hounds andPointer females are prone to breast cancer if they
tracking dogs. They're an all-purpose dog with anare un-spayed. As with all hunting dogs, they are
excellent nose and can be used as either a retrieverprone to the spread of fungi and bacteria through
or a gundog both in the field, and in water. Theycontact with the game, this can easily cause
were officially recognized by the AKC in 1930. As wellinfections in their mouth or any open wounds or small
as hunting, this dog has been known to be used incuts. Their life expectancy is 12 to 14 years, though
Scandinavia as a sled dog for dogsled racing. Althoughit is not unheard of individual dogs to live up to 18
not much is known about its history, it is thought toyears.
have been descended from the old Spanish PointerGrooming: The German Shorthaired Pointers are
and to have come to Germany in the 1600s,generally very clean breed so only occasional brushing
however no records were kept until the firstis required. They are minimal shedders, and normally
studbook in 1870.only shed once a year. They should only be bathed
Temperament: The German Shorthaired Pointer iswhen needed, for example if they are covered in
extremely energetic breed, they are eager to pleasemud.
and will love their family. They are a faithful dog who