German Shorthaired Pointer

Dog

The German shorthaired pointer (GSP) is a breed of dog developed in the 19th century in Germany for hunting.

The German Shorthair is a multipurpose hunting dog who doubles as a great family companion. An active family, that is. He is highly energetic and highly intelligent. His alert and protective nature makes him an excellent watchdog.

If you’ve ever admired the versatility, athleticism and stamina of a decathlete, you’ll admire the German Shorthaired Pointer. Whether you can live with such an energetic, strong and challenging companion is another matter entirely. This hunting dog was bred to do it all, including being an attentive, family-loving companion and a watchdog for the property. Few breeds are more versatile -- and more demanding of their owners’ energy and attention.

The German Shorthaired Pointer is a wonderful choice for very active families. If you’re the kind of person who’s always in the outdoors and wants your dog with you, there are few better companions for the longest hike or run you can dream up. Their size and natural protectiveness will help keep you safe on a dawn training run. Your children will be loved and attended to by your Pointer, and while this dog will likely alarm bark if someone's at the door or on your property, they're usually not aggressive with people or strange dogs once they know you’ve got it covered.

Underestimate the need to keep this dog exercised in body and mind, however, and you and the dog will both be very unhappy. Left to his own devices, a bored German Shorthaired Pointer who doesn’t get the exercise he needs will take matters into his own paws: digging up the yard, climbing fences to explore the neighborhood, barking at everything that moves and chasing small wildlife and pets with the zeal of the determined hunting dog that he is.

These dogs need daily sessions of heart-pumping exercise, the more the better. They also need training to control that energy in the off-leash full-out runs they require. They’re a natural for high-drive canine competitions, as well as – no surprise here – hunting anything they’re legally allowed to go after. These dogs are up for anything, and have lively minds and trainable natures.

As befitting a dog of such versatility, the German Shorthaired Pointer can have a mind of his own. That means training and socializing from an early age is essential to keep your companion under control. Big, strong and enthusiastic, this breed needs to be taught how to behave around the children he loves, or you’ll be picking the kids up off their fannies. They may also need to be trained not to "hunt" the family cat or other small pets.

The German Shorthaired Pointer packs a lot of lean muscle into a powerful 40 to 70 pounds or more. Their distinctive "ticked" or spotted coat usually comes in shades of brown and white, although some other patterns and colors do occur. The tail is usually cropped to a few inches in length, and the ears are large and flop down.

The grooming needs are minimal; a fast weekly brushing, occasional bathing and regular nail trimming and ear cleaning are all that he needs.

Other Quick Facts
The German Shorthair is a high-energy dog who requires at least an hour of exercise daily. Take him for a couple of half-hour walks, hikes or runs or teach him to run alongside your bicycle. He’ll also enjoy playing fetch or training for a dog sport. He can do just about any of them.
The German Shorthair has a water-repellent coat with short, thick hair that feels coarse to the touch. The coat color can be solid liver, liver and white ticked, liver and white patched, liver roan (a deep reddish-brown base lightened with white hairs), or any combination of those colors and patterns.
Unless he is raised with them and closely supervised, the German Shorthair may not be best suited to homes with pet cats or birds.

The History of German Shorthaired Pointers
The German Shorthaired Pointer is an early example of fine German engineering. He was created in Germany in the mid- to late 19th century to be a multipurpose hunting dog. The GSP was probably derived from the German bird dog crossed with various German scenthounds. English Pointers were brought in to give the new breed some elegance.

Besides being a super hunting dog, the German Shorthair is a standout in the show ring. Two German Shorthairs have taken Best in Show at Westminster Kennel Club: Ch. Kan-Point’s VJK Autumn Roses (Carlee) in 2005 and Ch. Gretchenhof Columbia River in 1974.

Today, the German Shorthair ranks 16th among the breeds registered by the American Kennel Club, up from 24th in 2000.

German Shorthair Temperament and Personality
When he is brought up right, the German Shorthair is a great family dog with excellent manners. He is active, to be sure, but once his exercise needs have been met, he is a calm house dog who is content to stay nearby without demanding all your attention. His strengths include a high level of intelligence and a loyal, fearless nature. In the field, he’s an aggressive hunter, a trait that can carry over into the home if cats, squirrels or birds stray into his territory.

Most GSPs learn quickly at an early age, although some require more patient training than others. The young German Shorthair may not fully gain control of his brain until he reaches maturity at two years of age, so be prepared to live with puppy shenanigans for a while.

Start training your puppy the day you bring him home. Even at eight weeks old, he is capable of soaking up everything you can teach him. Don’t wait until he is 6 months old to begin training or you will have a more headstrong dog to deal with. If possible, get him into puppy kindergarten class by the time he is 10 to 12 weeks old, and socialize, socialize, socialize. However, be aware that many puppy training classes require certain vaccines (like kennel cough) to be up to date, and many veterinarians recommend limited exposure to other dogs and public places until puppy vaccines (including rabies, distemper and parvovirus) have been completed. In lieu of formal training, you can begin training your puppy at home and socializing him among family and friends until puppy vaccines are completed.

Any dog, no matter how nice, can develop obnoxious levels of barking, digging, countersurfing and other undesirable behaviors if he is bored, untrained or unsupervised. And any dog can be a trial to live with during adolescence. In the case of the German Shorthair, the “teen” years can start at six months and can continue until the dog is two years old.

Talk to the breeder, describe exactly what you’re looking for in a dog, and ask for assistance in selecting a puppy. Breeders see the puppies daily and can make uncannily accurate recommendations once they know something about your lifestyle and personality.

The perfect GSP doesn’t spring fully formed from the whelping box. He’s a product of his background and breeding. Whatever you want from a German Shorthair, look for one whose parents have nice personalities and who has been well socialized from early puppyhood.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_Shorthaired_Pointer