German Shorthaired Pointer
Country/Date of Origin: Germany/1800s
German sportsmen do not favor a specialist hunter. They want a dog that can do it all. The German Shorthair can. With great skill it does the work of a pointer, a retriever and a spaniel. It tracks, points, and retrieves on land and water. In a land where hunting for the table was important, it was bred not for speed or drive, but rather for thoroughness. In the 1870s the German parent club established physical standards and required that the dogs also be able to demonstrate hunting ability and intelligence. Dr. Charles Thornton imported some dogs to the US in 1925. The German Shorthair's prowess was so evident that it was able to gain entry into the American Kennel Club by 1930.
Other Names Body Type Personality Coat Health Concerns
Back to TopDeutscher Kurzhaariger Vorstehhund
AKC Group: Sporting
Breed Club: German Shorthaired Pointer Club of America, Inc.
Rescue Club: German Shorthaired Pointer Rescue
Back to TopBody Type:
- Medium sized, well balanced gun dog
- Height: 21-25 inches (at shoulder)
- Weight: 45-70 pounds
- Males and females differ considerably in size
- Broad, hanging ears are not altered
- Tail is docked to about 40% of its original length
- Webbed feet to assist in water retrieving
Personality:
- Even-tempered and sensible
- Boundless energy. Can become destructive if not given ample exercise
- More often than not, this is a one person dog
- Intelligent and very trainable
Coat:
- Coat is short, thick, and rough to the touch. Excellent water repellent qualities
- Allowable colors are solid liver or any combination of liver and white. The white is usually a speckled pattern known as ticking
- Low grooming requirements
Health Concerns:
- Very healthy breed
- Hip dysplasia
- Epilepsy
Tasty Tidbits:
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