The Breed
A versatile hunter and all-purpose gun dog, the German Shorthaired Pointer possesses keen scenting power and high intelligence. The breed is proficient with many different types of game and sport, including trailing, retrieving, and pointing pheasant, quail, grouse, waterfowl, raccoons, possum, and even deer. A medium-sized breed, he has an aristocratic bearing and can be solid liver or liver and white in color.
The origin of the German Shorthaired Pointer is not clear, but the source of the breed seems to have been the German Bird Dog, related to the old Spanish Pointer, and various crossings with local German scent hounds and track and trail dogs. When the Germans introduced the English Pointers to lend elegance to the German Shorthaired Pointer prototype, the result was a utility dog that combined sporting virtue with clean lines, good looks and sound temperament.
Male GSPs stand between 23 and 25 inches at the shoulder and can weigh anywhere from 55 to 70 pounds; females are smaller in height and weight. The coat is solid liver (a reddish brown), or liver and white in distinctive patterns. Built to work long, hard days in the field or at the lake, GSPs are known for power, speed, agility, and endurance. The overall look is often described as "noble" and "aristocratic."
German hunters spent generations crossing various breeds until they perfected this versatile gun-dog sometime in the 1800s. They were so successful that, to this day, GSPs are among the top-winning breeds in competitive hunting events. Famous for their beautiful movement and great scenting ability, GSPs are used to hunt all kinds of game. And with their water-repellent coat, they work as well in water as on land. No wonder GSP lovers call their dog the “perfect pointer.”
GSPs make happy, trainable pets who become firmly attached to their family, especially kids, and want always to be at the center of things. Their dark brown eyes shine with enthusiasm and friendliness. GSPs are always up for physical activity like running, swimming, organized dog sports—in fact, anything that will burn some of their boundless energy while spending outdoors time with a human buddy. This eager breed does best with regular exercise, positive training, and lots of love.
The origin of the German Shorthaired Pointer is not clear, but the source of the breed seems to have been the German Bird Dog, related to the old Spanish Pointer, and various crossings with local German scent hounds and track and trail dogs. When the Germans introduced the English Pointers to lend elegance to the German Shorthaired Pointer prototype, the result was a utility dog that combined sporting virtue with clean lines, good looks and sound temperament.
Male GSPs stand between 23 and 25 inches at the shoulder and can weigh anywhere from 55 to 70 pounds; females are smaller in height and weight. The coat is solid liver (a reddish brown), or liver and white in distinctive patterns. Built to work long, hard days in the field or at the lake, GSPs are known for power, speed, agility, and endurance. The overall look is often described as "noble" and "aristocratic."
German hunters spent generations crossing various breeds until they perfected this versatile gun-dog sometime in the 1800s. They were so successful that, to this day, GSPs are among the top-winning breeds in competitive hunting events. Famous for their beautiful movement and great scenting ability, GSPs are used to hunt all kinds of game. And with their water-repellent coat, they work as well in water as on land. No wonder GSP lovers call their dog the “perfect pointer.”
GSPs make happy, trainable pets who become firmly attached to their family, especially kids, and want always to be at the center of things. Their dark brown eyes shine with enthusiasm and friendliness. GSPs are always up for physical activity like running, swimming, organized dog sports—in fact, anything that will burn some of their boundless energy while spending outdoors time with a human buddy. This eager breed does best with regular exercise, positive training, and lots of love.
