A German Shorthaired Pointer (GSP to its fam) is all go, go, go. This energetic, enthusiastic, intelligent dog was born to hunt and work and they love nothing more than being outside, sharing adventures with you. Running, tramping, swimming, playing - they want to do it all.
If you cherish your lie-ins and quiet afternoons curled up in front of the TV, the GSP isn’t the pup for you - a GSP is looking for a sporty soulmate. Once they’ve found it, German Shorthaired Pointers are known for their happy, affectionate, loyal natures - they make beautiful family pets.
German Shorthaired Pointer Facts
German Shorthaired Pointers are medium-sized dogs that stand up to 63cm tall and weigh up to 32kg. Sleek and athletic, their coats are commonly brown or brown and white but other colours, including black and white, are possible.
- Breed Group: Sporting
- Height: Female: 53-58cm, Male: 58-63cm
- Weight: Female: 20-27kg, Male: 25-32kg
- Life Span: 10-12 years
- Coat: Short
- Colour: Various including brown or brown and white
What Does a German Shorthaired Pointer Look Like?
A German Shorthaired Pointer is the perfect specimen of a hunting dog - it ticks all the boxes. Think long, powerful legs, lean body and a big chest, ideal for speed and endurance. Think a large, long nose all the better for sniffing out prey. Think webbed feet for chasing after ducks on the water. Not surprising really, as they were designed to work long days in the field or at the lake. If you were to describe a GSP’s looks, you’d probably say powerful and agile and you’d probably throw in noble too.
But they’re not all about the work. High-set floppy ears and large bright eyes ensure they look like the friendly family dogs they are. Although GSP coats come in a few colours, the most common is solid liver (a reddish brown) or liver and white spots. As their name tells you, their coat is short and quite coarse.
German Shorthaired Pointer
German Shorthaired Pointer Temperament: Energetic Hard Worker
A German Shorthaired Pointer is a hard worker, bred for hunting and with a keen nose (and eye) for adventure. But that’s only half the story. GSPs are loyal, loving dogs who bond very firmly to their family. Expect this faithful companion to be by your side, whatever you’re doing.
Even though they appreciate the value of hard work, they’re easy going, affectionate pups who are very lovey dovey with their people, especially children. This makes them fantastic family pets. They also play well with other dogs. Because they were born to hunt, households with rabbits or cats need not apply - the instinct to chase is just too strong in a GSP.
Smart and willing to please, a German Shorthaired Pointer’s high energy is ideally directed towards training - they love the physical and mental stimulation they get from it. Their intelligence also means training them is quite easy. On the flip side, with their in-built keen hunting senses, they can be easily distracted by all the fun things they can smell and see. Play to their type A, always-on-the-go side by playing games together (fetch is their jam) or enrolling them in dog sports like agility where they’ll gladly show off their skills.
Keeping German Shorthaired Pointers Healthy: 4 Issues to Watch Out For
Bred to work long days in the field or near the water, German Shorthaired Pointers are known to be a healthy, hardy breed. Like all dogs though, they’re at risk of some health issues - have a read.
Bloat
Like most dog breeds with a big chest, German Shorthaired Pointers are prone to bloat or Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus. This is a serious stomach condition that can happen really quickly and requires emergency treatment. Bloat causes your dog’s stomach to fill with gas and twist on itself. Look for symptoms like throwing up (but nothing coming out), bloating, excessive drooling and tenderness or discomfort around their abdomen. If you see any of these signs, take your dog to the vet, immediately.
Slow feeding bowls and waiting to exercise 1 hour before and after meals can help prevent bloat.
Joint Problems
GSPs are prone to developing joint problems, including hip and elbow dysplasia. This happens when the joints don’t form properly and rub against each other, causing your dog pain. It can even result in lameness. Joint problems can be treated in many ways, including weight management, physical therapy, medications and surgery.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism causes a GSP’s thyroid gland to be underactive. This can lead to some health problems, like a lower metabolism, weight gain, hair loss and lethargy. Treatment is simple - it’s normally a daily hormone replacement pill.
Von Willebrand Disease
Von Willebrand Disease is a genetic condition that stops German Shorthaired Pointers’ blood from clotting, which causes excess bleeding. It can be managed by keeping an eye on their exercise and changing it up to reduce their risk of injury plus blood transfusions, if they need surgery.
Caring for Your German Shorthaired Pointer Dog
Caring for your German Shorthaired Pointer is a breeze, especially thanks to their short, low shedding coat. Instead you’ll swap grooming time for training and exercise time. Think of that as extra bonding time with your canine sidekick.
Grooming:
With their short coats, expect to only need to brush your GSP every few days. However, a German Shorthaired Pointer will shed twice a year in spring and autumn and you’ll need the vacuum handy and a deshedding tool. It’s normal for their coat to shed in chunks of hair which can quickly turn your carpet into a deep pile one. During shedding season, try an occasional bath with a gentle shampoo to help get rid of the dead hair. Outside shedding season, your GSP only needs a bath 3 or 4 times a year.
Every week, give their ears a wipe clean to help prevent ear infections. Trim their nails monthly to keep them comfortable. Finally, brush their teeth every day - starting this from when they’re a puppy can help them accept toothbrushing better.
Nutrition:
A German Shorthaired Pointer will happily tuck into quality dog food that’s appropriate for their life stage (puppy, adult or senior). Like most dog breeds, they’re fine to be fed twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. However, GSPs are prone to bloat so don’t feed them immediately after running or other strenuous exercise. Allow them at least 1 hour after eating and drinking before letting them run or exercise again. Dinner should be served after all their physical activities are done for the day.
Oh and keep an eye on those training treats - they can really add up. Treat calories count towards their daily calorie intake.
Exercise:
The GSP loves to exercise and to have things to do, like running, playing, swimming and dog sports. Basically, anything that burns off some of their energy while spending time outdoors with their human. They need plenty of exercise twice a day, totalling around 60 to 90 minutes. Start the day with a brisk 30-minute walk / jog and end it with a swim or run / play session in a fully fenced area. Chuck in some games of fetch or tug of war and you should be able to wear them out.
It’s important that their mind is kept busy too. Dog sports like agility and obedience keep this smart and athletic dog healthy and happy. Or stock up on puzzle toys to entertain them at home.
Training Your German Shorthaired Pointer
The good news: the German Shorthaired Pointer is an intelligent dog that learns quickly, especially if training is consistent, and really wants to make you happy. The not-so-good news: they need to ‘work’ and can get pretty destructive if they don’t (bye favourite shoes). They’re also known to be extremely challenging from 6 months to 3 years old.
But if you’ve got an active lifestyle and have the time to commit to training to help channel their energy and intensity into positive outlets, you’ll be the perfect match for their high energy and strong prey drive.
Start training them as a puppy. They’ll pick up the basics (sit, stay, come and walk nicely on a lead) in no time. Expect them to be really interested in everything that’s going on around them. There’s so much to smell, and see, and chase! Keep training sessions short, use plenty of treats, and break them up with play time to ward off any frustration. GSPs do best with an experienced pup parent - they can be too much for first-timers.
Although they’re friendly, affectionate and not aggressive, German Shorthaired Pointers still need safe early socialisation. Introduce them to plenty of people and dogs to help them learn their manners. Puppy school is a great idea.