German Shorthaired Pointer

German Shorthaired Pointers are enthusiastic and tireless dogs who are always ready for outdoor adventures. They enjoy exercise, and any physical activity, as they are curious by nature and need plenty of physical stimulation. Kurzhaars would make an ideal companion for families who do many outdoor activities such as walking, biking, or running.

Breed Photos

Origin History

The German Shorthaired Pointer probably began to develop in the seventeenth century, although the breed we know today came much later, around the nineteenth century, in Germany. The idea was to create a universal dog breed that could hunt all kinds of prey in all conditions and terrain. This goal was eventually achieved, as German Shorthaired Pointers have all of these characteristics. Also, they are considered friendly dogs that can be kept as companions.

Although the breed’s exact origin is unknown, it probably descended from the now-extinct Spanish Poynter, brought to Germany in the seventeenth century. Other dog breeds believed to have participated in the Deutsch Kurzhaar are the English Poynter, German Hound, Foxhound, Weimaraner, and Weitzer.

The first German Shorthaired Pointer was brought to the United States in 1925 by Dr. Charles Thornton of Montana. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1930. Nowadays, Deutsch Kurzhaars are used for hunting birds, waterfowl, rabbits, raccoons, and even deer.

Appearance

German Shorthaired Pointers are dogs of medium to athletic build. The coat is short, flat, with a dense waterproof undercoat. The color of fur can be brown, black, white, black-white, brown-black-white.

The head is usually monochromatic, and the body is colored brown and white. Some dogs may also have larger spots of white. The color of the muzzle matches the color of the coat, and it is quite long. They have floppy ears perched high on the head, and their tails are traditionally cropped in countries where it is still allowed. Their feet are webbed, which makes them good swimmers.

Males weigh from 25 to 32 kg and females from 20 to 27 kg. Their height usually ranges from 53 cm to 64 cm.

Character

German Shorthaired Pointers are enthusiastic and tireless dogs who are always ready for outdoor adventures. They enjoy exercise, and any physical activity, as they are curious by nature and need plenty of physical stimulation. Kurzhaars would make an ideal companion for families who do many outdoor activities such as walking, biking, or running.

Even though they are such an active dog breed, Deutsch Kurzhaars also love to curl up on the couch next to their owners after a long day. They are very affectionate and loving dogs, and they get along well with children. Kurzhaars are compliant, very intelligent and intuitive, and tend to be liked, especially if they are rewarded with praise or food.

Also, they are loyal and reliable, but at the same time eccentric and bold. The German Shorthaired Pointer is an interesting dog breed with many desirable characteristics that all dog lovers enjoy.

Care

German Shorthaired Pointers are very neat dogs with an easy-care coat. Their short coats should only be brushed occasionally, but since they tend to shed a lot, it is recommended that they be brushed at least once a week. Their ears should be checked and brushed regularly. This breed has long, floppy ears that can accumulate dirt and obstruct the air passage, making them an ideal environment for the growth of bacteria and subsequent ear infections. Baths are recommended as needed, as they are outdoor enthusiasts and can get dirty often.

Training

German Shorthaired Pointers are easy to train. However, they can be independent, so consistent and firm guidance is necessary. Harsh punishments are discouraged, as they probably make it harder to achieve the training goals. Kindness on the part of the trainer and positive reinforcement with treats and praise are preferable. Active training is paramount because they need constant physical stimulation.

They can easily become bored, so it cannot be easy to stay focused throughout the training. Training is very important to make sure they understand the difference between prey and non-prey animals and maintain good off-leash walking behavior. Socialization is another important aspect of training to prevent shyness toward strangers and dominant behavior toward other dogs.

Common Diseases

German Shorthaired Pointers can live up to 16 years, making them a long-lived breed of dog, although most live to be 12 years old. They are generally healthy but maybe susceptible to the following health problems:

• hip dysplasia;
• hereditary eye disease;
• progressive retinal atrophy;
• bloating of the abdomen;
• obesity.

Nutrition

Recommended daily dose: two to three cups of high-quality dry food per day, divided into two meals.

But how much your adult dog eats depends on its size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level. Dogs are individual, just like people, and not all dogs need the same amount of food. The quality of the dog food you buy also matters – the better the dog food, the longer his satiety period will last, and the better his gastrointestinal health will be.