Videos German Shorthaired Pointer Breed Information
Alternative names
Deutscher kurzhaariger Vorstehhund
Deutsch Kurzhaar
Kurzhaar
Country of origin -
Germany
Common nicknames -
GSP,
DK
Classification and breed standards
FCI:|Group
7 Section 1 #119|Stds
AKC:|Sporting|Stds
ANKC:|Group 3
(Gundogs)|Stds
CKC:|Group
1 - Sporting Dogs|Stds
KC
(UK):|Gundog|Stds
NZKC:|Gundog|Stds
UKC:|Gun
Dog|Stds
The German Shorthaired Pointer is a breed of dog developed in the 1800s in Germany
for hunting.
1. History
The German Shorthaired Pointer is descended from the old
Spanish Pointer, which was taken
to Germany in the 1600s. From that time
until the first studbook was created in
1870, however, it is impossible to identify
all of the dogs that went into creating this breed. Most-likely
candidates for its ancestors include local German breeds such as
the schweisshund, an early German tracking hound, the Foxhound, various French hounds, assorted
Scandinavian breeds, the German Bird Dog, and the Italian Pointer.
It is generally accepted that no Bloodhound was used as foundation material. In
the late 1800s, breeders included the English Pointer to the
foundational breeding program, adding style and run to round out
the breed's all-around versatility as a hunting dog. Prince
Albrecht zu Solms-Braunfeld of the Royal House of Hanover is
credited with encouraging breeders to select early specimens on the
basis of function rather than form. It is believed
that this enlightened guidance was instrumental in making the breed
what it is today.
2. Appearance
The breed is streamlined yet powerful with strong hindquarters
that make it able to move rapidly and turn quickly. It has
moderately long flop ears set high on the head. Its muzzle is long,
broad, and strong, allowing it to retrieve even heavy game. The
dog's profile should be straight or strongly Roman-nosed; any
dished appearance to the profile is incorrect. The eyes are
generally brown, with darker eyes being desirable; yellow or
"bird of prey" eyes are a fault. The tail is commonly
docked, although this is
now prohibited in some countries. The correct location for docking
for GSP is after the caudal
vertebrae start to curl, leaving enough tail to let the dog
communicate through tail wagging and movement. The docked tail
should not be too long or too short but should balance the
appearance of the head and body. The GSP tail is carried at a
jaunty angle, not curled under. When the GSP is in classic point
stance, the tail should be held straight out from the body forming
a line with the pointing head and body. Like all German pointers,
GSP have webbed feet. ===Coat and color=== The German Shorthaired
Pointer's coat is short and flat with a dense undercoat
protected by stiff guard hairs making the coat water resistant and
allowing the dog to stay warm in cold weather. The color can be a
dark brown, correctly referred to in English as liver (incorrectly
called chocolate or chestnut), black (although any area of black is
cause for disqualification in American Kennel Club sanctioned
shows), or either color with white. Commonly the head is a solid or
nearly solid color and the body is speckled or "ticked"
with liver and white, sometimes with large patches of solid color
called "saddles". Roan
coats are also common, with or without patching. While the German
standard permits a slight sandy coloring ("Gelber Brand")
at the extremities, this coloring is rare, and a dog displaying any
yellow coloring is disqualified in AKC and CKC shows. The colouring
of the GSP provides camouflage in the winter seasons. When standing
next to dead trees and in broken snow, the white and dark brown
coat makes the dog difficult to see.
2. 1. Size
Various breed standards set its height at the withers anywhere between 21 and 25 inches, making
this a medium breed. Adults typically weigh from 45 to 70 lbs (22
to 32 kg), with the female being usually slightly shorter and
lighter than the male.
3. Temperament
Since the German shorthaired pointer was developed to be a dog
suited to family life and as well as a versatile hunter, the
correct temperament is that of an intelligent, bold, and
characteristically affectionate dog that is cooperative and easily
trained. Shyness, fearfulness, over submissiveness, aloofness, lack
of biddability, or aggression (especially toward humans) are all
incorrect traits. The GSP is usually very good with children,
although care should be taken because the breed can be boisterous
especially when young. These dogs love interaction with humans and
appreciate active families who will give them an outlet for their
energy. Most German Shorthaired Pointers make excellent watchdogs.
The breed generally gets along well with other dogs. A strong
hunting instinct is correct for the breed, which is not always good
for other small pets such as cats or rabbits. With training,
however, the family dog should be able to discern what is prey and
what is not, and they can live quite amicably with other family
pets.
When it comes to everyday family life, the pointer is a
recommended addition to the family. They are extremely loyal,
friendly and fun. They tend to also be careful and protective of
young children.
The German Shorthaired Pointer needs plenty of vigorous activity.
This need for exercise (preferably off lead) coupled with the
breed's natural instinct to hunt, means that training is an
absolute necessity. The GSP distinctly independent character and
superior intelligence makes this breed best suited to experienced
owners who are confident and capable handlers.
Lack of sufficient exercise and/or proper training can produce a
German Shorthaired Pointer that appears hyperactive or that has
destructive tendencies. Thus the breed is not a suitable pet for an
inactive home or for inexperienced dog owners. The most common
cause of death for German Shorthaired Pointers is being hit by a
car. Although these dogs form very strong attachments with their
owners, a dog that receives insufficient exercise may feel
compelled to exercise himself. These dogs can escape from four foot
and sometimes six foot enclosures with little difficulty. Regular
hunting, running, carting,
bikejoring, skijoring, mushing,dog
scootering or other vigorous activity can alleviate this desire
to escape. The natural instinct to hunt may result in the dog
hunting alone and sometimes bringing home occasional dead trophies,
such as cats, rats, pigeons and other urban animals. In addition to
exercise, especially formal hunting, the GSP needs to be taught to
distinguish legitimate prey and off limits animals.
Like the other German Pointers (the German Wirehaired Pointer and
the less well known German
Longhaired Pointer), the GSP can perform virtually all gundog
roles. It is pointer and retriever, an upland bird dog and water
dog. The GSP can be used for hunting larger and more dangerous
game, and in addition has a scent hound's talented nose. It is
an excellent swimmer but also works well in rough terrain. It is
tenacious, tireless, hardy, and reliable. In short, it is a superb
all-around field dog that remains popular with hunters of many
nationalities.
The GSP is an intelligent and highly trainable breed, thoroughly
capable of working out of sight of its handler. This independence
can lead to the dog seeming to have a mind of its own, especially
if poorly trained. The dog must know that the owner is in charge
and not, as sometimes happens, claim to be the owner of the hunt.
Along with its superb hunting ability and companionable
personality, the superior intelligence and biddability
(trainability) of the GSP make it one of the more popular large
breeds.
During hunting sessions, a completely instinctive scent-hiding
activity through rubbing against carrion
can be observed.
4. Health
Most German Shorthaired Pointers are tough, healthy dogs, but
according to Margo B. Maloney, DVM (NAVHDA Versatile Hunting Dog
Magazine, April, 2003) the breed can be subject to a number of
hereditary disorders just as any other purebred. Epilpetic seizures
have been a problem in some lines, and a few individuals may suffer
from hip dysplasia, genetic eye
diseases, skin disorders and cancerous lesions in the mouth, on the
skin and other areas of the body.
Unexplained swelling and growth of the nipples in adult males is
considered normal in this breed and is fairly common. However, if
the nipples become sensitive to the touch, a veterinarian should be
consulted. Occasionally a biopsy will be
recommended. Bleeding from the nipples may suggest infection or
cancer. Female GSP in some lines are prone to breast cancer.
As with any other hunting dog, contact with game can cause the
spread of fungi and bacteria that can easily colonise in the gums
or cause infections on open wounds and small cuts from scratching
against plants and bushes during a regular hunting session.
4. 1. Care
The short GSP coat needs very little grooming, just occasional
brushing. The dog should be bathed only when needed.
Like all dogs with flop ears, GSP can be prone to ear infections
and their ears require regular checking and cleaning.
The GSP has a longer life expectancy than many breeds of this
size, commonly living 12 to 14 years, with individual dogs living
to 16 to 18 years not uncommon.
As the GSP is a large, active breed, the dogs can require
considerable food; however, they can also become obese if fed too
much for individual activity levels. A healthy weight should permit
the last two ribs to be felt under the coat and the dog should have
a distinct waist or "tuck-up".
Due the short GSP coat, body heat management is not generally a
problem. However, the GSP high levels of activity require the breed
to drink considerable amounts of water to prevent dehydration.
Early symptoms of dehydration show itself as thick saliva and urine with an
excessively strong and distinct smell.
5. In art and literature
Robert B. Parker's most
popular mystery series features a Boston detective known only as
Spenser who has
had a series of three solid-liver German Shorthairs, all named
Pearl: one who stood with him during a bear charge in his rural
youth; one given to his girlfriend by her ex-husband; and the third
Pearl, to keep company with Spenser and his girlfriend in their
late middle age. Author Parker appears on many of the
Spenser dustjackets with a solid-liver GSP bitch identical
to the three incarnations of Pearl in the series.
Rick Bass's ruminations on
living and hunting with a German Shorthaired Pointer in Montana can
be found in the book Colter: The True Story of the Best Dog I
Ever Had.
Sportswriter Mel Wallis' memoir Run, Rainey, Run,
explores the extraordinary relationship he had with an extremely
intelligent and versatile hunting German Shorthaired Pointer.
The 1978 film "Days of Heaven", written and directed
by Terrence Malick, features a brief scene of dogs hunting the
prairie. The GSP shown is Jocko von Stolzhafen, twice GSP National
Champion (Field) and perhaps the best GSP of his era. A year or so
later Jocko vanished while running at a training camp, presumably
stolen.
The logo of the American
Kennel Club is a Pointer, not a German Shorthaired
Pointer, though frequently mistaken for the latter.
Copyright (c) 2008 Kitt Killion Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no Invariant Sections, no Front-Cover Texts, and no Back-Cover Texts. A copy of the license is included in the section entitled "GNU Free Documentation License".
Taken or modified, in whole or part, from Wikipedia.org
