German Shorthaired Pointer
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German Shorthaired Pointer



German Shorthaired Pointer dog information

The German Shorthaired Pointer (GSP) is a versatile and independent hunting dog that needs a lot of exercise to stay healthy and happy. It is one of the most flexible and multitalented gun dogs in the world and is still commonly used by hunters in Europe as well as overseas. In addition to being a highly capable working dog, this creature is an affectionate companion that develops strong bonds to its keeper.

German Shorthaired Pointer dog care

The German Shorthaired Pointer dog has a short and flat coat consisting of a dense undercoat and a protective overcoat. The overcoat is made up by stiff, water resistant hairs, and the combination of dense undercoat and water protective overcoat makes the German Shorthaired Pointer well suited for cold conditions. It will handle cold winters much better than dogs such as the English Pointer and similar breeds. The short, flat coat requires very little grooming and brushing it occasionally is enough. Frequent baths are not considered proper German Shorthaired Pointer dog care, because baths tend to make hair and skin dry. Just like any other dog with big, floppy ears, the German Shorthaired Pointer is prone to ear infections and regularly cleaning the ears and checking for signs of illness are therefore an essential part of German Shorthaired Pointer dog care.

German Shorthaired Pointer dog puppy

The German Shorthaired Pointer dog puppy is a charming creature, but before you decide to get one you should ask yourself if you are willing and able to care for a dog for the next 15 years or more, and if the German Shorthaired Pointer is the perfect breed for you. Getting a German Shorthaired Pointer dog puppy is not a good idea unless you are a very active outdoor person, because lack of sufficient exercise tends to make German Shorthaired Pointers hyperactive and they can develop a long row of destructive behaviours. The German Shorthaired Pointer will also need large amounts of training and the breed can be hard to handle for an inexperienced dog owner. The German Shorthaired Pointer dog puppy is therefore not recommended as a first dog, unless of course you are willing to read a lot, seek the advice of more experienced German Shorthaired Pointer keepers, enrol in classes and so on.

German Shorthaired Pointer dog training

The German Shorthaired Pointer was bred to be a gun dog, and will therefore love this type of training. It is actually one of very few hunting breeds that can perform virtually all gundog tasks, from pointing and retrieving to scenting. It is a great upland bird dog and water dog, and will perform well in rough terrain. It has been successfully used to hunt even big and dangerous animals. It comes as no surprise that this versatile dog was bred to be a clever dog that could work and solve problems on its own, without sight of its handler. When it comes to German Shorthaired Pointer dog training, some owners do however find this independence hard to handle and mistake independence for stupidity. With the right type of German Shorthaired Pointer dog training the breed is however a highly trainable one that can be thought to perform a wide range of tasks.

German Shorthaired Pointer dog breeding

Just like the name suggests, German Shorthaired Pointer dog breeding originated in Germany. At some point during the 17th century, German hunters began importing Spanish Pointer dogs and these dogs are the ancestors of today’s German Shorthaired Pointers. Even though German Shorthaired Pointer breeding started several centuries ago, the first studbook wasn’t created until 1870. In addition to the Spanish Pointers, the breed is believed to consist of genes from local German breeds such as the German Bird Dog and the Schweisshund, a German breed specialized in tracking. The German Shorthaired Pointer can also trace its ancestry back to the English Foxhound, the Italian Pointer and several different French and Scandinavian breeds. In the late 19th century, German Shorthaired Pointer dog breeding took a new turn when breeders decided to include the English Pointer in the foundational breeding program. 

German Shorthaired Pointer dog breeders

The German Shorthaired Pointer is today known as a healthy breed and in order to keep the breed this way and ensure high-quality it is important to purchase dogs from reputable and knowledgeable German Shorthaired Pointer dog breeders only. Epileptic seizures has for instance been a problem in some lines, and just as with any other pure breed there is always an increased risk for certain health conditions. In the German Shorthaired Pointer, the most commonly occurring hereditary health problems are eye disease, skin problems, cancerous lesions and hip dysplasia. Responsible German Shorthaired Pointer dog breeders strive to minimize the risk of these problems and have been very successful so far. The life expectancy of the German Shorthaired Pointer is longer than for most other breeds of similar size and you can expect your dog to live for about 12-14 years. Quite a few German Shorthaired Pointers even live to be 16-18 years old.

German Shorthaired Pointer dog price

The German Shorthaired Pointer dog price varies from breeder to breeder and also from region to region, and it is difficult to give any general guidelines. The most important thing is to find out what you actually get for the offered German Shorthaired Pointer dog price. Will you get a vet-checked, vaccinated and de-wormed German Shorthaired Pointer puppy or will you have to pay for such expenses on your own? Does to puppy hail from healthy and high-quality parents? Has the puppy spent its first few weeks in a first-rate kennel where both mother and puppies have been well cared for and properly socialized?



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