<C>Height:</C> 23 to 25 inches (male); 21 to 23 inches (female).
<C>Weight:</C> 55 to 70 pounds (male); 45 to 60 (female).
<C>Size:</C> Large.
<C>Availability:</C> Widely available.
<b>History:</> Nineteenth-century German hunters required a dog with a good nose who would point within a reasonable distance for a man hunting on foot. The dog needed to retrieve both fur and feather, from water or land, and also be a fine tracker. The German breeding programs incorporated the Old Spanish Pointer, Hounds of St. Hubert, the Foxhound, other hounds, and eventually, the English Pointer. Today's German Shorthaired Pointer is the successful result of the German hunters' efforts. The German Shorthair is a versatile hunter, an all-purpose gun dog capable of high performance in both field and water. He is a fine natural retriever, an excellent companion for a hunter on foot, and he requires little training. The German Shorthaired Pointer is an ideal dog for the weekend hunter who also wishes to own a bright, agreeable family companion and watchdog. Due to the breed's natural biddability, German Shorthairs are campaigned successfully in the show ring, obedience and tracking trials, field trials and hunting tests.
<b>Description:</> A clean-cut, lean, well-balanced hunting dog with an elegantly chiseled head. The muzzle is long, but never pointed. The length of the muzzle should be the same as the length of the skull. Unlike the Pointer, the occipital bone is not very conspicuous nor is there a pronounced stop. The almond-shaped eyes and nose are brown. The eyes have an intelligent, good-humored expression. A large nose is preferred, the larger the better. The broad ears are set high and lie close to the head. The teeth should form a scissors bite. The short, dense sleek coat should be solid liver or liver-and-white, patched, ticked or roan. The only permitted colors are liver and white. The skin should be tight. The tail is customarily docked by 60% (the dog should be able to sit on his tail), and the dewclaws removed. The feet are webbed. The German Shorthaired Pointer is a little smaller than the standard Pointer.
<b>Notes:</> Beware of hip dysplasia; buy only from OFA certified stock. Needs daily active exercise to be truly happy. Best with an athletic family. A minimum 6 foot high fence is a necessity. Bored Shorthairs can become escape artists.
<b>Personality:</> Very energetic, smart and willing to please. Cheerful and friendly. Likes children. Loyal and protective. Loves all family members equally, especially if they are carrying the leash, car keys, gun or Frisbee(TM)! Very people oriented and not happy if isolated from the family. If exercised sufficiently once or twice a day, the German Shorthair makes a very agreeable family companion. If left to his own devices for long periods, without exercise or companionship, he can become destructive and nervous. Males tend to be more outgoing and are more aggressive hunters than females. Females tend to be less dominant. Energy levels vary somewhat, as litters bred for high performance field competition may require more activity than the average Shorthair. If raised with other dogs and cats from puppyhood, the German Shorthair does quite well, however, he is a hunting dog by nature.
<b>Behavior:</>
<C>Children:</C> Best with older, considerate children.
<C>Friendliness:</C> Reserved with strangers.
<C>Trainability:</C> Slightly difficult to train.
<C>Independence:</C> Moderately dependent on people.
<C>Dominance:</C> Moderate.
<C>Other Pets:</C> Good with other pets if raised with them from puppyhood.
<C>Combativeness:</C> Can be a bit dog-aggressive.
<C>Noise:</C> Likes to bark.
<b>Grooming and Physical Needs:</>
<C>Grooming:</C> Regular grooming needed.
<C>Trimming & Stripping:</C> No trimming or stripping needed.
<C>Coat:</C> Short coat.
<C>Shedding:</C> Average shedder.
<C>Docking:</C> The tail is customarily docked.
<C>Exercise:</C> Vigorous daily exercise needed.
<C>Jogging:</C> An excellent jogging companion.
<C>Indoors:</C> Very active indoors.
<C>Apartments:</C> Not recommended for apartments.
<C>Outdoor Space:</C> Best with a large yard.
<C>Climate:</C> Does well in most climates.
<C>Owner:</C> Not recommended for novice owners.
<C>Longevity:</C> Moderately long lived (12 to 15 years).
<b>Talents:</> hunting, tracking, retrieving, pointing, and watchdog.
<b>For More Information:</>
Call the AKC Breeder Referral Hotline: 1-900-407-PUPS for the name of a breeder referral representative in your area. Cost is 99 cents per minute.
<b>Photo Caption:</> GERMAN SHORTHAIRED POINTER
Photo copyright: Cook PhoDOGraphy 1995. All rights reserved.
