German Shorthair Pointer

The German shorthair pointer was bred for the first time all the way back in the eighteen hundreds for the sole purpose of becoming a hunter. They were made by breeding many different kinds of dogs like the Foxhounds, Italian pointers, German tracking hounds, German bird dogs, and the English pointers with the Spanish pointer breed. The males get to be about fifty five to seventy pounds and twenty three to twenty five inches high. The females come in a bit smaller at forty five to sixty pounds and twenty one to twenty three inches high. The mixture of all of these dogs to make the German shorthair was brought about to be able to hunt as well as retrieve everything. They must be able to get both fur and feather from water and land.

The German shorthair was also made to be a great companion for the hunter and his family. They are very smart and affectionate animals that are very easy to train….especially to hunt. They love to socialize and play with children. They can tend to get a little high strung, but if corrected from puppyhood this dog will be the perfect companion to the family.

The German pointer does have short and coarse hair, but requires good grooming. If not properly brushed they could shed everywhere all of the time. Surprisingly, feeding your dog a good diet will also help with the shedding. Be sure that the diet is rich in omega 3 fatty acids and fish oil. They should be checked after hunting or being outside for anything stuck in their fur. If it goes unnoticed it can blister the skin and cause infection.

To train the dogs the owner must have previous dog training experience. Any german shorthair kennels will tell you that these dogs must have the proper training they require. It is bred into them to be able to work well with their owners even at a long distance. They should be taught that their owners control everything and must obey what they are told. They are one of the only gun dog breeds that are capable of learning all of the commands they are supposed to be taught. They are easily taught to hunt, retrieve, get the bird in the water, and get the bird on land! However it does take time to perfect this.

The German pointer is a fairly healthy breed. The only problems they tend to be proned to is hip dysplasia, epilepsy, entropion, and skin disorders. If properly taken care of they can be a great addition to anyone’s family.