German Shorthaired Pointer

Above all, the German shorthaired pointer is an active hunter. This is an adventurous dog that likes nothing better than a day in the field, exploring the brush for game and scouting in ever-widening circles. Tougher than most sporting breeds, the German shorthaired pointer can hold its own against wild animals, but because of this, some initial caution should be taken around small pets.

Next to hunting and running, German shorthaired pointers like to be with their family. They are playful and intelligent, and generally are good with other dogs and children. They make fairly good obedience pupils, although at times they are easily distracted by the call of the wild. This is a great dog for a family that likes to share the outdoors with their pet and also have a faithful dog around the house.

This is a high-energy dog that will not be content to sit around all day. A long exercise period every day and access to a good-sized yard is needed during the day. Given adequate exercise, life indoors with a German shorthaired pointer can be tranquil; without adequate exercise, it can be disastrous.

True to the dog's alert nature, the German shorthaired pointer is a good watchdog, but only a fair protection dog. The breed tends to like people too much to be really good at scaring them away!

Upkeep is simple; the coat is wash and wear.

The German shorthaired pointer was no accident. The dog's roots trace back to the 1600s, when the heavy Spanish pointer was crossed with the Hanoverian hound to produce a dog that was interested in both trailing mammals and pointing birds. These all-purpose hunters could also kill wounded game if the need arose.

Later crosses with English pointers gave the breed more stylish pointing abilities but decreased the dog's retrieving and killing prowess, so subsequent selection was aimed at restoring these desired traits.

The turning point in the breed's acceptance came with the heralded abilities of two dogs (known as Deustch Kurzhaars) in the early 1800s. These dogs, "Nero" and "Treff," are credited as being the modern German shorthaired pointer's founding fathers. Since that time, the German shorthaired pointer's reputation has expanded around the world as the ideal dog for the person wanting a versatile hunter.

Not content with simply excelling at hunting, the German shorthaired pointer has also proven to be a versatile companion.