The German Shorthaired Pointer
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The exact origin of the German Shorthaired Pointer is unknown, but it was developed somewhere in Germany around the middle 1800s. The average German hunter could not afford several specialized sporting dogs. They needed one all purpose hunting dog, with a good nose, reliable water retrieval, aggressive towards predators and very obedient. Several German and perhaps French scenthounds were crossed to Spanish Pointers, the results then refined by Pointers from Britain. Type was standardized by 1911 and the fame spread. It met the goal of being a versatile gundog, a superb hunting dog, keen nose, sharp eyes and mind, obedient, webbed footed and ready. It willingly trails, points and retrieves, on land or in icy waters. The first US imports arrived in the 1920s and by 1930 the American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized them as a breed, the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) did likewise about 1933.
The German Shorthaired Pointer has keen scenting powers and high intelligence. They descended from the old Spanish Pointer, English Foxhound, and local German tracking hounds. The breeds field accomplishments are so varied, they earned the reputation of being a great all-purpose dog.
Prior to the establishment of the Klub Kurzhaar stud book in the 1870s, few records on this breed are available. The German hunting fraternity had already spent many years attempting to produce a truly versatile utility dog. The basic foundation stock for this breed was the German Bird Dog. The utility of the dog was improved when it was bred with the dogs mentioned above. However, the Germans were still not satisfied with the quality of the dogs. Obedience was of great importance, so the early dogs were selectively bred. Steps were taken later to improve stance, style, and nose. Fine Pointers were brought in from England and were used to lend elegance to the manner of working. This was accomplished, and the breeders then had only the problem of ridding their developing Kurzhaar of its unwanted Pointer characteristics-aversion to water and lack of aggressiveness toward predators. These objectives were achieved long before the turn of the century.
The German Shorthaired Pointer of today is a versatile hunter, all purpose gun dog capable of high performance in field and water. Males should be 23 to 25 inches tall and weigh 55 to 70 pounds. Females should be 21 to 23 inches tall and weigh 45 to 60 pounds. They have short thick coats and can be Solid liver, liver and white spotted, liver and white spotted and ticked; liver and white ticked, the same variations with black instead of liver. There are also German Shorthaired Pointers that are Black and White, but it is not permitted in AKC Registry. They are friendly, smart, and willing to please.
Because of their high energy level, they should be fed a high quality food, containing a good balance of protein and fat. Most, normally active GSPs will require a higher level of fat and protein than many other breeds, throughout their lives. Adults will eat from 2-5 cups of food a day, depending on the individual dogs metabolism and how much activity they are getting. A dog hunting and training hard in cold weather will require substantially more than one simply going on walks and sleeping on the couch.
Health concerns include hip dysplasia, entropion and epilepsy.
