History
The German Shorthaired Pointer was developed by German hunters to be an all-round hunting dog and companion. The development of this breed paralleled the evolution of firearms and the social changes which permitted middle class hunters to lease hunting preserves. While the English developed highly specialized dogs for each type of prey, the practical German hunter wanted a single dog who could scent the wind for birds and trail furred game on the ground; who was fierce with predators yet friendly with the family. The foundation stock for this breed was probably a German descendant of the Old Spanish Pointer. Local scenthounds were crossed because of their powerful tracking ability and their dependability in water. English Pointers were added to the mix for their elegant hunting style. The first German Shorthaired Pointer was entered in the German stud book in 1872, but they did not come to the attention of American hunters until the late 1920s. Since then, the German Shorthaired Pointer has become a popular gun dog and companion.
General Appearance
The German Shorthaired Pointer is a medium-sized, well-balanced dog with tight skin; a clean-cut head; a short, thick coat; broad, high-set drop ears; and a docked tail carried level with the back when the dog is moving or downward when relaxed. The length of body is only slightly longer than the height at the withers, and the legs are only slightly longer than the depth of body. The overall picture is that of a self-confident, purposeful hunter, capable of speed, agility, and power. The German Shorthaired Pointer should be evaluated as a working gun dog, and exaggerations or faults should be penalized in proportion to how much they interfere with the dog’s ability to work.
Characteristics
The key word to describe the German Shorthaired Pointer is versatility. German Shorthaired Pointers have been known to hunt upland game and waterfowl, track deer and bear, and even tree raccoons. They are willing, enthusiastic workers who thrive in the most rugged country and weather. They require little training to point or to back any other dog they see pointing. They retrieve equally well on land and water and can locate dead or wounded game in the heaviest cover. As a companion, the German Shorthaired Pointer is friendly, intelligent, and eager to please.
Coat
The German Shorthaired Pointer has a double coat. The outer coat is short, close-lying, thick, somewhat coarse, and slightly oily. The undercoat is dense and short. The coat may be somewhat longer on the underside of the tail and the back edges of the haunches. Coat is softer, thinner, and shorter on the ears and head.
Color
The coat may be of solid liver or any combination of liver and white, including liver and white ticked, liver spotted and white ticked, or liver roan.
The coat may be of solid black or any combination of black and white, including black and white ticked, black spotted and white ticked, or black roan.
Height and Weight
Desirable height at maturity for males is 23-25 inches; and for females, 21-23 inches.
Desirable weight for a male in working condition is between 55 and 70 pounds; and between 45 and 60 pounds for a female.
