German Shorthaired Pointer
A tireless, short-coated German all-rounder that points, retrieves and tracks, with energy and brains to match.
At a glance
- Size
- Large
- Height at the withers
- Males 62–66 cm · Females 58–63 cm
- Weight
- Males 25–32 kg · Females 20–27 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–14 years
- Exercise
- 90–150 min a day
- Grooming
- Once a week
- Coat
- Smooth, short
- Colours
- Liver, Black, Roan, White
- Bred for
- Pointing, Retrieving, Hunting by scent, Water work
- Country of origin
- Germany
- FCI
- Group 7, no. 119 · Pointing dogs
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 5/5 – Very high |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 4/5 – High |
| Good with other dogs | 4/5 – High |
| Good with cats | 2/5 – Low |
| Open to strangers | 4/5 – High |
| Energy | 5/5 – Very high |
| Playfulness | 5/5 – Very high |
| Needs mental stimulation | 5/5 – Very high |
| Easy to train | 4/5 – High |
| Prey drive | 5/5 – Very high |
| Watchful and protective | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Barking | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Shedding | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Grooming effort | 1/5 – Very low |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good for first-time owners | 2/5 – Low |
| Suits apartment living | 1/5 – Very low |
| Adaptability | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 4/5 – High |
| Copes with cold | 2/5 – Low |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- run, hike or hunt regularly
- want a clever, trainable dog
- prefer an easy-care coat
Think twice if you …
- are away much of the day
- have cats or small pets
- want a calm dog for a small flat
Care
Temperament
Friendly, bold and enthusiastic, very attached to its family. High drive and quick to react to game. Can be boisterous when young.
Exercise
Needs at least an hour and a half of vigorous activity daily. Running, canicross, field trials, swimming and scent work all suit it.
Grooming
The short coat needs a weekly brush and sheds moderately. Check feet and ears after outings.
Training
Intelligent and eager to work; responds well to reward-based training with clear structure. Impulse control takes time.
Health
Hip and elbow dysplasia, bloat, some eye and heart conditions and von Willebrand disease type 2 are known in the breed. Ask the breeder for health and DNA results of the parents.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Hips (HD)
- Elbows (ED)
- Eye examination
- Heart
DNA tests
- von Willebrand disease type 2
- Cone degeneration
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The German Shorthaired Pointer, or Deutsch Kurzhaar, was developed in 19th-century Germany as a versatile hunting dog able to point, retrieve on land and water, and track wounded game. Breeders blended old German pointing dogs with other gundogs and selected hard for working ability.
Today it is one of the most widespread hunting breeds in the world and a popular companion for very active people. It is friendly, clever and full of drive, but it needs a lot of exercise and mental work. Without them it can become restless, noisy or destructive.
Did you know?
In German it is called Deutsch Kurzhaar, simply meaning "German short hair".