German Shorthaired Pointer

German Shorthaired Pointer (Braque allemand à poil court, GSP) is a versatile, highly intelligent pointing dog—enduring, hard-working, and people-oriented. When you channel their energy well, they become a friendly, high-performing partner for hunting, dog sports, and active families with time.

Table of Contents

• Origin & History
• Appearance & Traits
• Character & Temperament
• Family Life & Daily Routine
• Training & Obedience
• Health & Watch-outs
• Grooming & Coat Care
• Nutrition & Weight
• Exercise & Enrichment
• City Living, Housing & Prey Drive
• Puppies & First Months
• Getting One: Costs & Responsibility
• Who Is the GSP Right For?
• Breed Profile

Origin & History

Developed in Germany as an all-around hunting companion for field, forest, and water, the GSP blends lines from scenthounds and classic pointing breeds. The goal: a dog that searches, points, retrieves, and works in water—with strong nerves, stamina, and close teamwork with the handler.

Appearance & Traits

Medium to large, athletic, and dry-muscled. The coat is short, dense, and weather-resistant; common colors are liver, liver & white, or liver roan, more rarely black & white. Hallmarks include a noble head, medium drop ears, and a smooth, ground-covering gait. Built as a distance runner with a deep chest, the GSP has notable endurance.

Character & Temperament

Friendly, eager, people-focused—with a pronounced prey drive and strong desire to learn. Calm indoors, “all business” outside. They thrive on jobs, clear routines, and cooperation; training benefits from impulse control and reward-based methods.

Family Life & Daily Routine

The GSP does well as a family dog when activity is planned: orientation and quick drills in the morning, rest during the day, training/exercise in the evening. With considerate children they are gentle; rough, chaotic play without rules doesn’t suit them. In the city, success comes from clear routines and thoughtfully chosen walking routes.

Training & Obedience

Best results come from positive, consistent work in micro-steps. Priorities: recall, loose-leash walking, impulse control, retrieve, and clean indication.

• Practice basic cues—short, clear, and well-reinforced.
• Build a reliable recall with a long line and high-value rewards.
• Install gentle loose-leash walking (stop-and-go, eye contact).
• Channel hunting motivation via impulse control and hand-targeting.

Health & Watch-outs

Generally robust, but keep an eye on:

• Hip/elbow dysplasia: moderate growth, cushioned surfaces, gradual workload.
• Bloat/GDV: deep chest—rest after meals, split daily rations.
• Ears: dry thoroughly and check after swimming.
• Teeth: regular care—brushing helps prevent tartar.
• Lean, athletic body condition supports performance and joint health.

Grooming & Coat Care

Low maintenance: weekly brushing (rubber curry), check for grass awns after outings. Clean ears, trim nails, care for teeth. In cold months, our winter coat-care tips help protect skin and coat.

Nutrition & Weight

High-quality food with ample protein and energy, adjusted to workload. Weigh portions, count treats, avoid big meals before hard effort. Omega-3s support muscles, skin, and coat; transition slowly for sensitive stomachs.

Exercise & Enrichment

The GSP needs a lot of physical and mental work—every day. Not just miles, but missions.

• Daily plan: two to three active sessions (90–120 minutes total) plus rest windows.
• Sports: retrieving (dummy work), tracking/mantrailing, canicross, moderate jogging/bike work, longe work, obedience.
• Wildlife-rich areas require rock-solid recall and leash management.

City Living, Housing & Prey Drive

Urban life is possible when exercise needs are met and stimuli are well managed. Choose calmer routes, practice leash skills, and keep dog-dog interactions controlled. Respect personal space and skip rush-hour hotspots.

Puppies & First Months

Build calm, frustration tolerance, and clean cues early: short sessions and plenty of breaks. Use a long line and orientation from day one. Introduce noises and surfaces gradually; pair body care with rewards. Helpful resources: first-weeks puppy guide and first puppy walks.

Getting One: Costs & Responsibility

Plan realistically: time for training/exercise, hunting work or suitable sports, and a budget for food, vet, insurance, and gear. Choose a responsible source; our puppy-buying checklist helps you prepare.

Who Is the GSP Right For?

• Active people who enjoy training and daily exercise
• Hunters or sport-dog handlers who can provide real jobs
• Families with clear routines and time for enrichment
• Committed first-timers with guidance and a realistic plan

Less suitable if only short walks are possible or if you don’t want to manage prey drive.

Breed Profile

Origin	Germany
Height	Males ~24.5–26 in (62–66 cm), females ~23–24.5 in (58–63 cm)
Weight	Males ~55–70 lb (25–32 kg), females ~44–60 lb (20–27 kg)
Lifespan	~10–14 years
Coat	Short, dense, weather-resistant
Colors	Liver, liver & white, liver roan; more rarely black & white
Temperament	Friendly, driven, sensitive, strong hunting instinct
Exercise	High—daily work and purposeful sessions
Grooming	Low—regular brushing; ear/teeth care
Good for first-time owners?	With guidance—requires time and structure
Notable traits	Strong prey drive, scent/track talent, enjoys water
Price	From ~€1,200–2,000 (varies by source & quality)