German Short Haired Pointers
The German short-haired pointer is a hunting breed developed in, as the name suggests, Germany. Great hunter for both land and water, friendly towards humans and other pets, loyal are a few things that describe it
Breed Profile
Height
23 – 25
Inches
Weight
55 – 70
Pounds
Life Span
12 – 14
Years
Health
health
Hip Dysplasia
What is it?:
This genetic health issue is the one where the hip joint loosens up which causes dysfunction and pain. Over time, this may result into arthritis, muscle atrophy and limitations in mobility
Clinical signs
Staying in bed instead of going out
Decreased range of motion
Difficulty or reluctance in climbing stairs, rising up, jumping or running
Loss of muscle mass in the thighs
Noticeable enlargement of the shoulder muscles as they compensate for the hind end
Flinches when the lower back muscles are touched
Treatment
Treatment may include surgery and chiropractic therapy
Eligible vet bill
$2,000
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://spotpet.com/spot-sample-policy.pdf for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
health
Pannus
What is it?:
Another genetic condition which is no immune to German Shorthaired Pointers is Pannus which affects the cornea of the dogs and in some cases can even lead to blindness if not treated during early stages
Clinical signs
Although it is a non-painful type of a disease but left untreated, it can lead to blindness and hence must be checked for symptoms, which include –
Pinkish mass on the cornea
Difference in the size of both eyes
Inflammation around the eyes
Mucoid discharge from the eyes
Treatment
A common treatment is through medications that can keep the blood vessels growth and cloud formation under control. In some cases, your dog may also need a surgery to remove the pigmentation in the cornea.
Eligible vet bill
$2,000
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://spotpet.com/spot-sample-policy.pdf for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
Personality
Bold
Owing to its hunting background, German Shorthaired Pointers are known to be bold and even boisterous at times
Energetic and Enthusiastic
The breed has a very high level of energy causing its hyperactive nature which should be fed with sufficient exercise and play
Friendly
GSPs have been developed to be good on as well as off the hunting field. It does good in a family given that it is active around it
Lifetime Care
Coat
German Shorthaired Pointer has a short and flat over-coat coupled with a stiff water-resistant undercoat
Colors
You may find this breed in a variety of brown, dark brown, liver, black, white, liver roan, or liver-white colors
Hypoallergenic
No
Grooming
A simple brushing using a shedding blade type brush once in a week or two and a thorough bath using recommended shampoo 2-3 times a year would be sufficient
Training
Your German Shorthaired Pointer would be more enthusiastic about training than you and always up and willing to do so making it very easy for you to train it
German Shorthaired Pointers are among the top winning breeds in competitive hunting events. The breed is a result of various experiments by the Germans around the 1800s but were recognized by the American Kennel Club only in 1930. They were also used as gun dogs in their early times.
German Shorthaired Pointer Dog: Introduction to the Breed
Looking at the properties, the GSP breed may seem very attractive to you to go and adopt one right away. But it is important to know more things before we gun down to the decision. They may seem thin on the leg part but have some really strong muscles down there.
German Shorthaired Pointer Dogs are generally:
Bold and fearless
Energetic and hyperactive
Well-mannered and obedient
Intelligent
Versatile
German Shorthaired Pointers are best suited for –
Existing dog owners
Active pet parents who like to play and train their dog regularly
Homes with access to outdoor areas like lawns and parks
Families who don’t spend a lot of time away from their pets
Things to watch-out before deciding to own a German Shorthaired Pointer
Although GSP breed scores high on a human-friendliness matric there might be some things that you might want to check-out before bringing it home to your family
They get bored very quickly in absence of physical activities
They cannot be left alone for a very long time
They are not a breed for an extreme weather
They have a hunter’s DNA and thus should be monitored around other pets usually smaller ones like cats or rabbits
They are better suited in a house as opposed to yards or kennels
They do develop separation anxiety
What should a German Shorthaired Pointer eat?
Being developed as hunters and gun dogs, GSPs should be given enough nutrients to support their energy requirements. This means an ideal diet would be very high in proteins (20-25%), healthy carbs and around 950-1200 calories per day. It is also advised that it be given more of fresh foods over canned or preserved foods. The list of food items can include -
Carrots (Can act as a very good treat as a reward for good behaviour)
What should a German Shorthaired Pointer NOT eat?
There are some foods that you may want to avoid that are not good for dogs in general and in some cases not very supportive towards German Shorthaired Pointer puppies. For e.g.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a dog companion which can match your high levels of energy then the German Shorthaired Pointer is the one for you. It is great with families and even small kids or other pets once it spends enough time. Excellent in sports and other outdoor activities and a good watch-dog is the package for you. But if you think you may not be able to spend enough time on a daily basis with your pup then you might want to consider a different breed.