Note: The breed registries indicated above are the most recognized all-breed registries. The breed may also be recognized by other registries not indicated here. For further details about dog registries, please see the document: Dog Breed Registries in North America.
* — The FCI is the World Canine Organization, which includes 83 members and contract partners (one member per country) that each issue their own pedigrees and train their own judges. The FCI recognizes 339 breeds, with each being the "property" of a specific country. The "owner" countries of the breeds write the standards of these breeds in co-operation with the Standards and Scientific Commissions of the FCI, and the translation and updating are carried out by the FCI. The FCI is not a breed registry nor does it issue pedigrees.
Males — 55 to 75 lbs (25-34 kg) Females — About 10 lbs (4.5 kg) less
A Bit of History:
Known as the Deutsch Kurzhaar in his native Germany, the German Shorthaired Pointer was developed as an all-purpose dog in the late 1800s. The intent was to develop a versatile sporting breed that could work as a pointer, retriever, tracker and hunter of both large and small game, and to work well in all types of terrain including water. The German Shorthaired Pointer was first introduced to North America in the mid-1920s and first admitted to the American Kennel Club Stud Book in 1930. Today, the breed is both a popular sporting dog as well as a family companion.
Breed Profile:
The German Shorthaired Pointer is friendly, eager to please, intelligent, and has a stable temperament. He has an abundance of energy but can adapt well to family life in a suburban or country setting provided he gets lots of exercise on a daily basis. The breed is sturdy, alert, and has a great deal of endurance.
In addition to his hunting skills, the GSP excels in the conformation ring, obedience trials, agility, flyball as well as many other dog sports and activities and is also seen working as a Search and Rescue Dog.
Physically, the GSP has an appearance of nobility, being agile, well-balanced and powerful looking. As the name suggests, he has a short coat that is thick and feels tough to the touch. The hair is softer, thinner and shorter on the ears and the head. His coat may be solid liver, liver and white spotted, liver and white ticked, or liver roan. The American Kennel Club disqualifies any dog with any area of black, red, orange, lemon or tan, or solid white. The Canadian Kennel Club
does not permit any colours other than liver and white(grey white). The United Kennel Club, the Kennel Club (UK) as well as the Fédération Cynologique Internationale and most other countries, however, do allow the colour black in the same range as the liver and tan markings are also permissible. (See the individual breed standards for details.)
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If you are considering the adoption of a German Short Haired Pointer puppy, or any breed, it is very important to be selective in choosing a responsible and reputable breeder. Ensure that the prospective puppy's parents have all health clearances. The German Shorthaired Pointer Club of America (GSPCA) strongly recommends that breeding dogs have health clearances for: Hip Dysplasia (OFA, PennHip or equivalent); Congenital Cardiac Disease (clearance by Cardiologist or Specialist); Progressive Retinal Atrophy (CERF); and Cone Degeneration Disease (DNA testing). In addition, the GSPCA suggests testing for Elbow Dysplasia as well as Autoimmune Thyroiditis (the primary cause of hypothyroidism in dogs).
Breeding of any dog should not be done until after the prospective parents have been proven to be free of evidence of significant hereditary diseases. (For more information on selecting a breeder, see the articles on the main Breed Listing and Breeders page.)
Health Resources:
Health and Nutrition — Growing section of the Canada's Guide to Dogs website on several dog health and nutrition related issues.
Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) - German Shorthaired Pointer Breed Requirements — Providing a source of health information for owners, breeders, and scientists that will assist in breeding healthy dogs. CHIC is a centralized canine health database jointly sponsored by the AKC/Canine Health Foundation (AKC/CHF) and the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
HealthGene Corporation — The leading provider of veterinary DNA diagnostic services in Canada. (Available tests for the German Shorthaired Pointer include DNA Parentage Coat and Nose Color Test.)
AKC GERMAN SHORTHAIRED POINTER VIDEO
20 Min. Video Edition, Published by the AKC
Discussion of the breed standard: good structure and movement, acceptable colors, correct head, size. Developed for breeders, exhibitors and judges.
— Available from Dogwise.com
Grooming — This growing section of Canada's Guide to Dogs includes grooming information, tips and techniques as well as listings of Groomers from across Canada.
Training — For information on training your German Short Haired Pointer, see this growing section of Canada's Guide to Dogs for tips, articles, as well as listings of training centres across Canada.
The following two articles originally appeared in Gun Dog Magazine as a two-part series, part 1 in March/April 1989 and part 2 in the May/June 1989 issue.
Clubs, Sports and Activities — Information on the many dog sports and activities you can get involved in with your German Shorthaired Pointer as well as a list of non-breed specific clubs from across Canada.
Working Dogs — Information and organization listings of working dogs, including Guide Dogs, Therapy Dogs, Police Dogs, Search and Rescue Dogs, and much more.
Select from the following links to view German Short Haired Pointer Breeder listings; Breed Clubs; Rescue Organizations; as well as Books and Merchandise specific to the GSP breed:
