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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nToday, we\u2019ll cover everything you need to know about them, including the good, the bad & the ugly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
After reading our blog post, you\u2019ll know whether or not you have what it takes to care for and keep up with this powerful athlete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ready? Let\u2019s dive right in!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
10 Facts Good & Bad About German Shorthaired Pointers<\/h1>\n\n\n\n1. They Excel at Dock Diving<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Speaking of diving, GSPs make really great dock divers although they were originally bred for hunting large game as well as waterfowl in 19th century Germany – just like Weimaraners<\/a>! <\/p>\n\n\n\n They make such great swimmers because of their webbed toes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In dock diving, dogs compete for distance and height by jumping from a 40\u2019 long dock\/platform into a body of water, usually a pool. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are certain variations for this sport such as Big Air, Speed Retrieve, and Extreme Vertical.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Big Air, the dog\u2019s jumping distance is measured, and the dog with the farthest jump wins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Speed Retrieve, the dog has to retrieve a suspended bumper toy at the end of a pool. The dog with the quickest retrieve wins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Extreme Vertical, the dog has to retrieve a bumper toy that\u2019s held 8 feet high above a pool. The dog with the highest jump wins. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s a list of Dock Dog Clubs in the US<\/a> if you\u2019re interested in checking them out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, you can also test the waters, pun intended, at a doggie swimming pool or a lake you have access to.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bring an Amphibious Bumper Dog Toy<\/a> and see if your GSP has fun with it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n While they thrive in water, they\u2019re equally powerful on land as they can run all day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a matter of fact, these great doggie athletes love stretching their legs in fields, wood trails, and dirt roads.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thankfully, there are lots of land activities you can engage in with your German Shorthaired Pointer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Other dog sports your GSP will likely excel at are agility,\u00a0 flyball, and disc dog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While you can compete in all of these, you can also just do them for fun and burn your GSP\u2019s endless amount of energy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thankfully, the GSP coat is easy to care for regardless of dry or wet hunting\/playing grounds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If they get really dirty, a quick bath will do the trick. Otherwise, a rub down with a dog grooming glove<\/a> will suffice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can either give your German Shorthaired Pointer a bath in your yard, or your tub or take them to a doggie self-wash.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just do a Google search for the closest one near you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most GSPs are a mix of white and reddish brown (known as liver) or white and black, but never of white, liver & black!<\/p>\n\n\n That said, all of the following coat variations exist:<\/p>\n\n\n\n FUN FACT<\/strong>: When GSPs are born, they\u2019re mostly white with colored patches, but their ticks (the little spots) won\u2019t come in until 4-6 months of age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The only exceptions are solid black and solid liver-colored pups who are born with their respective coloring.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because of their strong prey drive, they\u2019re not good with cats, bunnies, and chicken pets unless they grow up with them from puppyhood on.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n My German Shorthaired Pointer dog walking client Tab moved to a large property in the countryside that had chickens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Well, suffice it to say that the chicken population was reduced very quickly as Tab followed his instincts and broke right through his invisible fence and onto the chicken grounds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Repeatedly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Tab knew exactly that the chicken reward on the other side of the invisible fence was much greater than the temporary discomfort of breaking through the invisible fence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is a prime example of how intuitive and smart these dogs are, especially when they\u2019re left unsupervised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s why it\u2019s really important to establish rules and boundaries for your German Shorthaired Pointer early on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Unless you want to go chasing after your German Shorthaired Pointer, you should have their off-leash time in a fenced-in area. <\/p>\n\n\n This could be your own backyard or a dog park. Just make sure to supervise and that the fence is tall enough as GSPs have no trouble clearing high obstacles! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Remember, they can get the bumper toy that\u2019s held at 8\u2019 height in Extreme Vertical Dock Diving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are also some membership dog parks that stretch across many acres of land and really allow your pup to run, run, run. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While it\u2019s an investment, this may be a good way to properly exercise your GSP, especially if you\u2019re not the proud owner of a park-like yard. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As long as they get the daily exercise they need, GSPs make great family dogs and are good with children<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While they can be rambunctious with their adult handlers and are standoff-ish with strangers, they are gentle with kids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When Tab\u2019s family had their first baby, he instinctively knew when to slow it down. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Like all other deep-chested dog breeds, German Shorthaired Pointers are prone to bloating. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Also known as GDV (Gastric Dilatation Volvulus), it\u2019s when the stomach twists on itself and cuts off the air and blood supply to vital organs.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is known to happen when the dog is exercised right after they ate a big meal of (dry) dog food or had large amounts of water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Elevated dog feeders can also contribute to bloat, so it\u2019s best to place your GSP\u2019s dog food and water bowls<\/a> on the ground. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To play it safe, only feed your German Shorthaired Pointer after they\u2019ve been exercised and wait to exercise them again for at least one hour after mealtime. <\/p>\n\n\n\n That said, it\u2019s vital to take your bloating GSP to a vet right away. Symptoms are unproductive retching, pacing, and very tight skin across the belly.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Additionally, German Shorthaired Pointers are prone to be diagnosed with Hip Dysplasia, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Hemangiosarcoma, and Aortic Stenosis.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n With Hip Dysplasia, the joints don\u2019t develop properly and cause arthritis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Progressive Retinal Atrophy is an eye disease that causes blindness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Hemangiosarcoma is a tumor that forms in certain organs and causes internal bleeding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aortic Stenosis is a congenital heart disease that causes a narrow aorta and makes the heart pump harder than it should have.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n With that in mind, you can drastically decrease the chances of your GSP falling ill by buying your GSP puppy from a responsible breeder who performs health screenings in the dogs they breed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can find German Shorthaired Pointer puppies<\/a> from responsible breeders on the AKC (American Kennel Club) Marketplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Avoid buying from puppy mills which are known to produce genetically unhealthy GSPs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Granted, any dog without proper leash training<\/a> can pull on a leash, but German Shorthaired Pointers are really up there.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Over the years of having GSP dog walking clients, I found that Haltis<\/a> and Easy Walk Harnesses<\/a> work best for this breed, especially as a good alternative to Prong training collars. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A Halti is a training head collar with a padded noseband that you use to guide your dog in your desired direction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s a learning curve for dogs as far as accepting it, but once they do, it\u2019s a lifesaver. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I remember my dog-walking client Whiskey hating it at first and putting up a fight to wear it for a full week, but with treats and patience, he came around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n2. They Can Run All Day<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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3. Their Short Smooth Coat Is Easy to Groom<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
4. German Shorthaired Pointer Coat Colors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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5. GSPs Have A Strong Prey Drive <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
6. They\u2019re Intuitive and smart But Also Stubborn<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
7. Their Off-Leash Time Should Be In A Fenced-In Area<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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8. The German Shorthaired Pointer Is A Playful Watchdog Who\u2019s Good With Children<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
9. Common Health Issues of the German Shorthaired Pointer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
10. GSPs Can Be Strong Leash Pullers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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