German Shorthaired Pointer

An affectionate dog despite its hunting heritage, the German Shorthaired Pointer does not have an aggressive tilt. It is robust and boisterous and may at times accidentally knock a small child or elderly person off their perch. It means no harm by this. Regular and plentiful exercise and some obedience training will wind in the energy of this loving dog.

An active dog that likes to play and interact, and will do so all day long if given the opportunity. A German Shorthaired Pointer likes to please its owner but it can be a bit of a show and a little rough.

This is a dog not given to undue nervousness. Its lust for life and enthusiasm to tackle any task pushes timidity and agitation into the background. The Pointer does not however enjoy being left alone or isolated, and will suffer separation anxiety if it is.

Willing and able to learn new things, enthusiastic and keen to please its owner: just some of the traits of the German Shorthaired Pointer that constitute the dog’s more than ample intelligence. It is a dog easily distracted though, so training needs to be consistent, forthright and include a variety of training measures. Once you have the Pointer’s attention it will be cooperative to a tee.

Hunting was the reason the German Shorthaired Pointer was originally bred, but its German masters were also careful not to instil too much of a blood lust. Obedience training puts pay to some of the dog’s desires to chase other animals but to hunt is an instinct deeply ingrained in the dog’s psyche.  Regular and plentiful exercise is a must for preventing this dog from causing a nuisance.

German Shorthaired Pointers are not afraid of new people visiting their domain but some may be reserved at the initial meeting. Others are warm and friendly to strangers and may even bark an excited welcome.

German Shorthaired Pointers are independent but can be trained to be exceptionally obedient. Pointers are on the whole very easily distracted by sights and sound around them and will often plod off if something interests them more than your command.

German Shorthaired Pointers do not tolerate solitude. Separation anxiety is seen of Pointers that are left alone for long periods of time. Not only do they miss their family but the lack of exercise that comes with being left alone will bring on depression.

The German Shorthaired Pointer is reasonably easy to train. However training must be done properly and consistently, and at all times the trainer must make an effort to hold the attention of the Pointer. If the attention is lost, the pupil is too. In order to ensure that what you are teaching a Pointer is learnt your training sessions should be short and done only when the dog is alert and responsive to you.

This dog doesn't bark to excess and will soon settle again once a perceived ‘danger’ has passed.

Some Pointers are easily distracted by the Call of the Wild. However, these are the Pointers that have not had sufficiently long or consistent obedience training. The hunting heritage of the Pointer may be difficult to eradicate but in most cases a well-trained Pointer can be recalled.

If it finds itself at home for long periods of time without human company the German Shorthaired Pointer will inform you of its displeasure by destroying your furnishings and carpets, and with a big dog comes big damage.

To own an active dog does not preclude someone from administering a strict dog food diet. German Shorthaired Pointers need two meals a day of high-quality dog food, ideally formulated for active dogs. The breed is prone to obesity if fed too many treats or too much human food.

This breed is an excellent watchdog; it will alert you to there being someone near the house and will bark. Its ‘big dog’ bark has a tendency to ward off undesirable callers.

Even a well-fenced shared garden is an insufficient provision for this dog. Pointers need to be outside often and running a lot. They can escape from confined gardens and have been known to jump over six-feet high fences. Flat living is not for this dog.

The German Shorthaired Pointer needs a lot of exercise, and that exercise must be vigorous and prolonged. The dog’s love of hunting is difficult not to ignore but it can be substituted with long and exciting walks and adventures. Deny the Pointer a daily exercise routine and you will cause it to become destructive and unmanageable.

Once trained, a German Shorthaired Pointer is exceptionally obedient and comfortable with new experiences. It is a dog that thrives on adventure and travel.

Even of German Shorthaired Pointers that have been raised amid cats and other smaller creatures there is a danger that the dog’s hunting heritage may displace its reasoning and goodwill. It is therefore not advisable to house this breed with anything except another dog (ideally another Pointer).

The female of the breed is more dominant that the male in meetings with other dogs. Generally speaking though the Pointer is amicable and will respond well.

On the whole this breed is good with children, in that the dog does not harm children deliberately or bare malice towards them. However, Pointers are boisterous and energetic, and may accidentally knock over even a large child over (incidentally, do not berate the dog for doing this).

Because it is a dog that requires such a lot of exercise the German Shorthaired Pointer is not a good choice of dog for people of senior years.

The Pointer is not a suitable first dog. Inexperienced dog owners should be alert to the vital need to exercise this dog almost all the time in order to avoid it falling into a cycle of antisocial behaviour. A short walk for even 20 minutes is not enough for this breed of dog. A German Shorthaired Pointer also needs to be challenged physically and mentally in order to stay happy and out of trouble.