An active and affectionate dog that loves being part of a family
The German Shorthaired Pointer (GSP for short) is a stunning, regal-looking dog breed.
If you’re an active household looking for a canine companion, then the GSP is perfect for you.
Versions of this beautiful working dog can be traced back to the 17th century. However, it was not until the mid to late 19th century that the GSP as we know them first appears.
Did you know?
The GSP is actually one of the few hunting breeds that can perform all gundog roles.
What does a German Shorthaired Pointer dog look like?
This medium-sized dog needs a fair-sized home to suit it. An average GSP dog will reach 53-65cms at maturity, meaning they’ll need space to stretch their legs whilst indoors.
The British Kennel Club recognises 11 breed standard colours including:
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Solid black,
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Solid liver,
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Liver and white spotted,
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And liver ticked.
This active dog breed actually has webbed feet which makes them very confident swimmers. Their swimming abilities are just one of the reasons why they’re favoured by hunting enthusiasts.
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Grooming a GSP
If you’ve got your heart set on this breed you’ll need to make peace with shedding. Although their coats tend to be short, you’ll likely be finding these little hairs everywhere.
Regular grooming will help control the shedding somewhat. You should make sure you give them a good thorough brushing at least once a week to remove the loose hair. And then give them a more thorough grooming session regularly.
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What temperament does a GSP dog have?
This dog breed makes the perfect active family addition. They’re friendly, loving and incredibly affectionate. Generally speaking, they’re pretty easy to please and quite adaptable.
German Shorthaired Pointers were bred to be working companion dogs. To be happy they’ll need plenty of entertainment, physical exercise and mental stimulation. A bored GSP can be a destructive one.
This dog certainly isn’t all work and no play, you’ll find that even a mature GSP is still a puppy at heart. They’ll love being playful with their family. Although sometimes their playfulness borders on boisterous.
Did you know?
This breed has actually inspired many writers including the novel ‘Spenser’ about a detective with 4 German Shorthaired Pointers.
What homes does a German Shorthaired Pointer suit?
As long as they get plenty of company and time to be active, they’ll suit pretty much any home. However, they aren’t really suited to apartment living due to their size and activity levels.
This beautiful breed is the dream dog for outdoor enthusiasts. They love being in the countryside and being active out in nature. Be warned though that they can be prone to wandering off, so you’ll need to make sure they’re trained to stay by your side.
However, if you live a busy lifestyle and are hardly home, this breed is not for you. They’re prone to separation anxiety if left alone for too long. It’s work making sure you thoroughly socialise any GSP dogs, including working on any separation anxiety.
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Training a GSP puppy
Most German Shorthaired Pointer dogs are fairly easy to train as they’re so eager to please. Combine this with intelligence and eagerness to learn and you’ve got a breed that suits first-time dog owners.
However it's important to make sure that you thoroughly socialise your GSP puppy. As with all dog breeds, this will result in them being happier all-rounded animals.
Looking to buy a puppy?
We currently have over 2000 adverts of gorgeous puppies for sale or rehome. If you aren't sure which dog breed suits you, then you should check out our Forever breed guides. We've already covered over 42 dog breeds and popular cross breeds.
If you've settled on German Shorthaired Pointers, you should check out GSP puppies for sale.