| German Shorthaired Pointers: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Information about German Shorthaired Pointer personality and behavior. |
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My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the German Shorthaired Pointer, including these excerpts:
"Good-natured and adaptable, but primarily bred to be a hunting dog, the German Shorthaired Pointer has a high activity level and belongs with an equally athletic owner who will take him running, biking, or hiking.
A walk around the block is barely a warm-up for a vigorous German Shorthaired Pointer. Too much confinement can lead to barking, hyperactivity, and destructive chewing.
Toward strangers he may be friendly or reserved. His alarm bark may be protective or welcoming.
Some German Shorthairs can be aggressive with strange dogs, and some are determined cat chasers.
Obedience training is a must for instilling self-discipline and control, for this breed can be a bundle of intense energy.
Capable of learning anything and eminently trainable, the German Shorthaired Pointer can become focused when required to do so, yet does know his own mind."
History
Developed in Germany as an all-purpose hunter of birds and game animals, the German Shorthaired Pointer has both bird dogs and scenthounds in his ancestry.
Size
21-25 inches and 45-75 lbs |
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German Shorthaired Pointers
What's good about 'em
What's bad about 'em
- Is large, tautly-muscled, and athletic
- Has a sleek easy-care coat
- Thrives on vigorous exercise
- Makes a sensible watchdog, but is good-natured and dependable with almost everyone
A German Shorthaired Pointer may be right for you.
| If you don't want to deal with... |
- Vigorous exercise requirements
- Rowdiness and exuberant jumping, especially when young or not exercised enough
- "Separation anxiety" (destructiveness and barking) when left alone too much
- Aggression toward other animals -- chasing instincts
- A distractable mind of his own -- tends to ignore calls and commands when an interesting sight or scent catches his attention
- Shedding
- Slowness to housebreak
A German Shorthaired Pointer may not be right for you.
| If I were considering a German Shorthaired Pointer... |
My major concerns would be:
- Providing enough exercise and mental stimulation. German Shorthaired Pointers MUST have regular opportunities to vent their energy and do interesting things. Otherwise they will become rambunctious and bored -- which they usually express by barking and destructive chewing. Bored German Shorthairs are famous for chewing through drywall, ripping the stuffing out of sofas, and turning your yard into a moonscape of giant craters.
| If you simply want a pet for your family, and don't have the time or inclination to take your dog running or hiking or biking or swimming, or to get involved in hunting, or tracking, or agility (obstacle course), or advanced obedience, or a similar canine activity, I do not recommend this breed. German Shorthaired Pointers were never intended to be simply household pets. Trying to suppress their "hardwired" desire to run and work, without providing alternate outlets for their high energy level, can be difficult. |
- Bounciness. Young German Shorthaired Pointers (up to about two years old) romp and jump with great vigor, and things can go flying, including people.
| If you have small children, or if you or anyone who lives with you is elderly or infirm, I do not recommend German Shorthair puppies. The temptation to play roughly is too strong in many young German Shorthaired Pointers. |
- Separation anxiety. More than most other breeds, German Shorthaired Pointers need a great deal of companionship and do not like being left alone for more than a few hours. They tend to express their unhappiness through destructive chewing and barking. If you work all day, this is not the breed for you.
- Animal aggression. Some German Shorthaired Pointers are dominant or aggressive toward other dogs of the same sex. Many have strong instincts to chase and seize cats and other fleeing creatures.
- Mind of their own. German Shorthaired Pointers are not Golden Retrievers. They are capable of learning a great deal, but they have an independent mind of their own and are easily distracted by exciting sights, sounds, and scents. Some German Shorthairs are willful and obstinate and some can be manipulative. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say.
- Shedding. For such a shorthaired dog, German Shorthaired Pointers shed more than you might think. Their short coarse hairs come off on your hands when you pet them, and stick tenaciously to your clothing, upholstery, and carpeting.
- Housebreaking. The pointing breeds can be a bit slow to pick this up. Expect several months of consistent crate training.
| Not all German Shorthaired Pointers are alike! |
- There are energetic German Shorthaired Pointers, and placid ones.
- Hard-headed German Shorthaired Pointers, and sweet-natured Shorthairs.
- Serious German Shorthaired Pointers, and good-natured goofballs.
- Introverted German Shorthair Pointers, and Shorthairs who love everyone.
| If you acquire a German Shorthaired Pointer puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." |
| If you're considering an adult German Shorthaired Pointer... |
There are plenty of adult German Shorthaired Pointers who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you.
When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS.
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