A brown German Shorthaired Pointer puppy with a yellow collar sits on grass, holding a stick in its mouth near a tree stump in the yard.

German Shorthaired Pointer Dog and Puppy Facts

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You guessed it! Like the name suggests, the German Shorthaired Pointer starts its story somewhere in Germany way back in the 1600s. This vivacious and elegant dog may have started out as a working dog. But nowadays German Shorthaired Pointer puppies are equally popular as family dogs.

In this article, PD Insurance shares some of the common pros and cons of owning a German Shorthaired Pointer. From whether they’re aggressive and bark a lot to what their personality and health traits are. Find out more about this super duper dog.

a German Shorthaired Pointer goes walking on a leash with its owner along a riverside covered in reeds

Is German Shorthaired Pointer a good family dog?

If you’re going gaga over German Shorthaired Pointer puppies, we totally get you. This is a strong and handsome breed with high intelligence and a loving disposition. But the question is, does the German Shorthaired Pointer make a good family dog?

Provided your German Shorthaired Pointer dogs gets ample socialisation from early on and lots of daily exercise they’re known to make happy and loyal family members. Also consider protecting them with a puppy insurance plan.

They need to learn their way around small children and other pets. Given their history of hunting small prey, unless they’re taught these skills they can end up being boisterous, especially around little children.

Here’s more on teaching dogs and kids respect for one another’s boundaries.

More breed facts

Not only will this breed love doing activities with their family but they make good watchdogs too. They simply love protecting their people. They also prefer staying close as separation anxiety in pets is a watchword for this breed.

Although this super athletic pup is high on exercise needs they’re low on grooming. With their sleek, short coat, grooming a German Shorthaired Pointer is a breeze. A quick brush now and then will keep them looking dapper and handsome. There’s balance in everything. 😊

Life expectancy12-14 years
HeightMales, 58–64 cm / Females, 53–59 cm
WeightMales, 25–32 kg / females, 20–27 kg
ColoursWhite and chocolate, black and white, liver, liver roan, liver and white
Other names German Pointer (Shorthaired), Kurzhaar, Deutscher, Kurzhaariger Vortsehund
a dog sits on lakeside bank with his favourite person

Can GSP be aggressive?

The German Shorthaired Pointer was developed as a hunting dog with a good nose. This breed would accompany huntsmen and help by retrieving fallen fowl and furry prey. As a result, it comes with natural stamina and an inbuilt strong prey drive.

Having high energy and a prey drive need not translate as aggressive but it does mean this breed needs adequate physical and mental stimulation. Like any working dog (or person) who wants to do a good job, boredom can lead to frustration. In dogs, anyone can guess that frustration generally lends itself to destructive behaviours.

If you’re thinking of getting yourself one or more German Shorthaired Pointer puppies then you’ll need to have adequate time set aside for puppy training classes. Luckily, Dogs New Zealand offers several dog training and dog sports classes for good canine citizens.

a German Shorthaired Pointer lies comfortably on its owner's bed

Do German Shorthaired Pointers bark a lot?

We all love a good woof to announce the arrival of guests or ward off intruders but excessive barking can be a headache.

The good news is that German Shorthaired Pointers aren’t generally excessive barkers. They do have their vocal moments during playtime but with proper training and attention, you can keep their barks to a pleasant and manageable level.

German Shorthaired Pointer puppies

If you’re marvelling over adverts of German Shorthaired Pointer puppies and thinking of bringing one home, that’s exciting. Be sure to get acquainted with steps to finding an ethical dog breeder in New Zealand.

This is crucial for so many reasons, some of which are:

 Want more information, then read about how to buy a puppy safely. Of course, if you’re bringing home an adopted dog then you won’t need to worry. Here’s our dog adoption checklist to get you started.

Whether you buy or adopt, have a look at our award winning pet insurance plans to keep your furbaby covered.

one of a litter of German Shorthaired Pointer puppies plays hide and seek in some foliage and looks extremely cute.

What are the pros and cons of a German Shorthaired Pointer?

While you’ve probably got the gist of this brilliant breed, here’s a quick recap of the pros and cons of being a German Shorthaired Pointer pet parent together with some added tips:

Pros

  • Loyal and loving. Your German Shorthaired Pointer will be your most devoted friend. Their loyalty knows no bounds and they thrive on the affection you shower upon them. Here are 10 ways to love your pet.
  • Active lifestyle. If you enjoy an active lifestyle this breed could be your perfect match. They are full of energy and will happily join you in outdoor adventures be it hiking, running, or playing fetch at the beach. Read more about dog breed exercise requirements.
  • Intelligent and trainable. These pups are smart cookies! Their intelligence makes them highly trainable, and they excel in obedience training, agility and other canine sports. Here are 4 puppy training tips to get you started with positive reinforcement dog training.
  • Watchdogs. This medium-sized will protect you and your family with complete zest – you are their world!

Cons

  • Exercise requirements. The boundless energy of the German Shorthaired Pointer can be a challenge for some owners. If you have a busy schedule or aren’t able to provide enough exercise then this breed might not be the ideal fit. Not sure you have time, then read ‘Should I get a pet if I work full time?’ for pros, cons and tips.
  • Mental Stimulation. Along with physical exercise, this breed needs enough mental stimulation. Without it, they may become bored and resort to destructive behaviours.
  • Separation Anxiety. These pups thrive on companionship so leaving them alone for extended periods may lead to separation anxiety. If you have a busy lifestyle, consider pet sharing or finding a good dog sitter.
  • Prey Drive. Keep in mind that German Shorthaired Pointers have a strong prey drive. They might chase after smaller animals so careful supervision is essential during walks and playtime which is essential to happy healthy pets.
A GSP runs along a lawn covered in Autumn leaves

Award winning pet insurance

Generally speaking, German Shorthaired Pointer dogs and puppies are a fairly healthy breed. That said, like most purebred dogs, they can be prone to certain health conditions. Knowing what these are can help guide your decision on what level of pet insurance cover to choose when buying a pet plan.

Progressive retinal atrophy, heart disease and hip dysplasia in dogs are some conditions to guard against for this breed. You can safeguard them with a healthy pet lifestyle and pet insurance cover.

Get award winning pet insurance with PD Insurance and choose from three levels of dog insurance cover. You can get protection for accidents, illness and dental depending on your choice. With no lock-in contracts and a fast claims turnaround our plans are good for your pet and your pocket.

Choose a plan today. Click below to start a quote.

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