The German Shorthaired Pointer (GSP) is a medium to large sized breed of dog developed in the 19th century in Germany for hunting. A versatile hunting breed, being an all-purpose gun breed of dog suitable for both land and water, it is streamlined yet powerful with strong legs that make it able to move rapidly and turn quickly. It has moderately long floppy ears set high on the head. Its muzzle is long, broad, and strong, allowing it to retrieve even heavy game. The dog's profile should be straight or strongly Roman-nosed. The eyes are generally brown, with darker eyes being desirable; yellow or "bird of prey" eyes are a fault. The tail is commonly docked. In the current breed standard the tail is docked at approximately 40% of its length before it curves. When the GSP is in classic point stance, the tail should be held straight out from the body, forming a line with the pointing head and body. Like all German pointers, GSPs have webbed feet. They are known for going after waterfowl in the water.

The German Shorthaired Pointer is a member of the Sporting Group.

 

Coat: The German Shorthaired Pointer's coat is short and flat with a dense undercoat protected by stiff guard hairs making the coat water resistant and allowing the dog to stay warm in cold weather. The color can be a dark brown with some lighter brown colors, referred to as "liver", black, black roan, white, liver roan, liver, and white, or black and white. Commonly, the head is a solid or nearly solid color, and the body is speckled or "ticked" with liver and white, sometimes with large patches of solid color called "saddles." GSPs are a very clean breed. The short GSP coat needs very little grooming, just occasional brushing.

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The temperament of dogs can be affected by different factors, including heredity, training, and socialization. The German Shorthaired Pointer was developed to be a dog suited for family life, as well as a versatile hunter. Therefore its temperament is that of an intelligent, bold, boisterous, eccentric, and characteristically affectionate dog that is cooperative and easily trained. This breed is smart, friendly, willing, and enthusiastic.

 

Like the other German pointers, the GSP can perform virtually all gun dog roles. It is pointer and retriever, an upland bird dog and water dog. German Shorthaired Pointers are proficient with many different types of game and sport, including trailing, retrieving, and pointing pheasant, quail, grouse, waterfowl, raccoons, possum, and even deer.

 

German Shorthaired Pointers along with other sporting dogs requires a lot of exercise and space to run. GSPs have a lot of energy, they are one of the most energetic breeds. Therefore if not given the right amount of attention, they can become bored and destructive. GSPs do not do well left alone all day or if restricted to a kennel without plenty of human interaction.

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German Shorthaired Pointers are still currently used as versatile hunting and gun dogs. With their high intelligence and athleticism, the German Shorthaired Pointer performs well in many AKC sports such as Agility, Dock Diving, Obedience along with Service Dog work. German Shorthaired Pointers are also used in law enforcement for the detection of illicit substances as well as tracking.