GROUP 3 - GUNDOGS

Brief History
It is most likely that this breed was developed from the German Pointer (German Bird Dog) with input from Pointers from both Spain and France during the 17^th century. They were used for hunting with nets, often in combination with falconry, in Mediterranean countries. It was in the mid to late 19^th century that Prince Albrecht zu Solms-Braunfeld is credited with refining the pointer into an all-purpose gundog, one that could hunt, point and retrieve on land or from water. Today the German Shorthaired Pointer remains a noble, versatile hunting dog, able to perform in all conditions.

Average Life Span
When considering a dog, please realise that you are taking it on for its lifetime.

The average life span is 10 to 12 years of age.

Temperament
German Shorthaired Pointers are balanced, reliable and restrained in temperament. They are an intelligent breed, eager to learn and willing to please, so are relatively easy to train. They are attentive, energetic, friendly, loving and loyal but should be neither nervous nor shy.

General Breed Description
The German Shorthaired Pointer is a medium to large sized hunting dog, of noble and balanced appearance. He is built to work long days in the field and is known for endurance, strength, speed and versatility. This is a high energy dog that is enthusiastic in everything he does. He loves all forms of exercise, from running to swimming and playing dog sports, anything to please his owner. The intelligent GSP has a record of success in Field and Retrieving work and competes in other dog sports such as Obedience, Agility, Tracking, Flyball, Scent Work and Conformation dog shows.

The coat may be in solid colours of brown or black, brown with white or flecked markings, black with white or flecked markings, or roan. The head is of solid brown or black but can also have a blaze or white flecking.

Coat and Care Requirements
The coat is short, thick, water-repellent and hard to the touch. It sheds year-round and therefore will need to be brushed regularly to aid new coat growth and bathed to keep clean. The nails will need to be trimmed and the ears checked and cleaned regularly.

Size
Height: Male 62 to 66cms, Female 58 to 63cms

Health
All breeds have individual health issues. When speaking to breeders it is recommended you enquire about the breed’s health and what health testing the breeder does. Health conditions do occur occasionally in the German Shorthaired Pointer. They may include Hip Dysplasia (HD), Elbow Dysplasia, Bloat and Late Onset Progressive Retinal Atrophy (LOPRA rcd4).

Suitability
The German Shorthaired Pointer requires training from an early age to ensure that he becomes an obedient family member. It is recommended that your puppy be enrolled in puppy pre-school in order to receive plenty of socialisation and basic training. If this is done with an obedience club, then it will be easy to continue training the dog as it grows. The breed is best suited to those with an active lifestyle, as they do require a lot of exercise, whether in the form of a strenuous hike, a long walk or a good game of fetch. A GSP needs human attention and forms a strong bond with family members. He does not do well if left alone for long periods, so secure, high fencing is a must.

Young dogs may be very boisterous and, being a hunting breed, many have a high prey drive, so need to be socialised early with any small animals in the household.

In Conclusion
Now you know a little more about this breed. If you have decided this is the dog for you and wish to investigate further, please contact the Breed Club or Dogs Victoria. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog events where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the breed and its needs. With any breed of dog, it is important to research and determine suitability for your lifestyle before committing to a puppy which will be a part of your family for many years to come.

Whilst many breeds are recommended for families, it is imperative that when children are with dogs they are supervised at all times. Basic obedience training is a vital part of dog ownership.

Dogs Victoria is about the responsible ownership of all dogs and in particular the preservation of pure breeds.

Link to Dogs Australia Breed Standard: https://dogsaustralia.org.au/breed/detail/70