German Shorthaired Pointer
Also known as Kurzhaar, Braque allemand
- Height at the withers
- 58 to 66 cm
- Weight
- 20 to 32 kg
- Life expectancy
- 10 to 12 years
- Daily activity
- 120 minutes
- Origin
- Germany
- FCI group
- 7 · Pointing dogs
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- a family with children
- a sporty owner: running, hiking, canicross
Less suited to
- an apartment: it needs space
- a first dog: it needs an experienced owner
- a sedentary life: plan on 120 minutes of activity a day
- long absences: it struggles when left alone
Overview
A versatile, athletic and noble hunting dog with a short, dense coat in the typical liver and white, known for its intelligence, energy and friendly temperament.
History and origins
Developed in Germany in the 19th century from the old German pointing dogs, themselves descended from Mediterranean pointers, with English Pointer crosses that refined the breed at the end of the century. The goal: a versatile pointing dog able to hunt in open fields, in woods and in water, and to retrieve.
Health
Life expectancy is 10 to 12 years, and the breed is hardy. The most common health problems in the breed:
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Gastric torsion (bloat)
- Entropion
- von Willebrand disease
- Epilepsy
Choose a breeder who has the parents health-screened for this breed, and ask to see the results.
Coat and care
Short, smooth coat. Moderate shedding, minimal coat care.
All ratings
Rated from 1 to 5, comparable across breeds. Green marks a strength for most households, orange something to plan for.
Lifestyle
- Energy
- Boundless, 5 out of 5
- Apartment
- Difficult, 2 out of 5
- Home alone
- Poorly, 2 out of 5
Family and sociability
- With children
- Good, 4 out of 5
- With other dogs
- Good, 4 out of 5
- With cats
- Caution, 2 out of 5
- With strangers
- Open, 4 out of 5
Training and temperament
- Ease of training
- Easy, 4 out of 5
- For a first-time owner
- Poor fit, 2 out of 5
- Guarding instinct
- Low, 2 out of 5
- Prey drive
- Very strong, 5 out of 5
- Tendency to roam
- High, 4 out of 5
Care and neighbors
- Coat care
- Minimal, 1 out of 5
- Shedding
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
- Drooling
- Rarely, 2 out of 5
- Barking
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
Climate and health
- Heat tolerance
- Average, 3 out of 5
- Cold tolerance
- Low, 2 out of 5
- Hardiness
- Good, 4 out of 5
In our lists
German Shorthaired Pointer FAQ
How big does the German Shorthaired Pointer get?
The German Shorthaired Pointer stands 58 to 66 cm at the withers and weighs 20 to 32 kg. It is a large dog.
Does the German Shorthaired Pointer shed a lot?
It sheds moderately and its coat needs minimal care.
Can the German Shorthaired Pointer live in an apartment?
It is difficult: it needs space and activity, and a home with a yard suits it better.
How much exercise does the German Shorthaired Pointer need each day?
Allow about 120 minutes of activity a day: its energy is boundless. Add games and training exercises to keep its mind busy too.
Is the German Shorthaired Pointer good with children?
Yes, it gets along well with children who respect it. Never leave a young child alone with a dog, whatever the breed.
How long does the German Shorthaired Pointer live?
Life expectancy is 10 to 12 years, and the breed is hardy. The main health problems to watch for are hip and elbow dysplasia, as well as gastric torsion (bloat).
