Before bringing home a German Shorthaired Pointer to your family, it’s important to understand how big this breed of dog gets, as well as how much physical activity and food they require on a regular basis.

The German Shorthaired Pointer is a versatile hunting dog that is sometimes referred to as a “Jack of all Trades”. The breed is extremely skilled at pointing, retrieving, and hunting.

German Shorthaired Pointers were developed in Germany in the late 1800s. Initially, breeders were attempting to create a dog that could perform a variety of different hunting tasks based on instinct instead of training.

Size, Stature, & General Appearance

As a hunter and show dog, the size of German Shorthaired Pointers are typically viewed as a noble, symmetrical, and balanced animals with high endurance and agility. The breed is medium in size.

German Shorthaired Pointers are slightly smaller than Pointers. They have wide, drooping ears, dark eyes, and a large, dark nose. This breed also has a very dense, sleek coat, which can be patched, ticked, or roan.

Their tail is typically docked, leaving about half of the original length. In addition, the skull of a German Shorthaired Pointer is rounded at the top and arched on the sides. This breeds small feet are webbed, which makes them excellent swimmers.

Male German Shorthaired Pointers usually stand at around 25 inches at the withers, while females stand at about 23 inches. Ideally, males will weigh between 55 to 70 pounds and females will range from 45 to 60 pounds.

German Shorthaired Pointers are slow to mature, compared to most dog breeds. They are not considered to be a cognitively adult dog until they reache two years of age. Potential owners should be aware of this and prepare for at least a year of having a full-grown dog with the mind of a teenage pup.

Physical Activity

German Shorthaired Pointers thrive on physical activity. Their hunting roots require them to engage in lots of high-energy exercises on a daily basis. If you don’t hunt with your German Shorthaired Pointer, it’s important to provide him with other ways to stay physically active and wear him out. Daily runs, walks, hikes, or playtime in a fenced area are good ways to keep him active.

As stated above, German Shorthaired Pointers have webbed feet, which make this breed good at swimming. It’s important to provide your pup with a variety of exercises so he doesn’t get bored, and swimming is a great option. In general, the breed has lots of energy and enjoys being outside on a regular basis. If you take the time to give your dog significant daily exercise, you will help him live a happy and healthy life.

Potential Health Conditions

All dog breeds are subject to a number of canine health conditions and unfortunately, German Shorthaired Pointers are no exception. Luckily, most German Shorthaired Pointers are generally healthy. If you make sure to get your pup enough physical activity, feed him good quality food, follow dog grooming tips, spend time with him, and take him to the vet for regular checkups, you will be able to prevent most health conditions and diseases.

Food Requirements

On average, German Shorthaired Pointers should be fed 2 to 3 cups of high-quality dog food each day, spread out into two meals.

It’s important to note that the amount of food your dog requires will depend on his age, size, build, activity level, and health condition. A good quality dog food will make a big difference in the energy level, health, and development of your German Shorthaired Pointer.

Grooming Requirements

Learning how to properly bathe your dog doesn’t have to be difficult, especially for this breed. German Shorthaired Pointers are relatively easy to groom. Regular baths and brushing will suffice for keeping your pup clean and preventing too much hair from getting on your furniture.

Since the German Shorthaired Pointer is considered to be a mild to moderate shedder, this breed should only need to be brushed once a week with a metal comb or bristle brush. German Shorthaired Pointers should be bathed only as needed. If you give your dog too many baths, it can irritate his skin and remove the important natural oils produced in his coat.

Is a German Shorthaired Pointer Right for You?

Before adopting any breed of dog, be sure to do your research and find out about any unique qualities and special requirements. German Shorthaired Pointers are medium in size, natural hunters, cognitively slow to develop, and require adequate physical activity on a regular basis. If this sounds like a suitable breed for your lifestyle and you’re ready to make the commitment, a German Shorthaired Pointer will make a great family pet and loyal companion.