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| BreedBrief® |
| Average Height: | 24" |
| Average Weight: | 60 lbs. |
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German Shorthaired Pointer |
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The German Shorthaired Pointer is one of the most middle-of-the-road dogs. While not excelling in any particular quality, this dog is extremely versatile and adaptable, making it ideal for virtually any person. The breed’s origins as a working dog make it useful for any owner searching for a dog that does not simply lay about the house. While its utility as a hunter is self-explanatory – the dog shares many of its characteristics with the Retriever – the Pointer has also been used as a sled dog, search and rescue dog, guide dog, and therapy dog. The Pointer is a generally healthy, long-lived dog that can be trained to do almost anything, even though training can be a difficult exercise. German Shorthaired Pointer History Compared to other century old breeds, the German Shorthaired Pointer is a relatively young breed. Its origins come from fastidious breeders in the 17th century, who searched to combine qualities from multiple working breeds and thus create the perfect dog. While the Pointer is far from perfect, ambitious breeders did create one of the best all-around dogs. In fact, before the dog even appeared in the U.S. in the 1920s, it had already earned its reputation as a jack of all trades. There is no established formula for creating this breed. History shows a multitude of other dogs that were used to create the Pointer, including the English Foxhound and German Bird Dog. The dog was accepted into the AKC in 1930. Since the creation of the German Shorthaired Pointer, it has been changed and altered by many breeders in search of the ideal, making the breed a precise example of the many possibilities of controlled breeding.
The dog can be very friendly with children and other dogs, as long as it is socialized properly at a young age. Naturally devoted and energetic, this dog is ideal for any owner willing to exercise and put it to task, and expect to be doing that frequently. If not given the proper amount of exercise, the Pointer will likely channel its energy through negative means, becoming a living bulldozer if left alone at home for too long. Thankfully, this breed is very eager to please its owner, creating a relatively easy dog to train. This is good, because if you want a German Shorthaired Pointer to be good at anything, expect to train it. The Pointer is far from a “bad” dog. It simply needs proper guidance and a firm hand to mold it into the ideal pet.
The German Shorthaired Pointer is extremely easy to groom. They must be brushed regularly with a stiff bristle brush. It is important to check this breed's feet after exercising and working. They must be dried thoroughly after strenuous activity to keep them from becoming chilled. This breed is an average shedder. They are generally healthy, but can be prone to such problems as ear infections, hip dysplasia, and skin cancer.
The German Shorthaired Pointer is easily trained, but can be stubborn. They require patient, firm, and consistent guidance. They excel in obedience, agility, tracking, hunting, and flyball. This breed has a natural instinct to guard and must have obedience training.
Common Health Issues for the German Shorthaired Pointer:Disclaimer: While we try our best to provide accurate medical reference information, it is very likely that we have errors on our website. Do not use this website to diagnose or treat your dog. Please check with your veterinarian for health advice and treatment options. Less Common Health Issues for the German Shorthaired Pointer:Disclaimer: While we try our best to provide accurate medical reference information, it is very likely that we have errors on our website. Do not use this website to diagnose or treat your dog. Please check with your veterinarian for health advice and treatment options.
Amyloidosis abnormal protein deposits in joints, kidneys, and other organs, whic...
Anal Gland Adenocarcinoma a type of malignant tumor
Anemia A decrease in the number of red blood cells (RBC's) or the amount of hemoglobi...
Arrhythmias abnormal, erratic heartbeats
Atrial Septal Defect An atrial septal defect is a defect or hole in ...
Bacterial Skin Infections Pyoderma is the medical term used to ...
Bladder Cancer malignant tumor of the urinary bladder
Bloat potentially fatal emergency in which the stomach distends with gas and twists ou...
Blocked Tear Ducts malformed ducts between the eye and nose, leading to p...
Blood Cell Toxins
Bone Cancer
Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome one or more respiratory abnorm...
Brain Tumors cancer of the brain
Breast Adenocarcinoma malignant breast tumor
Breast Cancer malignant breast tumor
Bronchitis
Cancer
Canine Alzheimer's Disease Canine cognitive dysfunction "...
Cauda Equina Syndrome compression of the nerves in the lower spine cau...
Cerebellar Atrophy breakdown of a part of the brain leading to lack of co...
Cherry Eye protruding third-eyelid gland
Ciliary Dyskinesia failure of microscopic hairs lining the respiratory tr...
Clotting Issues
Collapsing Trachea flattened tracheal cartilage that makes it harder to b...
Congestive Heart Failure In congestive heart failure, the heart ...
Conjunctivitis
Coonhound Paralysis Coonhound paralysis is an acute neurologic disord...
Copper Storage Disease
Corneal Ulcers painful erosion on the surface of the eye
Crystals and Stones
Cushing's Disease overproduction of cortisol by the adrenal glands
Cystine Urine Crystals abnormal mineral deposits in the urine that ca...
Dancing Dobermans
Deep Bacterial Skin Infections
Demodectic Mange
Digestive Enzyme Deficiencies
Dilated Cardiomyopathy disease that causes weakened heart contraction...
Dizziness
Droopy Face
Dry Eye
Ductus Arteriosus
Dudley Nose
Dyskinesia
Ectopic Ureters tubes from the kidneys that connect with the urethra rather ...
Ectropion
Elbow Dysplasia a malformed elbow joint, causing variable degrees of lamenes...
Encephalitis brain inflammation, often causing seizures, abnormal behavior, or ...
Epilepsy Epilepsy simply refers to repeated seizures.
Esophageal Stenosis
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency pancreas that produces l...
Eye Injuries
Eyelash and Eyelid Problems
Facial-Fold Dermatitis recurrent skin infections in dogs with deep fo...
False Pregnancy
Foot-Dragging
Heart Holes
Heart Murmurs
Heart Tumors
Hemangiosarcoma malignant tumor most often found on the spleen or the heart
Hemolytic Anemia decrease in the number of red blood cells (RBC's)...
Hemophilia a blood clotting deficiency
Hemophilia A A blood-clotting deficiency.
Hemophilia B a blood clotting deficiency
Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis severe, potentially fatal vomiting a...
Hydrocephalus accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the skull, potentiall...
Hypoglycemia low blood sugar, potentially leading to seizures
Immune-Mediated Skin Disease "Pemphigus complex" i...
Inguinal Hernia a gap in the abdominal muscles that must be closed surgicall...
Intestinal Cancer
Intussusception
Inward-Growing Eyelashes eyelashes growing from the underside of th...
Irritable Bowel Disease inflammation of the intestines, causing diar...
Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca a deficiency in tear production that c...
Kidney Dysplasia malformation of one or both kidneys, potentially leading t...
Kidney Failure
Knee Injuries
Laryngeal Paralysis failure of the larynx to open fully, causing breathi...
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease disintegration of the hip joint
Lens Luxation The lens of the eye normally lies immediately behind the iris...
Leukemia
Little White Shaker Syndrome brain disorder causing severe head...
Liver Problems
Liver Tumors
Low Platelets
Lung Clots
Luxating Kneecaps Patellar luxation is usually a congenital condition i...
Lyme Disease
Lymphoma a blood cell cancer affecting the lymph nodes, bone marrow, or other organ...
Megaesophagus an esophagus that doesn't contract properly, leading to regurgit...
Meningitis
Mouth Tumors
Multiple Myeloma
Neck Instability disorder of the upper spine that can lead to pain or paral...
Nerve Atrophy breakdown of nerve
Neutering
Osteosarcoma a bone cancer
Pancreatitis inflammation of the pancreas, causing severe abdominal pain and vo...
Panosteitis bone inflammation in growing dogs
Paralysis
Patent Ductus Arteriosus an abnormal connection between the pulmona...
Phosphofructokinase Deficiency
Portosystemic Shunt Portosystemic shunts are abnormal vascular connec...
Pulmonic Stenosis a malformed heart valve
Pyloric Stenosis narrowing of the opening between the stomach and small int...
Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency a condition causing anemia
Respiratory Tract Cancer
Retinal Dysplasia Retinal dysplasia is a type of retinal malformation.<...
Scabies Sarcoptes scabiei var canis infestation ("scabies") is a h...
Seborrhea skin disease causing severe skin flaking and, sometimes, skin infections...
Seizures
Shedding
Shock
Skin Cancer any of several malignancies that target the skin
Spinal Cord Tumors
Spinal Disk Disease disk degeneration leading to pain, weakness, or para...
Splitting Nails
Squamous Cell Carcinoma a type of skin cancer
Stomach Cancer malignant tumor in the stomach
Submissive Peeing
Swollen Ear
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus an immune-system attack on various...
Tail-Fold Dermatitis skin irritation caused by moisture and bacteria ac...
Tearstaining Tear stains are reddish/brownish marks found on the inside corn...
Territorial Aggression
Testicular Tumor cancer of a testicle
Tetralogy of Fallot a severe heart defect
Tick Paralysis Tick paralysis is an acute, progressive, ascending motor pa...
Urinary Stones rocklike mineral deposits in the kidneys or bladder that can p...
Urinary Tract Cancer Cancer of the canine urinary bladder tract.
Uterine Infection The word “pyometra” is derived from latin...
Uveodermatologic Disorder immune-system attack on the eyes and the...
Valve Disease malformation or malfunction of one or more of the four heart val...
Vascular Ring Anomaly blood vessel defect that can constrict the esoph...
Ventricular Septal Defect a hole between the lower two chambers of...
Wobbler Syndrome instability of the neck vertebrae leading to pain, leg wea...
Wobbly Kneecaps Medial patella luxation is a condition in which the ...
Wobbly Necks Caudal Cervical Spondylomyelopathy, commonly called Wobbler&rsq...
German Shorthaired Pointer Club of America
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