Breed Specific: The German Shorthair Pointer – a Bundle of Energy

If you are athletic and love to go-go-go with your dog, this could be your breed.

Personality and General Features: Enthusiastic and friendly, this sporting dog thrives on vigorous exercise, positive training and lots of love. They are happy dogs who bond well with their family. Activities like running, swimming, organized dog sports, or anything that will burn some of their seemingly endless energy will help keep this athletic dog well-adjusted.

Males – Height: 23-25 inches              Weight: 55-70 pounds

Females – Height: 21-23 inches          Weight: 45-60 pounds

Feeding: Discuss an appropriate high-quality diet with your veterinarian. GSP puppies under six months of age need to be fed more than twice a day. Once they reach adulthood, a morning and evening meal should be sufficient. This breed is subject to bloat, so they should not be fed immediately after running or other vigorous exercise, nor should they be allowed to run or exercise for at least an hour after eating and drinking. Dinner should be served after all physical activity is over for the day.

Grooming: GSP’s short, smooth coat will do well with weekly brushing (more while they are shedding) to remove loose hair. You may want to have a lint brush on hand, however, as he will reward you with white hair on your dark clothes and dark hair for the lighter styles you wear. Infrequent baths with a gentle shampoo can be given. Regularly inspect their ears and trim their nails to avoid foot and leg issues.

Exercise: These extremely active dogs love swimming, going on long walks or hikes with their owners, or chasing a ball. Two brisk 30-minute walks twice daily and/or a combination of field events such as agility and obedience will keep them happy.

Training: GSPs must be socialized and participate in obedience training from an early age. Consistent training through their lives is essential. They can be destructive and challenging, especially from ages 6 months to 3 years. Providing an active lifestyle with a purpose, such as agility or obedience will channel their energy into a well-adjusted adult dog.

Thank you to the AKC’s German Shorthair Pointer Pages and Every Dog by Nancy Hajeski for this information.

BASIC FACTS

Over the German Shorthair Pointer’s 10-12 expected years, you and your vet will create a health plan to evaluate and catch any conditions that may arise.

MEDICAL CONCERNS

• Hip issues
• Eye issues
• Heart and blood clotting issues
• Bloat

Pikes Peak Vet has the goal of healthy longevity for your German Shorthair Pointer.

Wellness Exams and Vaccinations

• Every 6-12 months until age 6, as advised by your veterinarian, full physical exam including routine bloodwork
• Pets age faster than us and tend to hide symptoms. At age 6, we recommend routine exams and bloodwork every 6 months to catch anything unexpected before it gets too firm a hold.

Other Exams and Screenings

• PennHIP evaluation
• Chest x-rays
• Eye exams and Cone Degeneration DNA test from UC Davis
• Von Willebrand Diesease screening from UC Davis
• Stomach tack, aka Gastropexy
• Routine dental cleanings

Reach out for more information by phone or text at 719-475-1747, or through our Pikes Peak Vet app!