German Shorthaired Pointer

German Shorthaired Pointers are usually very easily trained, they are intelligent, energetic, and usually friendly. They require a lot of physical and mental challenges due to the speed and endurance the German Shorthaired Pointer retains from its hunting background, these can be achieved by reward-based training and participation in dog sports such as field trials, tracking, agility, and obedience, or retrieving items such as tennis balls or Frisbees.

They have a good reputation as a family dog, which allows them to be around children; however, as with all dogs, extremely close supervision is needed to prevent accidental injury to the dog or its subsequently developing fear-based defensive aggression.

German Shorthaired Pointer History:

The German Shorthaired Pointer was created in Germany in the late 19th century responding to a need for an all-round hunting dog. The breed was bred to be an excellent pointer with a good nose and are able to retrieve birds as well as animals.

Numerous crosses were unsuccessfully tried until breeding with the English Pointer resulted in a dog that appeared perfect yet, at times, tended to have an aversion to water and disliked tracking. Through continuous breeding these unwanted traits were eliminated and the German Shorthaired Pointer became a lean, athletic and responsive breed. In 1872 the breed was first registered with the German Kennel Club.