Before you make a decision, find out more about the breed including how long this breeds lifespan is and how you can take proper care of your pup!
German Shorthaired Pointers were developed in Germany in the late s and were originally called Deutsch Kurzhaars. The dog was first bred by crossing a Spanish Pointer with a Hannover Hound. The result was a versatile hunting dog that is instinctively skilled at trailing birds and forest animals.
In addition to hunting, the breed was created for the intent of being a family companion. As hunters and show dogs, German Shorthaired Pointers are considered to be symmetrical, sturdy animals with great agility and endurance. This breed is slightly smaller than Pointers and has drooped ears, dark eyes, and large noses.
German Shorthaired Pointers have thick sleek coats and docked tails. Additionally, they have small webbed feet, which makes them great swimmers. Males typically weigh between 55 and 70 pounds, while females range from 45 to 60 pounds. Compared to other dogs, the breed is cognitively slow to mature.
German Shorthaired Pointers are athletic and are known to jump a 6ft fence. We know that because you care so much about your dog, you want to take good care of her.
That is why we have summarized the health concerns we will be discussing with you over the life of your GSP. By knowing about health concerns specific to German Shorthaired Pointers, we can tailor a preventive health plan to watch for and hopefully prevent some predictable risks. That does not mean your dog will have these problems; it just means that she is more at risk than other dogs.
We will describe the most common issues seen in German Shorthaired Pointers to give you an idea of what may come up in her future. This guide contains general health information important to all canines as well as the most important genetic predispositions for German Shorthaired Pointers.
At the end of the booklet, we have also included a description of what you can do at home to keep your GSP looking and feeling her best. And unfortunately, your CBR is more likely than other dogs to have problems with her teeth. It starts with tartar build-up on the teeth and progresses to infection of the gums and roots of the teeth. German Shorthaired Pointers are susceptible to bacterial and viral infections — the same ones that all dogs can get — such as parvo, rabies, and distemper.
Many of these infections are preventable through vaccination, which we will recommend based on the diseases we see in our area, her age, and other factors.
Obesity can be a significant health problem in German Shorthaired Pointers. It is a serious disease that may cause or worsen joint problems, metabolic and digestive disorders, back pain and heart disease. Instead, give her a hug, brush her fur or teeth, play a game with her, or perhaps take her for a walk. Everything from fleas and ticks to ear mites can infest her skin and ears.
Hookworms, roundworms, heartworms, and whipworms can get into her system in a number of ways: drinking unclean water, walking on contaminated soil, or being bitten by an infected mosquito. Some of these parasites can be transmitted to you or a family member and are a serious concern for everyone. One of the best things you can do for your GSP is to have her spayed neutered for males. In females, this means we surgically remove the ovaries and usually the uterus, and in males, it means we surgically remove the testicles.
Spaying or neutering decreases the likelihood of certain types of cancers and eliminates the possibility of your pet becoming pregnant or fathering unwanted puppies. Performing this surgery also gives us a chance, while your pet is under anesthesia, to identify and address some of the diseases your dog is likely to develop. For example, if your pet needs hip X-rays or a puppy tooth extracted, this would be a good time. This is convenient for you and easy for your friend.
Routine blood testing prior to surgery also helps us to identify and take precautions for common problems that increase anesthetic or surgical risk. This means your GSP is more at risk than other breeds. When a dog bloats, the stomach twists on itself and fills with gas. The twisting cuts off blood supply to the stomach, and sometimes the spleen. Left untreated, the disease is quickly fatal, sometimes in as little as 30 minutes.
Your dog may retch or heave but little or nothing comes out , act restless, have an enlarged abdomen, or lie in a prayer position front feet down, rear end up. Preventive surgery in which the stomach is tacked down or sutured in place so that it is unlikely to twist is an option. If you see symptoms, take your pet to an emergency hospital immediately!
Until your GSP is at least 2 years old, he should be crated or kept in a dog-safe room whenever you leave the house. Otherwise, you risk your dog getting into something that could be destructive for your home and dangerous for him. While your dog is a responsible adult, you may be able to leave him alone for longer periods.
Provided your GSP gets plenty of exercise , training, and human interaction, you may find that you can leave them alone for an entire eight hour work day or even a bit longer without any trouble. These are intelligent, highly trainable dogs who are eager to please you.
Once they understand what you want them to do in the house, they are unlikely to suddenly behave destructively. The GSP can live to be 12 years or even older, but many dogs begin to struggle with some old-dog problems around the time they turn 8 years old. Around this time, your GSP may begin to struggle with incontinence.
Separation anxiety is common in both pure breeds and mixed-breed dogs, but some breeds may be more prone to it than others. Dogs who are very tuned in to their people, eager to please, and responsive, like the German Shorthaired Pointer , may be more likely to experience separation anxiety.
From the day you bring your puppy home, get them used to spending some time away from you. Begin working your puppy up to spending as much time away from you as you hope to spend away when he becomes an adult.
This helps him to get used to you being gone for periods of time unexpectedly. When your GSP is fully grown, you may be able to stay late at work and come back to your dog after eight or so hours alone.
However, a longer separation like this when your GSP is developing can be traumatizing and lead to separation anxiety.
Dog Name Finder Browse our extensive library of dog names for inspiration. Find out the best and worst foods for your dog and which to avoid. Additional Resources AKC. Clubs Offering: Training Classes. By Mary Robins Sep 22, 3 Minutes. Sep 22, 3 Minutes. German Shorthaired Pointers were first bred as all-around, companionable hunting dogs. GSPs possess high energy, a strong prey drive, and athletic prowess. A GSP makes a great family dog, but be prepared for shedding and shenanigans.
German Shorthaired Pointers are extremely versatile hunting dogs Bred to be instinctive hunting all-rounders, these multitasking dogs can hunt, point, and retrieve, and have been used to hunt quarry of all kinds, including rabbits, raccoons, game birds, and even deer.
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