German Shorthaired Pointer

The German Shorthaired Pointer.
A hunter through and through, this active chap’s in his element when out hunting in the field, but he’s equally happy curled up in front of a roaring fire with you. He really needs his mental and physical stimulation, if he doesn’t get it he’ll become frustrated and start to misbehave.
True hunter in the field / Loves his home comforts / Mental and physical exercise essential
With kids he can be a little excitable and a bit too rough, but he does love them, and the older ones can learn to enjoy his boisterous personality. His heart lies with the family, so he’ll always be happy if he can do the things he enjoys with the people he cares about. He’s not great with pets unless they’ve been raised with him; it’s the hunter in him.
Loves kids… sometimes a little too roughly / A family man / Instinctively chases small animals
He’s quite a sensitive guy really, he responds well to gentle training and after letting off steam can appreciate the quiet times. Some of these dogs tend to whine and bark a lot, the key is to tire him out on a daily basis.
Sensitive and responsive to kindness / Can bark and whine when bored
So as you might expect, he needs a lot of exercise. He’d be in heaven as an active hunting companion, otherwise he’ll be happy with a good hike or a hour of vigorous play each day; he also enjoys swimming. He only needs an occasional brushing to remove dead hairs.
Vigorous exercise a must / Loves to swim / Minimal care required
Interesting facts: He’s known as one of the most versatile hunting dogs, a result of crossbreeding with English and Spanish Pointers. However, crossing with the English Pointer caused a bit of controversy. As a result, the dogs lost their love of the water and even became afraid. It took several years of careful breeding to get them to take the splash once again! When out in the field he assumes a nose-in-the-air pointer stance, similar to classic cartoon character, Pluto.
Reputation for his versatility / Crossbreeding brought on phobias… but not for long! / Assumes classic stance when pointing
The German Shorthaired Pointer. A great all round hunting companion.
Great all round hunter.