German Shorthaired Pointers

The German Shorthaired Pointer was developed as a hunting Dog and today he still excels in that capacity. This is a breed that is more than just a hunter, but those wanting "just a pet" would do well to remember their hunting heritage.

This is an adaptable breed with keen scent senses and intelligence for any job you want to teach them. He loves an active family and requires minimal grooming to keep his short coat in condition.

This is a Dog that is as eager to hunt pheasant and waterfowl as he is raccoons. He's an easy going Dog with a heritage of German bird dogs bred to English pointers to refine and lend elegance without sacrificing the athletic abilities of the breed. Some claims of blood from an old Spanish pointer, English foxhounds and German tracking hounds added to genetic "installation" of desired characteristics.

They are versatile all purpose gun dogs that were selectively bred for trainability and then style and scenting abilities to produce a dog that is outstanding all around in the field as well as in the home.

This is a powerful dog that should cover some ground but without coarseness. They are by the standard 55-70 pounds and 23-25 inches in size. Proper bone is important - too heavy alters the picture while too light alters function.

Liver and white is the key color here. It may be liver and white ticked, patched, white ticked or liver roan but must be liver and white. Dogs with black, lemon, tan, solid white or orange are disqualified as that is more pointer qualities and coloring than the distinct German shorthair.

In motion these dogs should reach forward as well as driving with power from the hindquarters, allowing efficient movement to cover as much ground as possible. They have participated in field trials for the breed since 1944. Due to tail injuries the breed requirement is that the tail is docked to 40% of the original length. In motion the tail should never curve back towards the head.

Whether for show or hunting this is a dog that should be well muscled with a form-to-function type of movement. Muscling should be firm with the ability to do a job not just look curvy but have soft, flabby muscles. The smooth coat is tight against the body which allows the GSP to work in a variety of brush without needing extensive grooming.

Today breeders often focus on the same traits of bidibility, instincts and intelligence that allow them to excel as gun dogs along with the physical requirements to get the job done. Intelligence only goes so far if the dog isn't willing to learn what you want to teach him!

The German Shorthaired Pointer club of America still values those dogs that can get the national championships in field trials as well as conformation. Indeed a large portion of the site is on field trials, hunting tests, gun dog information, versatility dogs and, of course, show dogs.

Because this is a breed that hunts first you can expect a high energy dog that needs considerable activity to be happy. Although dogs proven in the field are by nature healthy enough to get the job done it pays to remember there are diseases to watch for. If you are buying a puppy the parents should be tested to insure they are healthy genetically as well as appearance.

Hip dysplasia, congenital cardiac disease, eye disorders and cone degeneration are all things that should be eliminated by testing. Elbow dysplasia and autoimmune thyroiditis are also factors.

One of the most specific to German Shorthairs is cone degeneration - CD. This is rare but does show up in some lines. This is a recessive genetic trait - the parents do not have to have it if they carry it genetically. This causes day blindness due to the cells in the retina is not normal in response. By 8-12 weeks puppies affected will show signs of vision problems that are noticeable. In bright areas it can be painful for an affected dog as they can't adjust to dim the night. They retain the night or dim lit vision, but bright lights render them unable to see. Obviously this is a devastating disease that alters the life of an outgoing hunting dog forever. Tests can return three results - normal is free of the disease and can be bred to any other GSP. "C" indicates a carrier - they carry the disease but do not have it themselves. Because it is a recessive they can be bred to 'normal' dogs and be fine - but a carrier bred to a carrier can and most likely will through "A" dogs - affected. These or homozygous and will get CD.

If breeding GSP this is an important consideration to test for as well as understanding dominant and recessive breeding. Breeding a carrier to a normal dog produces half normal and half carriers. However breeding carrier to carrier produces half carriers, ¼ normal and ¼ that will have the disease. Breeding carrier to affected increases to ½ the pups that will get the disease while the other ½ carries it. Clearly, breeding carriers only to normal dogs is important as well as making educated decisions on breeding.

Another unique disease to GSP is lupoid dermatosis which seems to be hereditary but studies are still being done. This shows itself usually between 6 months and 3 years with a scaly skin and lesions that are painful. Symptoms may come and to with little reason and skin infections may be present. There is no treatment so eliminating animals with the disease from the breeding population can stop the disease before it gets a foothold in the breed.

Although these are serious disorders remember the breed's #1 function is as a gun dog. This takes a healthy animal!

This is a breed that for those who don't hunt can excel at agility, rally, DockDog competition, tracking, obedience and anywhere the ability to work with their owner towards a common goal is prized. This gives an outlet for that high energy drive the dog possesses. They want to be with people, working with people and learning.

Open area, a happy dog and a partnership creates a bond. On a fall morning you're in the meadows and your GSP snaps to a point as he notices a bird in the grass ahead and for a moment all is right with the world. A view with a beautiful, functional dog that wants to work with YOU. Life is good!

This is not a breed for everyone but for those in an active home he can be an awesome dog.

David Beart is the owner of the Professors House [http://www.professorshouse.com]. Our site covers family related issues from raising children to puppies [http://www.professorshouse.com/pets/dogs/puppies.aspx], relationships to cooking.

Pointers in Choosing a German Shepherd Puppy

German shepherds, also called Alsatians in Britain, are an intelligent, loyal, and eager-to-please breed of canines. If it is probably your first time to decide on finally having a German shepherd Dog in your house, you would have a hard time thinking, "What are the things you should look into in choosing a puppy?" This should not be a problem at all if you know some things about the breed.

There are many things to look into when choosing a pup. Some people would choose on the basis of outward appearance. For instance, some would want that beautiful white Alsatians with very beautiful fur indeed. And some would prefer the brownish or grayish brown ones. Whatever it is, physical appearances even in choosing Dogs matter.

On the other hand, others would choose puppies on the basis of temperament because this will determine the adaptability of the puppy on any kind of working condition. With a sound temperament, German shepherd Dogs are equipped with better coping skills even in the most desperate of conditions. To get straight to the matter, know first what the purpose of your pup will be. Learning this will make choosing more easy. Of course, temperaments matter in whatever purpose you have for your dog. Nevertheless, assessing also your own needs will mellow what seems like a difficult task.

Where can we possibly get the kind of German shepherd dog we want? This is another tough question, but there are ways to make this even easier as well as fun. Know the breeders of these dogs and their contact numbers. To make finding them easier, you can use the Internet or check on the Yellow Pages for a German shepherd breeder. You can also check your local animal shelter or GSD Rescue Service, so that at least, you are confident that you got your dog from the right breeder. Another thing you can learn about breeders is through referrals, usually given by vets or dog groomers in your area. Think of choosing a pup like making a thorough canvass of every possible detail, as you will be making investment on the dog you are going to have.

Do your research rather carefully and make sure you get to the bottom of every recommendation and reference by asking a lot of questions. Just like buying a car or choosing where you to live, if ever a German shepherd breeder offers you a deal, don't take it once. Think through the research you have done because maybe just somewhere, you will find a better deal and a better pup. You'll know if a breeder is the right one for if he is truly interested in the breed. They are those who would not only seek to be paid, but also be concerned abut finding a new home for the pups. They, after all, need a family whom they could treat like a pack. When talking to your breeder of choice, don't get intimidated about offers and don't be afraid to ask too many questions such as the dog's pedigree, food, registration papers, diseases and how often he screens each pup from them etc. Take your time in corresponding with him first through e-mail or phone calls before finally deciding.

Once you have done all these, now you are all set in choosing and buying a German shepherd pup.

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The German Pointers Dog Breed History

The Origins of the German Pointer breed

As the name suggests the German Pointer Dog, also known as the German Shorthaired Pointer comes from Germany. Even though researchers do not have many details about the origin of this breed, the all concluded that the German Pointer breed is a mixed breed that developed in time from mixing breeds like the Spanish Pointer, the Foxhound, the Bloodhound and other hunting Dogs and later the English Pointer.

The German Pointer breed belongs to the European pointer Dogs. There are records about the pointer dogs as well as the hunting dogs from Europe ever since the 13 th century. Todays German Pointer is an elegant and versatile hunter both in the water and on land. He is a specialist in bird hunting and is admired for his great personality.

The German Shorthaired Pointer is related to the German Wirehaired Pointer, a breed of dog mostly common in Germany and less in The Great Britain or The United States. Though they are both mixed breeds and have related predecessors, the German Wirehaired does not have any Bloodhound or Foxhound predecessors. The Wirehaired Pointer however originates from the Pudel pointer, another mixed breed between the German Pudel and the English Pointer amongst others.

Past records of the German Pointers breed

Even if there aren't many records that talk about the German breed but mention the hunting dogs for their proficiency in finding and tracking large and small animals as well as their dexterity in both water and on land, the breed got some recognition after it was crossed with the English Pointer in the late 1800s. The German breed was recognized as a breed and recorded by the German Kennel Club in 1872.

In the 1920's the German Shorthaired breed was taken to the United States where it became a popular breed. Not too long ago the American Kennel Club, that formally recognized the breed in the 1930, stated that the German Pointer reached the 20th place in list of most popular breeds in the US. In 2005 a German Shorthaired Pointer dog won Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show and the first show where a German Shorthaired Pointer participated was held in 1941 in Chicago.

For more info on German Pointers, German Shepards, and other large dog breeds of this origin, please visit us at large dog breeds: largedogbreedz.com