Image source: 14 Things Only German Shorthaired Pointer Owners Understand – Page 2 of 3 – PetPress
As a proud owner of a German Shorthaired Pointer, I want to speak on some of the attributes that make the GSP one of the most desirable hunting companions.
History
Originating in Germany in the late 1800s, breeders set out to create an all-around hunting dog that embodies all the qualities of a friendly companion. They succeeded. The German Shorthaired pointer can do all things hunting and more. They hunt, point, and retrieve a multitude of game animals.
Because of their aspirations in creating an all-around hunting dog, breeders in the 1800s wound up with one of the most energetic dog breeds in the world. GSPs are known to sometimes evacuate the premise in response to their insanely high prey drive. This means that large amounts of exercise are crucial for keeping this massive energy in check.
Puppy Phase
From personal experience I can confidently say that GSPs do not grow out of their “puppy phase” as quickly as most dogs, and they will always be young at heart. Although they typically reach mature size by the age of six to eight months, these dogs will maintain their youthful exuberance well into their teenage and adult stages. Owning one of these dogs can be a challenge due to the vast amounts of training and exercise required to satisfy their drive.
Hunting
There are few dog breeds that can perform all gundog tasks, and the GSP is atop that list. Known as a natural hunter, many breeders and owners start exposing these dogs to small gamebirds at just 7 or 8 weeks of age! German Shorthaired Pointers will find the prey with their excellent sense of smell, point at the prey with their long, streamlined, and agile build, and retrieve prey of many sizes with their long and strong snout.
The American Kennel Club provides hunting test standards that measure a GSPs hunting ability against a baseline for three different levels: Junior Hunter, Senior Hunter, and Master Hunter. Some breeders restrict purchasers of their pups to the people who will not seek an active lifestyle for their GSP in some manner or another. My dog’s breeder, for example, only sells to people who will hunt with their pups and even makes new owners sign documents restricting breeding rights to only those dogs that make Master Hunter certification. If you are looking to find your next companion in a GSP, I strongly suggest you visit Hunting | GSPCA German Shorthaired Pointer Club of America for information on local GSP clubs and training seminars to fulfill your dog’s hunting potential!