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German Shorthaired Pointe
(Vorstehund)
The German Shorthaired
Pointer, or GSP as it is colloquially known, is a very
intelligent and willing dog, and has a reputation for being a
good all-round hunting dog capable of tracking, hunting, and
retrieving on land and water. Since the decline of hunting as
a pastime or profession, the GSP has become more common as a
companion, another task at which it excels.
History:
Another of the breeds
developed in Germany in the late 1800s, the first records of
the GSP are in the 1870 Kurzhaar Stud Book. Until that time,
slow-working scent hounds and bird dogs had been popular. The
original GSP probably resulted from crosses of the Spanish
Pointer, English Foxhounds and a variety of the German Scent
Hounds. This dog was heavier, longer-eared, and slower than
the athlete of today. The modern GSP was produced by crossing
this original dog with English Pointers to make it lighter and
faster.
Physical
characteristics:
The German Shorthaired Pointer
is a symmetrically built dog that gives the impression of
power with grace. Its body is perfectly proportioned. Height:
21 - 25 in (53 - 64 cm). Weight: 45 - 70 lb (20 - 32 kg).
The head is elegant, with a
broad powerful muzzle and a slightly rounded skull. The dark
brown eyes are medium-sized and give the dog a soft but
intelligent expression. The ears hang close to the head, and
are wide and moderately long. The legs are long and powerful,
without looking bulky. The body is deep-chested, with a short
level back. Traditionally, the tail is docked to half its
length, and is carried horizontally when the dog is moving.
The GSP comes in two basic colors, black or liver, and may
have white spots or flecks, called ticking, throughout the
coat. The black dogs have a black nose, and the liver-colored
dogs a liver nose. The coat is short, with no feathering,
dense, and should lay flat to the body. Another variety of
pointer, closely resembling the GSP, is the German Wirehaired
Pointer, which, as its name suggests, has a harsh wiry coat.
Behavior:
The German Shorthaired
Pointer, derives its virtues from several breeds. It possesses
a good no-nonsense practicality. The GSP is definitely a dog
for getting the job done, whether it is tracking, hunting, or
retrieving. The GSP is big and bold enough to make a good
watch-dog and guard dog. Usually, the GSP gets along very well
with other dogs and is really quite a sociable animal.
Although originally bred as a
utility working dog, the GSP makes an excellent companion and
family dog. It is robust enough to suffer the handling of
children, and usually gentle enough to enjoy their attention.
The GSP really benefits from early socialization with a
variety of people of different ages if it is to be kept as a
pet. This dog is very hardy and suffers from few ailments, but
its feet and limbs should be checked after sustained rough
work. A wonderful all-rounder
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