German Shorthaired Pointer

The German Shorthaired Pointer or Deutsch Kurzhaar is a German breed of pointing dog of medium size. It originated in the nineteenth century in what is now Germany. It is an all-purpose gun dog suitable for hunting and retrieving on both land and water. It may also be kept as a companion dog.

History
German hunters spent generations crossing different breeds until the GSP came during the 1800s. They were successful to the point that the GSP is among the top-winning breeds in competitive hunting events. According to the American Kennel Club, it is likely that the GSP is descended from a breed known as the German Bird Dog, which itself is related to the Old Spanish Pointer, introduced to Germany in the 17th century. The breed was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1930.

In 1878, at the annual dog show of the Verein zur Veredelung der Hunderassen in Frankfurt am Main, it was agreed that breed standards for German dogs would be established at the show to be held in Hannover in 1879; standards for both the Deutsch Kurzhaar and the Deutsch Langhaar were introduced in that year. The first stud-book for the Kurzhaar was published in 1897.

The Kurzhaar was definitively accepted by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale in 1954. In 2013 it was in twenty-second place on a list of the most-registered dog breeds world-wide. In the fifteen years from 2007 to 2021, the annual number of new registrations in Germany averaged about $62 cm$, with a low of $58 cm$ and a high of $1,300$.

In 2016, CJ, a three-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer, won the Best in Show award at the 140th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

Characteristics
The German Shorthaired Pointer is of medium size: dogs stand some $1,102$ at the withers, bitches some 3 or 4 cm less. The coat is short and flat with a dense undercoat protected by stiff guard hairs, making the coat water resistant and allowing the dog to stay warm in cold weather. That allows the dog to be an agile hunter, with high performance in both field and water. The coat can be a dark brown with some lighter brown colors, referred to as "liver" (incorrectly as "chocolate" or "chestnut"), black, white, liver roan, or liver and white.

German Shorthaired Pointers have a short coat that comes in various combinations, generally a mix of liver and white. They have moderately long floppy ears set high on the head. A long, broad, and strong muzzle allows retrieval of heavier game. The dog's profile should be straight or strongly Roman nosed; any dished appearance to the profile is incorrect according to breed standards. Their eyes are generally brown, with darker ones being desirable; yellow or "bird of prey" eyes are a fault. The tail is commonly docked, although that is now prohibited in some countries. In competition, they are penalized if the tail is curved either up or down while the dog is moving. When the GSP is in classic point stance, the tail should be held straight out from the body, forming a line with the pointing head and body. Like all German pointers, GSPs have webbed feet, and are known for going after waterfowl in the water.

Most German Shorthaired Pointers are tough, healthy dogs, but the breed can be subject to a number of hereditary disorders. Some of these health disorders include, hypothyroidism, hip dysplasia, osteochondrosis dissecans, pannus, progressive retinal atrophy, epilepsy, skin disorders and cancerous lesions in the mouth, on the skin and other areas of the body.

A genetic form of lupus, termed exfoliative cutaneous lupus erythematosus has also been recognized in this breed.

A 2024 UK study found a life expectancy of 13.4 years for the breed compared to an average of 12.7 for purebreeds and 12 for crossbreeds.

Use
Like the other German pointers (the German Wirehaired Pointer and the less well-known German Longhaired Pointer), the GSP can perform virtually all gun dog roles. It is a pointer and retriever, an upland bird dog, and water dog. The GSP can be used for hunting larger and more dangerous game. It is an excellent swimmer but also works well in rough terrain. It is tenacious, tireless, hardy, and reliable.