German Shorthaired Pointer
A tireless gundog with a clown's heart.
- Weight
- 45–70 lbs
- Height
- 21–25 in
- Lifespan
- 10–12 yrs
In short
The German Shorthaired Pointer is a sporting-group pointing and retrieving gundog bred in Germany, weighing 45–70 lbs and standing 21–25 in tall, with an athletic, enthusiastic and affectionate temperament. It needs 90–120 minutes of daily running, scent work and training, plus a secure yard and an active owner.
Is it right for you?
A great match if you…
- run, hunt or hike most days
- want a playful, affectionate family dog
- have a large, securely fenced yard
Think twice if you…
- have cats or small pets
- are away long hours
- live in an apartment
The daily plan
- Exercise
- 90–120 min a day
- Training
- 3–4 × 10 min sessions × length
- Treat limit
- 95–130 kcal all treats, 10% rule
At a glance
TrainabilityQuick study8.5/10
EnergyAthlete9.5/10
Calm at homeSettles well7.0/10
SheddingModerate shedder4.5/10
What sets it apart
-
01
Pointing stance
A rigid point with raised paw and straight tail shows hunting instinct.
-
02
Docked or natural tail
A strong tail balances the dog in fast turns and swimming.
-
03
Webbed feet
Webbed feet help the breed swim and retrieve from water.
Size & coat
| Specification | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 55–70 lbs | 45–60 lbs |
| Height | 23–25 in | 21–23 in |
| Daily calories | 1,250–1,690 kcal | 1,080–1,500 kcal |
| Lifespan | 10–12 yrs | |
| Coat | Short, dense, water-repellent single coat | |
Personality
An athletic, enthusiastic all-around gundog that needs a job.
How it thinks
Intelligent and eager, but easily bored; thrives on training, scent work and varied challenges.
At home
Affectionate and playful with family, high energy around young children, and unhappy when left alone.
Training
-
How often
3–4 sessions daily, 10 minutes each.
-
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)
Socialize between 8–16 weeks with children, other dogs and gunfire-like noises at low levels.
-
Self-control
Teach a settle on a mat and a reliable recall; reward calm before fetch or off-leash play.
-
What it works for
High-value liver pieces keep focus in high-distraction fieldwork.
Exercise
Exercise a day
90–120 min
CouchModerateAthlete
Good outlets
- Running, hiking and swimming
- Field work and retrieving
- Bike or jog companion.
Brain work
- Scent work and tracking
- Obedience and agility
- Puzzle feeders.
Feeding
High-energy dogs with deep chests, prone to bloat. Feed two meals daily and rest after eating.
Puppy (4–12 Mos)
- Daily calories
- 980–2,090 kcal
- Protein
- 28%
- Fat
- 18%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 100–210 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 5–10 pieces a day
Adult Maintenance
- Daily calories
- 940–1,310 kcal
- Protein
- 26%
- Fat
- 15%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 95–130 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 5–7 pieces a day
Active / Working
- Daily calories
- 1,480–2,060 kcal
- Protein
- 30%
- Fat
- 20%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 150–205 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 7–10 pieces a day
Senior (8+ Yrs)
- Daily calories
- 810–1,120 kcal
- Protein
- 28%
- Fat
- 12%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 80–110 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 4–6 pieces a day
Compare every life stage
| Life stage | Daily calories | Protein | Fat | Treat limit (all treats) | Saylor's liver, suggested / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (4–12 Mos) | 980–2,090 kcal | 28% | 18% | 100–210 kcal | 5–10 pieces |
| Adult Maintenance | 940–1,310 kcal | 26% | 15% | 95–130 kcal | 5–7 pieces |
| Active / Working | 1,480–2,060 kcal | 30% | 20% | 150–205 kcal | 7–10 pieces |
| Senior (8+ Yrs) | 810–1,120 kcal | 28% | 12% | 80–110 kcal | 4–6 pieces |
The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.
Health & grooming
| Watch for | Ask the breeder or vet for | When |
|---|---|---|
| Hip and elbow dysplasia | OFA or PennHIP evaluation | Once for breeding stock; monitor lifelong |
| Bloat (GDV) | Risk review and gastropexy discussion | At adulthood |
| Lymphedema and eye disease | Eye exam and veterinary exam | Yearly |
| Heart disease | Heart exam by a veterinary cardiologist | Before breeding; ask for the latest result |
| Cone Degeneration | DNA test (results registered with the OFA) | Once (a DNA result does not change) |
Official health tests for breeding dogs
The OFA's CHIC program asks German Shorthaired Pointer breeders to test for these. Ask to see the results before you buy a puppy.
- Hip evaluation
- Heart exam (24 months+)
- Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
- Cone Degeneration
- Elbow evaluation
Also recommended
- Thyroid panel
- Von Willebrand's Disease
Grooming Moderate year-round, with seasonal increases
Brush weekly, and more during sheds. Bathe as needed, clean ears weekly and trim nails every 3 weeks.
History
Origins
German Hunting Dog
Breeders in 1800s Germany combined pointers and hounds to create a versatile hunting dog.
Standardization
Versatile Standard
German clubs set rules for pointing, retrieving and tracking performance.
Modern Companion
Active Family Dog
In the US, the breed is a popular hunting and sports partner for very active owners.
Questions owners ask
Are German Shorthaired Pointers easy to train?
Yes. German Shorthaired Pointers are intelligent and eager, but their energy and distractibility call for early, consistent, high-reward training.
How many calories does a German Shorthaired Pointer need per day?
An active adult German Shorthaired Pointer (45–70 lbs) typically needs about 1,080–1,690 kcal per day (1.6–1.8× resting energy requirement), while a neutered, low-activity adult needs about 940–1,310 kcal and a working dog up to 1,480–2,060 kcal. Adjust to body condition and your vet's advice.
What is the best diet and training treat for a German Shorthaired Pointer?
Small, fast-eaten, high-value pieces. Keep every treat inside the 10% limit: about 95–130 kcal a day in total for an adult German Shorthaired Pointer of typical size. If you use Saylor's freeze-dried liver, keep it to a small share of that, roughly 5–7 pieces a day: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should stay a topper, not a staple. Adjust for your own dog's size and body condition, and ask your vet if there is a health condition or special diet.
Are German Shorthaired Pointers good for apartments or first-time owners?
Not ideal. They are best in active homes with space, and rarely suit first-time owners in apartments.
How much exercise does a German Shorthaired Pointer require daily?
Most adults need 90–120 minutes daily of running, swimming or field-style exercise plus mental work.
What health issues are German Shorthaired Pointers prone to?
German Shorthaired Pointers are prone to hip dysplasia, bloat, ear infections, lymphedema and eye problems. Choose health-tested parents.
Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats
Back in stock soon
We're restocking. When it's back, a German Shorthaired Pointer needs only 5–7 pieces a day, well inside the 95–130 kcal treat limit.
See the productWhere the German Shorthaired Pointer ranks
Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.
Breeds like the German Shorthaired Pointer
Closest in size, energy, trainability, calm at home and shedding.
