German Shorthaired Pointer

These canines have low grooming needs, but they’re not completely hands-off. Here’s what you need to know.  

• Bathing: This is easy-peasy: Your dog will likely need a bath only three or four times a year, unless they get really dirty. Always bathe your dog a pup-safe shampoo. 
• Brushing: The GSP’s short coat needs brushing once or twice a week. Use a curry brush or a bristle brush.  
  • These dogs blow their coats in the spring and fall, meaning that they shed in chunks instead of individual hairs; don’t worry, it’s completely normal! You’ll just need to brush them more often during this time. 
• Dental care: Brush your dog’s teeth every day to prevent dental disease. It’s a good idea to start when your German Shorthaired Pointer puppy is young, if possible, so they get used to the experience. Get a professional dental cleaning at your vet once a year, too. 
• Ear care: Check their ears for debris every day. If there’s redness, swelling, or an odor, your pup may have an ear infection. Talk to your vet about how to clean your dog’s ears if they’re prone to infections.  
• Nail care: Trim your dog’s nails once a month. If you can hear their nails clacking on hard surfaces when they walk, it’s time to grab the nail clippers.  

German Shorthaired Pointers are whip-smart, and they really do want to make you proud, so training should be relatively easy. Start obedience training as soon as you bring your new dog home; you can teach them cues like sit, stay, and come, as well as how to walk nicely on a leash. 

If your GSP seems a bit … distracted during training, it’s not because they don’t understand what you’re asking them to do. Instead, they might be bored of the repetition, or maybe they’re wondering what that interesting scent they caught a whiff of belongs to.

To keep their attention on you, use positive reinforcement (like training treats, favorite toys, and lots of praise), practice training in a controlled environment (inside might be best, away from curious new smells), and mix things up with a variety of cues.  

They learn best from experienced pet parents who are consistent and patient with their lessons. Once you understand what works for them, training becomes easy.  

It’s also important to invest time in proper socialization, which involves exposing your German Shorthaired Pointer to new people, places, and environments in a positive manner. Some German Shorthaired Pointers will also enjoy learning new, fun tricks or participating in agility training.  

Like all dogs, German Shorthaired Pointers need a complete and balanced diet that meets AAFCO standards. Choose a dog food that’s formulated for their life stage: puppy, adult, or senior.   

GSPs are essentially four-legged athletes, and many of them benefit from a high-protein sport food, such as Purina Pro Plan Sport Performance Dog Food. But always talk to your veterinarian about what they recommend.  

As a dog breed with a deep chest, German Shorthaired Pointers can develop a life-threatening condition called bloat. This is when their stomach distends with food and/or air. To reduce the chances of bloat, take precautions during mealtime: 

• Don’t let your GSP exercise for two hours before or after they eat.  
• Feed your dog at least twice per day instead of one big daily meal. 
• Don’t elevate your dog’s food bowl; instead, place it on the ground. 
• Offer your dog food in a slow feeder bowl to stop them from scarfing too quickly.  

Ask your vet how much you should feed your German Shorthaired Pointer. Treats should never be more than 10% of a dog’s daily calories. If you notice your dog’s gained extra weight, chat with your vet.  

Think of your German Shorthaired Pointer like a canine alarm clock: They just might wake you up at 6 a.m. every morning 100% ready to go. Ideally, you’re an early bird, too, who also can’t wait to breathe in that mountain air (but suburban air will do just fine).  

These star athletes have high exercise needs, and simple walks around the neighborhood just won’t cut it. Most German Shorthaired Pointers benefit from at least two 30-minute sessions of high-intensity exercise every day. 

A GSP’s favorite activities include hiking, jogging, and games of fetch and tug-of-war. To exercise their mind, try interactive toys, puzzle games, and scent work. 

German Shorthaired Pointers need a lot of space to stretch their legs, run around, and explore. Homes with fenced yards are ideal, since they need a place to roam leash-free and let off some steam.  

They typically don’t bark a lot. But when they do, you’ll also be glad you don’t have neighbors you’re sharing a wall with.  

This breed is super affectionate with their favorite people, so families with kids are more than welcome to be this dog’s No. 1 fan. With proper socialization (for both your dog and your kids, who’ll need to learn to interact respectfully with dogs), everyone should get along famously.   

But GSP dogs do best with an experienced pet parent, thanks to their high energy needs and strong prey drive. They’d prefer if there were no small pets in the house, including cats and tiny critters like guinea pigs or other rodents. Instead of seeing them as a fellow family member, German Shorthaired Pointers might see smaller animals as something to chase after.