Recognized by:	AKC - American Kennel Club, ANKC - Australian National Kennel Council , CKC - Canadian Kennel Club, FCI - Federation Cynologique Internationale, FDSB - American Field Dog Stud Book, KC - The Kennel Club (UK), NAVHDA - North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association, United Kennel Club.
Breed organizations:	German Shorthaired Pointer Club of America North American Deutsch Kurzhaar Club
Web sites of interest:	Blakes GSP Cyberworld Blue River GSP Links German Pointer Web site (UK)
VersatileDogs listings:	Kennels and Photos
Owner Input: Medium to large in size,,,males fifty to ninety pounds,,,females = thirtyfive to sixty, color,,,from white with liver head,,,to solid liver = and every combination in between,,,exception,,,solid whit heads unknown = and would be doubtfully accepted as german shorthairs, natural for = workingh both ground and air sents for upland game,,,tracking ,,, = extremely good family/protection dogs natural retrievers,,,coat,,,short = to very short,,,thick to very thick... Personality,,,varies greatly = depending upon bloodline one should be very careful in selection of = breeders,,,healt generally free of genetic defects as long as you stay = away from close line and in breeding as the breed is fairly new to the = us, compared to most,,,overall a terriffic dog for virtually anyone = wanting a family hunting companion,,, - George Rose I have a lab/ GSP mix and a GSP pup. These dogs will survive in a kennel, but it's a shame if you do it- these animals make great, obedient pets, jogging and biking companions, and outstanding hunting dogs. The best advice we've gotten so far is don't push the dog too hard their first hunting season, and with a well bred GSP this is especially true. They have so much natural instinct that they naturally tend to grow into their role. With a minimal amount of yard training, even the young pup (3 months) is searching for birds in heavy brush and the older dog is naturally changing her style from bumping the birds to pointing them within the first 2 months of her first hunting season. Serveral things to keep in mind when considering this breed: they NEED TO RUN. This is easy to do during the hunting season, but there are also those other 9 months out of the year that the dog will be ready and burnin' when you come home from work. If you don't want to exercise a dog regularly, you should look at another breed. Also, these dogs are whip smart and have a vibrant sense of humor, so basic obedience training is vital. Lastly, that hunting instinct you've been looking for doesn't always limit itself to birds, so watch the neigbor's cat (or the neigborhood skunk, for even more excitement) and be prepared to control your dog's prey instincts at all times! They are smart, and they CAN learn to leave such things alone, but for a young dog that can be a very heavy tempation. I'll never be without a shorthair again if I can help it! More birds to ya.... Megan In my limited experience with what I consider the best dog in the world, my shorthair, I have discovered a few things that might influence and help a first time hunter like myself. First and foremost you must be willing to spend time with your dog. I do not mean 15 minutes a day throwing a ball, but serious time every day working as a team. They need room to roam, and stimulating exercises to keep their minds sharp. If you do not do this, or know you will not have time to do this, then get a different dog. Second, I have found that by hunting my shorthair with a more experienced and proven hunting dog during his first season, I have given him guidance to show how the skills we work on in the back yard are used in the field. Finally, and I think the most important, continue to learn as much as you can about your dog. I find the two best ways of doing this are first: find a "Gray Beard", a guy that has been around GSP's for a long long time, and pick his brain. Those old guys in the hunting lodge that have been hunting for more years than they would like to admit are always willing to pass on the knowledge they have acquired over the years. They know the best techniques, the best trainers, and the best hunting areas (although they are usually a little more apprehensive about that last one). Finally, after you have bothered the old guys, and spent time with your dog, READ! The more information you have, the better decisions you can make. If you follow these little guidelines: time, experience, and knowledge, I will guarantee you will have more fun with your dog than you ever thought imaginable. I know I have! Stephen R. Fernandez, Dayton, OH I have to say I knew nothing at all about training my shorthair I got him a little over 2 years ago I keep him in the house I have to say that for almost the first year i did not know if that would work out or not but I kept trying and after some good fights with the wife and alot of mess cleaning it has worked out for the best even the wife is happy now. He also makes for a good baby sitter for out 8 month old. I have had alot of people tell me that a house dog does not make a good hunting dog? Maybee not for them but it has worked out great for me. What I am rambling on about is I just took trace (my shorthair) for his first real hunting trip friends, guns and all. He did great we baged some pheasants and some quail. Trace had never even heard a gun before this day I had no idea what he would do. We are out in the feild no more than 10 minnutes when he locks up on point in some tall grass me and my hunting buddys gather around and get ready Trace never moves I walk in and up goes a big cock pheasant everyone lets loose and down the pheasant goes in the tall grass Trace never even flinches I give a dead bird yell and before we can get there Trace has it found. At that moment I dont think I have ever been that proud. The rest of the day went just about like that. Just had to brag on my dog because I know it was not the trainer.. I plan to send him to someone for a couple months who knows what they are doing to work out a few bugs and maybee help me out also. I dont know if Trace will ever win and titles but he will always be my bird hunting partner. Just had to share my storie Send me an e-mail and tell me what you think of it.. - Michael Smith GSP's dominated the skijoring and skipulka eventsWorld Chamipionship Sled Dog Races in Fairbanks, Alaska Feb 28 thru March 1, 2001. Egil Ellis's team of GSP and GSP crosses won the sled dog race for the third year in a row with a team of 12 dogs. Competitors ran teams of up to 20 dogs. Bob Brock They are extremely good with kids, and when I got mine she was less than 10 pounds, but 10 months later, she is now 60 pounds. They love hunting, and they love running outside. I think that the pointer is the dog to get because of how friendly it is, and that is why I got her. Zack F., Age:10 Ok I got lucky! I found my GSP on a dove hunting trip, my vet guessed her age to be 2 1/2. She was emaciated (dehydrated and starved),fearful of a raised hand, and when i pulled my shotgun out she hid under the truck. but i took her home with me anyway, and for the next 12 months i did nothing but love her! i didn't hunt her we just became friends! but i did notice she loved to get things that i dropped or tossed and bring them right back and sit at my feet. so after 12 months of "bonding" we went for a hunt, i slowly pulled my gun out, no sign of fear, shot my first dove, with out a hitch she picked it up for me! so next was quail and then pheasant and she has done it all. i have hunted with setters, pointing labs and other pointing breeds and she out works them all and outsmarts them. she knows what cover the birds like, and she goes right to it! and yes i am the self proclaimed texas waterfowler who hunts ducks and geese with a gsp. you should see the looks we get when we roll in to the blind with all those lab owners. but she seems to outretrieve almost all of them! ok i will stop there, but she is great and loves to be loved! my only complaint, who ever abused her as a pup, failed to dock her tail. i have countless spilled cups in my house from her over excited tail! Greg Shults