Welcome to Meet the Breed Monday. Norman here. We’ve been AWOL these past few months with this series (and by ‘we,’ I mean mum, who neglected to help me with research). And every time I was ready to finalize the post, something else came up so here we are. But no more banging on about who dropped the ball…BALL?!?! Wait, somebody’s got my ball?? Sheesh, almost got off track there. Whew.
So let’s see who’s the star of this edition. Which breed shall we highlight this time? Our breed lottery winner for this month is…drumroll please…the affable and regal looking German Shorthair Pointer (“GSP”). Please note, all images in this post are from mum’s son who owned Copper for more than 14 years. We’re sure he greeted Sam at the Rainbow Bridge with the same enthusiasm as when he stayed with us before clearing quarantine for his move to Hawaii 8 years ago.
According to the AKC, GSP’s are rated the 9th most popular of registered breeds and range in size from 21-25″ high while weighing between 45-70 pounds. Their life expectancy is between 10-12 years.
GSP’s can be summed up in a few words: friendly, smart, and willing to please. Bred to work long days in the field or on the lake, this powerful, agile breed requires lots of exercise. They live to run, swim, and participate in activities involving movement. So, if you’re looking for an active partner, then the German Shorthaired Pointer may be just the right dog for you. They make great family dogs as well.
So what’s the history behind the GSP? The German bird-dog tradition dates back to at least the 1700s, with master breeders experimenting with tracking hound–pointing dog crosses in the quest for a quick and powerful hunter with a good nose and plenty of versatility. A key player in the early development of this breed was nobleman, Prince Albrecht zu Solms-Braunfels. The prince and fellow enthusiasts succeeded in creating a do-it-all hunting dog. A breed historian summed up the GSP’s credentials as being “a staunchly pointing bird dog; a keen-nosed night trailer; a proven duck dog; a natural retriever on land or water, with pleasing conformation and markings, and great powers of endurance; and an intelligent family watchdog and companion.”
GSP hunts a variety of quarry: gamebirds, possum, rabbit, raccoon. With webbed feet and a sleek but sturdy construction, the GSP punctates his résumé as one of dogdom’s finest swimmers.
Ranging in size from 21-25″ high and weighing between 45-70 pounds, the GSP generally has a life expectancy between 10-12 years. Their coats are solid liver (a reddish brown), or liver and white in distinctive patterns. Dark eyes shine with enthusiasm and friendliness. Built to work long days in the field or at the lake, GSPs are known for power, speed, agility, and endurance. “Noble” and “aristocratic” are words often used to describe their looks.
GSPs make happy, trainable pets who bond firmly with their families. They’re always up for physical activity that will burn some of their boundless energy while spending outdoor time with their human buddy.
Do you have any experience with this great family and hunting dog?
Remember if you’d like your dog featured in our “Meet the Breed” series, be sure to email photos to mum so she can feature your good dog in a future post.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Chaplin: “GSPs sound a lot like vizslas!”
Charlee: “Well except for they’re not a color-coordinated all-over red. But other than that, definitely!”
Very much like Vislas. 😊
They are so lovely <3
I’m embarrassed to admit I’d never heard of GSPs before. Copper sure sells the breed!
GSP’s are great dogs, good for hunting and dog sports too. We have two that live right behind us. The younger one is always running away from home, so now they have a fence up.
Oh yeah, they are big-time escape artists who run for the love of running. But super sweet.
Aww, that’s so sweet of you to say. They’re the classic hunting dog who loves his family.
Those big lovely ears look like velvet…want to touch them!
They do feel like velvet, so incredible soft and he loved having his ears rubbed.
Heaven!
What a Handsome Fellow Copper was,xx Speedy
He really was a handsome dude.
I know a GSP with dyslexia. He isn’t much of a hunter, but he makes a hell of a navigation system…
(ba-dum-CRASH!)
Haha! GSP, GPS, what’s the difference?
What a majestic looking dog. You can tell it has a royal lineage by its profile.
He really was a very majestic looking dog. Loyal and royal!
A fine and handsome man.
They are most handsome dogs – love their coats…….and you look at those faces – especially when they have some age on them – and you just know they are so FULL of adoration for their humans. The beach photo is precious!
Hugs, Pam
His sugared-up muzzle was adorable.
I was not familiar with this breed. What a handsome dude!
Not your typical pet but what fabulous hunters!
Very handsome.
Wowsa, and I thought we terrierist were high energy! Sounds like the GPS is like the Energizer Bunny! BOL! What a FABulous breed! and just the right size too! BOL!
Kisses,
Ruby ♥
They’d give you a run for your money, Ruby!
They are great dogs. We could not give them the exercise they need
And they need lots of it. I don’t think my son ever wore out Copper in his prime. He was like the Every-Ready Bunny 🐰
A do it all hunter? Can they shoot straight?
Like an arrow.
They are used a lot around here for grouse hunting. They look like great athletes!
They are incredible athletes!
Mee-yow wow Copper was so hansum an manlee…..
LadyMew sayss shee allwayss wanted a GSP butt shee nevurr met one…maybee mee will try barkin at her?? What do you think Norman???
Mew mew mew….
**purrss** BellaDharma
Blimey…they’re quite a handful. I’d hate to think your ladymum being dragged off by one of these high energy boys. 😊
Mew mew mew mee too Norman….LadyMew meowed to mee when sheee was younger an stronger shee wuud have liked a Pointer. Shee said now a Chihuahua iss more her ‘speed’! 😉
Leo knows the breed. He had a client with an elderly GSP and decided to take it for a walk…Leo being on a bicycle. Well, the inevitable happened. They chose different sides of a lamp post and Leo woke up to find the dog standing over him keeping ambulance men at bay with a fine line in the showing of teeth and growling. He has had a soft spot for them ever since.
They can have dangerous levels of energy. Poor Leo. Not a great walk/ride.
But memorable….distinctly memorable…
No doubt!
We had no idea that GSP’s (not to be confused with GSD’s or GPS’s) were so highly ranked in popularity! They sound like the perfect dog for anyone who likes to hunt or just spend a lot of time in the great outdoors. Thanks, Elsa, for prompting you Mom to get this posted. Did you give her a treat to encourage her?
It caught me by surprise too. They are a really good looking breed but definitely not for everyone.
Never heard of GSP, but that’s OK and thanks for the intro. Hey Norman. So Mom has been a slacker on the research for you. Threaten to cut off her beer supply!
Umm, Mr. Frank…that would not be proper behavior for a good fellow like me. Besides she makes great dinners and I’d hate to jeopardize that.
I didn’t realize any of this news about this dog. Fascinating. Thanks for the info.
Jean
GSP’s aren’t for everyone, they have an insane amount of energy but make loving family dogs that l-o-v-e to hunt.
Oooo I love your glasses 🙂 That breed of dog is very refined. Thank you for all the fun facts!
They are definitely a regal, handsome breed. With LOTS of energy! ☺️
I think that our dog T-bone may have had some Pointer in him. No idea though other than the way his snout was shaped. Pretty dog- nice overview of the breed!
Thanks, Diane. They are quite the breed and one who loves to hunt and run. I helped chase Copper down more than once when he managed to escape. 😂
Brought back a ton of childhood Denver memories. Along with poodles, we had a German Short-haired Pointer named Molly. My father wanted her for pheasant hunting. She was sweet and not gun shy. Mom trained Molly to fetch a raw egg without breaking in (as in, don’t mangle the bird after it’s downed.). Molly was a terrific dog and a smart as a whip pointer of birds. Unfortunately, my father didn’t treat her as well as one should, which naturally bothered us but we were kids and, well sadly, my father didn’t treat humans well either if you get my drift.
They seem very sensitive to harsh treatment. Glad this brought back childhood memories of Molly. They are definitely whip smart dogs. The only downside is their crazy level of energy (I know I couldn’t keep up with one these days) and their ability to shed. Once you’ve had a poodle it’s hard to vacuum every 3 hours. LOL
They are attractive dogs too. Not sure I’d have enough energy for one!
Very handsome dogs indeed. I know I’d never have the energy to keep up with one these days.
What a beautiful breed. I’m not up on many breeds, but I love dogs. Not the little yapping ones, but the bigger dogs. Our Angel Little Bit was a bird dog. She loved to flush the birds.
Have a fabulous day, Norman. My best to your mom and Elsa. ♥
Thanks Sandee, I share your thoughts on little dogs. Bird dogs are amazing to watch-so dedicated to their work.
Don’t like small dogs? And Max trusted you, Monika.
Et tu, Brutus?
—Julius Caesar or Caesar MIlan, or maybe Orange Julius, one or the other
There are always exceptions. Max being #1 on that list.
When word gets around (as it will unless you send money) that Tails is discriminatory towards small dogs, it will spell curtains for the blog. #smalldogstoo
Awk! No offense was certainly intended. Can we make it up to you by featuring Max as our next cover model?
He says he is too shy.
Norman would be most gentle and it could paint small yappy dogs in a more favorable light. Besides, I do not want to be on Max’s short list.
All Max’s lists are short – otherwise he can’t see them. :snorf:
Seriously, we’d love to feature Max since we’ve mostly featured big dogs.
Big dogs, big dogs, big dogs! Marsha, Marsha, Marsha.
Hahahahaha 🤣
Thanks for introducing me to that breed. 🙂
Our pleasure. They’re pretty cool dogs and would probably chase off your deer. 😉