The All-Around Gundog, German Shorthaired Pointer (GSP)

It was the German breeders who started the development of the skillful and quick gundog German Shorthaired Pointer (GSP). From the crossings of the old Spanish Pointer, Hounds of St. Hubert, Foxhound, the English Pointer and some other unidentified hounds, the GSP came in to the canine world for the hunters to enjoy today. Because of this ancestry, the GSP became faster, more skillful and more excellent in the hunting category.

The GSP can be considered as an all-around hunting dog. Whatever tasks a hunting dog should do such as being a pointer, a retriever, upland bird dog or a water dog, the GSP can surely do. The GSP is a great hunting companion because it possesses characteristics of being intelligent, bold, biddable, and alert but those GSPs that lack these traits are surely improperly trained.

As additional proof of the GSP's excellence in the hunting scene, Stanley Cohen's The Intelligence of Dog ranked the GSP as 17th on the list. The GSP has a strong sense of hunting that is why it is a must for the owner to train this dog in identifying the right prey from the small animals that should be left alone. It is not so surprising to find a GSP that is not well-trained to come home with a dead rat, bird or cat as a trophy of its personal hunting escapades.

Today, hunters still use the GSP as a hunting companion because of its unfading great skills. In hunting, you can expect the GSP to be highly reliable, hardy, quick-witted, fearless and infinitely tireless. Signs of an ill-trained GSP are timidity, fear, over subservience, wariness, un-trainability and most importantly, aggression.

Aside from being a commendable gundog, the GSP is also outstanding as a family pet. Around the family, this dog is loyal, devoted, obedient, sociable and protective. It loves to play with children and likes to be surrounded by humans and other kinds of dogs.

This excellent gundog looks swift and powerful with its lean and streamlined body. It has powerful hindquarters that allow it to move and turn quickly. Its ears are slightly long and floppy while its snout is long, broad and powerful and allows it to carry heavy game.

Generally, the tails of the GSPs are docked at a length that is enough for the dogs to wag and move their tails although in some countries docking is prohibited. The coat of the GSP is very short, flat and double coated. The undercoat is dense and the outer coat is stiff making the GSP water and temperature resistant.

This breed is often found in colors of dark brown, chocolate or chestnut (liver), black and white. Some may have solid-colored coats but some have sprinkles or patches of other colors all over their bodies. The patched or sprinkled pattern on the GSP's coat allows it to camouflage amongst trees and bushes during winter season.

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