German Shorthaired Pointer Hunting Dog

The German Shorthaired Pointer was developed as a hunting dog and today he still excels in that capacity. This is a breed that is more than just a hunter, but those wanting \"just a pet\" would do well to remember their hunting heritage.

This is an adaptable breed with keen scent senses and intelligence for any job you want to teach them. He loves an active family and requires minimal grooming to keep his short coat in condition. This is a dog that is as eager to hunt pheasant and waterfowl as he is raccoons. He\'s an easy going dog with a heritage of German bird dogs bred to English pointers to refine and lend elegance without sacrificing the athletic abilities of the breed. Some claims of blood from an old Spanish pointer, English foxhounds and German tracking hounds added to genetic \"installation\" of desired characteristics.

They are versatile all purpose gun dogs that were selectively bred for trainability and then style and scenting abilities to produce a dog that is outstanding all around in the field as well as in the home. This is a powerful dog that should cover some ground but without coarseness. They are by the standard 55-70 pounds and 23-25 inches in size. Proper bone is important - too heavy alters the picture while too light alters function.

Liver and white is the key color here. It may be liver and white ticked, patched, white ticked or liver roan but must be liver and white. Dogs with black, lemon, tan, solid white or orange are disqualified as that is more pointer qualities and coloring than the distinct German shorthair.