German Longhaired Pointer

German longhaired pointers originated in Germany in 1879 and are considered one of the oldest continental pointers. They were bred for over a century to create the ideal gun dog. The German breeders mixed various dog breeds in order to achieve this excellent hunting breed: water dogs, scent hounds, and bird dogs. A hunter extraordinaire, the German longhaired pointer is not afraid to get its paws wet! German longhaired pointers are a dog breed specialized in tracking, pointing, and retrieving game in all situations, from the water, upland, and woodland areas. This dog breed is incredibly versatile and adapted to be both a gentle companion and a spirited hunter.

German longhaired pointers are notoriously loyal and enthusiastic companions, often entertaining themselves and their humans during hunting expeditions. They are open to meeting new people and become extremely attached to their owners and family members. German longhaired pointers are excellent hunters — tracking, pointing, and retrieving game over land and water. They can jump 6 feet high and make wonderful emotional support dogs.

The Best Dog Food For German Longhaired Pointers

As an active dog breed, German longhaired pointers have nutritional needs similar to other sporting groups of dogs. They require high-quality food recommended twice daily for medium to large dog breeds. Of course, the ideal food for your German longhaired pointer would depend on its age, activity level, and weight. You should consult with your veterinarian to decide how much food you should feed your German longhaired pointer. It is also best to tailor your dog’s diet to include the proper nutritional requirements to offset any diseases or deficiencies the breed may be susceptible to.

It is worth remembering not to overfeed your German longhaired pointer, as this can cause obesity, which can lead to a host of health complications. As a high-energy breed, a protein-based diet is important to develop and maintain the muscles of the dog.

Owning A German Longhaired Pointer: 3 Pros And Cons

Types Of German Longhaired Pointers

The German Longhaired Pointer is available in several different colors: brown, dark chocolate, white and chocolate, roan (a pattern of intermixed white and colored hairs in the body while the head, lower legs, mane, and tail remain colored), dark roan, and mottled. While mottled is an accepted color, it is not one of the more desired coats. The only coat color not acceptable is black.

Size & Weight

The German Longhaired Pointer is a medium to large dog breed with a weight averaging from 55 to 80 pounds, with males ranging from 25 to 28 inches in height and females at 23 to 26 inches.

Common Health Issues

German longhaired pointers don’t have any known congenital health issues. However, they are prone to ear infections and wax buildup, and their ears should be cleaned regularly, especially after swimming. Hip dysplasia is also a common disease in German longhaired pointers. It is an inherited disease that is characterized by malformed hip joints, which can lead to arthritis and require surgical treatment.

Another potential disease that could affect your canine is tooth infection, a disease that affects up to 90% of dogs by age 2. This could lead to your German longhaired pointer getting tooth decay and eventually losing its teeth. It can even endanger other vital organs such as the heart, kidneys, and liver. It is imperative that you regularly clean your dog’s teeth to prevent plaque and tartar buildup.

Gastric dilation and volvulus, or bloat, can also affect your German longhaired pointer even more so than other dogs because of the deep, tapered nature of its chest. Bloating can cause your dog’s stomach to twist around itself and cut off the blood supply. This disease usually manifests when your dog eats a large meal too soon before or after exercise, or too quickly. The dog exhibits symptoms of this by lying down on its front paws and its rear end up in the air, or gagging without expelling anything. This condition is deadly. If your dog shows signs of it, rush them to the hospital immediately.

Lastly, cancer, particularly familial thyroid follicular cell carcinoma in some lines, can affect German Longhaired Pointers, as with many dog breeds. Make sure to get your dog checked out periodically. Cancers can be removed surgically or through chemotherapy, and the key is early detection.

Temperament & Behavior

German longhaired pointers are affectionate, intelligent, and playful dogs. They are highly trainable and eager to please. They have been observed to be enthusiastic hunting companions and friendly with strangers. Because of their positive temperament, they make great family pets and love to play with children as well as other dogs.

These dogs are strong-minded and need confident owners whom they can rely upon for firm guidance. They love their family and thrive on social interactions with humans. They are known to form deep attachments to their loved ones and require human touch and presence. It comes as no surprise that they are known to suffer from separation anxiety when left alone for too long.

How To Take Care Of German Longhaired Pointers

It is crucial that new and prospective owners of a German longhaired pointer take into consideration not only the energy needs of these pups, but also their nutritional, emotional, and physical needs as well. Regular cleaning and grooming are required for these long-haired beauties as well as plenty of good food, love, and wide open spaces.

Care & Grooming

German longhaired pointers are active hunting dogs and, as such, require regular maintenance. Their long coats are prone to burrs from daily activity in fields, which would need to be trimmed off. Abrasions might also arise on their tails during hunts in heavy cover and, therefore, should be checked regularly. Apart from this, they do not require heavy maintenance and can do well with moderate grooming once or twice a week since they shed moderately. Their nails should be trimmed and clipped occasionally to prevent splitting and cracking. You should also remember that their ears should be cleaned of wax and debris regularly, including after swimming activities, to avoid buildup, which can lead to infection. Their teeth should be brushed regularly to prevent tooth infections or decay.

Training

German longhaired pointers are very intelligent dogs. Their eager-to-please personality makes training them a trouble-free experience. They love to work and need something to do, so this should be incorporated into their training routine. However, German longhaired pointers do not respond well to harsh training methods or negative reinforcement. It’s best to keep training sessions short, as they are also easily distracted.

These dogs must be trained to recognize smaller household pets as comrades instead of prey. Because of their fervent hunting instincts, German longhaired pointers need to be socialized as soon as possible from their puppy days.

Puppies

These should be trained not to be aggressive towards smaller pets because of their natural hunting instinct. It is best introduced at a young age to distinguish between outdoor prey and indoor pets. These dogs are very good learners and will catch on pretty easily.

Dogs Similar To German Longhaired Pointers

• English Setter: English setters and German longhaired pointers are similar in that they are both hunting dogs, and they have similar temperaments. They are both loyal and affectionate companions. Male English setters weigh between 65 and 80 pounds. One difference between these two is their hunting maneuver. While English setters set their bodies low on the ground to indicate game to the hunter, German longhaired pointers use their whole bodies to point out the game.
• German Shorthaired Pointer: German Longhaired Pointers and German Shorthaired Pointers are cousin breeds. They are both hunting dogs and excellent swimmers. They differ by coat length, as their names suggest.
• Small Münsterländer: Small Münsterländers are similar to German longhaired pointers because they are both pointer dogs, which means that they sniff out and point out small game to hunters. One of the main differences between the two breeds is the size. Small Münsterländers stay true to their name, standing at a modest 19 to 22 inches and weighing only 33 pounds.