Page 247 - (DK) The Dog Encyclopedia

German Pointer

HEIGHT WEIGHT LIFE SPAN Liver
21–25in 44–71lb 10–14 years Brown
(53–64cm) (20–32kg) Black

This popular, intelligent breed is genial and gentle if kept
HPR BREEDS
busy, so it makes a rewarding family pet for active owners
The German Pointers belong to a group of
all-purpose gundogs known as the hunt,
A superlative all-purpose hunting dog British hunters. It dates from the 1880s.
point, retrieve (HPR) breeds. HPR breeds that tracks, points, and retrieves over This breed has become one of the most
originated in mainland Europe, where
any terrain from grassland to marshland, popular hunting dogs in the world. The
hunters might only have kept one or two
dogs to perform a variety of tasks. Other the German Pointer originated in the 19th German Longhaired Pointer (Deutsch
examples include the Weimaraner (see p.248), century. Breeders, led by Prince Albrecht Langhaar) appeared at about the same time.
the Viszla (see p.246), and the Spinone Italiano zu Solms-Braunfels, crossed German The German Wirehaired Pointer (Deutsch
(see p.250). By contrast, British breeders
hounds and retriever breeds, including the Drahthaar) was developed slightly later,
focused on producing gundogs for specific Schweisshund (a heavy, houndlike dog from the German Shorthaired Pointer.
tasks and particular types of game, such as
that could both track game and point), In its homeland the German Pointer has
the Cocker Spaniel (see p.222), bred for
flushing out woodcock. and the Pointer (see p.254) to add speed, always been kept for the family as well as
agility, and elegance. the hunt, and it is generally level-headed
There are three varieties of German and reliable with people. This is an
Pointer. The main variety, and by far the energetic dog, however, and needs a lot of
best known, is the German Shorthaired exercise each day. It does best with hunters
Pointer (Deutsch Kurzhaar), called GSP by and people who like to run, hike, or cycle.

Well-defined stop
Medium-sized,
brown eyes

Liver patch
Broad, drop ears,
rounded at tips

Tapering tail
with white tip,
carried low
Brown nose
Liver with
white ticking

Tucked-up
belly
WIRE-HAIRED
Coat coarse
to touch

Spoon-shaped,
compact feet

SHORT-HAIRED

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