Mary Allen
Two hearts were beating in the chest of the German Longhaired Pointer. When hunting, he is very focused, fast, and takes pleasure in his task. But once the day’s work is done, he longs for peace and quiet – until the next job. If you want to share your life with an animal that has a purebred hunting dog and always has something to do, the German Longhaired Pointer is your partner for life.
Personality of the German Longhaired Pointer
This dog is not made for the couch at all. He loves to move, hunt, swim, and fetch too much for that. If used for hunting, he will be an attentive, courageous, and persistent companion. Be sure to train your German Longhaired Pointer with a lot of discipline from an early age. He is friendly and even-tempered – as long as he is busy. Make him happy by spending time outdoors with him, offering him various sports, and enjoying his intellect.
Consistent and skilled training takes time, but for the German Longhaired Pointer, it is well worth it. Disobedience or aggressive behavior is not part of his character, but he does not become an affectionate dog either. However, if you properly manage his temperament and drive to work, you will find that he will be a peaceful, calm, child-loving dog that will fit in perfectly with your family.
German Longhaired Pointer: Appearance & Care
When you look into the deep brown eyes of a German Longhaired Pointer, your heart melts. If you then look at the fringed, slightly forward-turning ears, you may have completely lost your heart.
The German Longhaired Pointer clearly shows that he loves to exercise. A muscular, strong body exudes great elegance. Its coat is of medium length, lies well, and is longer on the back of the legs than on the rest of the body. In general, the German Longhaired Pointer is a solid brown color. However, deviations are possible and acceptable. You may have seen a brown and white German Longhaired Pointer or a brown and gray color with shades from light to dark gray. Less common is roan trout, which has many small brown spots on a light background in a dog. Because the German Longhaired Pointer was bred for outdoor use, its fur is weatherproof: it can be worn for long periods in windy and bad weather.
The elongated head of the German Longhaired Pointer looks noble and slightly arched. It transitions into a muscular, straight back. He stands in front of you with a broad chest, holding his tail outstretched, the last third standing slightly up.
You should check your dog’s body and coat for parasites or injuries, especially after traveling or working in the forest. Also, if it has been in water or you need to wash it after a long day, you should dry it well. To prevent dirt, tangles, or loose hair, brush your German Hound once a week. For this, a special metal comb is ideal.
Attitude of the German Longhaired Pointer
The German Longhaired Pointer is happy to have owners who already have experience with dogs. Intensive training at a good dog school has been a part of his life since the very beginning. He is an ideal companion for people who can provide him with plenty of exercise and activity, so keep him out of town.
Professional hunters or amateur hunters value dogs of this breed very much because they are good at tracking down prey and getting it. They are also great for use as trackers or when working in the woods and on the water.
The German Longhaired Pointer wants you to challenge him. It can be done like a hunting dog, but at least in a dog sport. If you keep a German Longhaired Pointer, you will have to deal with it. Daily bait hunting, long walks, hidden object games, or exercise is time-consuming but essential to keep this dog in balance and in control of hunting instincts. If you give him much attention, he will show himself as a family dog with strong nerves, even for a family with children.
German Longhaired Pointer: History
The German Longhaired Pointer is believed to be a descendant of the Ferns, the oldest known hunting dogs that still existed among the Celts. Its ancestors also included Quail and Hawk Dogs, which were already crossed with Breton Spaniels in the Middle Ages. Spaniel has been widespread in northern Germany since the 16th century.
1879 gave the go-ahead for the purebred breeding of the German Longhaired Pointer: dogs were used specifically for falconry, as well as for catching small game with nets or twine. From 1909, the black and white coat color was no longer desirable for the German Longhaired Pointer: dogs with this coloration, which were created by crossing with Setters, were from that moment called large Münsterländer and were considered a separate breed from then on. Today, German Longhaired Pointers are often crossed with Münsterlanders or Labradors to make them the best pets.
The largest international governing body for breeding dogs, the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), lists the German Longhaired Pointer in Group 7 (Pointers), Section 1.2 (Continental Pointers, Spaniel Type), Standard Number. 117 a.
German Longhaired Pointer Health
The German Longhaired Pointer has no known hereditary diseases. However, like many other dog breeds, hip dysplasia (DT) can sometimes occur.