20 Things You NEED to know about German Shorthaired Pointers

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This post is all about things you need to know about German Shorthaired Pointers.

Are you thinking about adding a German Shorthaired Pointer to your family? Do you wonder if German Shorthaired Pointers are good family dogs? Are there any facts about German Shorthaired pointers that you should know first? Keep reading to learn the top 20 things you need to know about German Shorthaired Pointers, so you can decide if a German Shorthaired Pointer may be a good fit for your family.

This post does not provide official dog breed information or dog advice. It is written by a German Shorthaired Pointer owner (GSP Lover) and is meant for entertainment purposes only! 😉 If you are looking for official German Shorthaired Pointer dog breed information, check here: American Kennel Club: German Shorthaired Pointer

This post is all about things you need to know about German Shorthaired Pointers!

So let’s get to it! Here’s my list of the 20 things you need to know about German Shorthaired Pointers! FYI: sometimes German Shorthaired Pointers are referred to as GSP’s.

20 Things you NEED to know about German Shorthaired Pointers!

1. They are cute.. like so darn cute!

I mean, could they be any cuter? Just look at those eyes!

2. They are PSYCHO for food!

You guys, German Shorthaired Pointers are totally psycho over food. Well, at least mine is. If you are looking for a dog that sits right next to you with perked ears and bug eyes whenever you have food, then a German Shorthaired Pointer is the dog for you! 😊

3. They are great catchers (treat catchers, that is)!

They are so good at catching treats! I can bounce treats off the wall, and my GSP will still catch them every time!

4. Sorry to disappoint, but they shed. ☹

So, I didn’t want to have to confess this, but German Shorthaired Pointers shed. Yeah, I know, disappointing. (note the hair on the pillow)

5. They are Lazy.. I mean Wild.. Or is it both?

German Shorthaired Pointers are so hyper, but they are also lazy! So, which is it? My GSP is lazy around the house and spends some days sleeping the day away. However, she also is extremely hyper at times. She loves the dog park and runs like crazy there. When she sees a rabbit, she’ll spend all day doing laps and running around stalking it.

6. They love being petted and cuddling

Yep, German Shorthaired Pointers are cuddlers. They love attention and like to lay close to their humans. Mine will take her snout and throw my hand up until I start petting her!

7. They lay in really weird positions

My German Shorthaired Pointer lays on her back, or sideways against walls, etc. She looks like a weirdo!

8. They are OBSESSED with rabbits.

So, obviously German Shorthaired Pointers are hunting dogs, so it’s no surprise that they like hunting. Mine has a particular obsession with rabbits. Once she sees one, she can waste an entire day trying to get it. It’s funny to watch her point, and slowly inch towards her prey! (btw…she never gets the rabbit)

9. They are great house dogs

This one may be surprising, but German Shorthaired Pointers make great house dogs. One thing I have learned is that having a doggy door is a must. This allows her the ability to go in and out of the house as much as she wants. Taking that excitement/anticipation away from being “let in” the house, actually totally calmed her down! (Read my post, “How to Calm Down a Hyper Dog” to learn why a doggy door can help calm a dog!) So, if you have a really hyper GSP, you might want to try using a doggy door. They are pretty affordable at around $50 – $75 depending on the size you need. Totally worth it, if you ask me!

10. They are not familiar with personal space

Yeah, they are going to get all over you, all the time! 😊

11. They are not the greatest walking pals

If you want a challenge or a workout, take a GSP on a walk! My German Shorthaired Pointer is a terrible walker and pulls so hard the entire time! She absolutely loves going on walks, though! Note: I know this is not true of all German Shorthaired Pointers because I see other people walking their GSPs just fine!

12. They are so beautiful and proper

Every once and a while, we even take some Glamour shots! Isn’t the way she sits just so “proper?” She sits perfectly upright. Sometimes I think she might fall over backwards.

13. They point.. they stalk.. but they don’t catch anything

Mine spends a lot of time pointing, and slowly stalking her prey. Unfortunately, she comes up empty most of the time.

14. They whine

My German Shorthaired Pointer whines. Most of the time, it’s not for any major reason. I think she just does it for the sake of doing it. One weird thing about my GSP is that she NEVER barks. Like ever. I know most GSP’s bark, because I have had quite a few in my life, and they all barked. This one has barked probably less than 10 times in her life, and it seems like the only thing that makes her bark is if she gets suddenly startled.

15. They are really smart

They really are very smart dogs and learn very easily. Mine is also smart in a sneaky way. She will waits until we are sleeping and then uses her nose to open and look in drawers. She will also make noise to lure me out of bed, and then as soon as I get up to check on her, she darts in and takes my place in bed!!

16. They are very friendly and loving

My German Shorthaired Pointer loves people and gets along well with other dogs. When she goes to the dog park, she’s not really a social butterfly though, as she would rather spend her time running and checking all the perimeters. She is very loving and affectionate. Just look at her waiting by the door for her human to come in. 😊

17. They love to RUN

If you have a dog park, your GSP will love it there! German Shorthaired Pointers love to RUN!

18. They like sprinklers

We can’t turn sprinklers on around my German Shorthaired Pointer. She goes crazy and bites the water streams like a maniac. She has to be put inside if we are going to use sprinklers or a hose! Silly dog!

19. They are good hunters – I think.. mine doesn’t hunt!

I hear some people get German Shorthaired Pointers for hunting?? Interesting. Mine doesn’t hunt, but I’m sure she would be good at it if she wanted to!

20. Don’t Give ‘em a Bone!

Don’t waste your time and money. My German Shorthaired Pointer could care less about bones or other chew toys. If you give her one, she will just go bury it right away. So, save your backyard, and skip the bones!

So, now that you know everything you need to know about German Shorthaired Pointers, are you ready to get one? 😉

Seriously though, we ADORE our German Shorthaired Pointer. She is a total hoot, and the sweetest darn thing. She is a very LOVED dog! Do you have a German Shorthaired Pointer? Does your GSP do funny things, or have any quirks? We’d love to hear from you in the comments section!

One thing I didn’t mention yet is that our sweet girl was recently diagnosed with an Autoimmune Disease, Lupus. She’s doing great, and we are keeping it under control with a good treatment plan. I never realized dogs could even get lupus, until mine did. If you want to learn more about my German Shorthaired Pointer’s journey with lupus including symptoms, diagnosis and her treatment plan see this post: Lupus in Dogs: My German Shorthaired Pointer’s Lupus Diagnosis.

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