Website designed by Paul Wilson

All images Copyright of Hextor Gundogs 

Hextor Gundogs are also on Facebook. Click the Facebook icon to visit us there  and please click like.

The following is extracted from Wikipedia, so there can be no argument over which book is right about what and is posted here for information only in the event you know nothing about the breed. We have however taken issue with one 'Wiki entry' which we have commented on and underlined our view in blue below :-

The German shorthaired pointer (GSP) is a breed of dog developed in the 19th century in Germany for hunting.

The breed is streamlined yet powerful with strong legs that make it able to move rapidly and turn quickly. It has moderately long floppy ears set high on the head. Its muzzle is long, broad, and strong, allowing it to retrieve even heavy game. The dog's profile should be straight or strongly 'Roman Nosed'; any dished appearance to the profile is incorrect. The eyes are generally brown, with darker eyes being desirable; yellow or "bird of prey" eyes are considered a fault. The tail is commonly docked, although this is now prohibited in some countries and in some other countries restricted solely to GSPs destined for work. Consequently, the showing of GSPs with docked tails is now also prohibited in certain countries. The rules and regulations surrounding this differ significantly from country to country, so you should check with your own recognised body for rules in your area. The correct location for docking for GSP is after the caudal vertebrae start to curl, leaving enough tail to let the dog communicate through tail wagging and movement. The docked tail should not be too long or too short but should balance the appearance of the head and body. The GSP tail is carried at a jaunty angle, not curled under.

Wikipedia state that 'When the GSP is in classic point stance, the tail should be held straight out from the body forming a line with the pointing head and body'...This is incorrect, GSP tails when actually on point as opposed to indicating should be held at between 45 degrees and 90 degrees to the body. 

Since the German Shorthaired Pointer was developed to be a dog suited to family life as well as a versatile hunter, the correct temperament is that of an intelligent, bold, and characteristically affectionate dog that is cooperative and easily trained. They can make excellent working dogs.  The GSP is usually good with children, although care should be taken because the breed can be boisterous especially when young. These dogs love interaction with humans and are suitable pets for active families who will give them an outlet for their considerable energy; in this regard some competitively trained GSPs are walking dynamos; they must be avidly run multiple times a week ( at least ). Most German shorthaired pointers make excellent watchdogs. The breed generally gets along well with other dogs, though females appear to be much more dominant during interbreed interaction. A strong hunting instinct is correct for the breed, which is not always good for other small pets such as cats or rabbits. With training, however, the family dog should be able to discern what is prey and what is not, and they can live quite amicably with other family pets.

The German Shorthaired Pointer needs plenty of vigorous activity. This need for exercise (preferably off lead) coupled with the breed's natural instinct to hunt, means that training is an absolute necessity. The GSP's distinctly independent character and superior intelligence mean that any unused energy will likely result in the dog amusing itself, most probably in an undesirable manner. Failure by the owner to give this active and intelligent dog sufficient exercise and/or proper training can produce a German shorthaired pointer that appears hyperactive or that has destructive tendencies. Thus the breed is not a suitable pet for an inactive home or for inexperienced dog owners. Although these dogs form very strong attachments with their owners, a bored GSP that receives insufficient exercise may feel compelled to exercise himself. These dogs are athletic and can escape from four foot and sometimes six foot enclosures with little difficulty.

Like the other German pointers (the German Wirehaired Pointer and the less well known German Longhaired Pointer), the GSP can perform virtually all gundog roles. It is a pointer and retriever, a 'bird dog' and water dog. The GSP can be used for hunting larger and more dangerous game, and in addition has a scent hound's talented nose. It is an excellent swimmer but also works well in rough terrain. It is tenacious, tireless, hardy, and reliable. In short, it is a superb all-around field dog that remains popular with hunters of many nationalities.

The GSP is intelligent and bred for a certain amount of independence (e. g., when a dog is working out of sight or sound of its handler in the field). Along with its superb hunting ability and companionable personality, the intelligence and the obedience of the GSP make it one of the more popular large breeds.

During hunting sessions, a completely instinctive scent-hiding activity through rubbing against carrion can be observed ...... What does this mean ? It means that your dog may decide to roll vigorously in the carcasses of dead animals or their deposits in order to hide their own 'dog' smell.

Anyway, we at Hextor really love GSPs but if you do decide they are the breed for you, make sure you are prepared to give them the time they need.

GSPs :- German Shorthaired Pointers, Information Page

One of our own GSPs, Tor, on point