Grooming
German Shorthaired Pointers have very low grooming needs for most of the year. Here are some grooming tips for your GSP:
Brushing: Their short coat only requires simple brushing once or twice a week with a hound glove, rubber curry or soft bristle brush. They will up their shedding game in the spring and fall when they blow their coats. A dog who blows their coat will shed it in chunks instead of shedding a bunch of individual hairs.
Bathing: Bathing can help get rid of the dead hair during shedding season; otherwise, your GSP only needs a bath three or four times a year.
Ear cleaning: While you’re brushing your pup’s coat, check your dog’s ears for debris and any redness or swelling once a week to help prevent ear infections. If you notice anything, speak to your vet. If your vet recommends at-home cleaning, follow this step-by-step guide on how to clean dog ears.
Dental care: Daily toothbrushing will help protect your dog’s dental health and may help prevent more serious health issues later in life. Introducing this when your German Shorthaired Pointer’s a puppy may help them accept the process easier. Of course, an annual professional dental cleaning at your pet’s veterinarian is also important.
Nail trimming: Nail trimming should be done about once a month or when you hear the familiar clicking sound on the kitchen floor.
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Training
German Shorthaired Pointers are whip-smart, and they really do want to please you—both of which make training them relatively easy. Start basic obedience training (commands like sit, stay, come and how to walk nicely on a leash) while they’re a puppy to help bring out the best in your dog. GSPs love to work and love the interaction they receive from you, so training allows them to accomplish both at the same time.
These dogs were bred to hunt, which means they’re easily distracted by all the things they smell and see to chase. You might think they are scatterbrained or are uninterested in training; they’re just really fascinated by what’s going on around them. To help them stay focused, keep training sessions short, use delicious treats to hold their attention on you and take lots of play breaks before either of you get frustrated. Their easily distracted nature is why they’re better suited to an experienced pup parent and may be too frustrating for first-timers.
Socialization, aka exposing your dog to new people, places and objects, can’t be ignored, either. GSPs are usually good with people and dogs, but make sure you get them out to meet new people (and have people over) frequently. Take your German Shorthaired Pointer puppy on walks, so they can meet people and other dogs in the neighborhood, and enroll them in puppy preschool. Here, they learn to play nicely with other puppies and meet new people all in one location.
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Diet
German Shorthaired Pointers typically do well on a high-quality commercial dog food. Be sure to factor in your dog’s age and choose a formula that fits their stage in life (puppy, adult, senior). Look for a statement of the food’s packaging that says it meets the nutritional standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials.
Even though your pup’s got a lot of energy to burn, you need to be careful not to overfeed them—and that includes the treats you give during training (or just because you love them). Overfeeding your pup can lead to health issues, including obesity, heart disease and arthritis. If you notice that your dog has gained an extra pound or two, contact your vet. They can help you create a diet and exercise plan to help your pup shed the extra weight and still get the nutrition they need.
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Exercise
Your GSP may not be able to talk, but if they could, they might wake you up every morning with, “It’s 6 a.m., and we’re burning daylight. LET’S GO!”
German Shorthaired Pointer dogs have the need for speed built into them, and they have high exercise needs. Many will benefit from two exercise sessions every day, in the mornings and evenings, instead of one long play session. They’ll need 60-90 minutes of energy-burning play each day. If you don’t give your dog the activity they need, your pup may chew your shoes or your couch to entertain themselves.
Include informal activities like fun games of fetch or tug-of-war and romping in the backyard, as well as more adventurous outside-the-home exercises like walking, hiking or jogging, or dog sports like agility or dock diving.
Remember your dog’s mental exercise needs, too! Mental stimulation is also incredibly important because this breed is so intelligent.
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Environment
German Shorthaired Pointers’s massive amounts of energy influence every area of their lives, including their ideal home. Anyone considering bringing a GSP into their life for a companion should also be very active. Homes with large, fenced yards are ideal, as they give the dog plenty of space to safely run around off-leash. And because of their exercise needs and loud barks (even though they don’t bark a lot), they may not be suitable for close-living situations, like apartments or condos.
GSPs are a lovely breed who are very affectionate with their families, whether it’s just you or a large family with kids. They like to be part of all the activity, whether it’s a fun game of fetch or an enthusiastic Frisbee battle in the park. GSPs are generally great with kids and other dogs. With proper socialization, they can be fine around strangers and guests. And it always helps to teach kids how to properly interact with dogs. GSPs may not be the best dog breed for homes with small pets or first-time pup parents.
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