History of the German Shorthaired Pointer
The German Shorthaired Pointer was developed in Germany in the 1800s as an all-purpose hunting dog that could point, track and retrieve on land and in water. Breeders combined the old German pointing dogs with other hunting breeds to create a dog that was athletic, biddable and versatile.
The American Kennel Club recognized the German Shorthaired Pointer in 1930. GSPs remain popular with hunters and with active families who can match their energy.
German Shorthaired Pointer Traits
Males 55–70 lb;
Females 45–60 lb
Short, dense coat; moderate shedding
~10–12 years
What German Shorthaired Pointers Excel At
Common gotchas
Trainer Notes
Our German Shorthaired Pointer Graduates
Since 2008, Neuman K-9 Academy has trained 20 German Shorthaired Pointers in our Dog Boot Camp and Puppy Camp, and 17 of them have a public graduation video on YouTube showing what they learned. Here are our most recent graduates.
FAQs
Are German Shorthaired Pointers good family dogs?
Yes, for active families. GSPs are friendly and affectionate, but they need a lot of exercise and training to be calm in the house.
Do you train German Shorthaired Pointers for hunting?
No. Our programs are obedience training and proper etiquette for pet dogs. A solid recall, stay and heel complement field training, but we don't teach hunting work itself.
At what age should I start training my GSP?
Puppy Camp takes puppies from 4 months of age, and Dog Boot Camp is for dogs 12 months and older.
How long is boot camp for a GSP?
Dog Boot Camp runs 8 or 12 weeks. The 12-week camp adds off-leash heeling, long-distance recalls around heavy distractions and field trips into the city.
How much exercise does a German Shorthaired Pointer need?
Typically well over an hour of vigorous exercise every day, plus mental work like obedience practice and scent games.
Train Your German Shorthaired Pointer at Neuman K-9 Academy
Our Dog Boot Camp is an 8 or 12-week board-and-train program for dogs 12 months and older, and Puppy Boot Camp is for puppies 4 to 12 months. Every program includes hands-on handler training for you at graduation. Families send their dogs from across the country, too; see dog boot camp for out-of-state families.
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