View source for German Shorthaired Pointer

{{Short description|German breed of dog}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox dog breed
| name           = German Shorthaired Pointer
| image          = Duitse staande korthaar 10-10-2.jpg
| image_alt      = 
| image_caption  = Dog on point
| image2         = 
| image_alt2     = 
| image_caption2 = 
| altname        = {{ubl|Deutscher Kurzhaariger Vorstehhund|Deutsch Kurzhaar|Kurzhaar|Kurzhaariger Deutscher Vorstehhund|German Shorthaired Pointing Dog | GSP}}
| stock          = 
| country        = Germany
| distribution   = 
| height         = 
| maleheight     = {{val|62|–|66|u=cm}}
| femaleheight   = {{val|58|–|63|u=cm}}
| weight         = 
| maleweight     = 
| femaleweight   = 
| coat           = 
| colour         = 
| color          = 
| litter_size    = 
| life_span      = 
| kc_name        = [[Verband für das Deutsche Hundewesen]]
| kc_std         = https://www.vdh.de/welpen/mein-welpe/deutsch-kurzhaar
| kc2_name       = 
| kc2_std        = 
| fcistd         = http://www.fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/119g07-en.pdf
| notrecognised  = 
| extinct        = 
| note           = 
}}

The '''German Shorthaired Pointer''' or {{lang|de|'''Deutsch Kurzhaar'''|italic=no}} is a German [[list of dog breeds|breed]] of continental [[pointing dog]] of [[Braque (dog type)|Braque]] type.{{r|fci2}} It originated in the nineteenth century in what is now Germany.{{r|bede|p=13}} It is of medium size, and is an all-purpose [[gun dog]] suitable for hunting and retrieving on both land and water. It may also be kept as a [[companion dog]].

== History ==

[[File:Hector IV, Kurzhaariger Deutscher Vorstehhund; from Corneli, Die Deutscher Vorstehhunde, 1884.png|thumb|Hector IV, a Short-haired German Pointer, illustration from 1884]]
The [[pointing dog]] breeds of Europe all derive from the now-extinct [[Old Spanish Pointer]], which spread through France and the [[Low Countries]] and reached the princely houses of the German-speaking world,{{r|ag|p=2|vdh3}} where at first they were used in bird-hunting with nets or falcons, and later by huntsmen with guns.{{r|vdh3}} Bird dogs were also brought from England; {{ill|Carl von Heppe|de}}, in his ''Aufrichtiger Lehrprinz'' of 1751, describes these as taller and stronger than the local type.{{r|hans|p=523|heppe|p2=17}} In the nineteenth century large numbers of dogs of [[Burgos Pointing Dog]] type were brought to Germany.{{r|ag|p=5}} In the early part of that century the resulting mixed population had no specific name – the dogs were called {{lang|de|Hühnerhunde}} ('bird dogs') or {{lang|de|Jagdhunde}} ('hunting dogs').{{r|hans|p=523}}

In 1878, at the annual [[dog show]] of the {{lang|de|Verein zur Veredelung der Hunderassen|italic=no}} in [[Frankfurt am Main]], it was agreed that [[breed standard]]s for German dogs would be established at the show to be held in [[Hannover]] in 1879; standards for both the Deutsch Kurzhaar and the Deutsch Langhaar were introduced in that year.{{r|hans|p=606}} The first [[stud-book]] for the Kurzhaar was published in 1897.{{r|gab|p=84|vdh3}}

The Kurzhaar was definitively accepted by the [[Fédération Cynologique Internationale]] in 1954.{{r|fci}} In 2013 it was in twenty-second place on a list of the most-registered dog breeds world-wide.{{r|skk}} In the fifteen years from 2007 to 2021, the annual number of new registrations in Germany averaged about {{val|1300}}, with a low of {{val|1102}} and a high of {{val|1842}}.{{r|vdh}}

It was recognised by the [[American Kennel Club]] in 1930;{{r|akc}} a three-year-old dog of this breed was classed "best in show" at the [[Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show]] in 2016.{{r|wkc}}

== Characteristics ==

[[Image:Metsosuon kennel 1.jpg|thumb|Liver roan (right) with liver patches, and ticked with liver patches (left)]]
[[File:Etzel vom Thüringer Zipfel.jpg|thumb|Solid brown]]

The German Shorthaired Pointer is of medium size: dogs stand some {{val|62|–|66|u=cm}} at the [[withers]], bitches some 3 or 4 cm less.{{r|fci2}} The [[coat (animal)|coat]] is dense, short and rough-textured. It may be either brown or black, in any of three patterns: the solid-coloured, either with or without small flecks of white on the chest and legs; the white, with coloured head and coloured flecks or patches on the body; and the roan, either dark – in which coloured hairs predominate over white – or light, in which there are more white than coloured hairs.{{r|gab|p=84|fci2}}

The head is of moderate size, with a convex profile and a long, broad, and strong muzzle suitable for carrying game; the eyes are brown, the ears are rounded and set on high, and hang close to the head.{{r|fci2}} Where not prohibited, the tail of a working dog may be [[docking (animals)|docked]] to about half its length; it is carried roughly horizontally when the dog is moving and hangs down when it is at rest.{{r|fci2}}

It is a tough, healthy dog. A 2024 UK study found a median longevity of 13.4 years for the breed, slightly above the average of 12.5 for all dogs.{{r|sr}} The breed has some [[genetic predisposition]] to [[neurological disease]]s including [[coccygeal muscle injury]], [[GM2 gangliosidosis]], [[hemivertebrae]], [[pyogranulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis]] and [[sensory neuropathy]].{{r|ron|p=4}} Other disorders associated with the breed include [[cataract]], [[cranial cruciate ligament]] rupture, eversion of the cartilage of the [[nictitating membrane]], [[Dog skin disorders#Lupoid dermatosis|hereditary lupoid dermatosis]], [[progressive retinal atrophy]], [[nose cancer in cats and dogs|nasal carcinoma]], [[oropharyngeal neoplasia]], [[Von Willebrand's disease]] and [[XX sex reversal]].{{r|gough|p=116–118|wang}}

== Uses ==

The German Shorthaired Pointer was bred to be a versatile all-round [[gun dog]]. It is capable of working in all weathers, on all terrains and in all types of cover; of finding and pointing to game, whether feathered or furred; of retrieving gently both in water and on land; of following a blood trail to find wounded game; and of defending against poachers and predators.{{r|bede|p=13, 83}} Registration is subject to successful completion of a [[working trial]].{{r|fci2}}

In addition to hunting and field trials, German Shorthaired Pointer performs well in many dog sports such as [[Dog agility|agility]], [[dock diving]], and [[Obedience trial|obedience]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/german-shorthaired-pointer/detail/|title=German Shorthaired Pointer History & Training/Temperament|last=Club|first=American Kennel|website=www.akc.org|access-date=2016-12-02|archive-date=2016-12-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161202101747/http://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/german-shorthaired-pointer/detail/|url-status=live}}</ref> German Shorthaired Pointers are also used in law enforcement for [[nosework]], such as the detection of illicit substances.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thisweeknews.com/news/20190204/new-k-9-amigo-has-nose-for-law-enforcement|title=New K-9 Amigo has nose for law enforcement|last=Sole|first=Sarah|date=4 February 2019|website=ThisWeekNews.com|publisher=GateHouse Media, LLC|access-date=29 March 2019|archive-date=29 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329162342/https://www.thisweeknews.com/news/20190204/new-k-9-amigo-has-nose-for-law-enforcement|url-status=live}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist|45em|refs=

<ref name=ag>D. Parra, S. Méndez, J. Cañón, S. Dunner (2008). [https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/j.1365-2052.2007.01658.x Genetic differentiation in pointing dog breeds inferred from microsatellites and mitochondrial DNA sequence]. ''Animal Genetics''. '''39''' (1): 1-7. {{doi|10.1111/j.1365-2052.2007.01658.x}}. {{subscription required}}></ref>

<ref name=akc>[https://web.archive.org/web/20240804085626/https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/german-shorthaired-pointer/ German Shorthaired Pointer]. New York: American Kennel Club. Archived 4 August 2024.</ref>

<!---ref name=akc2>[https://web.archive.org/web/20240108155245/https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/GermanShorthairedPointer.pdf Official Standard for the German Shorthaired Pointer]. New York: American Kennel Club. Archived 8 January 2024.</ref--->

<ref name=bede>C. Bede Maxwell (1983 [1963]). [https://archive.org/details/newgermanshortha0000maxw/page/n13 ''The New German Shorthaired Pointer''], fourth edition. New York: Howell Book House. {{isbn|0876051573}}.</ref>

<!---ref name=cdb>{{cite web |title=Docking worldwide |url=https://www.cdb.org/docking_elsewhere.htm |publisher=Council of Docked Breeds |access-date=31 March 2023 |archive-date=18 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818193428/https://www.cdb.org/docking_elsewhere.htm |url-status=live }}</ref--->

<ref name=fci>[https://www.fci.be/en/nomenclature/GERMAN-SHORT-HAIRED-POINTING-DOG-119.html FCI breeds nomenclature: Deutsch Kurzhaar (119)]. Thuin, Belgium: Fédération Cynologique Internationale. Accessed June 2024.</ref>

<ref name=fci2>[http://www.fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/119g07-en.pdf FCI-Standard N° 119: Deutsch Kurzhaar (German Shorthaired Pointing Dog)]. Thuin, Belgium: Fédération Cynologique Internationale. Accessed June 2024.</ref>

<ref name=gab>Gabriele Lehari (2013 [2009]). ''400 Hunderassen von A - Z'' (third edition, in German). Stuttgart (Hohenheim): Eugen Ulmer KG. {{isbn|9783800178827}}.</ref>

<ref name=gough>Alex Gough, Alison Thomas (2004). [https://books.google.it/books?id=-kg1zB9xAAwC&pg=PA46&hl=en ''Breed Predispositions to Disease in Dogs and Cats'']. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing. {{isbn|9781405107488}}.</ref>

<!---ref name=gspca>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gspca.org/Breed/Standard/index.html|title=Breed Education|last=Titus|first=Patte|date=30 September 1992|website=www.gspca.org|access-date=4 August 2018|archive-date=11 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111234042/http://www.gspca.org/Breed/Standard/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref--->

<ref name=hans>Hans Räber (1995). [https://books.google.it/books?id=SafiBgAAQBAJ&hl=en&pg=PA542 ''Enzyklopädie der Rassenhunde: Ursprung, Geschichte, Zuchtziele, Eignung und Verwendung''] (volume 2, in German). Stuttgart: Franckh-Kosmos. {{isbn|9783440067529}}.</ref>

<ref name=heppe>Carl von Heppe (1751). [https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_BvU6AAAAcAAJ/page/17/mode/1up ''Aufrichtiger Lehrprinz oder practische Abhandlung von dem Leithund als dem Fundament der edlen hirschgerechten Jaegerey''] (in German). Augspurg: Bey Johann Jacob Lotter sel. Erben.</ref>

<ref name=ron>Ronaldo C. Da Costa, Curtis W. Dewey (2015). [https://books.google.it/books?id=JSWJCgAAQBAJ&hl=en&pg=PA308 ''Practical Guide to Canine and Feline Neurology''], third edition, ebook. Ames, Iowa: John Wiley & Sons. {{isbn|9781119062042}}.</ref>

<ref name=skk>[Svenska Kennelklubben] (2013). [https://web.archive.org/web/20221216042611/http://newsletter15.dogdotcom.be/en/skk.aspx Registration figures worldwide – from top thirty to endangered breeds]. ''FCI Newsletter'' 15. Thuin, Belgium: Fédération Cynologique Internationale. Archived 16 December 2022.</ref>

<ref name=sr>Kirsten M. McMillan, Jon Bielby, Carys L. Williams, Melissa M. Upjohn, Rachel A. Casey, Robert M. Christley (2024). [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10834484/pdf/41598_2023_Article_50458.pdf  Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death]. ''Scientific Reports''. '''14''' (1): 531. {{doi|10.1038/s41598-023-50458-w}}. {{issn|2045-2322}}. {{open access}}</ref>

<ref name=vdh>[https://web.archive.org/web/20230221074607/https://www.vdh.de/ueber-den-vdh/welpenstatistik/?go=Go&sort=2011&suche Welpenstatistik] (in German). Dortmund: Verband für das Deutsche Hundewesen. Archived 21 February 2024.</ref>

<ref name=vdh3>[https://web.archive.org/web/20231208021043/https://welpen.vdh.de/hunderassen/rasselexikon/ergebnis/deutsch-kurzhaar Deutsch Kurzhaar] (in German). Dortmund: Verband für das Deutsche Hundewesen. Archived 8 December 2023.</ref>

<ref name=wang>
Ping Wang, Barbara Zangerl, Petra Werner, Elizabeth A. Mauldin, Margret L. Casal (April 2011). [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10834484/pdf/41598_2023_Article_50458.pdf Familial cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) in the German shorthaired pointer maps to CFA18, a canine orthologue to human CLE]. ''Immunogenetics''. '''63''' (4): 197–207. {{doi|10.1007/s00251-010-0499-z}}</ref>

<ref name=wkc>[https://web.archive.org/web/20161105024259/http://www.westminsterkennelclub.org/breed-results/best-in-show/ WKC 2016 Best in Show]. Westminster Kennel Club. Archived 5 November 2016.</ref>

}}

== Further reading ==
{{commonscat}}
{{refbegin}}

* Rollston, Christopher A. "A Brief History of the German Shorthair (Deutsch Kurzhaar)."  ''Shorthair Journal'' Volume 7 Issue 6 (2006):8-10.

{{refend}}

{{Gundogs}}
{{German dogs}}

[[Category:Dog breeds originating in Germany]]
[[Category:FCI breeds]]
[[Category:Gundogs]]
[[Category:Pointers]]

{{bots|deny=Citation bot}}