What exactly is a GSP Puppy? Well, let’s answer that now and explain what makes this amazing dog breed what they are today.
A German Shorthaired Pointer is a hunting dog and one of the most popular breeds in the world! People love these dogs, and it’s not a surprise to say that I love these dogs too!
They are one of the most affectionate and loving companions you could ever ask for and come with a very distinct look about them!
Their coat is short (hence the name!) and easy to care for. It’s also striking on the eye, with most German Shorthaired Pointers having some variation of a liver-colored coat.
They can be patchy with white bits or solid liver. It really depends on them! Either way, they’re gorgeous dogs, and you really can’t go wrong with one of these trusting companions by your side!
Fast Answer: A GSP Puppy is an adolescent German Shorthaired Pointer, generally under 6 months of age. However, let’s explore what makes these dogs they are today!
History
Original GSPs can be dated back to as early as the 17th century, though that was a generic term for pointers and hunters in general.
The actual breed of German Shorthaired Pointers wasn’t fully-fledged as their own kind until the mid to late nineteenth century.
Before being given the full name, GSPs were known as German Pointers or German Bird Dogs and were the genetic product of Spanish Pointers and Bloodhounds at the time.
They were bred to hunt, and they were pretty good at it!
They were trained to retrieve various types of game from both land and water and have since become better known as household pets (as hunting with dogs has fallen out of the mainstream western world).
However, this natural hunting instinct is still prevalent inside them, and, like any ex-hunting dogs, they need plenty of vigorous exercises to keep them satisfied.
Just a quick note, too: don’t worry if you’re not a hunter! Yes, GSPs were bred to hunt, but they don’t actually require you to go out for them anymore; they’re much happier spending time with you on long hikes or runs instead.
Since GSPs were trained for hunting, there’s plenty you can say for their intelligence. Even from the early adolescent years of puppy-hood, GSPs show a remarkable awareness about themselves!
Size
Most German Shorthaired Pointers come in somewhere between the medium to large size for a dog breed. Females can range from 53cm-59cm, and males can be anywhere from 58-64cm.
Weight-wise, females can weigh between 20kg (medium-sized) to 27kg (large-sized), and males can vary from 25kg to 32kg. Most of that depends entirely on their lifestyle and how often you exercise with them.
Because of their size and exercise regime, it’s not unlikely to have to feed your GSPs a little more than you usually would expect of a dog.
Especially as a puppy, you’re going to want to make sure you can keep up with the ever-increasing appetite!
Of course, you don’t want to overfeed them either, as they’ll put on more weight than you’d like, but it’s usually not a problem for them to be able to shake off with the right daily routine.
🚨 Worried about the size and weight of your GSP Puppy? Before you get too concerned, read up on the proper weights and appearance of a GSP, it defies what you may have thought!
Temperament
Honestly, you cannot go wrong introducing a GSP into your life. Whether you’re on your own or part of a family, it doesn’t matter; your GSP will love you and everyone else just as equally.
They truly are the perfect family dogs if you’re capable of keeping up with them. Yes, you’re the one who needs to keep up with them!
They have far too much energy for people who might lead a more sedentary lifestyle! Trust me on this; they’re going to get quite demanding!
Not that that’s a bad thing at all! I love a dog that can let you know when they’re ready to play and exercise. It helps me to segment my day nicely and spend more time with them, after all!
They will quickly become your best friend if you treat them with care, and they’re the gentlest dogs around.
Nine times out of ten, your GSP is going to be calm, collected, and caring, making it perfect for a growing family.
That doesn’t mean it’s all sunshine and rainbows, though! As perfect as I think they are, some people’s lifestyles can’t work with them.
It’s worth me mentioning that if you aren’t able to keep up with the strenuous demands of constant exercise with an ex-hunting dog, you’re going to experience some “questionable” behavior from them.
They’re known to be mighty destructive and unruly if left to their own devices. It doesn’t take long for them to get bored.
Health
As far as dog breeds go, GSPs are known as one of the healthier ones.
Since they’ve got so much need to exercise and stay engaged, most problems other dogs might encounter (like being overweight or having weak joints) are irrelevant to GSPs.
However, this doesn’t mean they aren’t flawless. There are still a few things you’ll want to watch for.
One of the more common issues plaguing the breed is hip dysplasia. The constant need to run around and play can lead to strains on the hips, leading to deformities in the joints.
Like cancer or lymphedema, other general illnesses can also affect GSPs, though these aren’t specific to the breed. It could come down to something as simple as genetics, but environment and diet play a key role.
You could get lucky and avoid any issues altogether, but it’s worth knowing what your GSP might suffer from and whether there are things you can do to avoid it!
Summary
I can’t stress enough how amazing a German Shorthaired Pointer puppy can be if you’re going to introduce it to your life. Seriously, you cannot go wrong with them.
As long as you’re able to keep up with the rigorous physical demands (you best be ready to start getting more exercise yourself), then you’re going to be the perfect owner to the perfect companion you could ever have.
Introducing a GSP puppy to your family is well worth it and the perfect choice if you’re deciding between a few breeds.
They’re gorgeous dogs with amazing personalities to match. As much as I’ve said about them being energetic and in need of exercise, they encourage you to live a healthier and happier lifestyle, and what could be better than that?
