Friendly, energetic, and skilled hunters by nature—It’s no wonder that German Shorthaired Pointers are admired by many.
They can swim like they were born for it, and they can do basically any dog sport—all thanks to their physical attributes.
If you want to breed your German Shorthaired Pointer, you need to get an all-inclusive view of these dogs’ needs.
In this article, I’ll tell you where to start, things to look out for, and the best age to breed GSP.
The Best Age to Breed GSP
According to German Shorthaired Pointers breeders, it’s best to wait until the female dog is at her second heat, which should be around two years of age.
Some people choose to breed at the first heat, but the dog should gain maturity before that.
There’s also the fact that you won’t be able to do all the health tests required if the dog is too young.
For example, OFA hip tests can’t be carried out if the dog is younger than two years, and you’ll need to do extensive tests before breeding.
Two years is the safe minimum for most dog breeds. Plus, breeding experts don’t recommend breeding before one year or after seven years of age for the sake of the female dog.
Breeding a Female GSP Vs. Breeding a Male GSP
When breeding a female GSP, you have more things to think about. You should consider when the dog is going into heat and whether she’s ready for her first pregnancy.
You also want to breed the dog before her fertility starts declining, which often happens after around five years, but it depends on the breed.
Larger dogs supposedly encounter these fertility declines earlier than small ones, and GSPs are a large breed.
When it comes to male dogs, there isn’t much to consider. You won’t have to consider any heat or health risks; you just have to find a suitable, healthy female.
Once your male dog is sexually mature, you can start breeding him immediately.
Things to Consider Before Breeding Your German Shorthaired Pointer
Before breeding your German Shorthaired Pointer, there are a couple of things to take into consideration.
Most importantly, the litter size, the birthing needs, and the puppies’ price.
Litter Size
German Shorthaired Pointers will have litters of 8–12 puppies, contrary to most large breeds who have smaller litters. Your dog may yield less or more than that, but that’s uncommon.
If you’re breeding your dog for profit, knowing the litter size is essential for estimating how many puppies you’ll get.
Birthing Needs
Luckily for you, there aren’t many birthing risks associated with German Shorthaired Pointers. They give birth in pairs like most dogs, and they rest while birthing, which is completely normal.
Female Pointers prefer to dig a hole into the ground to give birth in. They prioritize privacy and comfort, so you should provide that.
You shouldn’t intervene with your dog’s birthing unless something is wrong.
For example, if you notice the dog scrunching her face in pain and looking generally restless, a puppy may be blocking the birth channel.
In this case, you should call a vet and know whether you should bring her in.
Price
Now that you’re done with finding a mate and birthing, it’s time to consider the profit you’ll make from this breeding process.
Pure-bred GSPs will cost an average of $1500, with some fellows going up to $5,500.
If the dog’s paperwork isn’t ready and the breed isn’t top-notch, the best offer you’ll get is likely $800.
Generally, you can get a higher price by paying attention to a couple of things. For example, the better the documentation, the higher the price you’ll get.
On top of that, dogs with superior bloodlines typically have higher prices than their counterparts. The same goes if the dog is a pedigree or descends from one.
Where to Start When Breeding a GSP
If it’s your first time breeding, you probably don’t know where to start.
To begin with, you should know your dog’s weakness points, decide what characteristics you need from the partner, and start looking for the partner.
Breeders usually look for mating partners in dog shows, while others find it easier to find partners on online communities.
You should also decide whether you’re breeding a female dog or a male stud. If you have a pair, breeding them both is unwise. The best approach to breeding is to have one partner and look for the other.
But before you find a partner for your dog, you need to carry out a pedigree analysis. Plus, you should do some health checks to make sure your dog is healthy enough for breeding.
How to Know Your Female GSP Is Ready for Breeding
If your female GSP isn’t ready for breeding, you may be projecting her to serious harm by doing so. You’ll want to make sure first that she’s ready, and not just in terms of age.
You should make sure the dog doesn’t have any underlying health issues that may pass on to the puppies.
Plus, if you intend to register the GSP puppies in the Kennel Club, you should make sure your female dog already has a registration and fits within the criteria.
Other than that, you’ll want to ensure your female dog is getting the best level of nutrition you can offer. Dogs have needs, especially before mating. So, make sure to have those covered.
Lastly, you’ll want to keep track of the dog’s heat cycles. That way, you can expect when she’ll give birth to the puppies.
If you find out that your female GSP has an underlying issue that’ll result in unhealthy puppies or harm her, it’s better to have her spayed. That way, you’re protecting her from birthing risks.
The Takeaway
The best age to breed GSP dogs is around two years. For male dogs, you need to make sure they’re completely sexually mature.
On the other hand, the females should have passed by at least one heat cycle, and they need to be healthy enough for the mating process.
