Perhaps you’re searching for a companion to keep you company in your new house? Or maybe you decide to get a family dog after countless cries finally and begs from your child.
Whatever the case, getting a dog for the first time is an exciting journey. It’s a lot of work, but it will be easier once you know more about the dog you’re planning to own.
For a first-time owner of dogs, you may wonder what breed is best for you. In this article, we will have a look at whether German Shorthaired Pointers are suitable for you and answer some questions frequently asked by to-be dog owners, such as:
- Are German Shorthaired Pointers high maintenance?
- At what age should you begin training a German shorthaired pointer?
- Why shouldn’t you get a German Shorthaired Pointer?
- Should you get a German Shorthaired Pointer?
German Shorthaired Pointers are great, trainable companions who are super energetic. They are intelligent, attentive, and patient; however, they can also be loud and slightly aggressive. They are not suited to strict people with their schedules and stay idle. But with the right people, they will be obedient and loving partners.
Are German Shorthaired Pointers high maintenance?
GSPs are adaptable creatures who are easy to care for when moving around from place to place. However, they are pretty high maintenance when it comes to exercising.
Being too busy to spend time with your dog is not an option if you plan to get a German Shorthaired Pointer. They love being outdoors and require a lot of playtime and activity, and adult GSPs may even require 30-45 minutes of running and playing around.
If GSPs do not get enough exercise, they can get agitated and disrupt or destroy things in their sight out of boredom. It’s safe to say this breed is not the apartment dweller type as they need lots of space to play and tire themselves out.
This breed of dogs will only be suitable for those who love exercising and put effort into caring for their dogs when it comes to physical exercise. A few walks in the park several times a day may be sufficient for an owner who does not have time on their hands.
At what age should you start training a German shorthaired pointer?
Different trainings can be given to pups of all ages. If the puppy is around 8-9 weeks old, you can start with basic training like socializing and getting it comfortable and used to the groomers.
You must first introduce simple commands like “sit” and name recognition. Once it’s used to having a leash on it, you can start taking it out for walks.
As it turns 12-14 weeks old, you can start socializing your GSP puppy with other dogs. You must ensure it has taken its second vaccine shot before doing so. This is of crucial importance as it will help boost its immune system.
Obedience training is essential, especially with energetic dogs like GSPs. At 4 months and older, they’ve started teething, so they must be trained to know what’s okay to chew and what’s not. If you find that training your pup is difficult, you can enrol it in a dog training course.
Why you shouldn’t get a German Shorthaired Pointer?
There are several good reasons you should adopt a German Shorthaired Pointer, but they may be a little too much to handle for first-time owners. There are a few cons to owning a GSP.
For starters, they require a lot of attention to physical exercise. You cannot waste a day and be idle as your dog will only develop unwanted habits due to boredom.
Since they are known to be very energetic dogs, they have constant bursts of energy that may be too intense for you to control. Naps are a foreign subject to them, and they will probably only take naps if they’re very tired or feeling ill.
GSPs have many good traits, but one thing that isn’t is their high separation anxiety. If you leave them alone for a long time, they can get agitated and ruin anything in their sight. So, you must brace yourself for torn-up sofas and chewed-up drywalls when you have left your dog in the house the whole day.
How to feed a German Shorthaired Pointer?
German Shorthaired Pointers are a brilliant breed with a great scent ability. They are regarded as good trail dogs and excellent sporting dogs.
These traits in a dog need to be well-developed, so GSPs require high-quality food. The ideal diet for the breed is dry food with contents of high protein and high fat.
Dogs that aren’t trained and do less exercise need less food. However, a regular dog requires at least 2-5 cups of food, feeding it according to its activity level. In addition to this, water is a must, and freshwater should be provided in plenty.
How to care for German Shorthaired Pointers?
Feeding it properly is an excellent start to caring for a new GSP in the home. They are energetic and tend to chew up any chewable item insight. So be sure to train it accordingly to avoid any valuable items being destroyed by the little beast.
Training your dog is a good option, but you may still be worried that your dog may be restless when it’s left alone, and turn the house upside down. One thing you can do is purchase a crate and set it up for your GSP. The crate will prevent it from colliding with trouble.
A must-do for all dog owners is taking your dog to the groomers. If there are no available groomers nearby, you can groom them yourself. Brushing teeth and cleaning ears are essential to avoid infections.
Just as your dog requires grooming for good health, it also needs daily exercise. Training it and taking it on walks is essential for German Shorthaired Pointers due to their energetic nature. Regular physical activity can help tire it out and calm it down.
Do GSPs make good family dogs?
German Shorthaired Pointers win when it comes to a dog breed that excels in being both family pets and hunting dogs. They are exceptionally great at sports and taking the role of being the family dog.
A GSP is known to be a very affectionate breed, and it makes a good guard dog who is both loving and obedient. When trained and socialized well, it acts as a great companion to children and other pets in the house.
However, sources have said that they may not be a suitable breed for you if you have children under seven. They are sometimes uncontrollably excitable and jumpy so that they may knock them over.
Do German Shorthaired Pointers require frequent grooming?
If you live in a warm climate region, GSPs will shed a lot more, so expect year-round shedding. In areas with opposite climates, they will only experience seasonal shedding. Either way, you will find short hairs everywhere in the house with a GSP around, so grooming is essential.
You can get it groomed at least four times a year professionally. If it sheds too frequently, you can often take it for fulminating services or “blowouts”. You can even groom it yourself every other day with a brush or a grooming glove. This will prevent your floors, carpets, or couches from getting dog hair on them.
What are the costs of having a German Shorthaired Pointer?
The cost of purchasing a German Shorthaired Pointer varies from breeder to breeder. However, the average price ranges from around $900 – $1,500, and that’s about the same price range as Rottweilers, Golden Retrievers, and Saint Bernards.
As they are a lively breed, they require more monetary investments to cover their health and overall well-being, like vaccine shots and dog food. The expenses can amount to anywhere around $300 or more.
They are obedient if well trained, so they can become good sports dogs or hunting dogs with additional training. However, taking your GSP to a professional trainer can cost more.
What are the primary health concerns of German Shorthaired Pointers?
Overall, GSPs are a healthy bunch, and they are generally very lively and energetic until they are very old. GSPs can live up to 12-15 years with the proper care.
The main complications that can potentially harm a German Shorthaired Pointer’s health may include eye issues like cataracts, canine hip dysplasia, heart diseases, etc. They are also a breed prone to struggle with bloating, which is sometimes life-threatening.
Owners of GSPs can steer clear of these problems by scheduling frequent check-ups and visiting the veterinarian regularly. They can ask for advice from experts to avoid any health problems and immediately call the vet if there are any signs of these problems.
What temperament do German Shorthaired Pointers have?
Any dog is smart enough if you train it well. Shorthaired Pointers are specifically known to be easy to train and get along with. They are incredibly intelligent, super lively, and energetic.
They require lots of attention and affection. Playtime should never be forgotten when you have a GSP. You can take it for walks and have its vibrant personality within the yard by putting a high fence around your house.
They are friendly and kind creatures who can easily befriend people or other dogs. They love playing with children but must be supervised as they are pretty rowdy.
They are considered excellent guard dogs. They are polite to strangers, but they also do not bark excessively like other breeds. This doesn’t mean that they will not be alert and let you know if there are strange noises and visitors.
What kind of person is a good pair with a GSP?
A new dog owner will have a lot of questions and insecurities. So, you need to know whether the breed you chose is right for you as a first-timer. So when you’re planning to get a German Shorthaired Pointer for your first dog, you must make sure you have qualities that match your pet.
These qualities can be activeness. You should be able to take your dog on walks and runs because they are very energetic and active creatures that need physical activity daily. Their hyperactivity can be a lot of work, but you will be a good fit for them if you’re willing to commit, make efforts and give your time.
Training well is necessary not just for you but also for other people who visit you. There may be guests that visit you at your house or people who walk past your dog when you take it out. An untrained dog will bark excessively and may not socialize well with people. If you are prepared and ready to take on the mission of training them, then you are perfect for GSPs.
Should you get a German Shorthaired Pointer?
If you’re wondering if GSP is the right breed for you as a first-time dog owner, you must be well-informed about the species.
A GSP would be a wonderful family pet. They are friendly and intelligent dogs who can make your day with affection, playfulness, and obedience.
They are loyal little creatures that you can count on when going on a walk, hunting, or even hiking. In addition to this, they require minimal grooming and adapt quickly to new places. With these traits in mind, you can decide whether you should get a GSP as your first dog or not.
Final Thought
Different people are suited with different breeds. A German Shorthaired Pointer may not be for everyone, but if you’re a well-committed individual, you can keep up with them, despite how energetic and high-maintenance they are. Plus, they’re very affectionate and playful creatures who are intelligent and easy to train.
