German Shorthaired Pointers: Complete Pointing Dog Training and Hunting Guide

By Heather Brennan

Whether you are someone who is just curious about GSP dogs, or looking to learn more in anticipation of training a German Shorthaired Pointer, this book will teach you all you need to know. This book is written by a long time GSP breed owner of twenty years and trainer, as well as a show dog judge.

You will learn all about training and hunting with German Shorthaired Pointer dogs. This book also includes history, genetics, rescue, breeding, temperament, lifespan, kennel club information, personality, as well as health information. If you are wondering about their suitability as family pets, showing standards, as well as common health problems, this book will make you an expert on this remarkable hunting dog!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Heather Brennan
• Release date: Oct 5, 2013
• ISBN: 9781927870334

Book preview

German Shorthaired Pointers:

Complete Pointing Dog Training and Hunting Guide

Heather Brennan

~~~

Smashwords Edition

ISBN: 978-1-927870-33-4

Copyright © 2013 Windrunner Pets

www.ubiquitouspublishing.com

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.

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Table of Contents

Foreword

The German Shorthaired Pointer

-- Around The World

-- The GSP as a Pet

-- Pet Ownership

Breed History

-- Versatile Hunting Dogs

-- The United States

-- The United Kingdom

-- Australia & New Zealand

The Breed Standard

-- General Appearance

-- Size, Proportion, Substance

-- Head

-- Neck, Topline, Body

-- Forequarters

-- Hindquarters

-- Coat

-- Color

-- Gait

-- Temperament

-- Disqualifications

Color & The Black Issue

-- Re-introduction of the Color Black

-- Black in the USA

-- Colour Genetics

Docking & Dewclaw Removal

-- Why Dock?

-- The Movement to Ban Docking

The Versatile Hunting Dogs

-- Who Are They?

-- Differences Between the Breeds

-- The Similarities

The GSP In The Field

Introducing The Gun

-- Start Indoors

-- Moving it Outdoors

AKC Field Trials vs Hunt Tests

-- Field (Hunt) Tests

-- Field Trials

Deutsch Kurzhaars & The German Registry

The GSP As A Pet

-- Energy Levels

-- Children

-- Health & Maintenance

-- With Other Pets

-- Food

Grooming

-- Shedding

-- Ears

-- Nails

Training

-- Training Tips

-- Sit

-- Down

-- Heel

-- Come

-- Stay

Health Issues

-- Subaortic Stenosis

-- Hip Dysplasia

-- Eye Diseases

-- Lupoid Dermatosis (LD)

-- Hypothyroidism

-- Torn Cruciate

-- Cancer

-- Epilepsy

Separation Anxiety

-- Symptoms

-- Treating It

Finding A GSP Breeder

-- Starting Your Search

-- The Visit

Finding A Rescue Dog

Bringing Your Puppy Home

-- Potty Training

-- Crate Training

-- Pet Insurance

-- Socialization

Dog Sports

-- Agility

-- Obedience

-- Dock Dogs

-- Conformation

Breeding Your Dog & Puppy Development

-- Mentors

-- Puppies at Birth

-- The First Four Weeks

-- From Four Weeks Onward

Photo Credits

Index

Resources

-- Reference Books

-- Club Websites

Foreword

I have lived with German shorthaired pointers for almost twenty years. My first one came from a shelter and I fell madly in love with the breed. At the time I was breeding, showing and mushing Siberian Huskies. I knew I wanted to be just as involved with the GSP and so it began.

I love watching a GSP work a field even though I have no aspirations to hunt. The sheer athleticism of the breed is stunning in action. Whether you are someone who is just curious about the breed or looking to learn more in anticipation of getting one or learning more about the history behind the dog on your couch, I hope you find what you are looking for in this book.

I owe thanks to the many breeders and owners that sent me pictures of their dogs to use in this book. The credit for each photo is at the back of the book.

Thanks,

Heather

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank the many people that helped to create this guide by providing not only expert advice, but allowing me to add their amazing photos.

The German Shorthaired Pointer

The German shorthaired pointer, also known as the GSP or Deutsch Kurzhaar (DK), is a medium sized hunting breed that can be found in many countries around the world. They originated in Germany, where they remain a very popular dog for hunting, showing and as a pet.

Many breeds that were originally hunting dogs have split into two different types over the years – the show lines and the field lines. The two different types can be very different from one another and may not even be recognizable as the same breed in some cases. In the GSP, this split has not occurred. Good dogs often compete in both the field and the show ring and, while there can be some slight differences in appearance between some lines, all are easily identifiable as being German shorthaired pointers.

Around The World

This versatility in purpose, combined with his affable nature and handsome appearance, has made the breed very popular with hunters around the world. The GSP belongs to a group of dogs known as versatile hunting dogs. These dogs were bred to hunt fur and feather game on land and in the water. They need to be able to point game, retrieve it, and track it in the case of an injured animal.