Hub City Times

Top Menu

  • Contact Us
  • E-Editions
  • Subscribe

Main Menu

  • Home
  • News
    • Around the County
    • Arts & Ent
    • Education
    • Government
    • Local
    • Police / Sheriff Calls
  • Covid 19
  • Opinion
  • Sports
    • Sports News
    • High School Sports Scores
    • Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
  • Coming Events
  • Business
  • Obits
  • Classifieds
  • Military Photos
  • Contact Us
  • E-Editions
  • Subscribe

logo

Hub City Times

  • Home
  • News
    • Around the County
    • Arts & Ent
    • Education
    • Government
    • Local
    • Police / Sheriff Calls
  • Covid 19
  • Opinion
  • Sports
    • Sports News
    • High School Sports Scores
    • Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
  • Coming Events
  • Business
  • Obits
  • Classifieds
  • Military Photos
Health
Home›Health›Get to the point: An in-depth look at the German shorthaired pointer

Get to the point: An in-depth look at the German shorthaired pointer

By Hub City Times
August 30, 2016
387
0
Share:
Dr. Beth Engelbert

The vet’s office


By Dr. Beth Engelbert, DVM

Wildwood Animal Hospital and Clinic LLC

Do you have an active, busy lifestyle and want a dog to keep up with you? The German shorthaired pointer (GSP) may be the dog for you. The breed standard describes a “friendly, intelligent, and willing to please” dog with “a keen enthusiasm for work.” This enthusiasm comes with high energy, so these dogs need a job like hunting, agility, obedience, or even just jogging.

Pointing dogs were first recorded in the 13th century. In the 17th century, air scenting (“gun”) dogs were separated from the tracking spaniels. During this time, countries and states were in flux, so these gun dogs were spread throughout Europe. Once Germany became more stable in the 1850s, refinement of their pointing dogs began. The breed standard started to take form in 1879, but breed evolution continued.

The GSP in Germany was almost decimated with the two World Wars. Most lines in East Germany were completely lost. However, the breed was brought over to the U.S. in the 1920s and perpetuated in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The American Kennel Club welcomed the GSP in 1930, and the breed standard has undergone only a few changes since 1946.

GSPs’ “grace of outline, clean-cut head, sloping shoulders, deep chest, powerful back, strong quarters, good bone composition, adequate muscle, well carried tail, and taut coat produce a look of nobility and indicate a heritage of purposefully conducted breeding.” Often called elegant, their muscular necks “slope downwards on beautifully curving lines.” The dark eyes are “of medium size, full of intelligence and expression, good-humored and yet radiating energy.”

As the names states, GSPs have a short, dense coat. Despite the similar names, the GSP, the German wirehaired pointer, and the German longhaired pointer were all developed independently with only a few common ancestors. GSPs only have a few accepted colors adding to their already unique profile. They can be solid liver, liver with white flecks, liver roan, or white with liver patches.

A generally healthy breed, there are some things to consider when getting a puppy. GSPs can develop hip and elbow dysplasia, so parents with good conformation are important. “Day blindness” is a rare genetic disease to watch for as well. GSPs can be born with certain heart defects or blood clotting disorders such as von Willebrand’s disease. Epilepsy causing seizures has been diagnosed in some GSPs. As with most breeds, cancer is always a concern. With their deep chests, stomach bloat and torsion can be a deadly problem.

Just like in school, doing your homework and asking questions will pay off in the long run when finding your new, active best friend.

Wildwood Animal Hospital and Clinic LLC is located at 210 Airpark Road in Marshfield and online at wildwoodanimalhospital.net.

Tagsdogdog breedsdogsDr. Beth EngelbertFeaturedGerman shorthaired pointerWildwood Animal Hospital and Clinic LLC
Previous Article

City of Marshfield building permits: Aug. 22-26

Next Article

Mayor proclaims Sept. 5 City of Marshfield ...

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Related articles More from author

  • Marshfield Police Department
    FeaturedLocal

    Weekly police blotter

    February 25, 2015
    By Hub City Times
  • Marshfield School Board Education Office
    Opinion

    Readers advocate for school board candidates

    April 4, 2016
    By Hub City Times
  • hub city times logo
    Local

    Marriage conference to be held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

    February 3, 2017
    By Hub City Times
  • hub city times logo
    Arts & Entertainment

    Take a Harvest Moon Fall Tour through Clark County

    September 8, 2015
    By Hub City Times
  • hub city times logo
    Sports

    Weekly Boys Basketball Roundup: Columbus Catholic blows out Granton

    December 11, 2017
    By Hub City Times
  • Members of local fire and rescue teams work to free a “victim” from a grain bin during a collaborative training session held at the Pittsville Fire Department on Sept. 25.
    Local

    Outside the fire: Local fire departments train for rescue operations

    October 9, 2017
    By Hub City Times

Leave a reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

About Us


Hub City Times is published by Multi Media Channels LLC, N2919 County Road QQ Waupaca, WI 54981.

Timeline

  • January 17, 2021

    MACCI turns 75: Up in the air

  • January 16, 2021

    From the Wood County Health Department: COVID-19 Vaccine Phase Update

  • January 15, 2021

    Main Street hosts virtual Downtown Awards Bash

  • January 14, 2021

    New Marshfield utility facility gets green light

  • January 13, 2021

    Marshfield honors district AP Scholars

Find us on Facebook

Copyright © 2020 Multi Media Channels, All Rights Reserved. Designed by MMC Team Awesome
×