German pointer?

[Bottomlesspit21]

Hi all, for my next dog I’m considering getting a German pointer. Any advice or information on what they’re like?

I have had two Rhodesian ridgebacks which weren’t easy work I must say, but very chilled indoors !

Shorthaired or wirehaired? IME they are a bit different, the wires tend to be a bit more willful and independent, but otherwise similar.

I've had a fair bit to do with shorthairs, and they are lovely dogs, affectionate and exuberant and funny. They are very bright and since you will never tire one out physically you'll need to put effort into tiring it out mentally. They are also hunting machines so you'll need to work very hard on recall and general steadiness (luckily they find sit-stay quite mentally taxing, so you can teach steadiness and tire them out in one go). Lead walking can be a challenge, and is somewhere that a good gundog trainer, who understands the breed and its urge to use its nose, can really help you.

They don't really have the show/work split that you find in labs and spaniels, though it is beginning. If you want a quieter dog, avoid lines with recent German imports (the German dogs are very hard-hunting) and lots of field trial winners (shown as FTW and FTCh) in the recent pedigree. I know a breeder of trialling GSPs and they are wonderful dogs but not for the fainthearted, inexperienced or uncommitted.

In general they're a healthy breed (take a look at the parents' hip scores, though) with a decent average lifespan.

If you do get one, keep it busy or it will find its own entertainment.

They're gorgeous dogs and generally very healthy.

They do need a lot of exercise and input though and I believe they don't cope very well on their own, which may be a problem depending on your work set-up?

Like all hunting/working breeds prey drive can be an issue so you'll need to do lots of work on recall or be prepared to keep them
on leads. I have a hunting breed and this time of year he stays on a longline or a much-hated flexi lead - otherwise once he's got a scent he's gone and there's absolutely nothing I can do to get him back!

Never owned one but friend had a German shorthair bitch. We use to take her on rural hacks with the horses for hours on end. She would be a spot in the distance (it was very rural !).
We’d get home and be untacking and putting horses to bed and she would still be running around, you literally couldn’t tire her out.
Gorgeous looking dog but I declined one of her later puppies 😁

We have a 6 month GSP and are obsessed with him. Lots of energy but so cuddly and loving. Would happily lie on the sofa all day with us... after a walk!

That's being said, it has been a lot of work and we are still working through separation anxiety, jumping up and a few genera behaviour issues.

Would you consider a rescue ? Rehoming Cyprus pointers on Facebook have some lovely dogs of all ages, shapes and sizes

They are also the most loving dogs. We have a rescue who we got when he was 4. He is just lovely. Rounds up the family to.check everyone is there. Waits for you to come home. Seems to be able to tell the time according to his belly! And always loves a fuss. And he is really gentle with little ones.