The German Shorthaired Pointer
- May 16
- 7 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
What's Breed Got to Do With It — Vol. 3
If you've been following this series, you know the premise: adoption saves lives, but it also works best when you know what you're walking into. Today we're talking about the German Shorthaired Pointer.
There are currently 686 of them listed on Petfinder, and if you're in a 100-mile radius of West Lafayette, Ohio, there are 20 looking for a home. Twenty.
That's not a coincidence. It's a pattern. And it's worth talking about.
Built to Do Everything
The GSP is, objectively, one of the most impressive dogs ever purposefully developed. Starting in 17th-century Germany, breeders crossed heavy Spanish pointers with Hanoverian hounds, then later with English pointers, to create the ultimate all-purpose gun dog. The goal wasn't to make a dog that did one thing exceptionally well — it was to make a dog that did everything well.
They succeeded. The GSP can work in all types of weather and on all terrains, find and point game whether feathered or furred, retrieve gently on both water and land, follow a blood trail to find wounded game, and defend against predators. The German Shorthaired Pointer Club of America puts it plainly: this is one of the few hunting breeds that can perform virtually all gundog roles.
Oh, and they also have webbed feet and water-repellent coats, because apparently just being extraordinary on land wasn't enough.
Equipped with a sharp sense of smell, enduring stamina, and a natural knack for hunting and pointing game, GSPs also excel in field trials, obedience, and agility competitions. They've been used as sled dogs, bomb and drug detection dogs, and therapy dogs. The GSP doesn't really do "limited."
So What Are They Like to Live With?
Here's where we have to have an honest conversation — because the answer is: it depends entirely on whether you were prepared for what you signed up for.
The GSP temperament is often described as friendly, outgoing, and deeply people-oriented. These dogs are highly family-oriented and thrive on being part of household activities. They bond hard, they love kids, they're generally social with other dogs, and they want to be wherever you are. GSPs were bred to work alongside their handler and be their companion outside of work hours too, so they don't cope well if left home alone for extended periods. They will absolutely be on your couch. Probably your bed. Fine with that? Great. Not fine with that? Important data point.
They're also one of the smartest breeds going. GSPs can easily be filed under "too smart for their own good" and can use their smarts to make their own rules and take over your household. They need a lot of activity, and if they aren't given proper exercise and mental stimulation, they will find other ways to vent their energy — and those ways will not spark joy for you. Ask my SpotBot carpet cleaner about that one.
Most adult GSPs need at least one to two hours of vigorous exercise every day. Without enough exercise and engagement, behavior issues like chewing, digging, anxiety, and excessive barking can develop.
Short walks will not cut it. A yard alone will not cut it. They need running, swimming, hiking, fetch, agility, nose work, training sessions — basically a full recreational schedule. GSPs are playful dogs that have an extended puppy phase and act like they're puppies until around 2 years of age. Plan accordingly.
But Wait — Let Me Tell You About Gus
I'm a GSP owner, and I want to be transparent about how I came to be one, because it's relevant to everything I just said about what can go wrong.
When our dog Omar was in rapid decline, I was already dreading the grief I knew was coming. He was my heart dog — and more than two years later, his loss still brings me to tears. I knew I was going to need to be completely distracted by a project if I was going to survive.
I reached out to a high school friend who breeds GSPs to ask if he was planning any future litters. He was, and was actually expecting a litter soon, but he also had one puppy left from his previous litter. A special one. It was a male from the last litter sired by his prized male, Augustus, before a tragic accident took his life. He'd already been claimed twice and fallen through both times, which in retrospect feels less like bad luck and more like the universe holding him for us. We hadn't planned on adding a third dog so quickly, but timing has a way of meaning something. His name was going to be Jack after Jack London (Pike is named after a character in a Jack London story), but after hearing his dad’s story, we named him Son of Augustus. Gus, for short.
And here's what I'll tell you about Gus: he is an absolute doll. Calm. Sweet. Manageable.
I'm also a member of a Facebook group called "GSPs Are A**holes," and I want to be clear — the stories in that group are not unusual. The high rescue numbers don't lie. A lot of GSPs end up in shelters and rescues because their families weren't prepared for the reality of living with one.
Whether Gus's temperament is genetics, or the fact that we'd already learned hard lessons about training and mental stimulation through our early years with Pike — I genuinely don't know. Probably both. What I do know is that he is not the norm. And understanding why he's the exception is exactly the kind of thing you need to think about before bringing a GSP home.
Is a GSP Right For Your Family?
Let's be direct:
A GSP will thrive with you if:
You're active — genuinely, consistently, daily active
You have experience with high-energy or working breeds
You have time for training, not just exercise (these are two different things)
You want a dog who is deeply bonded to your family and in the thick of everything
You have space — ideally outdoor space, and definitely not a tiny apartment
You have patience for the extended puppy phase and the chaos that comes with it
A GSP will struggle — and likely end up in rescue — if:
You work long hours and can't arrange adequate stimulation during the day
You want a dog who's content to hang out and chill
You're a first-time dog owner who underestimates the commitment
You have small animals at home and haven't planned for the prey drive
You expect the exercise needs to mellow out quickly (they won't)
A Quick Word About the Fur (No, Really)
Let's talk about something that doesn't get nearly enough airtime in GSP conversations: the shedding.
I know what you're thinking. Short coat. Can't be that bad. Friend, I am here to tell you that you are wrong in a way that will haunt you.
Gus sleeps in his crate every night, downstairs, with the door closed. I still wake up with his fur in my mouth every morning. I don't know how he does it. It's frankly impressive. Scientists should study it.
The GSP coat is short, dense, and water-repellent — which is fantastic for a dog designed to work in any conditions, and absolutely merciless on your furniture, your clothes, your car upholstery, and apparently the inside of your respiratory system. They shed year-round with seasonal peaks that will make you question your life choices. It's a frequent, passionate topic in GSP owner communities for a reason. We're in class with a Husky right now, and the fur on the floor at the end of the night is equal parts hers and his. It's ... a lot of fur.
This is not a dealbreaker — but it is a lint roller budget line item. If you are the kind of person who has a black wardrobe and strong feelings about your couch, factor this in. A good vacuum, a solid deshedding brush, and a willingness to accept fur as a permanent seasoning on everything you eat will take you far.
You have been warned. Lovingly.
The Bottom Line
Twenty GSPs are waiting for homes within 100 miles of West Lafayette right now. Many of them are there because someone fell in love with the breed without fully reckoning with the lifestyle it requires. That's not a character flaw — it's a mismatch, and it happens all the time with working breeds.
The right GSP in the right home is one of the most loyal, joyful, engaged, alive dogs you will ever share your life with. Gus is proof of that. But the right home is a specific thing, and it's worth knowing whether that's you before you fall in love with a liver-spotted face.
But you need to go into life with a GSP with both eyes open. Take the AKC Breed Selector quiz below before you do anything else. And if you get your results back and a German Shorthaired Pointer comes back as a match, then go find one to add to your pack.
TAKE THE QUIZ
Answer a series of quick questions to find your best dog breed matches! You'll be asked about your preferences and needs for your new dog, and about your everyday lifestyle. The more questions you answer, the better the matches. https://www.akc.org/breed-selector-tool
Still interested in the German Shorthaired Pointer?
Here are three great resources to check before looking for a breeder:
National GSP Angel Network
The National GSP Angel Network is a private Facebook group committed to raising and spreading awareness about the availability of GSPs for adoption across the nation.
Southeast GSP Rescue
This all-volunteer, faster-home-based GSP rescue covers southeast states of AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC, TN and helps with southern KY.
Ohio Shorthair Rescue
Ohio Shorthair Rescue is an all-volunteer, nonprofit committed to finding loving homes for GSPs in need. They're located in Columbus, OH.
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