German Longhaired Pointer
🧠 Temperament & character
The German Longhaired Pointer is calm, balanced and extremely good-natured, while being enduring and eager to work. It is easy to handle, people-oriented and compatible, also with children and other dogs. In hunting it shows great passion, but stays more level-headed than some more spirited pointing dogs. This calm versatility makes it pleasant in everyday life, provided it gets enough exercise.
📜 Origin & history
The German Longhaired Pointer goes back to old longhaired pointing dogs and water spaniels of Central Europe and was established as a separate breed in Germany in the 19th century. Baron von Schorlemer contributed significantly to standardisation with the first breed standard in 1879. The aim was a calm, versatile pointing dog with a protective longhaired coat. Today it is rarer than the shorthaired and wirehaired varieties, but a valued hunting working dog.
✂️ Grooming, care & training
The medium-length, slightly wavy coat of the German Longhaired Pointer, with feathering on legs and tail, needs regular brushing to avoid matting. As a large hunting dog it has a high need for exercise and needs long daily runs, gladly with retrieving and nose work. Thanks to its easy handling and calmness it is pleasant to train and responds well to friendly methods. After outings into water or terrain, the coat and ears should be checked.
🩺 Health
The German Longhaired Pointer is considered a robust, healthy breed with a life expectancy of around twelve to fourteen years. Occasionally hip dysplasia occurs, and as with larger breeds it is sensible to keep an eye on the risk of gastric torsion. The drop ears should be checked regularly. Responsible breeders x-ray the hips and pay attention to healthy, temperamentally sound parent animals.
🏡 Who is this breed right for?
The German Longhaired Pointer is suitable for active families and hunters who appreciate a calm, good-natured and versatile pointing dog. Thanks to its balanced nature it can also suit committed first-time owners, provided they bring plenty of time for exercise. Ideal is a home with a garden and plenty of exercise in nature; for pure apartment keeping without occupation it is not made. In Switzerland it is a pleasant, temperamentally sound companion for nature-loving people.