German Longhaired Pointer Dog Breed Information

Group

Foundation Stock Service

Weight

25-30 kg

Height

55-70 cm

Lifespan

12-14 years

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About the German Longhaired Pointer

Reviewed by:

Dr. Cristina Alice Vulpe

Veterinarian

Looking for a dog with high energy that also makes a wonderfully friendly household pet for all the family? Perhaps the German Longhair – or GLP, for short – is exactly the type of dog your need in your life.

Find out everything you need to know about this gentle, friendly, and intelligent breed in our definitive guide below.

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What is the history & origin of the German Longhaired Pointer?

German Longhaired Pointers were first developed in Germany all the way back in the 1800s. They were originally bred to be reliable multi-purpose Hunt/Point/Retrieve (HPR) breed of dog. They are one of the oldest breeds of this nature in existence, having been officially recognised by the Kennel Club in 1879.

Because of this lineage, as we will see, the breed today excels at all forms of dog sports, exercise and mental stimulation.

What is a German Longhaired Pointer breed?

These are high-energy dogs; they are muscular, elegant, and athletic. They are also extremely affectionate; this gentle breed will do absolutely anything to seek the approval of its owners.

German Longhaired Pointer’s coat comes in two colours – white and brown, although their coats can have a variety of alluring and unique patterns.

Who is a German Longhaired Pointer best for?

German Longhaired Pointers generally make excellent family dogs as they are great with kids and other household pets.

They are extremely intelligent, so they require just as much mental stimulation as physical exercise, and therefore, they are best for those who have the time to spend with them – and also someone who loves the outdoors.

Being active dogs, these guys and gals love nothing more than as much time outside as possible, so perhaps invest in a good pair of walking boots!

German Longhaired Pointer Grooming & Shedding

Longhaired Pointing breeds require a lot of upkeep regarding their coats, and the GLP is no exception. In fact, their coats are magnets for just about anything, from dust and dirt to burrs, which are sometimes required to be trimmed out of the coat. The ears are also prone to getting knots in them, so this is another area of the coat that you should pay close attention to.

Ensure your GLP get brushed regularly and also have a bath at least once a week, or possibly more, depending on how much mud your mucky pup likes to throw themselves around in!

Nails should be trimmed often, too; this helps to avoid them not just overgrowing but splitting and cracking, which can be unpleasant for the dog, depending on the severity.

The ears should be checked on a weekly basis to avoid a build-up of wax and also to keep an eye out for any ear infections, something that the breed can be prone to on occasion.

Teeth should be brushed several times a week, and German Longhaired Pointer puppies that are given this treatment early will be much more likely to tolerate it than a dog introduced to it in later life, so it’s ideal to start them as young as possible.

Do German Longhaired Pointers bark a lot?

When the mood takes them, GLPs can be quite vocal. They can also sound off when they see strangers approaching the house, and while this might be useful if there was a threat, it’s not exactly practical when Grandma pays a surprise visit!

Thankfully, however, this barking behaviour can be minimised in the modern German Longhaired Pointer with some good training coupled with lots of positive reinforcement when they do the right thing.

What is the average weight & height of a German Longhaired Pointer?

On average, a GLP will weigh 30 kg and can be as tall as 70 cm.

Are German Longhaired Pointers easy to train?

Similar to the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Shorthaired Pointer, GLPs respond really well to training. In fact, successful training is a must – these dogs need a lot of mental and physical stimulation in order to be happy, and training hones their temperament, making them a great family pet.

These purebred dogs love positive reinforcement; this can be in the form of verbal praise or treats – and we know you you can guess which they prefer!

They love dog sports, so when they are old enough, they can be placed in ability classes or field trials. This is because, like us humans too, these friendly dogs desire a purpose and love nothing more than having a job to do.

How do German Longhaired Pointers behave? A look at their temperament and personality

Fun, gentle, full of energy and love to give – what’s not to like?

These dogs really do have personality in spades; they are curious, so expect to be sniffed to death just about every time they see you. They are also extremely keen to please and will want nothing more than your approval.

Many seem to be wholly unaware of their large size, so expect a GLP to attempt to sit on your lap in order to be as close to you as possible!

Because they do create such tight-knit bonds with their humans, German Pointers can be prone to separation anxiety which can have devastating mental health effects on any dog. It can also lead to the dog lashing out at furniture and going to the toilet where they shouldn’t.

Correct training, however, can often remedy this behaviour in a German Longhaired Pointer.

Does the German Longhaired Pointer have any common health issues?

When it comes to health, German Longhaired Pointers are a robust, healthy breed and are therefore not prone to any specific health concerns, diseases or illnesses.

However, there are a few conditions that should be looked out for:

Obesity – These dogs can put on weight very quickly and easily, and if they are given the opportunity, they will eat much more than their fair share (well, don’t we all?). To remedy the risk, food intake should be closely monitored to avoid any overeating.
Von Willebrand’s Disease – A relatively common condition in other dogs and not just GLPs, Von Willebrand’s is a blood clotting disorder that requires medication to treat.

What is the lifespan of a German Longhaired Pointer?

German Longhaired Pointers have an average lifespan of between 12 and 14 years of age, provided they are healthy – and happy.

How much does a German Longhaired Pointer need to be fed?

As a large breed of dog, these guys have huge appetites that require some vigorous exercise to burn off all those calories to prevent weight gain!

The breed really benefits from a balanced diet packed with nutrients, vitamins and minerals that many other breeds, especially small dogs, don’t require as much of. Always buy high-quality food, the highest quality you can afford – your GLP will really thank you for it!

How much can you expect to pay for a German Longhaired Pointer in Australia?

As with many other dogs, GLPs do not come cheap! While the exact price will vary between breeders, expect to pay at least $800 and sometimes closer to $2000. If you do want to buy from a breeder, make sure you do your homework and search for only the best, most reputable in your area.

Or, you could think about giving a dog a second chance at life and adopting a GLP from an animal shelter. Although this might make finding this particular breed slightly more difficult, adopting from a shelter is cheaper and could literally save a dog’s life, so it’s definitely worth considering!

German Longhaired Pointer FAQs

Is a German Longhaired Pointer a good family dog?

GLPs can make excellent family members! That said, they do require quite a lot to live a good quality of life, and they need owners that can provide it.

Lots of exercise is a must, and so is lots of engagement and mental stimulation. They get on really well with kids and older people, but due to their really high energy levels, they can be a bit boisterous, so supervision is recommended with any family member that is particularly young.

At what age do GLPs calm down?

These dogs have a lot of energy, and when they are young, their energy levels seem quite literally boundless! They don’t reach full maturity until the age of around 2, so expect some unruliness until then. Proper training and puppy classes, however, can really help calm them down!

Do they like to swim?

GLPs, just like their cousins, the German Shorthaired Pointers, love a good dip in the pool or local lake! After all, it’s in their genes; they even have webbed feet (yes, you read correctly). They were expected to swim out to catch birds, so what they don’t know about swimming isn’t really worth knowing!