German Longhaired Pointer Breed Guide

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 a 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.

Who are German Longhaired Pointer dogs 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!

How much grooming does a German Longhaired Pointer need?

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 gets 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 Pointer bark much?

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.

Do German Longhaired Pointer bite?

These dogs are at no greater risk of biting than other dogs. Provided they are well trained, socialised from an early age, and treated well, there is no reason why this breed would lash out unless threatened. If you ever have any concerns regarding a dog's behaviour, seek veterinary advice promptly.

What is the temperament & personality of a German Longhaired Pointer?

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 it shouldn't.

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

What is the weight & size of a German Longhaired Pointer?

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

How much training does a German Longhaired Pointer need?

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 great family pets.

These purebred dogs love positive reinforcement; this can be in the form of verbal praise or treats - and we know 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.

What are some of the most common health issues for a German Longhaired Pointer?

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 over eating.

• 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 should you feed a German Longhaired Pointer?

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. Always buy high-quality food, the highest quality you can afford - your GLP will really thank you for it!

What is the price of 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!