Known for their loyalty, wit, and charismatic nature, the German Shorthaired Pointer breed is unrivalled in its companionship. They’re excellent family dogs, and their protective nature makes them great guard dogs, but do these hearty dogs have any health issues owners should be aware of?
Read on for a comprehensive guide on the common German shorthaired pointer health issues all potential owners should be prepared for.
As with any breed, there are health problems that need to be kept an eye on – we’ve listed them below, along with advice on how best to manage your German Shorthaired Pointer’s health.
If you are thinking of adding one of these spackled dogs to your home, you must clearly understand this breed’s health issues and genetic vulnerabilities. While overall, they are rather healthy, there are a few conditions that might affect this breed.
We’ve compiled a list of the five primary health issues of German Shorthaired Pointers so that you can be a well-prepared pup parent.
Sad to think about, but an unfortunate reality with this breed is one that is affected the most by cancer, with mammary and mast tumours being prevalent in the breed. Spaying or neutering can decrease your dog’s risk of developing certain cancers. Early detection is key to treating this dreaded disease.
Occurring in up to 90% of all older dogs, bigger breeds tend to suffer from arthritis more than smaller breeds. You are more likely to find this disease in an adult GSP than in a younger pup. Keeping your dog at a healthy weight and ensuring proper nutrition and regular exercise can help prevent this condition.
If your pup does end up with arthritis, there are many treatments, and early detection will help them to lead a long, happy, and comfortable life.
While less common in German Shorthaired Pointers than in other breeds, hip dysplasia is one condition that owners should be aware of and keep an eye out for. This health issue is more often found in an adult dog rather than a puppy but can show up as early as a few months old.
This occurs when the ball and socket joint of the hip doesn’t develop or fit properly in the socket. Instead of a smooth movement, the bones now rub against each other and cause mass amounts of pain and discomfort. It often leads to arthritis, which can be treated, but hip dysplasia is more difficult to manage.
Your vet will need to take hip x-rays, and your pup may need some surgery if it is a more severe case.
Eye disease is one of the more common health problems you could encounter with your German Shorthaired Pointer, and the most prevalent of these is progressive retinal atrophy.
With progressive retinal atrophy, the cells of the retina degenerate over time, resulting in partial to full blindness, depending on the severity of the case.
There are two types of the disease – hereditary or early onset, which starts at about 2-3 months old, and late-onset, which occurs in older adult dogs, often first being noticed between ages 3-9 years.
While prone to various blood clotting diseases, this dog breed is most likely to suffer from Von Willebrand’s disease. This disease is caused by low levels of von Willebrand coagulation factor and the reduced function of this factor. This causes excessive bleeding during surgery, frequent nose bleeds, and bruising more easily than normal.
Breeding stock of German Shorthairs should be genetically tested to see if they are a carrier of this disease and should not be selected as a breeding dog if they are.
If you can afford to, insuring your German Shorthaired Pointer can save you money in the long run. While they are generally a healthy breed, these dogs have some more serious potential health issues that can cost you, especially when they are older.
When choosing insurance for your German Shorthairs, you need to ensure sufficient coverage for their various potential health issues.
We suggest choosing a plan that will provide coverage for the following:
If you are aware of any other health issues your pet may have, check to see if your insurance will cover them.
A German Shorthair can live up to 14 years, which is a longer lifespan than other dogs in their size group. The more you look after your pet’s health, the more time you’ll be able to spend with them. Some German Shorthairs can live up to as much as 18 years!
This particular dog breed has a few minor health issues to be aware of, but with the proper care, nutrition and exercise, they can live long and happy lives. While the German Shorthaired Pointer is a generally healthy dog, it is worth getting pet insurance for them to make sure that you’re covered should any more severe conditions crop up.
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