German Shorthaired Pointer

The German Wirehaired Pointer is basically a pointing dog. There are three categories of German Wirehaired Pointer, including the short-haired German Pointer, the hard-haired German Pointer and the straight-haired German Pointer. The best known and most widespread is the short-haired one.

This very versatile hunting dog apparently comes from a cross between an old Spanish Pointer and an English Pointer. Introduced to Germany around the 17th century, his origins are very nebulous. The Kurzhaar, as he is called in Germany, is said to date back to before the development of the double-barrelled shotgun in 1750.

Initially, the German Shorthaired Pointer was used for bait and game birds with nets hunting. His great ability to stop game was much sought after in those days. After 1750, the German Shorthaired Pointer was transformed from a pure pointing dog into a versatile dog.

The Zuchtbuch Deutsch-Kurzhaar, the book on the origins of the breed, was published in 1897 and sets standards, simple working trial rules and judging regulations for the dog's morphology. Prince Albrecht of Solms-Braunfeld laid down the outline of the German Shorthaired Pointer at that time.

Nowadays, this versatile hunting dog is selected through elaborate trials and standard breeding rules that allow him to do a variety of work.