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The German Longhaired Pointer or GLP is a medium-large sized breed, noble and elegant in appearance with a glossy semi-long coat. They are powerfully built with a rather aristocratic head, deep brown eyes and broad ears that sit close to the cheeks with wavy feathering reaching past the tip of the ear leather.
The coat is an important feature of the breed (there being a wire-haired and a short-haired version of this breed) - it should be close fitting and dense, lying smooth along the body or slightly wavy, with attractive feathering on the ears, legs and tail.
German Longhaired Pointers can suffer from:
- Hip dysplasia
Priority Kennel Club health schemes and testing:
None but there are several recommended schemes that the Kennel Club recommends which can be found here.
Powerful and intense, the German Longhaired Pointer retains the working instinct and ability they were bred for. They naturally want to range ahead of and to the side of a handler when walking off lead and will actively look for game. They are capable of making independent decisions quickly if their owner is not ready to tell them what to do, so owners need to understand this 24/7 working nature and be ready to supply instruction. These are ‘people’ dogs in the sense that they want to work together with their person as a team, but this doesn’t mean you won’t have to work at building a relationship with your dog! Considered the ‘Ferrari’ of the gundog world, they are quick, keen and have incredible stamina, and should be considered dogs who need a job.
| Family-friendly: | 5/5 |
| Exercise needs: | 5/5 |
| Easy to train: | 4/5 |
| Tolerates being alone: | 3/5 |
| Likes other pets: | 4/5 |
| Energy level: | 5/5 |
| Grooming needs: | 4/5 |
| Shedding: | 2/5 |
Developed in Germany in the 1800s as an all-purpose, versatile and adaptable Hunt/Point/Retrieve (HPR) breed, their origins lie with the early bird-dogs such as the ‘point spaniel’ type. In the 19th Century, to give the breed more speed and possibly more leg length, they were out-crossed with various setters and English Pointers which probably gave rise to the varieties of coat type and personalities.
Early on (1883) it was recognised that breeding for the show ring alone would be detrimental to a working breed and Karl Brandt, expert on the breed wrote that working ability via working trials competitions should be a part of breeding programs. The GLP is one of the oldest of the multi-purpose HPR breeds (hunt, point and retrieve), with a breed standard finalised by the German breed societies and Kennel Club in 1879.
In the UK the German Longhaired Pointer is relatively rare and more likely to be seen working as a gundog than as a pet.
This is a breed for someone who is seriously interested in gundog trials or other gundog work, who enjoys a coated breed, and doesn’t mind a bigger grooming commitment. You’ll need to enjoy long walks and spending time training and either competing with your dog or some similar activity that fulfils their need to work!
Two hours or more per day is needed, although attempts to physically exhaust the GLP would be foolish, as you will simply create an even fitter athlete who needs even more exercise! Instead, mix this physical exercise with training and mental stimulation – gundog work would be ideal as this is what they are bred for, but they will excel at agility, Hoopers, Rally, Man-trailing and much more. Keep their minds active and satisfied with walks across a variety of terrains and routes, include swimming where you can as this breed swims well and nearly always enjoys doing so.
The German Longhaired Pointer is really a rural dweller, needing a large secure garden and medium sized home. Their exercise and training requirements make city living unrealistic, however having someone home most of the time is probably more important to them than where that home is.
Large breed dogs, as well as having large appetites, benefit from a different balance of nutrients including minerals and vitamins compared to smaller-breed dogs.
A daily brush through and a more intensive groom once a week will keep the German Longhaired Pointer in excellent condition. Keep in mind this large and long coated breed enjoys walks in all weather, isn’t shy of muddy conditions and loves a swim, so you may spend a considerable amount of time drying one off and brushing out dried mud. Check paws, limbs, ears and tail for grass seeds and other debris after each walk.
Quick and intelligent but like many gundog breeds, easily overwhelmed by intensive training too young or harsh handling. They will respond very well to positive reinforcement, remembering that reinforcement need not always be food but can be the opportunity to perform enjoyable behaviours such as tracking scent, searching for hidden toys or game, and retrieving! Better suited to those who enjoy training as a hobby, particularly for gundog work!
Pay careful attention to early socialisation with other pets, people and to training a solid recall as this is a dog who needs lot of off-lead, free-running exercise.
For the very active rural family who enjoy spending long hours walking, enjoy dog training as a hobby and have robust older children, the German Longhaired Pointer can make an excellent companion. However, the time requirements and size may mean they are unsuited to living with very small children. They do not cope if left home alone for long, and are better in a multi-dog household, so take this into consideration.
While many dogs are traditionally thought of as being good with children, all dogs and children need to be taught to get on with and respect each other, and be safe together. Even so, dogs and young children should never be left alone together and adults should supervise all interactions between them.
