German Short-haired Pointer

A Breed Standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

GERMAN SHORTHAIRED POINTER 

GENERAL APPEARANCE

Noble, steady dog showing power, endurance and speed, giving the immediate impression of an alert and energetic dog whose movements are well co-ordinated.  Of medium size, with a short back standing over plenty of ground.  Grace of outline clean-cut head, long sloping shoulders, deep chest, short back, powerful hindquarters, good bone composition, adequate muscle, well carried tail and taut coat.

CHARACTERISTICS

Dual purpose Pointer/Retriever, very keen nose, perseverance in searching and initiative in game finding, excellence in field, a naturally keen worker, equally good on land and water.

TEMPERAMENT

Gentle, affectionate and even-tempered.  Alert, biddable and very loyal.

HEAD AND SKULL

Clean-cut, neither too light nor too heavy, well-proportioned to body.  Skull sufficiently broad and slightly round.  Nasal bone rising gradually from nose to forehead (this more pronounced in dogs) and never possessing a definite stop but when viewed from side a well-defined stop effect due to position of eyebrows.  Lips falling away almost vertically from somewhat protruding nose and continuing in a slight curve to corner of mouth.  Lips well developed, not over hung.  Jaws powerful and sufficiently long to enable the dog to pick up and carry game.  Dish-faced and snipey muzzle undesirable.  Nose solid brown or black depending on coat colour.  Wide nostrils, well opened and soft.

EYES

Medium size, soft and intelligent, neither protruding nor too deep-set.  Varying in shades of brown to tone with coat.  Light eye undesirable.  Eyelids should close properly.

EARS

Broad and set high; neither too fleshy nor too thin, with a short, soft coat; hung close to head, no pronounced fold, rounded at tip and reaching almost to corner of mouth when brought forward.

MOUTH

Teeth sound and strong.  Jaws strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

NECK

Moderately long, muscular and slightly arched, thickening towards shoulders.  Skin not fitting too loosely.

FOREQUARTERS

Shoulder sloping and very muscular, top of the shoulder blades close; upper arm bones, between shoulder and elbow, long.  Elbows well laid back, neither pointing outwards nor inwards.  Forelegs straight and lean, sufficiently muscular and strong, but not coarse boned.  Pasterns slightly sloping.

BODY

Chest must appear deep rather than wide but in proportion to rest of body; ribs deep and well sprung, never barrel-shaped nor flat; back ribs reaching well down to tuck-up loins.  Chest measurement immediately behind elbows smaller than about a hand’s breadth behind elbows, so that upper arm has freedom of movement.  Firm, short back, not arched.  Loin wide and slightly arched; croup wide and sufficiently long, neither too heavy nor too sloping, starting on a level with back and sloping gradually towards tail.  Bones solid and strong.  Skin should not fit loosely or fold.

HINDQUARTERS

Hips broad and wide, falling slightly towards tail.  Thighs strong and well-muscled.  Stifles well bent.  Hocks square with body and slightly bent, turning neither in nor out.  Pasterns nearly upright.

FEET

Compact, close-knit, round to spoon shaped, well padded, turning neither in nor out.  Toes well arched with strong nails. 

TAIL

Previously customarily docked.

Docked: Starts high and thick, growing gradually thinner, customarily docked to medium length by two-fifths to half its length.  When quiet, tail carried down; when moving, horizontally; never held high over back or bent.

Undocked: Moderately long, not reaching below hocks. Strong at root, becoming gradually thinner. Carried horizontally or just below line of back.

[*refer note below]

GAIT/MOVEMENT

Smooth, lithe gait essential.  As gait increases from walk to a faster speed, legs converge beneath body (single tracking).  Forelegs reach well ahead, effortlessly covering plenty of ground with each stride and followed by hindlegs, which give forceful propulsion.

COAT

Short, flat and coarse to touch, slightly longer under tail.

COLOUR

Solid liver, liver and white spotted, liver and white spotted and ticked, liver and white ticked, solid black or black and white, same variations (not tri-colour).

SIZE

Dogs:  Minimum height 58cm (23in) at withers
Maximum height 64cm (2 in) at withers
Bitches:  Minimum height 53cm (21in) at withers
Maximum height 59cm (23in) at withers.

FAULTS

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.

NOTE

Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

Only clinically and functionally healthy dogs with breed typical conformation should be used for breeding.

*Regardless of the provisions of the current KUSA-adopted standard, docked or formerly docked breeds may be shown at all FCI- and KUSA-licensed shows in South Africa, whether their tails are docked, or natural. Under no circumstances are judges permitted to discriminate against exhibits on the grounds of docked, or natural tails and equal consideration for awards must be given to either. (Fedco 12/2017 Amended DR/01/2018)