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DEUTSCHER KURZHAARIGER VORSTEHHUND

History

The history of the German Shorthaired Vorstehhund starts with the dogs which were used for the hunt with nets on feathered game, especially in the Mediterranean countries, and in combination with falconry. Via France, Spain and Flanders the German Shorthaired Vorstehhund came to the German courts. The most important distinctive feature of these dogs was their pointing performance. After the first double-barreled gun was made (1750), a pointing dog was even more required. In full sight of the dog "game birds in flight" were shot. That was the beginning of the transition from a mere pointer to a versatile gundog. As a fundamental basis for the structure and development of the breed the " Zuchtbuch German Kurzhaar " (Studbook) has been published since 1897. It was Prince Albrecht zu Solms-Braunfeld who compiled breed characteristics, judging rules for conformation and finally also simple trial regulations forHunting Dogs . Today the German Shorthaired still passes through the filter of elaborated breeding- and trial regulations. The standard stipulates the constitution of the German Shorthaired, as a versatile hunting dog, which enables him to perform all requirements in connection with hunting activities, even when advanced in age.

The German shorthaired Vorstehhund is a medium-sized, well-balanced dog with tight skin; a clean-cut head; a short, thick coat of liver or liver and white color; broad, high-set drop ears; and a docked tail carried level with the back when the dog is moving or downward when relaxed. The length of body is only slightly longer than the height at the withers, and the legs are only slightly longer than the depth of body. The overall picture is that of a self-confident, purposeful hunter, capable of speed, agility, and power. The German kortharige Vorstehhund should be evaluated as a working gun dog, and exaggerations or faults should be penalized in proportion to how much they interfere with the dog's ability to work.

Characteristics The key word to describe the German Shorthaired Pointer is versatility. German Shorthaired Pointers have been known to hunt upland game and waterfowl, track deer and bear, and even tree raccoons. They are willing, enthusiastic workers who thrive in the most rugged country and weather. They require little training to point or to back any other dog they see pointing. They retrieve equally well on land and water and can locate dead or wounded game in the heaviest cover. As a companion, the German Shorthaired Pointer is friendly, intelligent, and eager to please. Temperament Firm, balanced, reliable, restrained temperament, neither nervous nor shy or aggressive.

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.

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