German Longhaired Pointer: Dog Breed Characteristics and Care

History, Care Tips, and Helpful Information for Pet Owners

By
Adrienne Kruzer
Adrienne Kruzer, RVT, LVT
Adrienne Kruzer
Adrienne Kruzer is a veterinary technician with more than 15 years of experience providing healthcare to domestic and exotic animals. She is trained as a Fear Free Certified Professional to prevent and alleviate fear, anxiety, and stress in pets.
Learn more about The Spruce Pets' Editorial Process
Published on 10/13/23
German Longhaired Pointer in tall, dry grass on the shoreline

JWB Fotografie /

German longhaired pointers offer a great solution for someone looking for a versatile and friendly pointer breed with a slightly fluffier coat than their German cousins. This large breed dog can easily switch from being a calm family dog to an intensehunting dog, so if you're looking for a dog that fits into one of these categories, or even one in between, the German longhaired pointer may be for you.

Learn more about the care and breed characteristics of the German longhaired pointer.

Breed Overview

Group:Sporting

Height:23-28 inches

Weight:60-71 lbs

Coat:Double coat, medium length, straight to wavy

Coat Colors:Brown and white

Life Span:12-14 years

Temperament:Friendly, affectionate, social

低变应原的:No

Origin Country:German

Characteristics of the German Longhaired Pointer

The easiest way to describe a German longhaired pointer is to picture aGerman shorthaired pointerbut with medium-length hair. This athletic breedis always brown and white with soft, double-coated hair, and is very social and friendly. Families, hunters, and active individuals will find this athletic breed an ideal fit.

Affection Level High
Friendliness High
Kid-Friendly High
Pet-Friendly High
Exercise Needs High
Playfulness High
Energy Level High
Trainability High
Intelligence High
Tendency to Bark Medium
Amount of Shedding Medium

History of the German Longhaired Pointer

A descendant of French and Spanish spaniels, the German longhaired pointer was bred to be a very adaptable gun dog breed and swimmer. First developed in the late 1800s, this medium-to-large dog is great atall types of huntingand can also be wonderful family dogs. German longhaired pointers can swim, point, track, retrieve, and play, making them an all-around fun dog for active families or individuals.

German Longhaired Pointer Care

High energy, a double coat, and a lot of intelligence are packed into the German longhaired pointer. These qualities combine to form one great dog breed—but only for someone willing to provide them with all the care they need.

Exercise

Because of their smarts and energy, the German longhaired pointer needs a good amount of exercise. This breed was bred to chase, run, and swim, so they're not going to be content lounging on the couch all day. Long walks or runs and plenty of space to play when they aren't hunting are necessary for the breed.

Grooming

This breed has a medium-length coat with a thick undercoat. They don't require much in the way of grooming unless they run through thick brush while hunting, but regularbaths,brushing,ear cleaning, andnail trimsare necessary.

Training

The German longhaired pointer is a very eager-to-please and highly trainable dog. Basic commands are a breeze for this breed, but they'll get bored if you don't put their mind to work after they learn how to sit and stay, so regular training sessions are necessary.Agility, rally, obedience, and other dog sports are great alternatives to training for hunting.

Common Health Problems

No dog breed is without any potential health problems, but German longhaired pointers have no known congenital or genetic issues to worry about. However, some common health problems that can develop in any dog of this size include:

Diet and Nutrition

Like all dogs, German longhaired pointers should eat a nutritionally complete diet formulated for dogs by veterinary nutritionists. Measure out the appropriate amount of food based on your dog's weight, age, activity, and caloric content to preventobesityand other health issues. If you aren't sure what to feed, ask your veterinarian for recommendations.

Where to Adopt or Buy a German Longhaired Pointer

While some breeds are commonly found in shelters and rescues, German longhaired pointers are not a common breed. A reputable breeder is your best chance if you're looking to acquire this type of dog. Dog shows and theGerman Longhaired Pointer Club of North Americamay provide you with some options, but expect to pay between $1,000 and $2,000 for a healthy puppy (and be prepared to get on a waitlist).

Be careful with kennels that claim to breed a large variety of breeds or if they refuse to allow you to see the parents, which are signs ofpuppy millsand backyard breeders.

German Longhaired Pointer Overview

Pros

  • Friendly with other dogs

  • Very intelligent and trainable

  • Good with kids

Cons

  • Requires a lot of exercise

  • Is not hypoallergenic

  • Needs a lot of mental stimulation

10 Best Dog Breeds for Hunting

More Dog Breeds and Further Research

If you’re interested in similar breeds, check out:

FAQ
  • What’s the difference between a German longhaired pointer and a Viszla?

    German longhaired pointers and Viszlas are both good at pointing and retrieving, but they are different in their appearances, size, and origins. Viszlas originated in Hungary, have short hair, and are a rust color. German longhaired pointers originated in Germany, have medium-length hair, and are brown and white.

  • Are German longhaired pointers good family dogs?

    They can make excellent dogs for active families who can give them the physical exercise and mental stimulation they require.

  • Are German longhaired pointers good apartment dogs?

    If you are committed to plenty of walks, exercise, playtime, and training, an apartment can be a good fit for this breed. If this breed is understimulated and bored in an apartment setting, they can get destructive.

The Spruce Pets uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Yu Y, Liu L, Windig J, Bosse M, Groenen MAM, Crooijmans RPMA. Unique genetic signature and selection footprints in Dutch population of German Longhaired Pointer dogs.Anim Genet. 2022;53(6):829-840. doi:10.1111/age.13253

  2. American Kennel Club. “German Longhaired Pointer - Dog Breed Information.” Accessed September 14, 2023. https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/german-longhaired-pointer/.