German Shorthaired Pointer, medium-sized. It was originally a color variant of the German Longhaired Pointer and originated as a long-haired bird hunting dog in the Middle Ages.
In 1908, the association of German Longhaired Pointers excluded the black and white color variant from the breeding program, allowing them to be crossbred with Newfoundland dogs, Irish Setters, and Gordon Setters.
The successful combination of scenting ability and high intelligence has been incorporated into the wise hybrid process of Old English Pointers, English Foxhounds, and local German Tracking dogs, diversifying the abilities of this breed. Its high adaptability has earned it the honor of being a versatile hunting dog.
German Shorthaired Pointers originated in the 18th century. Early German Pointer breeds were crossbred with various other breeds, such as the German Foxhound, Bloodhound, English Pointer, Polish Water Dog, German Shepherd, and Griffon. Therefore, this breed possesses multiple hunting skills on both land and water, performing to the satisfaction of hunters.
It was recognized in Germany for the first time in 1870. It was recognized by the AKC in 1920.
German Shorthaired Pointers are strong, energetic, alert, and have a keen sense of perception, making them well-suited for outdoor activities. However, they have a strong hunting instinct and are generally not suitable for household pets.
Today, they are commonly trained as full-time hunting dogs, used to hunt waterfowl and small game in the highlands. They are also obedient and can be used as herding dogs.
Toes inflammation
Symptoms: The dog frequently licks its toes, and the area between the toes becomes red and moist. In severe cases, lameness may occur.
Preparation: Iodine, erythromycin ointment, Elizabethan collar
Method of use: Wear an Elizabethan collar, remove the hair on the feet thoroughly, rinse with soapy water or wipe with iodine. After the inflamed area is completely dry, apply erythromycin ointment between the toes once a day and repeat for a week.
Ear mites
Symptoms: The dog will scratch its ears, shake its head and ears. The dog's ears will have a strong sour smell, accompanied by increased tear stains, hair loss in the ears, dark brown secretions, and earwax.
Preparation: Ear cleaner, ear lotion
Method of use: Clean the hair inside the dog's ears, pour ear cleaner or VICKS ear wash into the ear canal, gently massage the ear root for 30 seconds, wait for the dog to shake out the ear wash, use cotton balls to wipe off the secretions and gently clean the earlobe and ear canal.
Skin disease
Symptoms: The dog will have itching, red and itchy skin, the dog will scratch randomly, the fur will be dull and rough, there will be more dandruff, and even patches of hair loss.
Preparation: Diluted salt water, external ointment or skin spray, Vitamin B
Method of use: Put an Elizabethan collar on the dog to prevent scratching and licking. Trim the problem skin and surrounding hair, then rinse with salt water for sterilization, and then apply ointment or use spray, together with antibiotics and vitamin B.
German Shorthaired Pointers have short and thick fur, which is relatively easy to groom. Owners only need to brush their fur every day, which can stimulate the dog's natural production of oil. After brushing away the loose and aging hair, it will make the fur more shiny and healthy.
Regular care for the dog's teeth, claws, and ears will make grooming for shows easier. If a German Shorthaired Pointer is treated in this way, it will often be in its best condition. The nails should be trimmed regularly and kept as short as possible. It is important to ensure that the teeth do not decay, and if necessary, they must be cleaned.
1. Do not bathe frequently
When bathing a dog, it should not be done too frequently. The frequency of bathing depends on the dog's hygiene condition. In hot weather, it can be bathed one or two more times, and in winter, it can be reduced by one or two times. However, the total number of baths should not exceed 5 times. Otherwise, it will damage its fur and skin!
2. Brush regularly
Dogs shed hair almost every day, especially in spring and autumn when seasonal shedding is more severe. To maintain good fur, regular brushing is an important step. Pet owners can use pet-specific brushes to help dogs remove naturally shedding hair and prevent tangling. Brushing once in the morning and evening for about five minutes each time is sufficient.
3. Sunbathe
Sunbathing is beneficial for the growth of a dog's fur. Besides making the fur more shiny, letting dogs sunbathe can also help with sterilization. While sunbathing, pet owners can let their dogs exercise, which can improve their physical fitness, promote blood circulation, and help grow healthier fur.
4. Deworming
Poor fur quality is closely related to parasites. Parasites absorb a large amount of nutrients from the dog's body, robbing them of nutrition. Therefore, deworming is essential. It is recommended to do both internal and external deworming. Deworming drugs can cause significant harm to a dog's gastrointestinal tract, so it is advisable to feed probiotics together to relieve gastrointestinal discomfort.
5. Pay attention to diet
In order for dogs to have beautiful fur, it is necessary to establish a good nutritional foundation and pay attention to their daily diet. On the one hand, feed dogs with nutritious and healthy dog food, choosing a brand that is suitable for dogs and provides sufficient nutrition to meet their needs. On the other hand, dogs can be appropriately fed lean meat, cooked egg yolk, and vegetable oil.
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