Things to Consider Before Getting a German Shorthaired Pointer

As fairly active people, we thought we were prepared for a higher energy dog, and then we brought home our adventure dog Nova. We highly recommend doing your research, talking to other German Shorthair owners, and really looking at if your lifestyle can accommodate the needs of a bird dog. If your heart is set on getting a German Shorthaired Pointer like ours was, here are a few things we've learned in our first year as new dog owners with our cute but crazy GSP Nova that may be helpful.
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[@brianfitch9030]

I’ve adopted 3 GSP dogs over the years. They are so funny and active. The love they give is always so touching.

[@mattandkelli]

They really are a special breed - that's so lovely that you gave homes to three of them! Nova keeps us active, laughing, and very, very happy that's for sure. Thanks for watching! 🥰

[@jordansatterly5323]

Is there a particular organization you would recommend to adopt a gsp from?

[@brianfitch9030]

@@jordansatterly5323sorry to reply so late. In the States many have GSP associations., such as California. Other rescue organizations might specialize in the Sporting Breeds. This will probably reach you too late, but this video is very accurate. The endless love and affection is always gratifying. I hope you have adopted!

[@johnjacksonmama]

@@jordansatterly5323well it depends but mostly private ones

[@corpsekrusher]

In my lifetime we had 7 GSH pointers. I absolutely love them. They are playful and affectionate and very sweet and super silly.

[@marymartinez3335]

Got one. I love ❤ her!!!

[@mattandkelli]

Aw yay! I hope she brings you lots of joy and laughs amidst all the high-energy craziness 😂🥰

[@pledg44]

Ah, 10 monts. Such sweet puppies. Wait until she is 13 months. I've fostered about 4 puppies that weren't adopted until 18 months. It doubles between 10 and 13 months with all the emotional issues of a teenager. I recommend at least 2 people attempting to tire out a GSP teenager. Paw to face.. Yea that too. But they are so smart. All of them read my mind. Soul mates. Doggie day care.

[@micheleobrien64]

Omg! He looks like mine when he was little!

[@bikerguy5829]

My Shorthair got out of her puppy stage around 11!! She was 16 when I lost her 😢

[@mattandkelli]

Wow! Hard to imagine them ever getting out of their puppy stage. I’m so sorry - time is never long enough with your pup ♥️

[@sudhindrakopalle7071]

Such a cute dog!

[@mattandkelli]

Thank you! 🥰

[@chucklutter7399]

Very well done video. The ones I have known well are incredibly loyal to their families. Nova is a beautiful girl. Love the black, my Mr Bobo was black as well, my all time favorite out of all my pointers.

[@mattandkelli]

Thank you so much, Chuck! Nova is definitely that way. Love that you share in the joys and love of GSPs as well! 🥰

[@dagneeitutyte5623]

Mine GSP used to run alongside the bicycle without a leash. It was the only way to exhaust him (20km a day) plus throwing a stick when only we stopped

[@mattandkelli]

I love that! Sounds like the perfect way to properly tire out a GSP ❤️

[@teddybaer2131]

This will give your Deutsch Kurzhaar pain and illness. This dog need a mental work! It´s a hunting dog and shouldn´t sell to nonhunters.

[@Billb9I3]

They are tough puppies. They need LOTS of exercise, as said and good chew toys. They sniff everything. They want to be with you, not left outside on their own all day. They are great with other dogs and kids. They are versatile hunters, gun dogs. They like cuddling sometimes and sleep touching you.

[@bonniebethel1234]

Shes a pretty girl. I have a male that black & white like her and a female that's the liver & roan. They are the best, but as you said very high energy. 💜🐾🐾

[@mattandkelli]

Thank you! Aw how do your two get along with each other? That is the truth!🥰

[@bonniebethel1234]

@@mattandkelli They get along, the female does like to pester her brother though. Shes still a pup. He just turned 3 and would rather be out hunting and running around. 😄🐾🐾

[@AndyandRachel]

I apologize... on my last comment I thought it was Noah, not Nova. We have done some pet sitting and fallen in love with lots of dogs but the dog I most bonded with was a short-haired pointer that we pet-sat in Hawaii. That dog was "living the life" with access to go in and out as he liked. Nova has gorgeous coloring! 😍 Sounds like she is a natural hunter. Way to consistently train her. It will make life more pleasurable for you two and for Nova in the long run. Great share! Absolutely love the video of the two of you holding hands in the snow with Nova walking with you! She looks incredibly fun.

[@mattandkelli]

No worries! We often call Nova a large number of nicknames and not her actual name anyways lol. 😊Aw how sweet - that GSP does sound like it's living the life, both Nova and I are definitely jealous! Thank you! ❤ We do our best to be consistent with her and to properly wear her out every day, but she still has her crazy spells that's for sure 😂 But we love her endlessly regardless, and she's always making us laugh. Thanks so much for watching!

[@glimmeringhope4520]

High energy!!!!!! GSP outbursts of energy cannot be emphasized. Our GSP (just turned 9mons) runs circles around my 24 month doberman (she is very fast but not as agile. He will fly over a picnic table with ease) and he exhausts our neighbors' GSD to the point of injury. He's tall and skinny, burns up all his calories, only weighs about 52, dobie is 80lbs almost same height. Two hours of hard play and our boy is still fiery while other big dogs are exhausted. Another thing - innate hunting instincts. A trainer told me not all GSP have it so acutely but my guy is a born tracker, pointer, hunter. Leash training has been very difficult since he naturally wants to "quarter". When he does catch a scent he sometimes bolts after the scent of the prey. When he finds it he will freeze & point and stay in that position just staring at the rabbit, deer (one day a wild hog). And, until i catch up to him & tell him good boy, he won't relax. He will stand on point so tensely his entire body is shaking. Also, they are fearless. So, having land to run is required. When he goes in 'hunting mode' his eyes change, it is like he's possessed. It hard to get my sweet puppy back. He is a true pointer and has only killed a squirrel and i didn't see it happen. The breeder who sold him to me said his mother came from a hunting-line breeder but that he breeds only pets and his dogs are never trained to hunt. Somehow many of these traits are passed genetical. As he's gotten older, he's gotten worse about hunting. I have to use a shock collar now when he catches a scent otherwise he will sprint a quarter mile (whistle & clickers help). Endless energy is the thing to know. Also - the good stuff - highly affectionate and very loving! He will be your shadow in the house and cries and whines😂 when he wants to cuddle! My guy must sleep in the bed. He whines loudly when he stuffs his mouth full of toys. Trainer said that's a retrieval thing. So buyer beware. Very loving breed but a helluva lot more work - much much more work than raising a doberman. I love both my pups but my girl doberman was so easy compared to this energetic hunter!❤️‍🔥😂.

[@judithgoulden972]

She is fabulous.

[@mattandkelli]

Thank you! She is and she knows it 😂😅

[@CAGSPRescue]

Love this! 🙌🧡🐾

[@michaelfabregas3496]

Beautiful Nova :)

[@mattandkelli]

We are biased but we think she’s pretty cute ourselves 🥰

[@jspapa21]

Well said. We have 2… 2.5 years and 7 months.

[@mattandkelli]

Aw adorable! How do they get on together?

[@thomasp2950]

She is gorgeous. I have two 9 1/2 and 10 years . 9 year old male is big couch potato 10 years old female still acts like she is two. Lots of trips to dog park.

[@mattandkelli]

Thank you! ❤️ Aw what special members of your family! I have an inkling Nova will be like yours who acts 2 until she's 102, but time will tell. All the best to you and your pups!

[@stevemc6820]

Such a beuty

[@jwnagy]

Beautiful ❤

[@mattandkelli]

Thank you! 😊

[@marinaush8582]

She looks exactly like my 6 months old Kira 🥰🥰

[@anthonydecesare2054]

I believe newer GSP should be advised that you need to limit some of their activities be smart and be mindful of possible dangers or exposure to possible injuries. I LOVE these dogs but at times they could be their own worst enemies. You have to establish yourself as the pack leader. I have paid for 2 ACL Surgeries, chiropractors, acupuncture, MRI’s, stitches in ears from running through thickets, stitches from impaling into broken branches. I have jumped into some of the nastiest marina water after these dogs. I have permanent holes & chew marks in my dry wall next to the “I want to go out now!” door. I am on their schedule rather than them being on mine. I have been the target of hunger strikes because someone didn’t get their sweet potato & canned salmon mixed in with her kibble. But my favorite of all is the fact that I have been pissed on marking me as a property patch. Yes these dogs are irresistible……..

[@mattandkelli]

Good advice! We’ve seen it in Nova for sure where she’ll be so energetic and focused on what she’s doing that she can become injury prone. We also have to work (very hard sometimes) to remind her she doesn’t rule the universe, even though she likes to be in control. Patience is huge for sure, but definitely important to know what to look out for/what you’re in for with GSPs!

[@Billb9I3]

Mine pees on all the toy balls at the park. Then people pick then up to throw!

[@julieannbiddles4638]

Great 👍

[@mattandkelli]

Thank you so much! ♥️

[@johnsadventures8100]

Our girl is 10 now but still blazing fast when I throw the tennis ball with the ball launcher. She also howls to fire engine sirens, which is hilarious. But only fire engines, not police or ambulance sirens.

[@mattandkelli]

So sweet! We have a hard time fathoming Nova slowing down ever. That's too funny! 😂 Nova has that sense for all mail trucks coming down our long driveway - no other vehicles.

[@garethgriffiths4091]

Unconditional love. What more could be said for this God-given breed. Puppy-induced insanity? Well, yeah. But that aside . . .

[@mattandkelli]

Couldn't have said it better ourselves 🤣💕

[@paulheinz2145]

every word THE ABSOLUTE TRUTH! Want to take off a few pounds? Just dedicate yourself to giving your GSP all the exercise it needs and you will have a dedicated friend for life and you might feel a little better about the weight you lost and the muscle you gained all in a 70 pound package

[@tundrathegsp]

Beautiful girl ❤

[@mattandkelli]

Thank you - right back at ya! 🥰

[@rosemariemocan357]

No, having a spacious home will not make for training terrain - you really need 1-2 hours outdoors/day.

[@mattandkelli]

You’re right - that is definitely more ideal for them!

[@markschuette3770]

Pointer powered fun- best high drive dog exercise rig ever- freedom to gooo under excellent steering and dog control- the rider steers the dogs- no commands needed- the dog adds stability to the scooter- you don't crash with this design- on or off road- even on urban sidewalks and single track dirt trails- urban mushing perfected- also good for agro, deaf and or blind dogs- d o g p o w e r e d s c o o t e r