German Shorthaired Pointer Appearance

The German shorthaired pointer is a medium sized dog of about 21 to 25 inches in height, and weighing about 55 to 70 pounds. The females tend to be a bit smaller than males in most cases. GSP's are athletic and should appear streamlined, with powerful hind muscles that aid in quick pursuit or sudden turns during a hunt. To aid in swimming, the breed also has webbed feet. Shorthaired pointers have long, straight muzzles, and high set, broad ears that flop over close to the head. It is also very common to have a shorthaired pointer's tail docked, though this is now illegal in some countries.

One of the most interesting things about a German shorthaired pointer's appearance is its coat, which is dense and sleek, and also comes in many interesting colors. A dark brown color, often identified as "liver" is quite common, as is black, though a black coat disqualifies a dog from showing in the AKC. These colors are often accompanied by white spots, sometimes in large amounts, other times in a mottled appearance that is known as "ticking". A very common color variation is a dog whose whole front half is liver, followed by ticking on the hindquarters and extremities. The German shorthaired pointer's coat is also extremely functional, having a dense undercoat topped with stiff guard hairs which are water repellant and seal in warmth. Overall this breed not only has a uniquely beautiful appearance, but also an extremely functional one as well.