German Longhaired Pointer Care

The German Longhaired Pointer (GLP) is a medium- to large-sized, versatile gundog that's the rarest of the three German pointer breeds. But like its Shorthaired and Wirehaired cousins, the GLP is active, athletic, and very loyal to its human family members. Overall German Longhaired Pointer care will take a moderate amount of work, and will need to include a good bit of daily exercise.

Here you'll find details on caring for a German Longhaired Pointer, including info about puppy development, exercise needs, and shedding and drooling tendencies. Get answers to your questions about raising a German Longhaired Pointer in the following sections!

As an athletic multipurpose hunting breed, German Longhaired Pointer exercise requirements are pretty extensive. These dogs are also intelligent and task-oriented, so they'll need a variety of daily activities that both condition them physically (walking, fetch) and stimulate them mentally (hunting, canine sports). GLPs are good swimmers, and they make great jogging companions as well.

Adult GLPs, depending on their age, will need at least an hour of dedicated exercise each day. You can start exercising your GLP puppy when it's three months old by taking it on short walks, then you can increase the walks' length as the pup grows.

Precautions with German Longhaired Pointer exercise:

• Don't exercise puppies too hard before they're 10 months old
• High prey drive means a leash is required when exercising in public
• Yards must be securely fenced to keep the dog from running off
• Possible separation anxiety; exercises must be done together with people

Exercising your German Longhaired Pointer every day is a must. These dogs are highly active, and they have a strong work ethic--so without consistent activity they'll become frustrated, disobedient, and destructive. Regular exercise will be great for both the dog's and your own peace of mind! A few exercise ideas:

• Walking/Jogging: Two 20-minute walks (or 15-minute jogs) per day is a good target
• Fetch/Frisbee: GLPs love chasing a ball, stick, or Frisbee
• Hunting: Puts these dogs in their natural element
• Canine Sports: GLPs can excel at obedience or agility trials, lure coursing, and other events
• Swimming: These dogs are perfectly at home in the water
• Hiking: Excellent bonding activity

When indoors, giving your GLP access to balls or toys will allow the dog to burn excess energy. It's also good to have a regular daily exercise schedule for the dog, such as walks or jogs after breakfast and dinner and playtime in the afternoon.

In terms of overall maintenance, these dogs require moderate care. German Longhaired Pointer shedding is seasonal: fair for most of the year, but heavier during the twice-yearly shedding seasons. Drooling isn't much of an issue.

GLPs have straight to wavy, smooth, double-layered coats that are actually more medium in length (average is 1½-2 inches). The coats shed moderately most of the time--but when they blow their undercoats in the spring and fall, the shedding is more profuse. Owners can brush their GLPs once or twice a week with a pin brush to keep the shedding to a minimum, and hair cleanup--vacuuming the floors, and lint rollers on clothes and furniture--will be necessary from time to time. (Brushing and cleanup will obviously be required more often during shedding season.)

And a GLP doesn't drool much--perhaps in anticipation of food, but that's about it. If your German Longhaired Pointer is drooling excessively, that might be a sign of a medical issue, in which case a veterinarian's care is needed.

No temperature restrictions are documented for this breed. Due to their medium-long double coats, they should be monitored in exceptionally hot weather so they don't overheat.