The GSP Breed Standard
General Appearance
The German Shorthaired Pointer is a versatile hunter, an all-purpose gun dog
capable of high performance in field and water. The judgement of Shorthairs in
the show ring reflects this basic characteristic. The overall picture which is
created in the observer's eye is that of an aristocratic, well balanced,
symmetrical animal with conformation indicating power, endurance and agility and
a look of intelligence and animation. The dog is neither unduly small nor
conspicuously large. It gives the impression of medium size, but is like the
proper hunter, "with a short back, but standing over plenty of ground." Symmetry
and field quality are most essential. A dog in hard and lean field condition is
not to be penalized; however, overly fat or poorly muscled dogs are to be
penalized. A dog well balanced in all points is preferable to one with
outstanding good qualities and defects. Grace of outline, clean-cut head,
sloping shoulders, deep chest, powerful back, strong quarters, good bone
composition, adequate muscle, well carried tail and taut coat produce a look of
nobility and indicate a heritage of purposefully conducted breeding. Further
evidence of this heritage is movement which is balanced, alertly coordinated and
without wasted motion.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Size--height of dogs, measured at the withers, 23 to 25 inches. Height of
bitches, measured at the withers, 21 to 23 inches. Deviations of one inch above
or below the described heights are to be severely penalized. Weight of dogs 55
to 70 pounds. Weight of bitches 45 to 60 pounds. Proportion--measuring from the
forechest to the rearmost projection of the rump and from the withers to the
ground, the Shorthair is permissibly either square or slightly longer than he is
tall. Substance--thin and fine bones are by no means desirable in a dog which
must possess strength and be able to work over any type of terrain. The main
importance is not laid so much on the size of bone, but rather on the bone being
in proper proportion to the body. Bone structure too heavy or too light is a
fault. Tall and leggy dogs, dogs which are ponderous because of excess
substance, doggy bitches, and bitchy dogs are to be faulted.
Head
The head is clean-cut, is neither too light nor too heavy, and is in proper
proportion to the body. The eyes are of medium size, full of intelligence and
expression, good-humored and yet radiating energy, neither protruding nor
sunken. The eye is almond shaped, not circular. The preferred color is dark
brown. Light yellow eyes are not desirable and are a fault. Closely set eyes are
to be faulted. China or wall eyes are to be disqualified. The ears are broad and
set fairly high, lie flat and never hang away from the head. Their placement is
just above eye level. The ears when laid in front without being pulled, should
extend to the corner of the mouth. In the case of heavier dogs, the ears are
correspondingly longer. Ears too long or fleshy are to be faulted. The skull is
reasonably broad, arched on the side and slightly round on top. Unlike the
Pointer, the median line between the eyes at the forehead is not too deep and
the occipital bone is not very conspicuous. The foreface rises gradually from
nose to forehead. The rise is more strongly pronounced in the dog than in the
bitch. The jaw is powerful and the muscles well developed. The line to the
forehead rises gradually and never has a definite stop as that of the Pointer,
but rather a stop-effect when viewed from the side, due to the position of the
eyebrows. The muzzle is sufficiently long to enable the dog to seize game
properly and be able to carry it for a long time. A pointed muzzle is not
desirable. The depth is in the right proportion to the length, both in the
muzzle and in the skull proper. The length of the muzzle should equal the length
of skull. A dish-shaped muzzle is a fault. A definite Pointer stop is a serious
fault. Too many wrinkles in the forehead is a fault. The nose is brown, the
larger the better, and with nostrils well opened and broad. A spotted nose is
not desirable. A flesh colored nose disqualifies. The chops fall away from the
somewhat projecting nose. Lips are full and deep yet are never flewy. The teeth
are strong and healthy. The molars intermesh properly. The bite is a true
scissors bite. A perfect level bite is not desirable and must be penalized.
Extreme overshot or undershot disqualifies.
Neck, Topline, Body
The neck is of proper length to permit the jaws reaching game to be retrieved,
sloping downwards on beautifully curving lines. The nape is rather muscular,
becoming gradually larger toward the shoulders. Moderate throatiness is
permitted. The skin is close and tight. The chest in general gives the
impression of depth rather than breadth; for all that, it is in correct
proportion to the other parts of the body. The chest reaches down to the elbows,
the ribs forming the thorax show a rib spring and are not flat or slabsided;
they are not perfectly round or barrel-shaped. The back ribs reach well down.
The circumference of the thorax immediately behind the elbows is smaller than
that of the thorax about a hand's breadth behind elbows, so that the upper arm
has room for movement. Tuck-up is apparent. The back is short, strong, and
straight with a slight rise from the root of the tail to the withers. The loin
is strong, is of moderate length, and is slightly arched. An excessively long,
roached or swayed back must be penalized. The hips are broad with hip sockets
wide apart and fall slightly toward the tail in a graceful curve. A steep croup
is a fault. The tail is set high and firm, and must be docked, leaving
approximately 40% of its length. The tail hangs down when the dog is quiet and
is held horizontally when he is walking. The tail must never be curved over the
back toward the head when the dog is moving. A tail curved or bent toward the
head is to be severely penalized.
Forequarters
The shoulders are sloping, movable, and well covered with muscle. The shoulder
blades lie flat and are well laid back nearing a 45 degree angle. The upper arm
(the bones between the shoulder and elbow joint) is as long as possible,
standing away somewhat from the trunk so that the straight and closely muscled
legs, when viewed from the front, appear to be parallel. Elbows which stand away
from the body or are too close result in toes turning inwards or outwards and
must be faulted. Pasterns are strong, short and nearly vertical with a slight
spring. Loose, short-bladed or straight shoulders must be faulted. Knuckling
over is to be faulted. Dewclaws on the forelegs may be removed. The feet are
compact, close-knit and round to spoon-shaped. The toes are sufficiently arched
and heavily nailed. The pads are strong, hard and thick.
Hindquarters
Thighs are strong and well muscled. Stifles are well bent. Hock joints are well
angulated and strong with straight bone structure from hock to pad. Angulation
of both stifle and hock joint is such as to achieve the optimal balance of drive
and traction. Hocks turn neither in nor out. Cowhocked legs are a serious fault.
Coat
The hair is short and thick and feels tough to the hand; it is somewhat longer
on the underside of the tail and the back edges of the haunches. The hair is
softer, thinner and shorter on the ears and the head. Any dog with long hair in
the body coat is to be severely penalized.
Color
The coat may be of solid liver or a combination of liver and white such as liver
and white ticked, liver patched and white ticked, or liver roan. A dog with any
area of black, red, orange, lemon or tan, or a dog solid white will be
disqualified.
Gait
A smooth lithe gait is essential. It is to be noted that as gait increases from
the walk to a faster speed, the legs converge beneath the body. The tendency to
single track is desirable. The forelegs reach well ahead as if to pull in the
ground without giving the appearance of a hackney gait. The hindquarters drive
the back legs smoothly and with great power.
Temperament
The Shorthair is friendly, intelligent, and willing to please. The first
impression is that of a keen enthusiasm for work without indication of nervous
or flightly character.
Disqualifications
China or wall eyes.
Flesh colored nose.
Extreme overshot or undershot.
A dog with any area of black, red, orange, lemon, or tan, or a dog solid white.
Approved August 11, 1992
Effective September 30, 1992