German Longhaired Pointer
JER-man LONG-haired POYN-ter
Germany· Germany
The German Longhaired Pointer is a versatile, elegant gundog descended from old European long-coated bird dogs.
At a glance
Quick facts
Size
Large
Exercise needs
2 hours+ per day
Home size suited to
Medium or larger
Grooming frequency
Weekly brush, more when moulting
Coat length
Medium to long
Sheds
Yes
Lifespan
12-14 years
Town or country
Country preferred
Garden size needed
Medium or larger
Where it comes from
Origins of the German Longhaired Pointer
German hunters of the 19th century wanted a long-coated, all-purpose gundog descended from old European bird dogs, capable of pointing, tracking wounded game and retrieving from water across the varied terrain of the German countryside.
- Region
- Germany
- Climate it was bred for
- Temperate mixed woodland, farmland and wetland
- Original job
- Versatile pointing, tracking and retrieving gundog for German hunters
The long read
About the breed
Its development for all-round hunting work shaped a capable pointer and retriever, calm and methodical afield, with a keen nose and strong retrieving instinct on land and water.
As a companion it is affectionate, loyal and gentle, generally good with families, though it retains strong working drive and needs plenty of daily exercise.
The breed remains most popular in its native Germany and other parts of continental Europe, and while less common internationally than its shorthaired cousin, it has a small but growing following abroad.
Living with one
Temperament & needs
Our own ratings, based on the breed standard and how these dogs behave in ordinary homes.
Friendliness
3/5
How openly the German Longhaired Pointer greets people it does not know.
Trainability
3/5
How readily the breed takes to training in an ordinary home.
Energy
3/5
How much daily exercise and stimulation the breed expects.
Barking
3/5
How vocal the breed tends to be day to day.
Grooming
3/5
How much coat work the breed needs to stay comfortable.
Suits a first-time owner
3/5
How forgiving the German Longhaired Pointer is for someone taking on their first dog.
Illustrated breed standard
The points of the breed
Hover or tap a numbered point to read what the standard asks for.
Point 1
Skull
The German Longhaired Pointer's skull is judged on balance rather than size — proportionate to the body, with a clean cheek and a stop typical of the breed. Coarseness or an over-refined head are both faulted.
Timeline
History & development
1800s
Old German bird dogs
Long-coated pointing dogs were bred across German-speaking regions from older spaniel and setter-type stock.
1878
Standard efforts begin
German breeders began efforts to standardise the long-coated pointing type.
1897
Breed club founded
A dedicated breed club was established for the German Longhaired Pointer.
1908
Standard refined
The breed standard was revised to fix the modern type more precisely.
1990s
Continued specialist use
The breed remains popular chiefly among German and European hunters valuing its versatility.
Reference
Breed standard summary
- body
- Slightly longer than tall, with a deep chest and strong, level back.
- coat
- Medium to long, slightly wavy, with feathering on ears, chest, legs and tail.
- ears
- Set high, broad, lying flat with wavy feathering.
- eyes
- Large, brown, with a gentle, intelligent expression.
- head
- Fairly long, with a slight stop and slightly domed skull.
- size
- Dogs 63-66cm, bitches 60-63cm
- colour
- Solid brown, brown roan, or brown and white.
- temperament
- Gentle, loyal, calm and versatile.
- general appearance
- A large, elegant, well-muscled pointing dog with a moderately long, wavy coat.
Health
What to screen for
Green means little to worry about, amber means ask the breeder for test results, red means manage it actively.
General information only — always speak to your vet about your own dog.
From real owners
Dogs like this
German Longhaired Pointers added by PawPoint members through their pet passports. Share yours to appear here.
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Made for the German Longhaired Pointer
The book, plus prints, hoodies and mugs using our own German Longhaired Pointer illustration — and one everyday accessory that suits any dog.
The book
Pawpoint: The Complete Dog Breed Book
Every officially recognised breed plus the unofficial ones nobody else documents. 400+ pages, hardback, printed and shipped from the UK.
Own stock — shipped by us
Framed poster
German Longhaired Pointer Framed Poster
Museum-weight print of our German Longhaired Pointer illustration, framed or unframed.
Printed to order
Hoodie
German Longhaired Pointer Hoodie
Heavyweight hoodie carrying the German Longhaired Pointer illustration on the chest.
Printed to order
Mug
German Longhaired Pointer Mug
Ceramic mug with the German Longhaired Pointer illustration wrapped around it.
Printed to order
Accessory
Drying Towel Robe
Microfibre robe that soaks up a wet-walk shake.
Fits any dog
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