German Shorthaired Pointers are versatile and strong hunting dogs developed in the 19th century in Germany. They are a strong hunting breed with striking coats and long floppy ears. So, you might be wondering if these floppy-eared, beautiful dogs make good house dogs.
German Shorthaired Pointers make good house dogs. However, according to experts, you should not have these dogs in your household if there are kids under the age of seven. This is because German Shorthaired Pointers are rambunctious and can injure a child without meaning to.
Let’s take a look at whether they are good house dogs, if they can be left alone in your house, and instances when you should not keep a German Shorthaired Pointer in your house.
Can You Keep A German Shorthaired Pointer In Your House?
German Shorthaired Pointers were bred for hunting many types of game. They retrieve on land or from water and generally make loving companions. In terms of family life, these dogs are amazing with children and very loving with family members and other canines.
German Shorthaired Pointers are great family pets and can be trained early. You can keep them in your house if they’re properly trained and have access to a big yard. However, sometimes these dogs are hard to train. They’re extremely independent and curious, which can pose a problem. But this does not mean they’re impossible to train.
When training your German Shorthaired Pointer puppy, make sure you show the dog who is boss. If you don’t show that you’re in control, your dog will not listen to you. It’s also best to train them from the puppy stage. However, this breed is extremely intelligent and loves learning. So, you can train them their whole lives.
It is important to know that German Shorthaired Pointers have a lot of energy to burn. This is because they are hunting dogs. You need to constantly stimulate your dog if you want them to be happy and obedient. If not, they can exhibit destructive behavior, like damaging your property or excessive chewing and barking. They’re not content to sit around.
If you keep one in your house, also ensure access to a big enough yard to play and run around. You can also only keep this dog in your house if it’s big enough. Males usually weigh around 55 to 70 pounds and females 45 to 60 pounds. Their height is usually 22 to 24 inches. This breed usually lives for 12 to 14 years.
Remember, these dogs are a lifelong commitment, so you need to be sure that you can keep up with them if they live in your house.
Can German Shorthaired Pointers Be Left Alone In Your House?
These beautiful family dogs are very human-focused. So, they may experience some anxiety or boredom if left alone in the house. It takes about two years for this breed to be fully adult. As puppies, German Shorthaired Pointers will definitely get into some mischief if left completely alone in your house.
Separation anxiety is common among German Shorthaired Pointers. This is because they love human interaction and are eager to please their owners. This can cause them to become miserable when you are gone. You will need to train your dog from the puppy stage to avoid separation anxiety.
Additionally, this breed can especially cause damage if they’re bored, which is why it is so important that you ensure your dog gets plenty of exercise daily. So, what should you do if you have no option but to leave your German Shorthaired Pointer alone? You will have to keep your dog in a dog-safe or crated
room.
Getting a German Shorthaired Pointer might not be the best if you’re gone for long periods. Leaving them alone for long periods frequently would make for a very frustrated and unhappy dog.
However, if someone is always at your home or you’re only gone for a few hours, you will need to create an area for your dog where he is not allowed to roam completely free in the house.
If your German Shorthaired Pointer is eight years or older, they may start having accidents around the house due to their age. So, it would be best if you don’t leave your dog alone for long periods.
When You Shouldn’t Keep A German Shorthaired Pointer In Your House
German Shorthaired Pointers are a long-time commitment. It would be best if you were sure that you could provide this dog with everything it needs to be happy and healthy. They can exhibit destructive behavior if you do not give them proper stimulation, like enough room to play and regular exercise.
Because of this, you should not keep a German Shorthaired Pointer in an apartment. They need a lot of room to roam around. Preferably, it would be best if you had a big yard for your dog to run around and play. If they’re cooped up, they become frustrated and will start becoming destructive.
You also should not keep a German Shorthaired Pointer in your house, or at all even, if you’re not willing to exercise him for one to two hours a day. As mentioned before, these dogs have a ton of energy and need to be active. You will also need to spend a lot of time with your dog because they are very human-focused.
If you have children under the age of seven years, you should not keep this breed in your house. Not because they are intentionally dangerous, but German Shorthaired Pointers are very enthusiastic and strong. They might injure a child without meaning to.
Conclusion
As you can see, German Shorthaired Pointers make good house dogs if they get enough exercise during the day and are not left alone for long periods. If you train your dog from the puppy stage, they will be very obedient.
However, if you have small children, it’s best not to get a German Shorthaired Pointer as a house dog because they do not know their own strength and might accidentally hurt a child. You also should not get this breed as a house dog if they don’t have access to a big yard and get ample exercise during the day. They also need a lot of attention!
References
https://canna-pet.com/articles/german-shorthaired-pointer-temperament-personality/
https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/german-shorthaired-pointer/
https://www.hillspet.com/dog-care/dog-breeds/german-shorthaired-pointer
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/german-shorthaired-pointer-facts/
