German Shorthaired Pointer.

German Shorthaired Pointer. German Shorthaired Pointer, or kurzhaar, breed of all-purpose sporting dog with a superb scenting ability. The German shorthaired pointer was developed in Germany in the 19th century by crossing several breeds of German hunting dogs. A forebear of the German wirehaired pointer, this breed was introduced to the United States in the early 1920s. The German shorthaired pointer has a muscular, medium-sized body. It stands 53 to 63 cm (21 to 25 in) high at the shoulders, and weighs 20 to 22 kg (45 to 70 lb). This dog has a deep, prominent chest; sloping, muscular shoulders; and a short, strong back. Its medium-length neck supports a broad head. It has powerful jaws and a large, dark brown nose with wide-open nostrils. The dog's medium-sized brown eyes are oval shaped. Broad ears sit high on its head and hang close to it. The highset tail is cut back to about half its natural length. A short, thick, water-repellent coat that is either a solid liver color or a combination of liver and white distinguishes the German shorthaired pointer. The hair is softer, shorter, and thinner on its head. The German shorthaired pointer is known by hunters as a versatile land and water pointer and retriever. It is an excellent flusher, which means it finds game birds in the field and causes them to fly. This dog is a determined, agile hunter with a smooth stride and great endurance. It requires regular exercise. The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized this breed in 1930. Its national breed club is the German Shorthaired Pointer Club of America. Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.