This article was originally published in Showsight Magazine, October 2014 issue.
This group of dogs can track wounded game, follow deer and boar, work with falcons, quarter ground closely or widely, hold game on point, flush on command, mark and retrieve shot game, work in water and dense cover, withstand cold and wet conditions, and still provide loyal companionship for their owners. Often called a “jack of all trades” or “canine triathlete” for its ability to hunt, point, and retrieve, the German Shorthaired Pointer is invaluable in the field. As Hunter Pointer Retriever, the Continental Gundog, describes: “A good German Shorthaired Pointer which knows its job is not simply part of the equipment, it is the most important member of the team.”
Dogs with pointing abilities have existed in Europe since at least the 13th century. By the 17th century, Gesner referred to them as vorstehund, or “dog that stands before.” In Germany and France, they were called quail dogs, while the Italians named them net-dogs. These versatile hunting dogs came in all shapes, sizes, and coat types, adaptable to various forms of hunting. At the end of the 17th century, de Selincourt coined the term “gundogs” to distinguish between braques and spaniels. Braques, or setting dogs, hunted with a high nose and stopped at the scent, while spaniels used a low nose to track and were often paired with falcons.
During this period, Germany was not yet a unified country but consisted of many states ruled by kings and princes. When not at war, these rulers engaged in formal visits and hunting, often exchanging prized dogs as gifts. Period writings indicate that a braque or pointing dog, similar in build to the modern German Pointer, was in use across Central Europe, France, Italy, and Spain. These dogs, often white with brown markings or speckled with brown spots, hunted with high noses and were highly valued.
With advancements in firearms, shooting birds on the wing became popular, bringing pointers to prominence. By the mid-18th century, pointers were used throughout Europe and the British Isles. The 1848 revolution allowed Germany’s non-aristocracy to participate in shooting and own gundogs. By the start of the 18th century, only a few pointers existed in Germany, but crossbreeding began to enhance their capabilities. Though records are sparse, most crosses involved indigenous German dogs, as noted by Herr Seiger: “There was no deeper knowledge in the art of breeding to play a major part in old-time Germany.” Breeders were united in their desire for a versatile dog that excelled in field, forest, and water work.
As breeding progressed, Italian, French, and Spanish pointer stock were integrated with the original German pointer, and later with the Hannover Hound. By 1872, the breed continued to evolve, although a standard set in 1879 disqualified many dogs that did not resemble the early German pointers. In 1887, the conformation of Waldin (whelped on July 26, 1884) reenergized the breeding community, influencing breed development.
Following Germany’s unification, both the country and the German Pointer evolved. However, the two World Wars severely impacted breeding stock, and some kennels struggled to rebuild after WWII.
In 1925, Dr. Charles R. Thornton of Missoula, Montana, encountered an article with images in National Sportsman featuring German Shorthaired Pointers. After reading it repeatedly, he remarked to his wife, “If those dogs don’t cost a million dollars, I am going to buy a pair.” He purchased a bred bitch from Austrian breeder Edward Rindt. However, the male dog was killed in an accident before shipment. The female, Senta v. Hohenbruck, arrived after a 24-day journey in a crate and, on July 4, 1925, whelped seven pups, although one succumbed to pneumonia.
The breed was not yet recognized by the AKC, so Thornton registered the litter in the Field Dog Stud Book under “Everyuse” in early 1926.
Walter Mangold and Ernest Rojem, having served on opposite sides in WWI, met on a Nebraska pheasant hunt in the late 1920s. Sharing a love for the breed, they managed to import a breeding pair with help from Ernest’s brother in Germany, despite reluctance from Germans to export quality dogs. By 1932, Wisconsin-based former German gamekeeper Joseph Burkhart imported three foundational dogs: Bob v. Schwarenberg, Arta v. Hohreusch, and Feldjager’s Grisette, which had a lasting impact on the American breed and established many kennels.
Jack Shattuck of Minnesota acquired a pup from the Bob/Arta litter and founded the Schwarenberg Kennel. Shattuck brought recognition to the breed by campaigning Fritz v. Schwarenberg across the U.S., achieving BOB at both Morris & Essex and Westminster in 1940, and winning the Chicago International four years in a row. Fritz’s offspring, Rusty v. Schwarenberg, became the breed’s first field and dual champion. Hjalmar Olsen, another prominent figure, imported Denmark’s field GSP of the Year for fifteen years and acquired Timm v. Altenau from Dr. Thornton, associating his efforts with the renowned Moesgaard line.
The American Kennel Club officially recognized the breed in 1935. By 1938, the breed had gained significant traction in the Minnesota-Wisconsin area, extending into Michigan. This growth allowed enthusiasts to establish the German Shorthaired Pointer Club of America, Inc. with Joseph Burkhart and Jack Shattuck as founding officers. The club’s purpose was to define and promote the breed’s standard, adopted initially from the German standard and officially approved in 1946.
In 1947, a revision of the GSPCA, Inc. charter occurred, but the Minnesota club retained parent club status until 1953, when AKC required a separate parent organization. In 1962, the GSPCA restructured to its current form. The breed’s first conformation standard from 1946 has seen minimal changes, with comprehensive updates in 1972 and 1992 to align with AKC’s standard format.
During WWII, the German Shorthaired Pointer’s survival faced challenges as Gustav Machetanz barely escaped advancing Russian forces with a few dogs. His dog, Axel vom Wasserschling, became an essential post-war sire. Under the fascist regime, all hunting dogs, including breeding practices, were controlled, with Hermann Goering decreeing the elimination of white and liver dogs to promote camouflage in the woods with solid liver and liver roans.
