German Longhaired Pointers are a member of the Continental or Versatile gundog group. As a member of this group your longhair is expected to search, point, track and retrieve game. They can excel in all types of hunting situations, transitioning from waterfowl hunting to searching for upland game birds or retrieving furred game in the woods or prairies. With furred game typically referring to rabbit and squirrel in North America. Some states or provinces allow the use of these dogs for blood tracking deer (check with your local DNR for regulations).
German Longhaired Pointers are unique in their ability to switch from being calm in the household to being fiery, passionate hunters in the fields, prairies or vast forests.
These versatile gundogs have been bred for hunting over a century. What this means is that all of your German Longhaired Pointer’s ancestry has been hunt tested to prove that they can in fact meet stringent hunting criteria to give you a superior hunting companion time and time again.
Breed Standard
(per the FCI -Standard N 117/16.03.2001/GB)
General Appearance
Strong; muscular; low set; flowing lines. Small dogs must have plenty of substance. Too massive and thereby clumsy dogs are not desired.
Important Proportions
Muzzle and skull of equal length. Dog should not be overbuilt. Slightly higher at shoulder than rump.
Behavior/Temperament
Balanced, calm, controlled temperament, good natured, easily trained.
Head
Special value must be attached to the beautiful Long-haired head. Noble appearance, elongated.
Cranial Region
Skull: Slightly rounded.
Stop: Gently rising, not deep and sharp.
Facial Region
Noseleather: Brown, slightly lighter spots permitted.
Bridge of Nose: Lightly arched, not too slender.
Lips: Not overlapping too much.
Jaws/Teeth: Jaws not to fine. Well developed and complete (42 teeth) scissor bite i.e.: upper incisors closely overlapping the lower incisors.
Cheeks: Cheekbones not too strong.
Eyes: Color: Brown, as dark as possible. Lids fitting close to eyeballs, without visible haw. Set neither too deep, nor protruding.
Leathers: Not set on too low, turned slightly forward.
Neck
Strong and noble. No dewlap. Getting harmoniously stronger towards the chest. Not too short.
Body
Back: Straight, firm, not too long.
Loins: Specially muscular
Croup: Longer with moderate slope.
Chest: Forechest well developed, ribeage broad and deep, reaching at least to elbows.
Limbs
Forequarters:
General: In normal stance, bones of upper arm, forearm and of foot, seen from the front, should form an almost vertical line.
Shoulder: Close fitting. Seen from side, in repose, shoulder-blade and upper arm should form approximately a right angle.
Elbow: Close fitting.
Pastern joint: Slightly angulated.
Pastern: Not quite straight.
Hindquarters:
General: Seen from behind, the hip bone, upper thigh, bones of lower thigh and of foot should form a vertical line.
Hock: Special value is attached to good angulation.
Dewclaws: Are to be removed at birth.
Feet: Pads coarse and strong.
Gait/Movement
Ground covering movement with good drive from hindquarters.
Skin
Close fitting to body, no wrinkles.
Coat
Hair: The greatest importance is attached to correct coat, neither excessive growth nor too short hair. On back and sides of body: Hair 3-5 cm, close fitting. On underside of neck, on chest and belly, coat may be longer.
- Belly: Well coated.
- Leathers: Hair wavy and feathered.
- Tail: With good plume, coated to tip.
- Back of front legs: Feathered.
- Back of hind legs: Feathered, forming breeches.
- Below hock: Hair significantly shorter. Too much feathering is not desired. Dense short hair between toes.
- Head: Hair much shorter, but all the same, longer than on shorthaired German Pointing Dog. Topknot not desired.
- On body: Hair is sleek, firm, smooth or slightly wavy, close fitting. Dense with good undercoat.
Color
Brown (Braun)
Brown with white chest patch (Braun/weisser Brustfleck)
Dark Roan (Dunkelschimmel): with large or smaller dark brown patches, brown head possibly with white blaze, snip or star.
Light Roan (Hellschimmel): with large or smaller pale brown patches; brown head with possibly white blaze, snip or star.
Brown and white (Braun-weiss) or White and brown (Weiss-braun): large brown patches with saddle or blanket. Head brown, possibly with white blaze, snip or star.
Size and Weight
Height at withers: Dogs: 60-70cm, ideal height 63-66cm.
Bitches: 58-66 cm, ideal height 60-63cm.
Weight average: 30kg (66lbs)
Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.
- Eyes: Pale hawk-eye, slanting position of eyes.
- Ears: Not carried against the cheeks, leather tips.
- Back: Hollow back, roach back.
- Chest: Barrel shaped or too narrow.
- Tail: Curled or hooked tail.
- Forequarters: Scapulo-humeral angle too open, pastern too straight.
- Hindquarters: Cowhocked, bow legged.
- Feet: Splayed feet, cat or hare feet.
- Texture of coat: Longer hair on beard, bushy eyebrows, curly coat.
Eliminating Faults
- Aggressive or overly shy.
- General appearance: Dogs with insufficient bone and muscle.
- Head: Dogs with heads diverging from breed type.
- Eye: Ectropian (lids turned outwards). Entropian (lids turned inwards). Also eyelids which have been corrected.
Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioral abnormalities shall be disqualified.
N.B.: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.