Last Updated on March 19, 2024 by Denise Leo. Post first published on January 5, 2022.
Like all dogs, German Shorthaired Pointers shed. To avoid this becoming a problem, we look at what you as an owner should do to look after the coat of your dog. With the right care, this is a great pet to own, and GSP dog shedding shouldn’t become a huge problem.
German Shorthaired Pointers are known for their tendency to shed. In fact, they are heavy shedders and this shedding can occur throughout the year, particularly in warmer climates. This is a result of the smooth coat that German Shorthaired Pointers have.
According to the American Kennel Club, the small hairs of this breed can get all over your furniture and carpet, and therefore regular brushing is recommended. The hairs can cause allergies, so GSP dog shedding can be a problem if not addressed.
Some of these dogs can have longer or shorter hair and that may change the amount they shed. As we will see, there are also seasonal influences that increase or decrease the amount that this breed of dog sheds.
The majority of these dogs will lose this hair about once a year, which is also known as “blowing”. However, some German Shorthaired Pointers may not have significant shedding at all or tend to shed less often than this. One reason why this may happen is because of the genetic makeup of your particular dog.
German Shorthaired Pointer’s Coat Shedding Habits Explained
A typical German Shorthaired Pointer sheds all year round, but the duration and frequency of shedding vary throughout the year. In general, your dog will shed less during the winter months and more during the summer months.
As this dog has a double coat, including an undercoat that is water-resistant and there to keep the animal warm and dry during colder times of the year, the season affects shedding. There will be more in spring as the weather begins to warm up and the dog tries to prepare to keep cool by shedding some of its undercoats before the summer arrives. The exception to this is when your dog lives in a warmer climate and the undercoat is not so important to the dog, as it does not get cold. The result is that your dog will keep shedding excessive hair to keep the undercoat lighter.
All this is completely natural and is necessary to keep your dog healthy and happy, so don’t worry. What you will need to do though is to ensure, especially in warmer periods, that you groom your dog well for your sake and for the comfort of your dog.
This is not the only reason why your German Shorthaired Pointer may shed more than normal. Your dog’s rate of shedding will also depend on its genes as well as its diet. Genes you obviously can do nothing about, but its diet is something you can change. Always seek a vet’s advice if you think your dog is shedding too much or if you have questions about its dietary needs.
In general, if you have a dog with short hair, it may shed at the same rate as a dog with longer hair, but a long-haired dog will seem to shed more as it will be more noticeable. For this reason, the German Shorthaired Pointer may actually shed more than other breeds with longer hair but will appear to shed less.
The German Shorthaired Pointer
The German Shorthaired Pointer is a hunting dog breed that possesses great speed, intelligence, and adaptability. It has a compact body with short hair, but its ears are long and it has the ability to point at game. Pointers are known for their excellent nose and tracking ability. They also have an excellent scenting capability which is why they are used in hunting for upland game birds such as pheasants and partridges.
The German Shorthaired Pointer’s ancestry isn’t clear but it’s believed that he came from the German Bird Dog and is related to the Spanish Pointer and other game and hunting dogs. He’s an excellent hunter on land and in the water and can track and retrieve waterfowl, grouse, quail, pheasant, possums, raccoons, and deer. He was bred with the English Pointer to develop a dog with good temperament, sporting attributes and good looks.
His coat can be black, black and white, liver and white or solid liver in color. He loves being with his family and is a loyal, intelligent, mild-mannered watchdog. He does need lots of exercise because he’s an athlete. He does shed but doesn’t need much grooming. He stands at 23 – 25 inches high.
The German Shorthaired Pointer is a medium to large size dog breed weighing an average of 55 to 70 pounds for males and 45 to 60 pounds for females.
How Does a German Shorthaired Pointer’s Coat Shedding Compare to Other Dogs?
There are many different dog breeds, each with its own unique characteristics. But how do German Shorthaired Pointers compare to other dog breeds in terms of shedding?
American Kennel Club German Shorthaired Pointers are one of the few breeds that don’t shed coat excessively and can be brushed without causing coat damage. They are basically moderate shedders.
German Shorthaired Pointers shed about 1/10th as much as most dogs and they do not lose fur like other breeds. This is because their fur is undercoat and not guard hairs like in other dogs, which need to be periodically replaced with new hairs. The undercoat of a German Shorthaired Pointer keeps the dog warm in colder periods of the year. If the area where the dog lives is warmer than normal for this breed, it can shed more during every season of the year.
The German Shorthaired Pointer’s shedding can be off-putting to some people. These dogs shed more than some other breeds of dog, but they are also considered to be very intelligent and good with children which is why they are popular with families.
Another problem with the shedding of German Shorthaired Pointers is that they shed both light and dark colored hair, which means that you will see on different colors of furniture. Actually removing some of this coarse hair can be rather difficult because it is so short. The best thing to do is to try to prevent hairs from shedding too much in the first place and save yourself the trouble of having to remove them.
The Importance of Shedding of Dog Hair
Shedding is a natural process that most animals undergo to release their winter coats and grow a new one. It is also a way for the dog to adapt to different seasons and weather conditions.
Research has shown that shedding dog hair can be a cause of asthma and allergies. Pets shed fur and dander which is how they transfer their allergens to us. Shedding is a natural process for all animals, but we cannot always keep up with the mess it leaves behind. The only way to minimize the amount of dog hair in your home is to brush your pet regularly and vacuum often.
You may have to consider getting rid of your furry friend if it causes allergies or asthma symptoms. However, this would be a serious step to take, so let’s explore what we can do to manage German Shorthaired Pointer shedding.
A Typical German Shorthair Pointer’s Shedding Schedule
A German Shorthaired Pointer will typically shed their coat twice a year. The first shedding period will be in the spring and the second shedding period will be in the fall.
A typical German Shorthaired Pointer’s shedding schedule is very dependant on the season. In the spring, a German Shorthaired Pointer will shed a lot of fur to get ready for a good summer soaking. The shedding also happens after every four to eight weeks of growth.
In the winter, German Shorthaired Pointers don’t shed as much because they are not growing as fast and their fur is thinner due to lack of sun exposure. However, this does not mean that there is no shedding at all during this time. The winter season for a dog usually has more dander being released because the airways are not fully clogged up by allergens or other external irritants that can cause an allergic reaction in humans and animals alike.
Is there anything you can do to reduce a German Shorthair Pointer’s Shedding?
German Shorthaired Pointer’s shed a lot and it is difficult to keep up with their shedding.
There are a number of things that you can do to reduce your German Shorthaired Pointer’s shedding. These include the following:
– Bathing the dog more often
– Grooming the dog more often
– Brushing the dog’s coat on a regular basis
You can reduce their shedding by grooming them regularly and brushing them with a brush made for dogs. This will help remove the excess dead hair before they shed it all over your home, car, and clothes.
1) Brush your dog daily with a firm bristle brush or a fine comb
Daily is only a suggestion, but this breed requires a minimum of once a week. Do the brushing outside to avoid the small hairs getting all over your carpet and house or flat.
The reason we need to brush a dog is to take out the hairs which have already shed but are not falling out of the fur yet. Brushing, therefore, reduces the effects of shedding and makes your dog more comfortable at the same time.
Always be careful to brush slowly because you don’t want to aggravate the dog’s skin or cause irritation. The brushing you do can help to spread the natural oils in your dog’s coat.
2) Brush your dog’s feet with a slicker brush
You should brush your pet daily with a slicker brush or comb to help remove excess shedding fur from his or her coat so it doesn’t have…. German Shorthaired Pointers are very easy to groom.
3) Frequently bathe him in warm water and shampoo, using a conditioner that can hydrate the coat and prevent dry skin can also help. If your dog does have problems with dry skin you should read this guide.
A word of caution here though. Don’t wash your dog more than is necessary or this will probably cause more shedding not less! You should bathe your dog a minimum of 2 or 3 times each year to a maximum of weekly, depending on your dog’s condition and lifestyle. Only wash your dog if it is smelly or looking dirty after it has been outside.
By washing your dog you are helping to look after its fur and you will lessen shedding. However, it can be quite difficult to bathe a dog and then go through the drying routine. I have experienced my dog trying to dry itself after a wash and it can cause quite a disturbance in your house. My dog used to tear around everywhere and try to dry himself on the carpet, on rugs, or on the sofa!
German Shorthaired Pointers are a breed of hunting dog that sheds hair. Here, we will discuss how to bathe your German Shorthaired Pointer and what you need to know about the best types of brushes for this type of dog.
In order to bathe your German Shorthaired Pointer, you will need a tub or a shower stall, a washcloth or a rubber mat, and shampoo designed for dogs, and a dry towel. It is important to use a very good quality shampoo that hydrates the dog’s coat in order to look after it and ensure you do not see excess shedding.
You can wash your dog in the bathtub or shower stall with warm water. After thoroughly wetting the fur with water, apply shampoo onto the fur and lather it up by massaging it into the skin. Rinse off all of the soap from your pup’s skin with warm water. The next step is to apply a conditioner.
4) Use an anti-shedding spray or powder on your dog’s coat before brushing him
Another important thing to bear in mind when grooming your dog is how you dry your dog’s coat. This can have an effect on its shedding.
The best way to dry the coat of your German Shorthaired Pointer is to do as follows:
- Allow your dog to shake off the water naturally. This actually the best way for your dog to get rid of the water from its hair.
- Use a towel to dry your dog as much as you can. This will make a big difference to the amount of shedding. If you leave the coat wet your dog will shed more.
- Let your dog dry itself naturally after towelling it.
- If you want you can try using a hairdryer and be sure to gently blow-dry your dog’s coat. This can also help release hair that is trapped in the coat, thereby reducing shedding.
Final Thoughts on German Short Hair Pointer Shedding
I hope this article has been helpful and informative. If you have any questions about German Shorthaired Pointers, please reach out to me anytime! I am happy to answer your queries or provide more information on my experience with GSPs. Thanks for reading.
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References and Further Reading:
American Kennel Club German Short Hair Pointer Information
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