German longhaired pointer

BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY: The German long-haired Pointing Dog combines the bloodlines of a bird-, hawk- and water dog as well as of Bracken (Scenthounds). He therefore has scope for great versatility. Since 1879 pure breeding has been carried out and the main characteristics of the breed. In 1897, Baron von Schorlemer wrote the first standard for the German Long-haired and thus laid the foundation stone for today’s pure breeding.

GENERAL APPEARANCE: Strong; muscular; low set; flowing lines. Smaller dogs must have plenty of substance, but too massive and thereby clumsy dogs are not desired.

IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS: Muzzle and skull of equal length. The dog must not be overbuilt but slightly higher at shoulder than rump.

BEHAVIOUR/TEMPERAMENT: Balanced, calm, temperament, good natured, easily trained.

HEAD

CRANIAL REGION: Skull: Slightly rounded.

Stop: Gently rising, not deep and sharp.

FACIAL REGION:

Nose: Brown, slightly lighter spots permitted. Muzzle: Lightly arched, not too slender.

Lips: Not overlapping too much.

Jaws/Teeth: Jaws not too fine. Well developed and complete (42 teeth) scissor bite i.e. upper incisors closely overlapping the lower incisors.

Teeth formula: 3142– x 2 = 42

Cheeks: Cheekbones not too strong.

Eyes: Brown colour, as dark as possible. Lids fitting close to eyeballs, without visible haw. Set neither too deep, nor protruding.

Ears: 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. Loin: Especially muscular.

Croup: Long, with moderate slope.

Chest: Forechest well developed ribcage broad and deep, reaching at least to elbows.

TAIL: Carried not too high. It should be carried horizontally, the last third being slightly curved upwards.

LIMBS

FOREQUARTERS:

General appearance: 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.

Carpus (Wrist): Slightly angulated.

Metacarpus (Pastern): Not quite straight. Not quite upright. Only slightly inclined.

Forefeet: Pads coarse and strong.

HINDQUARTERS:

General appearance: Seen from behind, the hip bone, upper thigh, bones of lower thigh and of foot should form a vertical line.

Hock joint: Special value is attached to good angulation.

Metatarsus (Rear pastern): No dewclaws. Hind 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 excessively long 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. Hair on head much shorter, but longer than on a short-haired German Pointing Dog. Topknot not desired. Hair on ears wavy and feathered. Hair on body is sleek, firm, smooth or slightly wavy, close fitting and dense with good undercoat. Well coated belly. Tail with good plume, coated to tip. Back of front legs feathered. Back of hind legs feathered, forming breeches. Below hock hair is significantly shorter. Dense short hair between toes. Too much feathering is not desired.

Colour:

Self coloured brown.

Brown with white or speckled markings (especially on chest and feet).

Dark roan (with large or smaller dark brown patches; brown head,

possibly with white blaze, snip or star).

Pale roan (with large or smaller pale brown patches; brown head with possibly white blaze, snip or star).

Mottled (many small brown spots on white background; head brown, possibly with white blaze, snip or star).

Brown and white, either pure brown and white or with very few small spots (large brown patches with saddle or blanket. Head brown, possibly with white blaze, snip or star).

Occasionally fawn markings may occur as a very old throw-back to the Hounds.

SIZE AND WEIGHT:

Height at the withers: Males: 60 – 70 cms, ideal height 63 – 66 cms.

Females: 58 – 66 cms, ideal height 60 – 63 cms. Weight: Average: 30 kgs.

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 and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and its ability to perform its traditional work.

Pale hawk-eyes, slanting position of eyes.

Ears not carried against the cheeks, leathery tips. Hollow back, roach back.

Barrel shaped or too narrow chest. Curled or hooked tail.

Scapulo-humeral angle too open, pastern too straight. Cowhocked, bow legged hindquarters.

Splayed feet, cat or hare feet.

Longer hair as beard; bushy eyebrows; curly coat.

DISQUALIFYING FAULTS: Aggressive or overly shy dogs.

Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.

Insufficient bone and muscles. Head diverging from breed type.

Ectropion (lids turned outwards). Entropion (lids turned inwards or eyelids which have been corrected.

N.B.:

Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.