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German Shorthaired Pointerpoodle (German Shorthaired Pointer & Poodle Mix): Info, Pictures, and Traits

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By Nicole Cosgrove

German Shorthaired Pointerpoodle (German Shorthaired Pointer & Poodle Mix)

Height: 20–23 inches
Weight: 45–70 pounds
Lifespan: 10–18 years
Colors: Many different solid colors including black, brown, liver, and apricot; coats may also have ticking and patches
Suitable for: Families looking for an active, intelligent, and charismatic larger dog
Temperament: Full of energy, intelligent, and agile, gets along with other pets and children, loves people

Finding the perfect dog can be tough, and sometimes it’s only by combining the traits of two purebred dogs that we find the perfect mix of characteristics. The German Shorthaired Pointerpoodle is a perfect example of this. Combining the intelligence and low-shedding coat of the Poodle with the friendliness, energy, and eagerness of the German Shorthaired Pointer makes for one amazing dog.

If you’re looking for a companion for any outdoor adventures, then the German Shorthaired Pointerpoodle will not only match your energy, but they’ll also most likely run rings around you. Their boundless energy does mean they need a home where they can get plenty of exercise every day. These aren’t dogs who enjoy a lazy evening after a lazy day; in fact, they’ll probably be thinking about what trouble they can cause if you forget to walk them multiple times per day.

The German Shorthaired Pointerpoodle will suit some families down and others not so much. As a newer breed, you may not have heard that much about them. So, before you get captivated by their gorgeous long-legged looks, take a read through our article and find out if they might just be everything you’ve ever wanted in a dog.

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German Shorthaired Pointerpoodle Puppies

Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

Before you sign on the dotted line, it’s important to be 100% sure that you can provide a puppy with the type of home they need as they grow up into a mature dog. German Shorthaired Pointerpoodles certainly won’t be the right breed for everyone. Their large size, endless energy, and extreme cleverness may just be too much for some people. If they get bored or frustrated when left home alone, they’re more likely to think up what sort of trouble they can cause than settle down for a nap.

On the flip side, they’re incredibly trainable and so eager to please that you will find them the perfect partner for agility training or running. Our star ratings below will give you a better idea if the German Shorthaired Pointerpoodle will end up being your perfect pooch.

3 Little-Known Facts About the German Shorthaired Pointerpoodle

1. You never quite know what you’re going to get

Hybrid breeds are a wonderful choice for many reasons, including the fact that they’re often much healthier than pedigree breeds. But it can certainly be more of a challenge to know exactly how the puppies are going to turn out in terms of their appearance and temperament.

The best way to prepare yourself is to become familiar with the traits and health conditions of both parent breeds. Puppies can sometimes end up being an adorable mix of a Poodle personality in a German Shorthaired Pointer’s body or a mix of the appearance and temperament of both parent breeds. You’ll never quite know how they’re going to end up! Of course, that’s part of the charm of hybrid breeds, and however your German Shorthaired Pointerpoodle grows up, we’re sure that you’re going to love them no matter what!

2. Poodle mixes are incredibly popular

The Poodle is easily one of the most popular parent breeds for a whole host of hybrids. One example is, of course, the Labradoodle. Created in the 1980s, the Labradoodle took the hybrid dog world by storm and paved the way for many other crosses using the Poodle.

Poodles have a low-shedding coat, a trait that they usually pass on to their offspring. This makes hybrid breeds with a Poodle parent a great choice for those with allergies, who may not be able to own a dog breed that sheds heavily.

Thanks to the fact that Poodles also come in three sizes—standard, miniature, and toy—they can be crossed easily with other dog breeds, from the large German Shorthaired Pointerpoodle to the tiny Cockapoo. As such, we can thank the Poodle for a huge number of designer hybrid breeds, many of which have gone on to become incredibly popular!

3. Both parent breeds are from Germany

Of course, it’s obvious that the German Shorthaired Pointer hails from Germany, but did you know the Poodle does too? While the Poodle might now be the National Dog of France, the Poodle was originally bred in Germany over 400 years ago. They were used as retrievers for duck hunts, where they excelled thanks to their incredible swimming skills, ability to think for themselves, and curly protective coat.

The German Shorthaired Pointer has also been bred in Germany since the 1700s, to help with bird hunts. This time, their purpose was to track and “point” to their quarry. They are versatile and willing to please and are never happier than when doing something active in the great outdoors.

Parent Breeds of the German Shorthaired Pointerpoodle
Image Credit: Jumpstory

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Temperament & Intelligence of the German Shorthaired Pointerpoodle 🧠

German Shorthaired Pointerpoodles are fiercely intelligent, as well as having plenty of independent spirit, and being able to solve problems for themselves. Both parent breeds are eager to please their owners, as well as being affectionate and kind.

Their intelligence means that because it’s easy to train the German Shorthaired Pointerpoodle into good habits, it’s just as easy to inadvertently train them into bad ones! German Shorthaired Pointerpoodles will thrive with owners who can provide consistency and love in equal measure.

Their active nature means they want to be doing things all the time, and as a result, they won’t enjoy being left home alone for long periods.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

German Shorthaired Pointerpoodles might just be the perfect dog for active outdoor families with older children. Whether you want to go backpacking in the mountains or camping by the lake, these dogs will love to be included.

They’ll never turn down a walk either, so if you have multiple kids, then the German Shorthaired Pointerpoodle will be extremely happy with more than one walk per day. They also love to play fetch or learn agility and tricks with younger handlers. Their willingness to please means they can be more forgiving to amateur handlers than some other breeds.

While they can be great dogs for families with smaller children, their large size does mean that they can inadvertently knock toddlers over with their enthusiasm. Younger children should always be supervised and taught good dog handling habits to maintain a peaceful and happy home for both dog and their owners.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

German Shorthaired Pointerpoodles have sociable personalities and generally get along well with other pets. They do have retrieval and hunting instincts within their parentage, and depending on your dog’s personality, this can be evident in a higher-than-average prey drive.

With that said, if introduced correctly, they can live happily with other dogs, cats, and smaller pets.

German Shorthaired Pointer and Poodle meeting
Image Credit: Nick Chase 68, Shutterstock

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Things to Know When Owning a German Shorthaired Pointerpoodle

You’ve probably realized by now that owning a German Shorthaired Pointerpoodle will involve a significant amount of both money and time. So before you call those breeders, here’s a little more information to help you make up your mind.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

As active dogs, German Shorthaired Pointerpoodles will require a high-quality dog food designed specifically for larger breeds. You’ll want to make sure this contains a high percentage of protein.

German Shorthaired Pointers can be at risk of bloat due to their deep chests, and this is something that may also affect your German Shorthaired Pointerpoodle. Take care not to allow them out for exercise for a minimum of one hour after they’ve eaten their meals.

Exercise 🐕

German Shorthaired Pointerpoodles require a serious amount of exercise every day. While you might not feel like a long walk on a Sunday, your dog certainly will! You’ll need to set aside at least an hour every day for two walks minimum. We’re not talking about easy gentle walks either, but active walks. These dogs make great partners for trail running, cycling, and hiking too.

Your German Shorthaired Pointerpoodle is likely to love water, so retrieving games at the beach or lake is a great way to exercise this breed both mentally and physically. A securely fenced backyard is a great idea so you have somewhere for training sessions and games. But remember that letting your German Shorthaired Pointerpoodle run free in the yard won’t get you out of taking them for a walk!

Training 🦮

German Shorthaired Pointerpoodles are intelligent and eager to please, which makes them the perfect training partner. Their intelligence means they can also quickly pick up bad habits, so puppy classes are an excellent idea to get you both working together consistently and effectively.

Bored German Shorthaired Pointerpoodles are likely to turn their attention to finding something to destroy, so make sure you keep those brains well-occupied! Positive reinforcement techniques will work well with German Shorthaired Pointerpoodles, and once they’re familiar with your training style, they make incredibly willing partners.

Grooming ✂️

The amount of grooming your German Shorthaired Pointerpoodle needs will depend on what kind of coat they inherit from their parents. If they end up with a longer curly Poodle coat, then it’s easiest to have this clipped by a groomer every few weeks. Leaving it long can look pretty, but it can easily end up becoming tangled and matted, especially given how active this breed is.

If your pup ends up with the shorter coat of the German Shorthaired Pointer, then they’ll only need a quick brush once or twice a week to stay in good condition.

Whatever coat type they end up with, it’s a good idea to also get into the habit of checking their nails, teeth, and ears once a week.

Health and Conditions ❤️

As a hybrid or cross-breed, German Shorthaired Pointerpoodles tend to be healthier than a purebred dog of a similar type. Both parent breeds can pass genetic health conditions onto their pups, though, so we’ve compiled a list of the most common ones. Any breeder will be happy to chat with you about these in more detail, as well as provide information on the health tests that the parent dogs may have had.

Minor Conditions
  • Eye conditions
  • Sebaceous adenitis
Serious Conditions
  • Bloat
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Heart diseases
  • Idiopathic epilepsy
  • Von Willebrand’s disease
  • Luxating patella
  • Legg-Calve Perthes disease

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Male vs Female

A puppy’s personality is not determined by its sex, so it’s always better to visit the litter and meet the puppies if you can. You might find that you’re drawn to a female German Shorthaired Pointerpoodle pup when you’d been fully expecting to choose a male.

Rest assured that any behaviors related to hormones will reduce or disappear once you have your pup spayed or neutered.

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Final Thoughts

The German Shorthaired Pointerpoodle is a wonderful breed for active families looking for an enthusiastic companion for their outdoor adventures. While they might not be the best-known of the hybrid breeds, they encompass all the characteristics of two breeds that consistently rank among the most popular breeds in the US.

You will need to make sure you can meet the needs of your German Shorthaired Pointerpoodle in terms of exercise and training. They certainly have the potential to be incredibly well-trained and responsive dogs, but without your input and regular training sessions, they can also end up destructive and hard to manage.

If you think you can match the exercise requirements of a German Shorthaired Pointerpoodle, then you might just find they’re the perfect buddy for you.

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Featured Image Credit: Pxhere

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