For people keen on hunting, the choice of a fourth companion is fundamental. One of the universal hunting dogs is the German Pointing Dog Kurzhaar, which works well for almost any beast and bird. She is a great swimmer. In addition, having a complaisant character and a good soul, he will find an approach to all family members, he will become his loyal friend and companion.
From the history of the breed
The pedigree tree of the Kurzhaar originates from dogs, which were actively used for hunting birds in the Mediterranean. In the German estates, they came through Spain, France and Flanders. One of the main advantages of the dog was its ability to work in a stand.
Shortly after the first double-barreled shotgun appeared, a need arose for a dog that would work to fly in. This served as a transitional moment from a purebred pointer to a universal friendly breed. It was called the German Kurzhaar. You can see photos of these dogs in the article. They were crossed to give playfulness to the Fox Hound and Blood Hound to acquire a subtle sense of smell.
At the moment, the Shorthair German Pointing Dog is still passing through breed and breed improvement filters. The established standard implies the physique of a universal hunting dog that can fulfill all the requirements associated with the capture of an animal or bird, even in adulthood.
General appearance and dimensions
It should be noted that the German pointer Kurzhaar is a fairly large dog. The height at the withers of males reaches 58.5-63.5 cm, and that of a female - 53-58.5 cm, and weight up to 32 and 27 kg, respectively. The life expectancy of the breed is an average of 12-15 years.
Kurzhaar has a noble and courageous, beautiful appearance. The chest is not as deep as that of the pointer, the legs are slender. Color according to the standard is solid coffee, or spotty-coffee with speckled, brown-piebald with speckled and speckled, coffee-piebald and black-piebald. At the first meeting with a dog, one gets the impression of a well and harmoniously composed, aristocratic species of animal with a cheerful disposition and smart eyes, which, however, finds confirmation in the future.
Excerpts from the standard
Here are a few requirements of the standard regarding the described breed:
- German Kurzhaar cannot be too large or small and must correspond to the above parameters at the withers.
- The dog’s head is dry, not light, but not heavy, in proportion to the body. The cranial part is slightly rounded and wide enough. The nose is brown, the nostrils are wide and open.
- The tail is set high, thick at the base and gradually tapering towards the end. It is stopped halfway or 2/5 parts. When the dog is calm, the tail is lowered down, while moving - horizontally, but never bends to the back and is not pulled up.
- According to the standard, the German Kurzhaar has rounded paws collected in a “lump”, or in the form of a spoon with thick pads. They should not be turned in or out. Arched fingers with powerful claws.
Character Features
Kurtshaar possesses an even and calm disposition. It is appreciated for its high performance, endurance, strength, speed, dedication and sociability. They are not aggressive and do not bite, but at the same time easily cope with the role of a guard dog.
Representatives of the breed, as noted by the breeders, are lovers of barking. In order for this feature not to interfere with hunting, it is necessary from childhood to teach them how to give voice only by signal.
By the way, the German Kurzhaar can be trained quite easily, he is smart and receptive to training. However, he is characterized by a tendency toward dominance, therefore, to clarify who the master in the house should follow immediately, otherwise he will feel weakness and quickly understand who can be manipulated.
Dogs cannot stand loneliness at all. They are very sociable and get along well with all family members, including children. You should be careful with the latter, as a good-natured dog can just knock them down in a fit of joy.
These facts once again confirm that the breed is universal in all respects. In addition to the excellent hunter, you will receive a true friend and favorite of the whole family.
Walking and loading
The German hunting dog Kurzhaar is very energetic, it is rarely at rest. That is why she needs long walks in the fresh air, active games and fast running. The inclement weather does not bother her.
The dog must give "exit to emotions", otherwise it will begin to seek entertainment in the house. Walks should be long and at least 2 times a day. Kurzhaaru's physical activity is simply necessary, so be sure to play with the dog. She especially likes to bring something, and the further you throw the object (stick, rubber duck, plate, etc.), the better.
Dog care
German kurtshaar can be kept both at home and in the aviary, on the street. In the first case, its curious nature will not allow you to stay away, and the dog will always be the center of attention near its owners. And when kept in an aviary, heating is required. Dogs absolutely do not like drafts and this must be taken into account when arranging their place.
Be sure to provide them with good rubber toys and ropes, otherwise they can get to household items - slippers, shoes and furniture. Thick wool also requires constant care, it must be brushed regularly.
Health
The described breed is distinguished by good health and excellent immunity in general. Their use in hunting in water and in inclement weather conditions is quite acceptable. Their thick coat dries quickly and at the same time heats well.
In rare cases, the German Kurzhaar dog suffers from joint diseases and femoral dysplasia, which are characteristic of other sporting and hunting breeds. Diseases such as melanoma, cataracts, epilepsy, raw eczema and obesity can occur in the case of a sedentary lifestyle and lack of exercise.
An important point is the ears. It is necessary to monitor their condition, maintaining cleanliness. In order to prevent various diseases, kurtshaaram need to do all the necessary (on the recommendation of a veterinarian) vaccinations.
Feeding
In order for the dog to develop correctly, to be active, active and cheerful, it needs a balanced and proper nutrition in the required quantity. German Kurzhaar is a hunter, so it’s easy to guess that meat (50%) should be the basis of his diet. Naturally, these should be high-quality and safe products.
Meat also includes offal, but in no case sausage or sausage. In addition, the dog needs clean water, vegetables and fruits (raw or boiled), as well as special multivitamins. Once or twice a week, you can give dairy products, cereals, not too bony fish, eggs. Experts recommend excluding pasta, peas, potatoes and various sweets from the diet.
The number of meals depends on the age of the pet. So, small puppies under the age of 3 months should eat often - 5-6 times, from six months this number is reduced to 3-4. Adult dogs only need to be fed twice a day.
How to choose a puppy?
After a decision is made to purchase a German Kurzhaar puppy, the question necessarily arises of how to choose it. The registered standard will help you not to be mistaken. The external features of the dog, its pedigree - all these are fundamental factors that will help you choose a real hunter and a devoted friend, a favorite of the family and the athlete with an excellent character and heredity. When choosing a puppy, pay special attention to the following points:
- Floor. Dogs are excellent hunters at any time of the year, and bitches are best suited for breeding and subsequent sale of puppies.
- General appearance, including color, stance, ears, tail, proper bite, running.
- Age. Experts recommend taking small puppies - ideally up to 4 months or, in extreme cases, six months old. This is important not only for the owner, but also for the dog, since at a young age it is easier for them to adapt to new conditions.
- Qualities of parents. To do this, pay close attention to the puppy's pedigree.
Hunting with the Kurzhaar
As already mentioned, the breed is universal. Kurzhaar is a born hunter - this is his direct purpose. He is extremely unpretentious, reliable, for him there are no barriers to hunting. Equally well, he works in the winter in the snow, with a strong wind, rain or calm, in a swamp or in the forest.
In summer, you don’t have to worry about insects that the dog does not care about because of the stiff and dense coat. In winter, on hunting, it easily tolerates frosts up to -20 ° C, but if there is a draft in the car, it can catch a cold when moving. It copes well with ponds in spring and summer. However, if the water is cold, then after hunting you should wipe the dog and cover it with a cape.
At home, the Kurzhaar can get bored, become passive. His calling is nature and hunting. Only there his tireless nature is fully revealed. He changes before his eyes as soon as he sees that the owner is going to hunt and remains overly grateful to him after its completion.
MCO "German Kurzhaar"
In our country, as in many others, there is an interregional public cynological club, of which the owners of the German Kurzhaar are members. Due to the fact that the vast majority of its members are active hunters, the organization’s work is aimed at achieving the maximum effect from the use of dogs in this business.
A lot of useful information, communication with club experts and just hobby colleagues will certainly bring a lot to your life. All community members receive a number of benefits, namely:
- obtaining up-to-date information on club events earlier than the rest;
- 25-30% discount on participation in club competitions;
- the ability to create a blog and communicate with other club members;
- assistance with paperwork in RKF and RORS;
- free posting of information about their dogs, etc.