THE GERMAN SHORTHAIRED POINTER CLUB OF OREGON RESCUE RE-HOME REFERRAL COMMITTEE is comprised of volunteers who work to assist re-home purebred GSP’s that have been lost and/or placed in shelters.  We also assist purebred GSP owners by pre-screening and referring appropriate applicants when they wish to avoid placing their GSP in a shelter.    

We would like to emphasize that we are not a referral or placement source for GSP’s returned to breeders – breeders must be responsible for their own litters.

We cannot assist in placement of aggressive or undesirable GSP’s.  The GSP’s we are able to assist should have the potential to become a good family pet.   Adopters whose main focus is for a hunting companion should contact a breeder or trainer.

Our rules for owner adoption referral are similar to most shelters: The GSP must have all of its shots and, if intact, must be spayed/neutered within 30 days. We usually have the adoptive family handle this (proof is required). If the GSP does not work out our Rescue/Re-home Committee must be contacted.

Our ideal involvement is referring potential adopters who contact us to shelters so that the relationship may be between the shelter and the adoptive home.

We believe that the GSP is a special breed with special needs and that we who own them can offer a service by screening prospective families. We want to work with you to see that there are no GSP’s left in shelters.

THE GERMAN SHORTHAIRED POINTER:

The GSP was developed in the last century in Germany as an all-around hunting dog and companion. Breed development continued into this century, combining characteristics from other breeds. The first known Shorthairs were imported into the U.S. between 1890 and 1920.

HOW YOU KNOW A GERMAN SHORTHAIRED POINTER:

COLOR: Ranges from solid liver to a bright white ticked body with a liver head. There are some purebred black/white ticked or solid black GSP’s in the U.S.

PATTERN: GSP’s may have blazes or may have solid colored heads; they can be ticked (small flecking with white background), ticked with large patches, or roan (such fine ticking they appear almost solid colored).

SIZE: Females range from as small as 35 lbs to as large as 70 lbs depending on height and condition. Males range from 45 lbs to more than 80 lbs. Extremes are less usual.

TAIL DOCKING: It is the rule to dock a GSP’s tail to 40% of original length a few days after birth. This is to prevent injury if the dog hunts or runs in underbrush. Not all GSP’s have docked tails. DEW CLAWS: The claw above the foot on the inside of the front legs (and if present on back legs) is removed at the same time the tail is docked. This prevents the “dewclaw” from becoming torn if the dog is moving through brush and rough terrain.

CHARACTER & DISPOSITION: In general GSP’s are energetic, athletic dogs. They need exercise and fenced yards. Older dogs are less active, and are ideal placements with families who want more calm.

They are generally very good with children, other dogs, cats and strangers, depending on their life experience. The ideal placement is with a family who will give the GSP attention. GSP’s are very devoted, often to the point of dependency. Most GSP’s bond well with families, no matter how old they are.

FENCING: Fences should be 5-6 ft high. Invisible fencing and leash running are suitable. Responsible dog ownership requires no free running dogs, regardless of breed.

AGGRESSION: Aggression is not a typical characteristic of the GSP, and is usually a product of poor socialization, abuse, or the occasional bad genetic combination. Rescue does not place GSP’s that have a history of irrational aggression, particularly biting.

CONSIDERATIONS: GSP’s in sheltered situations should not be adopted strictly for hunting use, but should be placed as a family pet, and its capability to hunt is not of importance. Obedience training is strongly recommended at any age.

In the shelter, lost or strayed GSP’s tend to mourn and sometimes suffer kennel shock. Rescue should be called in immediately if that is suspected.

Euthanizing shelters should call us before considering euthanizing an adoptable GSP.

Rescue volunteers are generally available to come and evaluate the animal, if you have questions.

VERY OLD DOGS: It has been our experience that some owners will take their long-lived pet GSP’s to shelters because they do not have the money or patience to deal with a sick and failing animal in old age.

Some GSP’s are terminally ill when they arrive at the shelter. They cannot and should not be placed. We request that shelters see these dogs to a dignified end of life.

www.GSPClubofOregon.org