German Shorthaired Pointers

If you’re an experienced New Zealand house sitter and you like doggies, chances are you’ve already encountered a wide range of canine breeds, and these may have included German Shorthaired Pointers (GSPs). I seem to come across them quite often on my house sitting jobs. In just the past six months I’ve looked after two GSPs on two separate properties – Pepper and Shadoe. If you’re familiar with this breed then you’ll know exactly what to expect with them and how to effectively take care of them. But if you’re new to GSPs then this post is for you. Personally, I like them… but these dogs are not necessarily for everybody.

Meet The German Shorthaired Pointer

German Shorthaired Pointers are strikingly handsome, medium-to-large dogs known for their athletic build, sleek coats, and boundless energy. Originally bred in Germany as hunting companions, GSPs were developed to be versatile gun dogs — capable of pointing, retrieving, and tracking game on land and in water. This working heritage has produced a breed with a sharp mind, strong prey drive, and an insatiable need for activity.

Physically, GSPs are elegant and powerful. They typically weigh between 23–32 kg and stand 21–25 inches at the shoulder. Their short, dense coat is easy to maintain and usually comes in liver (a deep brown), liver and white, or roan patterns. The coat sheds year-round but not heavily.

Their long, floppy ears hang close to the head, giving them a gentle, intelligent expression, while their broad, alert eyes —usually brown — convey curiosity and attentiveness. The tail is traditionally docked in many countries, though some GSPs have full tails that wag enthusiastically. Their deep chest and lean muscles give them an athletic look, and they’re built for speed, stamina, and agility.

One of the breed’s most iconic traits is its distinctive “pointer” stance — a moment of stillness in which the dog freezes with one front paw lifted, tail extended, and nose sharply focused in the direction of its target. It’s a remarkable sight that showcases their innate hunting instincts and razor-sharp focus. Even in a domestic setting, many GSPs will still assume the stance when they catch a whiff of something interesting, whether it’s a rabbit in the garden or a bird in the trees.

These dogs are smart, loyal, and eager to please, making them wonderful companions for the right person. But for NZ house sitters unprepared for their intensity, the experience could be a little overwhelming.

A High-Octane Companion

Above all, German Shorthaired Pointers are high energy. Think of them less like pets and more like elite athletes in fur coats. They thrive on physical activity and mental stimulation. Long walks around the block won’t cut it. GSPs need extended runs, rigorous play sessions, off-lead time (where safe and appropriate), and interactive games like ‘chase & fetch’ or agility exercises — every single day.

One of a GSP’s favorite pastimes is chasing and fetching tennis balls. They can do it for what feels like forever. However, standard tennis balls don’t tend to last very long — they can be soon destroyed by eager jaws. You need to keep in mind that when a GSP fetches the ball and brings it back to you they won’t necessarily let it go straight away – they like to give the ball a good ol’ chew first. Subsequently, when it comes to games it’s best to use tennis-sized balls specifically designed for durability, such as the ones available from pet toy suppliers (e.g. Animates and Shine Pets) or from hardware stores (e.g. Mitre 10).

All I had on hand when I was looking after Pepper were a dozen or so tennis balls, and each one was pretty much destroyed after two or three days and it was either consigned to the rubbish or she’d drop it in the pool to let it sink to the bottom where it usually stayed unless it was perhaps worth salvaging. When I was looking after Shadoe I had a couple of those orange ‘Chuck It Ultra’ balls which were surprisingly tough, and certainly a lot better than standard tennis balls. They took a lot of punishment and stood up to it well.

If you’re looking to really maximise a GSP’s exercise, one of the best investments you can make (or request from the owner) is a dog ball launcher (pictured below). These simple tools allow you to hurl the balls much further than by hand, giving the GSP more ground to cover and a more satisfying workout. These launchers can be found in most pet and hardware shops.

Importantly, this enthusiasm for outdoor play doesn’t go away when the weather turns bad. GSPs don’t care if it’s wet, windy, or frosty — they will still expect to go out and burn off energy. This can come as a shock to Kiwi house sitters who imagine a quiet day indoors during a rainy spell. In fact, one of the most challenging situations for a sitter unprepared for this breed is figuring out how to keep a GSP entertained indoors when it’s raining day after day. Unless you have the space (and the tolerance!) for boisterous indoor games, it’s best to plan on bundling up and getting outside anyway.

Constant Stimulation Required

Because they’re so intelligent, GSPs also crave mental challenges. Boredom is a GSP’s enemy — and yours. Without enough stimulation, they may become destructive, vocal, or generally hard to manage. Puzzle toys, scent work games, and training drills can help keep them engaged, but be prepared to invest time and energy each day.

GSPs that live indoors — and many do — can get into mischief if their physical and mental energy isn’t properly channeled. This is especially true in cases where the dog hasn’t been well-disciplined or lacks consistent boundaries at home. A bored, energetic GSP may chew furniture, dig through bins, knock things over, or find their own ways to ‘entertain’ themselves, often at the sitter’s expense. Sitters should be ready for the possibility of indoor antics if the dog hasn’t had adequate outdoor time or hasn’t been taught what’s off-limits.

They also have strong hunting instincts. You may find them fixated on birds, rabbits, or kitty cats. A solid understanding of recall training (and an awareness of their surroundings) is important when walking them off-lead.

Is This The Right Sit For You?

While GSPs are deeply affectionate and highly engaging, their exercise demands could prove to be a bit too much for some sitters — especially on extended sits that stretch over several weeks or more. What may sound manageable for a few days can quickly become exhausting if you’re not fully prepared.

Before accepting a sit with a German Shorthaired Pointer, you need to be honest with yourself:

Are you truly ready to revolve your day around a high-energy dog?

Will you be okay going outside for long walks and ball games — even when the weather is not the best?

Can you stay patient and creative if you’re stuck indoors for multiple wet days with a dog who doesn’t want to slow down?

Do you have the physical stamina and mental focus to meet their needs every single day?

If you’re curious about the breed and want to give it a try, a great option is to start with a short housesit — perhaps just two or three days — before committing to a longer one. This gives you a chance to experience the breed’s energy levels, routines, and quirks in a real-world setting without the pressure of a multi-week commitment. A short test run can help you assess whether the GSP lifestyle is something you enjoy — or something best left to the truly tireless.

If the answer is still ‘maybe’, then it’s worth reconsidering. GSPs aren’t the right match for every sitter, and that’s okay. Their boundless energy and drive are exactly what make them so lovable to the right kind of person — but they can also lead to burnout if you’re not a naturally active, outdoorsy type.

What To Expect

If you do decide to take on a GSP house sit, here’s what to keep in mind:

Time Commitment: You’ll need to devote several hours each day to walks, runs, and active play — especially ball games.

All-Weather Activity: GSPs need their exercise no matter what the skies are doing. Be ready for wet walks and muddy paws.

Lifestyle Compatibility: GSPs will not politely nap while you write your novel or finish your freelance deadlines. If you need blocks of quiet time for remote work or hobbies, this may not be the right sit.

Energy Levels: These dogs are most suitable for sitters with a naturally active lifestyle or who enjoy spending much of the day outdoors.

Experience With Dogs: Prior experience with high-energy or working breeds is a big plus. You’ll need to be confident handling a strong, enthusiastic dog that may pull on the lead or become over excited.

Consistency: GSPs do best with sitters who can offer routine, clear communication, and boundaries while also being warm and engaged.

Final Thoughts

Looking after a German Shorthaired Pointer can be incredibly rewarding — for the right person. Their affectionate nature, loyalty, and zest for life make them unforgettable companions. But they’re not low-maintenance. Sitters need to be prepared for a physically and mentally demanding experience that centers around the dog’s needs.

If you’re looking for a peaceful housesit with time to catch up on reading, painting, or working on your laptop, you might want to pass on a GSP assignment. But if you’re active, energetic, and up for a challenge, caring for a German Shorthaired Pointer could be one of the most fulfilling sits you’ll ever take on.