German Pointeraner (German Shorthaired Pointer & Weimaraner Mix): Info, Pictures, Characteristics & Facts

The German Pointeraner is a mix between a German Shorthaired Pointer and a Weimaraner. The result is a confident, loving, loyal pooch who will stick by your side through just about anything.

German Pointeraners make great family dogs, as they get along well with children and people of all ages. They can take a little while to warm up to strangers, but typically they are outgoing and friendly toward anyone who isn’t considered a threat.

These dogs are highly active and will need extensive exercise and mental stimulation to avoid bad behavior, and some routine training will go a long way in getting rid of bad habits. We’ll discuss everything you need to know to determine if this breed will fit in well with your lifestyle and your family.

German Pointeraner Puppies

By far the most important thing you need to consider before committing to this breed is their daily exercise requirement. These dogs are highly energetic and will need about 1.5 hours of dedicated exercise every single day. Even as puppies, these dogs will test your endurance when it comes to walking, running, and playtime, so be prepared for a highly energetic and physical dog.

You should also be prepared to keep your pooch company as a puppy and throughout all stages of life. These dogs thrive on human interaction and companionship, so it’s important that they aren’t left alone for long periods of time. If you and your family will be out for hours at a time every day at work or school, you may want to reconsider getting a German Pointeraner; they can turn to bad behavior if they feel they are being neglected.

Lastly, these dogs are prone to hip dysplasia, so your German Pointeraner shouldn’t be exercised on hard surfaces like cement if avoidable. Keeping your puppy on dirt or grass during walks while their joints are growing will help avoid future issues like dysplasia.

3 Little-Known Facts About the German Pointeraner

1. German Pointeraners make excellent hunting dogs.

Both of the German Pointeraner’s parent breeds were bred to hunt, so you can be certain yours will excel in hunting and tracking if you choose. The German Shorthaired Pointer has been a prized pointing and hunting dog for centuries, and the Weimaraner has been used for tracking and hunting since the 1800s.

2. Their temperament can vary.

Because the German Pointeraner is a mix between two breeds, their personality and temperament can vary based on which parent breed they resemble most. Yours may be cool and confident like the Weimaraner, or gentler and more reserved — especially around strangers — like the German Shorthaired Pointer. Some owners may dislike not knowing what their dog’s personality will be, while others love the idea of a bit of a surprise and potential challenge.

3. Their parent breeds are pretty closely related.

German Shorthaired Pointers and Weimaraners both hail from Germany, both are hunting dogs, and both are believed to have been developed by mixing similar breeds over several decades. It’s believed that both parent breeds have histories mingled with Great Danes, Spaniels, and Bloodhounds.

Temperament & Intelligence of the German Pointeraner 🧠

The German Pointeraner is an intelligent, inquisitive, and alert dog who will happily protect you, your family, and your home from perceived threats. They are often collected and confident, which makes them appear ready to stand up to any danger.

These are friendly and loving dogs who adore their owners and seek to please them on a constant basis. They form very tight bonds with their human counterparts, and this will be evident in their training and interactions with you and your family.

These dogs excel at hunting, love exercise and playing, and always want to be a part of what your family is doing.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

In case it wasn’t already obvious, the German Pointeraner makes an excellent family dog! These pups get along very well with children and people of all ages. They are full of energy and may accidentally knock over small kids, but you never have to worry about these dogs showing aggression or being unfriendly toward children of any age.

They love being around their families and being able to take part in family outings and activities. They can suffer from separation anxiety, so they’re best suited for homes where there will usually be someone home they can interact with and keep company.

Lastly, these dogs are very high energy, so not only will they fit in well with all members of your family, but you’ll also be happy to have other people around to help get your dog’s energy out in a positive manner.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

German Pointeraners usually get along just fine with other dogs. They often have no issues with other dogs they live with or with unfamiliar dogs they meet at dog parks or while outside exercising. Early socialization is important to get them used to meeting and interacting with other dogs, but you shouldn’t have any problems.

Because both parent breeds were originally bred for hunting and tracking, the same friendliness they exhibit toward other dogs won’t be extended to cats or other small pets you may have. Your German Pointeraner’s hunting instincts will likely kick in at the sight of a small animal, and they are likely to go on the chase. They aren’t recommended for homes with small pets, and you’ll also need to make sure to keep them leashed and on a harness while exercising in case they are tempted by a squirrel, rabbit, or another neighborhood animal.

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Things to Know When Owning a German Pointeraner:

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

German Pointeraners are medium-sized dogs, but their activity level means they will have healthy appetites! You can expect to feed your pooch around 3 cups of dry dog food each day, and this should be split up into 2 or 3 meals throughout the day to help maintain energy levels.

To provide the best nutrition for your energetic German Pointeraner, you should choose a commercial dog food that is high in protein and is formulated for medium-sized dogs with a high energy level. This will help provide them with the energy and nutrients they need to live a happy and healthy life.

Lastly, these dogs are unfortunately prone to bloat, which is a condition in which the stomach fills with gas and collapses on itself. Bloat can be life-threatening, and while there’s no way to ensure you avoid it altogether, you should always make sure your pup doesn’t exercise for at least an hour after eating or drinking large volumes of water. This will help reduce the likelihood that they will be afflicted with bloat.

Exercise 🐕

As hunting dogs bred to carry out physically demanding jobs, German Pointeraners are expected to have a high energy level. You should be ready to commit about 90 minutes every single day to dedicated exercise for your pooch.

You of course don’t have to hunt with your dog, but exercise in which they can still spend time with you is best for these social dogs. Walks, hikes, rough play, and even swimming are great options for your dog; they will love to play in the yard but don’t let outside play replace dedicated exercise time. These dogs can turn to destructive behavior if they don’t get their energy out in a positive way!

Additionally, German Pointeraners are very intelligent and will do well with some mental stimulation. Agility, hunting, and advanced training are great for keeping their minds sharp, and you can also offer them some logic games or puzzle toys to keep them engaged as well.

Training 🦮

German Pointeraners are intelligent, loyal, and eager to please their owners, and these traits lead to a highly trainable pooch. With some dedication and repetition, you can fairly easily train your pup a variety of tricks and commands. Because they are easy to train, they are perfect for new dog owners who don’t have experience with obedience training.

A regimented training program will be perfect for German Shorthaired Pointer and Weimaraner mixes, and make sure to focus on positive reinforcement, as they respond best to this training method. Treats, affection, and verbal encouragement for good behavior will have your German Pointeraner properly trained in no time at all.

Grooming ✂️

German Pointeraners have fairly dense fur, and they do shed regularly, so you’ll want to brush them about once a week with a slicker brush to maintain coat health and cut down on shedding. These dogs naturally resist dirt and don’t often carry that instantly recognizable dog smell, so they can be bathed on an as-needed basis or about once every other month. Don’t bathe more often, as frequent bathing can deplete their natural skin oils which keep their skin and coat healthy and shiny.

You’ll want to make sure to keep your dog’s nails trimmed regularly, as active breeds like the German Pointeraner are more prone to nail damage during exercise. You should also wipe their inner ears clean about once a week to cut down on debris and dirt build-up and to help prevent infection.

Lastly, brush your pup’s teeth about once a week to promote good tooth and gum health.

Health Conditions ❤️

Thankfully, German Pointeraners are generally very healthy dogs who aren’t prone to many health issues. Of course, you should still schedule regular trips to the vet and keep a close eye out for symptoms related to the below health issues which can be more common in this breed.

Male vs Female

Male and female German Pointeraners can differ in a few areas. Males can tend to have a higher prey drive, which means they may take more interest in cats or other small animals you may have. Females can have a lower energy level on average and can be a bit smaller in height and weight. For the most part, your dog’s temperament and behavior will depend more on which parent breed they more closely resemble than they will on gender.

Summing Up

German Pointeraners are wonderful and loveable dogs who quickly become integral parts of their families. They love human interaction, will always want to be a part of family activities, and often don’t do well with long periods of separation.

The German Shorthaired Pointer and Weimaraner mixed dogs are highly energetic, which makes them perfect for active families, but they’ll also be happy relaxing and cuddling with you after a long day of exercise and play.

They are an absolute pleasure and breeze to train, so they are great even for first-time dog owners. As long as you and your family have the time to dedicate to proper amounts of exercise and grooming, a German Pointeraner will make a wonderful four-legged addition to your family.

Featured Image Credit: Marsan, Shutterstock