Reprinted with permission of Diane Roghair
In the 17th and 18th centuries, most hunting privileges in
Europe were limited to the wealthy and landed gentry. The
common working man was limited to driving game and fowl for
his employer, or poaching the landlord's estate (with fear-
some penalties if caught). Because of the limited and
specialized methods of hunting, specialist dogs were devel-
oped by the wealthy…flushing dogs for pheasants, the setters
and pointers for the grouse moors, the pack hounds for the
foxhunt, and so on.
Times changed; the working class now enjoyed the same hunting
privileges as their wealthy counterparts. However, the
working man could not afford to keep a kennel full of
specialist dogs, so an all-purpose gun dog was clearly
needed. Three Germans were prominent in the creation of
several of the Continental Pointing Breeds: the German
Shorthaired Pointer (Deutsch Kurzhaar), the German Wirehaired
Pointer (Deutsch Drahthaar) and the Weimaraner.
The German Shorthaired Pointer was developed over 100 years
ago, to serve as the all-purpose gun dog for the foot
handling "rough shooter". He was expected to hunt and
point both fur and feather, track the blood-scent or
wounded large game and bay the kill, retrieve fowl on both
land and water, kill and retrieve small game as necessary
(typically fox, raccoon and so on). The German foot hunter
wanted a super dog, and conscientious breeders developed on
through judicious blending of the Old Spanish Pointer,
speed hounds, and blood/scent hounds of the 18th and 19th
century. By the late 1800's a recognizable type of dog had
been created, which showed promise of fulfilling the
hunter's many requirements.
In the mid 1920's Dr. Charles Thorton (of Montana) imported
several German Shorthairs into the United States, among
them a bred bitch named Senta. He whelped the first litter
on record here, and became the breed's pioneer and premier
enthusiast. However, the skill and the versality of these
dogs in the field, ensured it wasn't long before they
became a recognized and valuable hunting breed. As an
interesting footnote to the breed's US development, the
breed founders here wanted the American Kennel Club list
to the breed name as the German Shorthaired Pointer and
Retriever. However, since AKC organized the existing
breeds into pointing, flushing, and retrieving classifica-
tions for show and field trials, they said NO! To the breed
name. In their wisdom (and never before having faced a
"versatile" dog the AKC reasoned that a dog could either
point or retrieve but could not do both. So the founders
had to decide how our breed would be known…. Hence the name
and classification. As such, The GSP, the GWP, and the
Weimaraner all compete in field trials under the pointing
dog classification.
Within the next few years, the major breed activity
centered in the Minnesota Wisconsin area. Many of the
prominent national bloodlines originated through our local
breeders, and the quality of the German Shorthair was not
bettered anywhere in the world. In 1938 local breeders in
his area applied to the AKC for Parent Club (national club)
status and it was eventually granted with one of the first
tasks to be the establishment of a breed standard. This was
accomplished and in accepted in 1945. We (the GSPC of MN,
Inc.) held the first licensed field trial in Anoka,
Minnesota, also in 1945 and in that regard, Jack Shattuck's
Rusty V Schwarenburg (Minnesota bred) became the breed's
first Dual Champion (Field and Show titles). As time went
by, other regional clubs grew, and soon there was truly a
national organization, with the Minnesota people giving up
Parent Club status to become a member club.
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At present there are many GSP clubs throughout the US and
Canada. While they are organized predominantly to further
the breed through AKC competition in the field and on the
bench, many member clubs are also active American Field
members and trialers. The Parent Club sanctions 3 National
titles for our field dogs National Champion, National Gun
Dog Champion and National Amateur Champion. The Parent
Club sponsors these events along with a Futurity
(puppy/derby age field dogs) and a National Specialty Show
each year.
The Minnesota Club is also active in promoting the breed.
In addition to our past history and our many current
Champions and Field Champions, we hold two AKC horseback
field trials each year (spring and fall.). One walking
field trial (spring) and two Hunt Tests (spring and fall).
And State Specialty Show (held in June) and fun events to
help our members train and exhibit their dogs. While most
of our breeders are competitors in either show, field or
both, the majority of our club members are hunters who
just plain enjoy their dogs. Most of our fun events are
organized with the idea of getting our hunting members
together for a day of fun and conversation.
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The GSP is a medium size, built for endurance and speed.
His short coat can be any combination of liver and white,
but those are the only permissible colors. He is active,
friendly, and makes as good a companion/house dog as he
does a gifted hunter.
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