How much Exercise does a German Shorthaired Pointer Need

The German Shorthaired Pointer is considered a high-energy sporting breed. When it reaches adulthood, this breed should weigh between 45 and 60 lbs (20 and 27 kilos), depending on the size of your dog.

These dogs not only need to release a lot of energy, but they are also very sociable animals, so it's important to pay extra attention to them, not only to make sure they get enough exercise but also to avoid them getting nervous and excited when they are alone for too long. This is one of the reasons why it's not the best dog to have if you live in a small apartment.

Walking your German Shorthaired Pointer

You should take your dog for a walk at least twice a day, preferably in the morning and in the evening, though you should not leave your dog inactive during the rest of the day either. The walks should be pretty long, between 30 and 45 minutes per walk. Start taking your dog for walks at an early age so it gets used to them.

Build up the duration and intensity gradually, especially if your dog is young or not used to regular activity. Watch for signs of tiredness and offer water during longer outings. In warm weather, plan exercise for cooler parts of the day and let your dog rest when needed.

If you love going on hikes or trekking, your German Shorthaired Pointer will enjoy coming with you.

Extra exercise

You should know that taking your dog for a walk twice a day is not enough, even if you take long walks. In order for your dog to get rid of all its energy, it's highly important that you take the time to play with it when it's outdoors. Get a suitable toy for it and play fetch.

Make sure you find a space where your dog can run freely. Take it to the beach if you have one nearby, not only because it has miles to run safely but also because German Shorthaired Pointers love swimming. That way, they'll have a chance to enjoy themselves and have some fun in the water.

Varying the games and asking your dog to practice simple commands can provide mental stimulation as well as physical activity. This helps keep exercise engaging without relying on running alone.

If you do activities such as running, jogging, or cycling, take your dog with you!

It's not enough just to know how much exercise your dog needs, as there are certain considerations you should take into account so your dog stays healthy while exercising.

This breed is prone to gastric problems such as gastric torsion, so you should pay attention to its feeding times in relation to its exercise. Feed your dog at least one hour before exercise, or wait at least one hour after exercise before feeding it. Don't feed your dog right before or after a walk or exercise session.

Though your dog gets old (German Shorthaired Pointers can live up to 15 years), it will still want to do as much exercise as it did when it was younger. This is why you should not lower the amount of time you dedicate to exercise, but you should visit the vet to change its diet accordingly so it has all the nutrients it needs. As your dog ages, pay attention to changes in stamina or movement and adjust the pace of activities accordingly. If a change seems sudden or persistent, ask your vet for advice.

Many experts advise training this breed when they're puppies to teach it to control its energy. Pointers are easy to train and obedient, so training won't take long. This will also be a great opportunity to bond with your new member of the family!

If you want to read similar articles to How much Exercise does a German Shorthaired Pointer Need, we recommend you visit our Pets category.

Tips

• Make sure you let your dog run in a safe place where it can't get run over or escape.