Bred in 19th-century Germany to serve as a truly versatile hunting dog breed, the Deutch Kurzhaar was developed to do it all: point upland birds, retrieve waterfowl, track wounded game, dispatch furred predators, and remain a cooperative companion at home. What distinguishes the Deutsch Kurzhaar from its American cousin is the structure behind the breed—a century-old system of mandatory performance testing, health screening, and breeding regulations focused on field reliability, particularly after the shot.
In North America, the German shorthaired pointer evolved to suit a broad range of hunting needs and trial formats. Many are excellent gun dogs. But the Deutsch Kurzhaar remained under the oversight of the Deutsch-Kurzhaar Verband (DKV), and that structure continues to guide every generation. The result is a hunting dog breed built not just to perform in the uplands, but to perform consistently—across a wide range of hunting tasks and conditions.
The Original Shorthair The Deutsch Kurzhaar hunting dog breed was developed in Germany by hunters who needed a single dog to cover every aspect of the hunt. Early Deutsch Kurzhaars were expected to locate game, hold point, track cripples, retrieve from land and water, and even confront furred predators when necessary. Early crosses involved continental pointers, scent hounds, and, eventually, English pointers to refine drive and style. But from the beginning, all breeding decisions were grounded in tested performance and utility—not appearance alone.
When the breed was brought to North America in the early 20th century, it was registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC) as the German shorthaired pointer. In time, the GSP was shaped by different terrains, game species, and cultural preferences—including the development of field trial formats that emphasized range and speed.
Today, GSPs in the U.S. fill a wide range of roles, but mainly in the uplands. From big-running horseback trial dogs, to NAVHDA-tested versatile hunters, to upland-focused bird dogs. That variation allows for specialization and diversity.
The Deutsch Kurzhaar, by contrast, remains tethered to the original uniform model of the breed.
Rigorous testing has ensured that Deutsch Kurzhaar bloodlines have remained strong. (Photo courtesy of Colin J. O'Connor) Testing: Built into the Breed If there’s one point that best illustrates the difference between DKs and other hunting dog breeds, it’s the testing systems.
In the Deutsch Kurzhaar system, testing isn’t optional. Every dog used in breeding must pass a series of standardized evaluations focused on real hunting utility for the German-style hunter.
Young Deutsch Kurzhaars typically begin with the Derby, a spring natural ability test. A wild rabbit track is key on this test, which should give you a good indication of the testing difference right away. In the fall, dogs may run in the Solms, which adds more advanced work and evaluates crucial traits like independent duck search, game tracking, water work, and cooperation. Multiple retrieves are required—not as a bonus, but as part of the score.
More advanced tests include the VGP (a two-day utility test covering field, water, and forest work). These are not competitions. Dogs aren’t ranked against each other—they’re judged against a standard. And the results are recorded permanently in the Zuchtbuch, the official DKV breed book.
Temperament, conformation, and behavioral faults are documented alongside test scores. A dog that doesn’t meet the standard—whether due to weak tracking, poor cooperation, or unstable behavior—doesn’t get bred.
NAVHDA introduced a strong testing system modeled in part after the German approach, and it has produced excellent versatile dogs with testing more “American” in evaluation. The puppy natural ability test, as an example, evaluates the dog tracking a running pheasant, versus the Derby test evaluation a cottontail track. Regardless, what level of testing participation is voluntary, and breeding decisions are left to the owner.
By contrast, in the Deutsch Kurzhaar world, oversight is institutional. Breed wardens inspect kennels, review litters, and ensure the breeding plan aligns with the DKV standard. Generational consistency isn’t just encouraged—it’s enforced.
Deutsch Kurzhaar breeding has strict health testing to protect from genetic conditions being passed on to puppies. (Photo courtesy of Colin J. O'Connor) Health and Oversightsof Deutsch Kurzhaars The DKV places strict limits on breeding eligibility to preserve physical health, behavioral stability, and genetic diversity. Dogs must pass hip evaluations and be free of disqualifying defects such as entropion, seizures, or significant dental faults. Males must pass additional requirements, such as a hardness test on a predator.
Breed wardens oversee this process at the club level, and puppies from approved litters receive an ahnentafel—a certified pedigree issued by the DKV. Coefficient of inbreeding is tracked, and overuse of popular sires is discouraged. Health, performance, and behavior are treated as equal parts of the breeding equation.
Deutsch Kurzhaar Physical Size The Deutsch Kurzhaar is a medium-sized, purpose-bred hunting dog breed, purpose built with a balanced frame, well-defined musculature, and efficient movement.
Males: 62–66 cm at the withers (24.5–26 in) Females: 58–63 cm (22.8–24.8 in) The coat is short, dense, and weather-resistant—easy to maintain and fast-drying. Accepted colors include solid liver, liver roan, black roan, and various ticked or patched combinations. Black, once controversial, is now fully recognized by the DKV.
The head is dry and noble, with a long muzzle and dark, intelligent eyes. Ears are moderately long and lie flat. The topline is strong and level, built for stamina and control.
Deutsch Kurzhaars are trained to pursue game with both fur and feathers. (Photo courtesy of Colin J. O'Connor) Hunting with a Deutsch Kurzhaar The Deutsch Kurzhaar was built to be a complete hunting partner.
In upland fields, they’re methodical and cooperative, naturally quartering with good use of wind and cover. Their pointing may not be as staunch as American GSPs and can sometimes take more time to develop. It’s the post-shot work that often sets them apart.
Blind retrieves, blood tracking, dense cover searches, and wounded game recovery are emphasized in every stage of testing. Many American hunting dog breeds perform these tasks with skill—but not all are bred with them as baseline expectations.
In Germany, a dog that cannot perform these retrieving tasks doesn’t pass and is not bred.
That focus on furred game recovery—also sets the Deutsch Kurzhaar apart. This isn’t a pointing dog with some retrieving ability. It’s a utility dog, full stop.
Deutsch Kurzhaars are known for an even and stable temperament. (Photo courtesy of Colin J. O'Connor) Living with a Deutsch Kurzhaar As hunting dog breeds go, Deutsch Kurzhaars are excellent. Despite their drive and intensity in the field, Deutsch Kurzhaars are known for being steady, handler-oriented, and intelligent companions. Behavioral stability is tested and tracked—dogs with unstable temperaments are removed from the breeding pool.
They’re trainable, responsive, and devoted to their people. But they’re not casual pets. DKs require structured work and consistent engagement. Mental stimulation is as important as exercise. A bored Deutsch Kurzhaar is a destructive Deutsch Kurzhaar.
Grooming is minimal. The short coat carries little odor and dries quickly. With proper care and active use, most DKs live 12 to 14 years and remain effective hunting partners late into life.
