Apartment fit
The German Longhaired Pointer is usually not an apartment breed. It needs space, exercise, and field-style enrichment.
SportingLarge
Germany
GermanyGerman Longhaired Pointer
Weight
55-80 lb
Height
23-28 in
Lifespan
12-14 yrs
Coat
Long Long
The German Longhaired Pointer is a large German versatile gundog, calm and cooperative, with a brown or brown-and-white long coat and strong hunting ability.
German versatile pointing dogLong brown or brown-and-white coatCalm and cooperative when worked properlyNeeds serious field-style exercise
Breed Names
Official, native, and commonly used variants
Deutsch Langhaar
CalmEven-TemperedCooperativeVersatileAffectionate
Weight
55-80 lb
Height
23-28 in
Lifespan
12-14 yrs
Coat
Long Long
At A Glance
Daily living snapshot
A quick read on energy, upkeep, and what day-to-day life with this breed usually feels like.
Energy
High
Barking
Moderate
Drooling
Low
Shedding
Moderate
Grooming
3/5
First-time owner
No
Overview
The German Longhaired Pointer, or Deutsch Langhaar, is a German versatile pointing dog bred to search, point, retrieve, track, and work in water. It is a substantial athletic gundog with a calm, steady temperament when properly exercised and trained.
Unlike shorthaired or wirehaired German pointers, this breed has a long, dense, smooth coat with feathering. Standard colors include solid brown, brown with white or ticking, dark roan, light roan, trout-colored roan, and brown-white patterns. The coat is protective but needs regular brushing, especially around ears, tail, legs, and underside.
This breed suits hunters and active homes that want a close-working, trainable dog with daily field-style outlets. It is not a low-exercise pet; without work, movement, and companionship, a German Longhaired Pointer can become restless or difficult to live with.
Temperament & Personality
CalmEven-TemperedCooperativeVersatileAffectionate
This breed tends to suit homes looking for a calm, even-tempered, cooperative companion, with daily rhythms shaped by high energy, moderate barking, and low drooling.
Coat type
Long
Coat length
Long
Shedding
Moderate
Colors
Brown, Brown and White, Brown Ticked, Dark Roan, Light Roan, Trout-Colored Roan
Lifestyle Compatibility
Family Friendly4/5
Good with Kids4/5
Good with Dogs4/5
Good with Strangers3/5
Apartment Friendly1/5
Exercise Needs5/5
Grooming Needs3/5
Trainability5/5
Good fit if you want
- A family-friendly companion
- Room for routine exercise
- Confidence handling structure and training
Plan ahead for
- 5/5 exercise needs
- moderate shedding and coat upkeep
- moderate barking in daily life
Owner Fit & Everyday Behavior
Best for
- hunters and active gundog homes
- owners who enjoy field work, retrieving, and water
- families able to provide daily exercise
- people comfortable brushing feathered coat
Not ideal for
- low-exercise households
- apartments without outdoor routines
- owners wanting a no-grooming pointer
- people away all day without training and companionship plans
Common challenges
- needing serious field outlets
- burrs and mats in feathering
- recall around birds and scent
- restlessness when underworked
Barking & behavior
It is not a guard breed first, but boredom and under-exercise can create vocal behavior. Work and routine are the best prevention.
Training style
Use positive gundog training with recall, steadiness, retrieving, and water work. Clear jobs suit this breed better than repetitive drills.
Grooming & shedding
Brush several times weekly and after field work. Check ears, paws, tail, feathering, and underside for burrs or mats.
Care Guide
Exercise
Most German Longhaired Pointers need 90 minutes or more of daily exercise when not doing field work. Searching, pointing games, retrieving, swimming, tracking, and long hikes suit the breed.
Grooming
Brush the long feathered coat several times a week and after field work. Check ears, tail, leg feathering, paws, and underside for burrs, mats, and grass seeds.
Training
Use reward-based gundog training with recall, steadiness, retrieving, water confidence, and calm handling around game. The breed is usually cooperative when work is clear and consistent.
Nutrition
Feed for a lean active gundog and adjust portions for hunting season, swimming, or heavy training. Avoid excess weight because it reduces stamina and stresses joints.
Behavior & Environment
Energy level
High
Barking level
Moderate
Drooling level
Low
Watchdog ability
3/5
Guard dog ability
1/5
Climate tolerance
Cold weather4/5
Heat tolerance3/5
Health Considerations
Common concerns to discuss with your vet and breeder.
Hip dysplasiaEar infectionsEye conditionsBloat riskField injuries
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the German Longhaired Pointer a good family dog?
It can be a good family dog for active homes that provide training, exercise, and companionship. It is still a versatile hunting dog with serious daily needs.
Can a German Longhaired Pointer live in an apartment?
It is usually a poor apartment fit because of its size, exercise needs, and field drive. It does best with outdoor access and active owners.
How much exercise does a German Longhaired Pointer need?
Most adults need 90 minutes or more of daily exercise when not hunting. Field work, retrieving, swimming, tracking, and long hikes are useful outlets.
Does the German Longhaired Pointer shed?
Yes, it sheds moderately and has long feathering that needs regular brushing, especially after outdoor work.
What colors can a German Longhaired Pointer be?
Standard colors include solid brown, brown with white or ticking, dark roan, light roan, trout-colored roan, and brown-white patterns.
Is the German Longhaired Pointer easy to train?
It is usually trainable and cooperative with clear reward-based gundog work. Recall, steadiness, and retrieving should be taught early.
What health problems should owners watch for?
Watchouts include hip dysplasia, ear infections, eye conditions, bloat risk, and injuries from field work.
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