Are Black German Shorthaired Pointers Rare? All You Need to Know

Black German Shorthaired Pointers (GSPs) are rarer than their liver-colored counterparts. The liver color is more prevalent and historically preferred in breeding programs. Moreover, the black coat color is a recessive gene, meaning both parents must carry the gene for the trait to be expressed in their offspring.

Black GSPs are temperament, behavior, and friendliness the same as their liver-colored counterparts also known as Liver Roan. But still, AKC doesn’t recognize them as purebred.

Pet parents don’t bother with this acceptance or rejection from AKC and love to have black GSP as the proud member of the family.

Why Are Black German Shorthaired Pointers Rare?

German Shorthaired Pointers are beautiful, intelligent dogs who enjoy the company of humans.

They mostly come in liver color on the face and stripes or patterns over their body.

The black color is because of genetics; you must cross dogs with other breeds to get the black color. That’s why the black GSPs do not earn the purebred badge. This color is not common as, most of the time, the liver color remains dominant in their genes hence difficult to find.

History Of Black German Shorthaired Pointers

German Short Haired Pointers originated in Germany in the 19th century but were brought to America in 1925.

Dr. Charles Thornton is said to be the first person who brought these dogs to America and started breeding GSPs (Fact: they love high activity levels and tasks) dogs according to the breed standards. It was his effort that the German Shorthaired Pointers got their place in AKC.

The Appearance Of The Black German Shorthaired Pointer

German shorthaired pointers are:

• Medium to large-sized breed dog
• Height of maximum 25 inches tall at the shoulder
• Between 55 to 70 pounds
• Females are considerably smaller than male
• Solid, ticked, or roan marking

Where Did Black German Shorthaired Pointers Come From?

According to experts, all the GSPs have a common ancestor Old Spanish Pointers who reached Germany from different parts of Europe.

The dogs have the following common ancestors to give them black genes and great disposition:

• Pointers from Spain
• Bloodhounds
• Arkwright Pointers
• Deutschen Bracken

Different German Shorthaired Pointer Patterns

American Kennel Club only recognizes two colors in German Shorthaired Pointers. These two colors are white and liver.

When the GSP has a white or liver color, the pattern and marking don’t matter. AKC will recognize the dog in any pattern or marking if the color is white or liver.

But GSPs don’t know that and don’t need AKC’s confirmation to be the most beautiful, happy, and loving dogs.

The marking and coloration appear at the age of five weeks, and it keeps changing throughout the first year. A German Shorthaired Pointer will have the following.

1.      Solid

According to the experts, a dog will come into the solid category in two conditions.

The first condition is when the dog has liver or black color all over the body without any pattern.

In the second state, the dog will have a liver or black head with patches and patterns over the body with a white base.

2.      Back Ticked GSP

The ticked marking is like Dalmatians, and you can identify the two with the help of their body posture and structure.

Dalmatians don’t have big floppy ears and wide snouts. The ticked marking dogs are less common than the solid dogs in this breed.

The terms “back ticked” and “solid” when referring to German Shorthaired Pointers (GSPs) describe different coat patterns that can be found within the breed. Here’s the difference between the two:

Back Ticked GSP

• A “back ticked” GSP has a coat pattern that includes small spots or flecks of color, known as ticking. This ticking can be distributed throughout the white areas of the dog’s coat, giving a speckled appearance.
• Ticking is distinct from roaning, which is when the colored hairs are intermingled with white hairs more densely, often making it difficult to distinguish from solid patches.

Solid GSP

• A “solid” GSP, on the other hand, has a coat that is primarily one color without the speckled ticking pattern. This could be a solid liver or a solid black coat.
• Solid colored GSPs may still have some white, such as on the chest, but the majority of their coat is a single color without the ticked pattern.

3.      Patched

This type of dog is easy to identify with the help of patches all over the body. A dog will show patches of the same color over the skin.

It is not common for a GSP to show different color patching on a single body.

4.      Patched and Ticked

The dog will have both ticked markings and patches all over the body.

5.      Roan

This is a most loved pattern in the GSPs where they have small patches of the same color over the body in different sizes.

At the same time, the ticked marking covers the space left by patches. The dog will have a white base color, and white hair will be all over the body to give a distinctive look to the dog.

When Do German Shorthaired Pointer’s Markings Completely Develop?

German Shorthaired Pointers are different from most dogs regarding marking and color on the body.

The markings usually go through two different phases in their life. The first phase starts after the five weeks of their life. A newborn GPS will not show markings and patches.

The newborn puppy will be void of patches and patterns, and many pet owners must identify the marking and patches from different markers. There are two most common markers for breeders to identify the color and pattern.

The paw will tell you about the marking on their body, but that is not all. The liver color nose will give you a liver-colored dog, and the black nose is for the black German Shorthaired Pointer. When the puppy reaches five weeks, the base pattern will be visible.

But the puppy will keep transforming for one year. Some dogs might show the transformation even after that time. But for most GSPs, the pattern metamorphosis becomes complete when they reach their first birthday.

Caring For Black German Shorthaired Pointers Coat?

·         Hair

You should take your dog to the groomer every month, but if this seems out of budget, you can be the personal groomer and do some easy activities yourself.

Brushing the hair is not the thing for which you need a professional certificate and experience. The brushing will take only 5 to 10 minutes, increasing the bonding between the pet and the pet parent.

·         Ear

GSPs have floppy ears; this extra load of skin disrupts airflow in the air. Pointy hair dogs do not have a higher chance of ear infections.

But when the ear canal of GSPs gets wet, the water can cause infection. A small wound or an issue in the canal can result in severe infection.

 You must use an ear canal cleaner liquid for your dog more than two times a month.

Pour some liquid into the ear canal and use a cotton swab to remove any secretion or excess liquid from the ear. It will help your dog enjoy a good quality of life.

·         Oral hygiene

GSPs also need oral hygiene, and you must brush their teeth daily. If you see swollen gum, consult your vet immediately because it can brew into a severe issue.

Brushing daily will also help your dog avoid cavity and tooth decay. Dogs cannot communicate and tell us about a tooth or gum issue.

Daily brushing will help you check all the gums and any oral issues.

·         Nails

GSPs have nails on their paws like any other dog. These nails keep growing and can get stuck into something.

If this happens, the dog will try to pull the nail, which could come off from the toe, leaving a trail of blood.

You must take your dog to the vet immediately because the bleeding will not stop any sooner.

To prevent this, you must cut the nails yourself but always remember there is blood supply in their nails.

Please do not cut the quick to save them from blood loss and pain.

GSP Shedding and Grooming

German Shorthaired Pointers have a flat coat that doesn’t gain long hair. Many pet parents living in a hot climate must bear the shedding of this small hair all year long.

If you live in a cold area, the dog will shed only in the season, and you won’t have to worry about the hair all over the house.

The best practice is occasional brushing if you want to save your couch, sofa, and carpet from this hair.

A rubber brush that horse keepers use is a perfect thing for you to get rid of loose hair.

The brush will take off all the hair, and your dog will not leave the hair prints all over the house. You can also take the dog to the groomer for occasional grooming.

Can Black German Shorthaired Pointer be AKC Registered?

Getting your German Shorthaired Pointer registered from the AKC is one thing, and the AKC accepting it as a breed is another.

The black GSPs have been there for over a century. That’s why UKC United Kennel Club and FCI Fédération Cynologique Internationale have recognized them as a breed.

If you have a GSP from pedigree parents, you can get your dog registered at AKC, but the dog will not be able to take part in different shows and competitions.

There are various standards a dog must meet to participate in the competition, and experts decide which dog is worthy of taking part.

The most important standard is being pure. Black GSP is not pure, according to American Kennel Club judges, who don’t allow it to participate in competitions.

Are All German Shorthaired Pointer Puppies Born White?

German Shorthaired Pointers are born white with liver patches, and it is very difficult for people to identify and define color and pattern.

But the breeders usually know how the puppy will grow up to be. Many puppies keep changing their pattern till they age and become adults.

In a few weeks, puppies will be entirely different from their first look.

Experts use nose color to identify the dominant patches on the newborn’s body. The puppies sometimes are born with a hazy texture over their body, and the breeders closely look at the nose.

If the nose is the liver color or shows a brownish tint, the puppy will grow up to be the liver-colored German Shorthaired Pointer. You are lucky to have a black puppy if the nose is black.

Conclusion

Black German Shorthaired Pointers are not purebred and do not get recognition from AKC, but that doesn’t stop people from loving these dogs.

The black GSPs are friendly, loving, and caring towards their family. These dogs are getting more popular, and people are advocating for them to be accepted because UKC has already accepted liver GSPs as a breed