German Shorthaired Lab – Owner’s Guide

Reviewed By Kyoko •  Updated: 07/25/22 •  6 min read
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German Shorthaired Lab

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German Shorthaired Labs are a fairly new dog breed. Are you familiar with these amazing dogs? If not, that’s OK! Not everyone knows about this dog breed.

If you’re looking to adopt a large dog and aren’t sure what dog breed is right for your family, why not consider the German Shorthaired Lab?

We’ve put together some information about these stunning dogs. Our hope is that the information helps you decide if one of these dogs would be a good fit for you and your family. Let’s get started!

What is a German Shorthaired Lab?

The German Shorthaired Lab is a hybrid dog (also called a designer dog) that is a cross between purebred parents. The purebred parents of these dogs are the Shorthaired Pointer and the Labrador Retriever.

While not much is known about the history of the German Shorthaired Lab, we can learn more about these dogs by learning about their parents.

The German Shorthaired Pointer was first developed in the mid to late 1800s. The dogs were bred to be hunters, but their pet parents also wanted dogs that were elegant and affectionate. The result was the German Shorthaired Pointer.

These dogs hunt feathered or furred animals, even deer. Yet, they also love to play with the kids in their families. And the dogs are happy to hike and just spend time with you.

The German Shorthaired Pointer is a little smaller than a traditional Pointer. These dogs are filled to overflowing with energy, and they’re highly intelligent. GSPs also love to be with their people and don’t do well when left alone for long periods of time. They can develop separation anxiety and become destructive.

The other parent of the German Shorthaired Lab is the Labrador Retriever! Labs were first developed on an island near Newfoundland, where they were used to help fishermen. In fact, these dogs even have webbed feet to make it easier for them to swim!

Labs are known for being very friendly and highly intelligent. What’s more, the dogs are number one on the AKC’s list of dogs! And no wonder. These dogs love just about anyone and other pets, too.

Labs are muscular ad built for sport. They have a short coat that’s easy to care for and a friendly look on their faces. In addition, these dogs have a ton of energy. The dogs are also people-oriented, which means they’re eager to please and trainable.

Labs have been a family favorite for years, and there’s no stopping in sight!

With parents like these, how could you find a better dog for your family?

German Shorthaired Pointers usually stand between 26 to 28 inches and weigh between 55 to 80 lbs. They have a life expectancy between 10 to 14 years.

German Shorthaired Lab Appearance

These dogs are beautiful. They are muscled and athletic. They have a large head with a broad, strong muzzle (it’s not as flat as that of a Pointer). In addition, the German Shorthaired Lab’s ears are broad and large and may reach passed the dog’s jaw.

The dogs are durable and elegant and have a certain dignity about them. They have long legs that are built, and yet they’re very fast dogs. Their tails are wide, being thicker at their base.

These dogs have a coat that’s short, much like the Lab, and they come in colors, including black, chocolate, and yellow. Some of the dogs may have white spots or markings.

German Shorthaired Labs Temperament

The German Shorthaired Lab has a temperament similar to both purebred parents. These dogs are loyal, playful, and overflowing with energy. They’re good with kids but should always be supervised (like all dogs breeds) during playtime with children.

These hybrid dogs also make great companions for the entire family! If you’re looking for a running or jogging companion, here’s a dog with the stamina and strength to keep up. These dogs love to run!

What’s more, the dogs are highly intelligent and easy to train. The dogs also have an adventurous spirit and are usually happy. Almost everyone enjoys spending time with German Shorthaired Labs! In addition, the dogs love to have a job to do, and they’ll get it done with enthusiasm!

You might also say these dogs are social butterflies. The German Shorthaired Lab is friendly and outgoing and wants nothing more than to be with their humans.

Do German Shorthaired Labs Get Along with Other Pets?

It’s amazing that German Shorthaired Labs get along with most other animals despite their hunting background. These hybrid dogs are usually good with cats and other small pets. However, the dog needs to be properly trained and socialized.

On the other hand, the German Shorthaired Pointer does great with other dogs. They love to play and usually get along well with other dogs. They don’t aren’t usually aggressive or territorial.

Trainability

Because German Shorthaired Labs are so intelligent, they’re eager to learn and cooperate during training sessions. However, there are times when their exuberance gets away from them. Plus, the dogs have a rather short attention span and are easily distracted, especially when training outside.

So, it’s best to keep training sessions short and interesting to keep the dog’s attention. In addition, German Shorthaired Labs respond best to positive reinforcement training methods.

Health Issues

Most German Shorthaired Labs are very healthy; however, they can be prone to the following heath conditions, including:

Exercise Requirements

The German Shorthaired Lab has a ton of energy. For this reason, it’s imperative to ensure your dog gets at least 90 minutes of exercise a day. You might want to take your dog for a couple of long walks about twice a day. But you can also include some running, jogging, or hiking. These dogs love to play, so playtime is another great way to release excess energy!

Summing It Up

If you’re looking for a large, loving companion, why not consider the German Shorthaired Lab? These dogs love to be with people and are eager to please. And with the right training and socialization, they get along with other humans, kids, and other pets!

We’re pretty sure if you decide to adopt a German Shorthaired Lab that you’ll have a loving, playful companion for many years to come!

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Kyoko

Kyoko is from a family of 3 and moved to New York with her parents and siblings when she was 13. Kyoko is fond of spending a great amount of time with pets, specifically her beagle Luna and cat Missy. Her boyfriend often complains that she spends too much time giving attention to their animals. Kyoko has written dozens of articles concerning pets and is aiming at owning a pet shop one day!

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