Here is a breed that is the canine embodiment of the word "versatile". Unlike many of the sporting breeds, the German Shorthair makes a wonderful house and watch dog. He is a handy dog for any sportsman for he can be taught to work on fur or feather, can become a night trailing 'coon hound, will work rabbits, 'possum, any kind of feathered game from grouse to duck and retrieve with style and gaiety in dry brush or water.

Using old German hound stock as a base, the Spanish Pointer, English Foxhound and Bloodhound were judiciously crossed to produce the "all pupose" breed, which German sportsmen called them before they were adopted by other countries.

The most characteristic colour of the German Shorthair is liver roan, although he can be solid liver, or liver and white as well. Fanciers of the breed have been careful to keep him a versatile breed, and there is no such thing as a "show Shorthair" or a field Shorthair". The same dog can be used in the field that can win at a Show.

The German Shorthaired Pointer works close to the gun and is not as far ranging a dog as his English cousin. This factor worked to his advantage in his homeland where the hunting conditions would not favour a wide ranging gun dog. It is advantageous, too, to the North American hunter who may be disinclined, for various reasons, to follow a lightning, quick-quartering Pointer or Setter in the field.

There are many good specimens of this breed being shown all across North American and a good Shorthaire will usually place high in the Sporting group.