German Longhaired Pointer (German Longhaired Pointer)
The German Langhaar is a versatile gundog, suitable for virtually any work: in the forest, in the field, and on the water, useful before and after the shot. Pure breeding for working qualities has been conducted since the second half of the 19th century. The Langhaar has a calm, even temperament and an unquenchable desire to work. The breed is recognized by the FCI. Another name for the breed is the German Longhaired Pointer. In Germany, Langhaars are also called German Longhaired Pointers.
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History of origin
Long-haired hunting dogs have been documented in Germany since the Middle Ages. They were initially used to track and drive game into nets. The ancestors of modern Langhaars were likely quail dogs and French spaniels. Since 1879, the Langhaar has been bred in its pure form. The breed is closely related to the large Munsterlander. Initially, it was merely a color variation of the long-haired pointer, but it became completely distinct in the early 20th century.
The main organization overseeing the breeding of the German Langhaar (German: Deutsch Langhaar) is the German Langhaar Association (DLA), founded in 1926. Today, the DLA unites 13 breed clubs and breeders worldwide.
Purpose
The Langhaar's hunting skills are genetically honed. These dogs have a calm, focused search, making them ideal for guided hunts. Without hesitation, the Langhaar will dive through reeds for a duck, even in cold water. A dense undercoat and ample sebum protect the skin from getting wet and hypothermia. A keen sense of smell and a firm stance make it ideal for field work. The Langhaar easily navigates wooded areas and is not afraid to navigate through dense thickets. It drives game with a vocalization. It is used to hunt various species of birds, small game, and large ungulates.
The Langhaar is not suitable for hunters who need a dog with a clear specialization and fast search.
Appearance
The German Longhaired Langhaar is a strong, muscular, medium-sized dog with a proportional, harmoniously built body and dense hair, which is longer on the ears, back of the legs, and tail. Sexual dimorphism is moderate.
- The height at the withers of bitches is 58-66 cm; weight is about 27 kg.;
- Height at the withers of males is 60-70 cm; Weight is about 30 kg.
Particular attention is paid to the beauty of the head. It should be elegant and elongated. The muzzle and skull are of equal length. The skull is slightly domed. The stop is pronounced, but not too sharp. The muzzle is long, not too narrow. The earlobe is brown. The dentition is complete. The bite is scissor-shaped. The eyes are as dark as possible. The ears hang down along the cheekbones, well-covered with long, wavy hair, and are not set too high. The neck is noble, strong, and widens toward the chest.
The body is balanced, strong, and well-muscled. The back is strong, straight, and not too long. The loin is well muscled. The croup is moderately sloping and long. The chest is broad and deep, reaching to the elbows. The forelimbs, when viewed from the front, are vertical. The legs are strong, well-knit, and sturdy.
The skin is tightly fitting all over the body and does not wrinkle. The coat is wavy in places, but should not be curly. The outer coat is 3-5 cm long on the body. It is longer on the ears, back of the legs, and tail, and short on the muzzle and front of the legs. The texture is quite coarse. The undercoat is dense and does not stand out from under the topcoat. Three colors are permitted:
- brown;
- white-brown;
- brown roan.
Character and behavior
The Langhaar is even-tempered, calm, and reserved, with a gentle disposition. Intelligent and quick-witted, it forms strong bonds with its family. It is gentle and friendly within the family circle. It may become anxious if left alone for long periods. Its watchdog qualities are generally weak, and aggression is completely subdued. The Langhaar gets along well with other dogs of various breeds, as well as with cats and other pets it has grown up with. It may perceive small animals and birds outside as potential prey.
Affection for family, friendly nature and high level of obedience make the Langhara a wonderful companion for active people.
It's important to remember that German Pointers have a strong hunting instinct and a passion for the chase. The dog needs to work. If for some reason it leads a sedentary lifestyle, for example, during the off-season, it needs to be provided with alternative activities. Various sports are well suited, such as agility, obedience, trekking.
Content Features
The Langhaar adapts well to a variety of living conditions. It can live year-round outdoors in a spacious enclosure with a well-insulated kennel or in a private home. The ideal situation for it is living in the countryside with an owner who regularly hunts. It can also live in the city and even in an apartment, but in this case, special attention will be paid to socialization and walking.
The German Longhaar is a very hardy, athletic dog that requires a good amount of exercise—much more than the average owner can provide. He needs long daily walks and opportunities to run in open spaces. In warmer weather, he enjoys swimming and retrieving from water.
Care
German Langhaars don't require a lot of grooming. They only need occasional brushing and bathing, along with regular maintenance of their ears and nails and teeth. Their ears are a weak point for these dogs and are prone to infections, but regular cleaning and keeping the ears dry after bathing can help prevent problems. After outdoor walks, their fur can become tangled with hair, burrs, small twigs, and other debris.
Health and life expectancy
The German Longhaar is a healthy breed. It has no hereditary diseases or obvious weaknesses. In adulthood, any age-related ailments are possible. Life expectancy is 11-13 years. A number of rules and restrictions adopted by the club contribute significantly to maintaining healthy genetics. For example, a single cable may be mated no more than 12 times in its lifetime.
Where to buy a German Langhaar puppy
The German Langhaar has long been actively bred in Austria and the Czech Republic. The quality of dogs and kennels there is almost equal to that of Germany. The breed is quite popular in Italy, Switzerland, France, and the Scandinavian countries. There are also breeders in the United States. In Germany, the breed is very beloved and popular. On average, about 650 puppies are registered annually. It is very surprising that the German Langhaar has not taken root in Russia, unlike its closest relatives: German Shorthaired Pointer And German Wirehaired PointerRepresentatives of this breed in the post-Soviet space can be counted on almost one hand.
Price
The price of a German Langhaar puppy in Germany typically ranges from 500 to 1,000 euros. It's best to purchase a dog through a breed club, but keep in mind that the DLA only sells puppies to hunters.
Photos and videos
The gallery features photos of German Langhaars of various sexes, ages, and colors. Some photos feature the dogs with their trophies, and these are just a few of the animals and birds that these versatile pointers can hunt.
Video of the German Langhaar dog breed
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