THE START OF GSPs IN AUSTRALIA

The formation of the first Australian German Shorthaired Pointer Club came into being due to the vision, enthusiasm drive and passion of a handful of dedicated and single minded people in Victoria in the early 1960's. These people were looking for a dog that would be capable of performing all the jobs required of a hunting dog. They wanted a pointer, setter and retriever, and more, in the one package. An all rounder, a utility dog. They found these attributes in the German Shorthaired Pointer. Mr. Jack Thomson is credited with importing to Australia, the first pedigreed GSPs in 1962.
The first Australian GSP litter was born in 1964. The following year in August 1965, a large group of interested people met at the Melbourne Gun Club to officially form the GSP Club of Victoria. The Club was affiliated with the Kennel Control Council (now VCA) in October of the same year. This was followed in 1968 with the formation of the New South Wales GSP club, and, as numbers and interest grew, GSP clubs in every mainland state of Australia. The first Novice and Open field trial conducted by the Victorian club was in May 1966. This event, and one the following year, were conducted under the Pointer and Setter rules, as, at that time there were no rules specifically for Utility gundogs. This issue was addressed in May 1968 when the GSP Club of Vic, sanctioned by the KCC, held a TEST TRIAL for Utility gundogs held under the new UTILITY GUNDOG RULES. Since that time to now, GSPs have dominated Field Trial results, thus fulfilling the original expectation of an all round utility gun dog of the highest quality.
To quote Mr. Thomson, "I wanted a fine-looking dog". This has resulted in GSPs often taking out top conformation show awards competing against all breeds. GSPs were first entered at the Melbourne Royal in 1963. There was only one entry that year, but numbers grew rapidly, 23 in 1965, 32 in 1968, and 50 in 1970.
Again to quote Mr. Thomson, "I wanted one (breed) with a steady temperament, keen senses, the elusive quality of 'biddability' plus plenty of initiative and spirit". This simple statement so eloquently sums up the many activities with which the breed is involved. Field trialling, retrieving, conformation, obedience, tracking, and agility are the most usual activities associated with GSPs, but they also perform well in not so well known fields, such as sniffer dogs, assistance dogs and pets as therapy dogs.
Today, forty years after its inception the GSP Club Vic Inc, with the help of enthusiastic supporters, is still conducting events for the promotion of the breed. We are honored to now also be a member of the Deutsch Kurzhaar Weltverband, which is a worldwide association of GSP clubs from approximately 40 countries, on every continent, all working together to promote this multitalented breed.

SHORTHAIR FACTS

Temperament: Highly intelligent, affectionate and energetic.
Suitable Owners: Most lifestyles, as long as they are given sufficient exercise and mental stimulation.
Size: Dogs 62-66 cms; Bitches 58-63 cms.
Lifespan: Up to 15 years, some longer.
Activity Level: Energetic and extremely playful. Requires daily exercise.
Colour: Solid Black, Solid Liver, Black and White, or Liver and White with patches and speckling.
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BRIEF HISTORICAL OVERVIEW:

The history of the German Shorthaired Pointer starts with the dogs, which were used for the hunt with nets on feathered game, especially in the Mediterranean countries, and in combination with falconry.
Via France, Spain and Flanders the Pointers came to the German courts.
The most important distinctive feature of these dogs was their pointing performance.
After the first double-barrelled gun was made in 1750, a pointing dog was required even more.
In full sight of the dog, game birds in flight were shot.
That was the beginning of the transition from a mere pointer to a versatile gundog.
As a fundamental basis for the structure and development of the breed the Zuchtbuch Deutsch-Kurzhaar (Studbook) has been published since 1897.
 
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