German Longhaired Pointer: check the feathering after field outings
The German Longhaired Pointer has close-lying body hair with longer feathering on the ears, legs and tail. Outdoor activity can leave burrs and knots in those areas. Its daily exercise commitment and the practical work after each outing belong in the same ownership plan.
Body coat and size
The FCI and earlier UK guide give males 60–70 cm and females 58–66 cm at the shoulder, with average or approximate weight of 30 kg. Male ideal height is 63–66 cm in both; the FCI female ideal is 60–63 cm, compared with 60–62 cm in the UK guide.
Hair on the back and sides is 3–5 cm long, sleek and close-fitting, smooth or slightly wavy over a good undercoat. The back is straight and firm, the chest broad and deep. The feathering needs separate handling from that relatively close body coat.
Burrs, ear-base knots and the tail
The AKC guide highlights burrs picked up in cover and knots around the base of the ears. It also notes possible tail abrasions after heavy-cover work. Check these areas after an outing rather than waiting for the next planned groom; ask for help with firmly tangled burrs instead of pulling at them.
Its routine includes brushing and occasional bathing, nail trimming as needed, regular ear checks and tooth brushing. The UK grooming category is more than once weekly. Allow extra time when the coat brings back material from the terrain you have walked through.
A substantial working-dog commitment
The UK guide places exercise above two hours daily in a country setting with a large house and garden. The AKC describes a dog for committed hunting households, while also listing several daily walks, fenced play, swimming, hiking and dog sports as activity options. Consider how those outings fit into a normal working week, including the coat check afterwards.
Compare close body hair and feathering
The Large Munsterlander also has a long, feathered coat but its own body proportions and size description. The German Shorthaired Pointer has a short, hard coat with a different brushing routine and seasonal loose hair. The shorter coat changes the grooming job, not the need for regular shared activity.
Sources and further reading
German Longhaired Pointer at a glance
These earlier UK breed guides are starting points for comparison. Details may have changed, and individual dogs vary.
- Breed group
- Gundog
- Size
- Large
- Daily exercise
- More than 2 hours per day
- Grooming frequency
- More than once a week
- Coat length
- Medium
- Sheds
- Yes
- Suggested home size
- Large house
- Town or country
- Country
- Garden recommendation
- Large garden
- Lifespan
- Over 10 years
FCI breed standard
Standard guidance describes the breed ideal; individual dogs vary.
- Origin
- Germany
- Group
- 7 - Pointing Dogs
- Section
- 1.2 - Continental pointing dogs, “Spaniel Type”
- Height
- Males: 60–70 cm; Females: 58–66 cm; Males: Ideal: 63–66 cm; Females: Ideal: 60–63 cm
- Weight
- Average: 30 kg
The FCI female ideal range reaches 63 cm; the earlier UK snapshot ends it at 62 cm. The 30 kg figure is an average, not a sex-specific range.
Official FCI standard (PDF)
Standard effective from 2011-11-10; checked 2026-10-15
