The Versatile Gun dogs Vizsla Page

Deutsch Kurzhaar (DK): Dogs registered with the country of origin (Germany) breed club and tested under the breeding regulations.

German Shorthaired Pointer (GSP): Dogs not bred to the regulations of the German breed clubs.

The DK/GSP began as with most German versatiles when the industrial revolution meant the average person, rather than just the gentry, could own and hunt with dogs. This didn’t mean that those of means weren’t also taken with the idea of a dog that served all purposes, and many of the versatile gundog breeds flourished under the guidance of those capable of maintaining a breeding kennels of dogs. The pups were no doubt placed into the hands of the hunters who gave the yea or nay on what was being achieved.

The DK/GSP is very basically, a mix of hound and pointer.

In 1897 the DK studbook was begun. There was some fraction over a further infusion of black Pointer blood, the resulting black & white pups were kept in a separate part of the studbook until the 1930’s when they were incorporated into the full register.

There are many “types” of DK/GSP today, large & small, heavy & light. Above all the DK/GSP should look a strongly muscular and proud dog with the appearance of a thoroughbred.

Friendly and people oriented, the athletic DK/GSP is a tireless persevering hunter, their predatory sharpness bodes ill for cats, foxes, ‘possum and vermin.

A cheerful loving dog at home, they tend to be competitive and independent in the field. The ideal is a cooperative medium ranging dog capable of adjusting range to suit the terrain.

The DK/GSP is also a capable water retriever.

Skull is flat with slightly rounded sides. Typical German versatile head with slight stop and defined upper eye ridges. Muzzle is long with depth and strength. Slight convex rise to foreface in males.

Lips are tight fitting, of moderate depth. Ears set high, medium sized not heavy, houndy or thin. Eye colour dark brown shading lighter.

Chest is deep to the elbows and of moderate width with strong forechest. Brisket reaches well back to a tuck up of the flank. Back is short, firm and loin muscular. The body itself gives the appearance of slightly longer than high. Tail is docked by ½.

Coat is short and dense, rough and hard to the touch. A well coated belly and inner thigh desired.

Colour: liver (brown), liver & white, liver roan (mix of brown & white hair), roan & patched liver, white with liver patches or ticking. Black & white in same colour combinations. The skull is liver/black but a white snip or blaze is allowed.