When looking for a short haired bird dog, there are a few key factors to consider to determine which breed is the best fit. Bird dogs were originally bred to find and retrieve gamebirds for hunters. The ideal bird dog has a keen sense of smell to locate birds, is athletic and energetic to run through fields, and has a soft mouth to retrieve birds without damaging them. Short haired breeds are often preferred by hunters as their coats collect less debris, burrs, and stickers when working in the field. Some of the most popular short haired bird dog breeds include the English Pointer, German Shorthaired Pointer, Vizsla, and Weimaraner.
English Pointer
The English Pointer is an elegant hunting dog originally bred in England to point and retrieve gamebirds. They have a short, smooth coat that comes in liver, lemon, black, or orange colors. English Pointers are athletic dogs that love to run and have tremendous stamina, making them excellent hunters. Here are some key facts about the English Pointer:
- Height: 23-27 inches
- Weight: 45-75 pounds
- Life expectancy: 12-14 years
- AKC grouping: Sporting
- Coat: Short, dense, smooth
- Colors: Liver, lemon, black, orange
- Temperament: Energetic, loyal, sensitive
The English Pointer has a natural instinct to point, going stiff when they detect the scent of birds. They have an excellent sense of smell and high energy to run all day in the field. English Pointers need a lot of daily exercise and mental stimulation. Their sensitive nature also makes them very attached to their family. Overall, the English Pointer is an intelligent, energetic hunting companion.
Advantages of English Pointers
- Excellent hunting instincts and bird finding abilities
- High energy and stamina for all day hunting
- Short coat doesn’t collect debris and burrs
- Loyal and devoted to family
Disadvantages of English Pointers
- Require a lot of exercise and mental stimulation
- Can be sensitive and high-strung
- Prone to separation anxiety when left alone
- Need experienced handling for best results
German Shorthaired Pointer
The German Shorthaired Pointer, also known as GSP, is a versatile hunting breed developed in Germany to point, retrieve, track, and water retrieve. Their short, dense coat comes in liver, roan, or solid colors. Here are some quick facts about this popular gun dog:
- Height: 21-25 inches
- Weight: 45-70 pounds
- Life expectancy: 12-14 years
- AKC grouping: Sporting
- Coat: Short, dense
- Colors: Liver, roan, solid
- Temperament: Energetic, bold, loyal
The GSP is an intelligent dog with strong hunting instincts and a keen nose. They have endless energy and stamina for the field. This breed needs a lot of daily mental and physical exercise. GSPs are bold and adventurous, but also very loyal and attached to their family. The German Shorthaired Pointer excels at tracking, pointing, retrieving, and swimming.
Advantages of German Shorthaired Pointers
- Excellent versatility as hunter, pointer, retriever
- High energy and endurance for all day hunting
- Low maintenance short coat
- Strong tracker and swimmer
Disadvantages of German Shorthaired Pointers
- Require extensive daily exercise
- Can be headstrong and challenging to train
- Prone to separation anxiety and boredom
- Need an experienced owner/handler
Vizsla
The Vizsla, also known as the Hungarian Pointer, is a versatile sporting breed developed in Hungary to point, retrieve, track, and water retrieve. They have a short, rust-colored coat. Here are some quick Vizsla facts:
- Height: 21-24 inches
- Weight: 45-65 pounds
- Life expectancy: 12-14 years
- AKC grouping: Sporting
- Coat: Short, smooth
- Color: Rust/golden rust
- Temperament: Energetic, loyal, sensitive
The Vizsla has excellent scenting power and bird finding abilities. They are energetic hunting dogs with an affectionate nature. Vizslas thrive when they can be with their family. This breed needs daily mental and physical exercise to prevent problem behaviors. The Vizsla is an excellent retriever and swimmer as well.
Advantages of Vizslas
- Superb nose for finding birds
- High energy for the field
- Low maintenance short coat
- Strong bonding and loyalty to family
Disadvantages of Vizslas
- Need extensive daily exercise
- Prone to separation anxiety when left alone
- Can be excitable and difficult to train
- May have high prey drive with small pets
Weimaraner
The Weimaraner, often called the Grey Ghost, is a German breed developed to be an all-purpose gun dog for hunting, pointing, and retrieving. They have a distinctive short, silver-grey coat. Here are some quick Weimaraner facts:
- Height: 23-27 inches
- Weight: 50-85 pounds
- Life expectancy: 10-12 years
- AKC grouping: Sporting
- Coat: Short, smooth
- Color: Silver-grey
- Temperament: Energetic, affectionate, alert
Weimaraners are driven hunting dogs with excellent scenting ability. They have deep stamina and speed to hunt all day. While energetic in the field, they are also loving family companions at home. Proper training and socialization are important for this intelligent but strong-willed breed. The Weimaraner excels at pointing, retrieving, tracking, and obedience.
Advantages of Weimaraners
- Excellent versatility as hunter, pointer, retriever
- Great speed, energy and endurance
- Short coat doesn’t collect debris
- Loyal and affectionate family dog
Disadvantages of Weimaraners
- Require a lot of daily mental and physical activity
- Can be destructive or hyper when bored
- Strong-willed and challenging to train
- Need experienced owner and early socialization
Comparing the Breeds
While English Pointers, GSPs, Vizslas, and Weimaraners all make excellent short haired bird dogs, there are some key differences between the breeds:
Breed | Energy Level | Trainability | Prey Drive | Apartment Living |
---|---|---|---|---|
English Pointer | Very high | Moderate | Moderate | No |
GSP | Very high | Challenging | High | No |
Vizsla | Very high | Moderate | Moderate | No |
Weimaraner | Very high | Challenging | Moderate | No |
In terms of energy level, all four breeds score very high. These dogs need vigorous daily exercise to prevent destructive behavior. For trainability, the English Pointer and Vizsla tend to be more biddable and eager to please compared to the more headstrong Weimaraner and GSP.
The GSP tends to have a stronger prey drive compared to the other breeds. And none of these energetic hunting dogs do well confined to an apartment or small living space. They all need a home with space to run.
Conclusion
Based on the comparison, the English Pointer and Vizsla stand out as two of the best options when looking for a short haired bird dog. Both breeds have an excellent combination of strong hunting instincts, high energy, moderate trainability, and loyal temperaments.
The English Pointer’s natural pointing abilities and style make it a top choice for many hunters and competitions. Their elegant look and loyal personality have also made them popular family pets.
The Vizsla is also an excellent hunter and retriever, while being a bit more sensitive and attached to their family. Their loyal and affectionate nature makes them a great dog for active families.
Ultimately, both the English Pointer and Vizsla possess the ideal traits for an effective short haired bird dog that can thrive as both a working dog in the field and a companion at home.