How long do German Shorthaired Pointers live?

The median lifespan of the German Shorthaired Pointer is 13.4 years, based on the 2024 McMillan et al. study of 584,734 UK dogs.

What health problems do German Shorthaired Pointers have?

Commonly reported conditions in the German Shorthaired Pointer include Hip dysplasia, GDV (bloat), Von Willebrand disease, Lymphoedema, Entropion.

Is the German Shorthaired Pointer a healthy breed?

On the Breed Health Score the German Shorthaired Pointer scores 80 out of 100 (grade A), compared with an average of 71 across 155 breeds.

80/ 100

German Shorthaired Pointer Grade A

Median lifespani 13.4 yr · large · 20-32 kg

⇆ Compare German Shorthaired Pointer

The German Shorthaired Pointer is a large breed with a median lifespan of 13.4 years, which places it among the longest-lived third of the 155 breeds we rank for longevity. Commonly reported health conditions include Hip dysplasia, GDV (bloat), Von Willebrand disease, Lymphoedema. Its overall Breed Health Score is 80/100 (grade A), against an average of 71/100 across all breeds.

Score breakdown

Longevityi 65%

Conformationi 20%

100

Hereditary burdeni 15%

Higher is healthier. See methodology.

Common & hereditary conditions

Hip dysplasia GDV (bloat)Von Willebrand disease Lymphoedema Entropion

Red marks a life-threatening or major-welfare condition. Click a condition to see which breeds it affects. This list reflects commonly reported conditions, so better-studied breeds may show more; hereditary burden is the lightest-weighted part of the score. Source: RVC VetCompass / AKC / PDSA (indicative).

Thinking of a German Shorthaired Pointer? A breed's health profile affects insurance cost. Comparing pet insurance early, before any conditions become pre-existing, usually gets the best cover.

Compare with similar-size breeds

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Data & citation. Median lifespan: McMillan, K.M. et al. (2024) "Longevity of companion dog breeds", Scientific Reports (584,734 UK dogs). Data CC-BY 4.0. Source. Machine-readable: developer API. These are independent estimates for comparing breeds, not veterinary advice. Photo: Brixiv via Pexels.