Grooming of German Shorthaired Pointer
As the name suggests, the German Shorthaired Pointer has short coat, which is very easy to groom. It is enough to brush it once a week with a brush or with a special glove to loosen dead hairs. Especially during the change of coat in Spring and Autumn, the following applies to reduce German Shorthaired Pointer shedding: The more often you brush your dog, the less hair will be around your house. In addition, this small grooming ritual strengthens the bond between you and your GSP. Especially in the warm season you should search your dog for ticks after forest walks, so that you can immediately remove uninvited guests. Take this opportunity to have a look into your dog’s ears from time to time, because in the warm and humid climate, bacteria or inflammations can quickly spread unnoticed in his floppy ears.
An important feature of GSP is that his coat does not stick to clothes and furniture like other dogs’ hair. That’s why GSP is great for indoor (flat or house) keeping, but not outdoor.
Healthy GSP hair gets dried very quickly even when it’s cold and wet outside. The Sun, fireplace or intense running make him dry within maximum ten minutes.
Healthy and Unhealthy Shedding of German Shorthaired Pointer
Dogs shed from time to time, and this is perfectly normal. Although few owners like hairs around the house. Beautiful, well-groomed, shiny coat adds to GSP. But there is one thing: twice a year the hair literally starts to fall off our pet around the house.
The natural shedding lasts from 7 to 14 days. During this period, you’ll have to work hard on your dog and, of course, clean the house more often as you won’t be able to get rid of the ubiquitous hair completely. More over, German Shorthaired Pointer sheds slightly all year round. And this is normal.
Off-Season Shedding
For a healthy GSP the shedding runs fairly quickly, without any discomfort or inconvenience. The worry is when the shedding is protracted, with the hair falling out in shreds and the remaining coat looks lifeless and untidy.
Shedding caused by body malfunctioning:
- lack of vitamins and trace elements
- liver disease (hepatitis)
- kidneys disease
- gastrointestinal system problems
- endocrine system problems
- parasite infection
- immune system disorder
Unexpected hair loss can also be associated with:
- stress (for example, after separation from the host, moving to another place)
- if the dog is weakened after delivery, injury, surgery or long-term illness
How to Reduce the Shedding of GSP
It doesn’t really matter if your German Shorthaired Pointer is shedding seasonally or suddenly. What matters is how you can help your dog.
If your dog suddenly starts shedding off season, the best thing you can do is to show him to the vet. As this may be caused by one of the above mentioned body misfunctions like lack of Hair Vitamins etc.
If you already know, there are no internal problems, the main thing you can do is to Brush your dog daily during this period. This is a very pleasant and useful treatment that helps to get rid of dead hair and speed up the growth of new hair. A gentle massage also has a good effect on the blood circulation in the top layer of the skin, which affects hair growth and improves the appearance of the coat.
Washing your dog with just Intense Water Flow also helps to reduce loose hairs. And combined with DeShedding Shampoo – it leaves no chances for dead hairs.
We have tested almost all possible brands on the market, and we are sure Furminator brush is best suitable for reducing German Shorthaired Pointer shedding problems.
Furminator Short Hair deShedding Tool
- Ergonomic handle fits in your hand
- Gently removes undercoat and loose hair
You May Also Like to Know More About Best Brushes For German Shorthaired Pointer Dogs Review
General Recommendations
Being a hunting dog, GSP’s hair is very important for his hunting abilities, i.e – dense coat protects him during long stay outside in cold and wet weather. The more you allow your dog to swim in cold water and run in cold weather, the better your GSP’s coat is. If you start to wear coats etc, the weaker becomes his coat with the time. Don’t be afraid to harden your dog, this will bring its benefits with a good and shiny coat, provided there are no other internal disorders.
German Shorthaired Pointers are moderate shedders. Appropriate diet, vitamins and regular grooming make care for GSP coat quick and easy.
FAQ
How Do I Know My Dog Is Shedding Excessively?
When you put your hand on the back and flanks of the dog, there's a little hair left on the hands. That's okay. And if you're doing the same thing but you're left with a lot of hair in your hand, or if your dog's coat separates from his skin by pulling on it lightly, then it's not healthy shedding
Is DeShedding Shampoo For Dogs Effective?
Yes, it's twice more effective if you use a good quality DeShedding Shampoo and Conditioner, like FURminator for instance, during shedding seasons, for whasing your dog
When Does My GSP Puppy Normally Start To Shed?
GSP's puppy first shedding is likely to start during Spring or Autumn, but not earlier than 6 months old
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