Early Shorthairs were short and heavy bodied, long-eared and extremely slow-working, showing the strongest influence from the hounds. The oft-repeated story of the Shorthair springing from "Bloodhounds" is merely a lapse in translation. Schweisshund translates to "bloodhound," meaning a dog used to follow a blood trail, not the breed "Bloodhound." These dogs were long since separated from the Bloodhound (St. Hubert) that we know today. English Pointer blood was later added to existing Shorthairs to increase speed and style, but great care was taken to keep the desired talents in water work, retrieving and tracking, and in toughness.

When the breed was imported into the USA in the early 1900s, it was enthusiastically received by American hunters. In fact, since his official recognition by the AKC in the 1940s, the breed has fared well in AKC registrations. He is one of the favorites of the average weekend hunter because of his natural abilities, ease of training and adaptability to family life. The Sh-orthair is described as "all businesSj no frills." In addition, the breed has been successful in the AKC field trials, as well as in American show and obedience rings. The German Shorthaired Pointer Club of America, to its credit, has strongly supported all aspects of breed ability; hence, the Shorthair shows no sign of splitting into two distinct types as have some of the other gun dogs. The breed boasts the most dual champions of any breed in the USA.

His short coat requires little care, even after a day in the field. He is affectionate and good with children, fitting into the venue of pet as long as his basic nature is understood. A dog of immense energy and a desire to hunt, he does not recognize natural boundaries and may become destructive if bored by confinement and a lack of exercise. Behaviorists recommend an outdoor kennel when the owner is not at home.