German Longhaired Pointer Dog Breed Information
Also known as: GLP, Deutsch Langhaar
The long-haired sibling of the German Shorthaired and Wirehaired Pointers, a versatile HPR gundog used in NZ rural shooting circles for both upland gamebirds and waterfowl.
A highly affectionate, highly trainable, great with young children dog. On the practical side: minimal drool.
About the German Longhaired Pointer.
The German Longhaired Pointer is the all-liver, long-coated member of the German pointer trio, sister breed to the GSP and GWP. NZ numbers are small and concentrate around serious gundog handlers who like the longer feathering for cold-water duck retrieves and blood-tracking work.
Personality and behaviour
The GLP is calmer in the house than a GSP but every bit as driven afield. Bonds closely to one handler, affectionate with the immediate family, polite rather than friendly with strangers. Quiet for a sporting breed, which suits rural neighbours.
Care and exercise
90 minutes of off-lead exercise a day is a minimum for an adult. The coat sheds moderately year-round and seasonally in spring and autumn; brush twice a week. Watch the ears for moisture-related infections after duck shooting. The deep chest carries bloat risk, so split meals and avoid heavy work around feeding times.
The German Longhaired Pointer, by the numbers.
Each trait scored 1 to 5 on the AKC scale. The verdict synthesises the data; the panels below show the strengths, group averages, and the full trait table.
Top strengths
Family Life
avg 4.3Affectionate with Family
Good with Young Children
Good with Other Dogs
Physical
avg 2.3Shedding
Grooming Frequency
Drooling
Social
avg 3.3Openness to Strangers
Playfulness
Watchdog / Protective
Adaptability
Personality
avg 4.3Trainability
Energy Level
Barking Level
Mental Stimulation Needs
Living with a German Longhaired Pointer.
A 24-hour breakdown of how this breed's day typically goes, scaled to its energy, mental-stimulation, and grooming needs.
What a German Longhaired Pointer costs to own.
An indicative NZ lifetime cost: purchase, setup, then food, vet, insurance, grooming and other annual outgoings. Adjust the inputs to see how your choices change the total.
A German Longhaired Pointer costs about
$306per month
$71
$10
$51,638
Adjust the inputs:
Where the monthly cost goes
Food
$115 / mo
$1,385/yr · breed-appropriate dry & wet food
Insurance
$86 / mo
$1,031/yr · lifetime cover protects against breed-specific claims
Vet (avg)
$44 / mo
$530/yr · routine checks plus breed-specific risk
Grooming
$23 / mo
$280/yr · brushes, shampoo, professional clips
Other
$38 / mo
$450/yr · toys, treats, dental, boarding
Indicative NZ averages calculated from breed weight, grooming need and screened-condition count. One-off costs (purchase $3,400 + setup $450) are factored into the lifetime total but not the monthly figure.
How does the German Longhaired Pointer compare?
This breed
German Longhaired Pointer
$51,638
13-year lifetime cost
- Purchase + setup$3,850
- Food (lifetime)$18,005
- Vet (lifetime)$6,890
- Insurance (lifetime)$13,403
- Grooming (lifetime)$3,640
- Other (lifetime)$5,850
Reference
Average NZ medium dog
$38,920
12-year lifetime cost
- Purchase + setup$2,200
- Food (lifetime)$13,200
- Vet (lifetime)$6,000
- Insurance (lifetime)$11,400
- Grooming (lifetime)$2,400
- Other (lifetime)$3,720
A German Longhaired Pointer costs about $12,718 more over a lifetime than the average nz medium dog, mostly higherfood and higherother.
What to ask the breeder.
Reputable NZKC breeders test for these conditions and share results without being prompted. If a breeder won't share screening results, that is itself an answer.
Common
1 conditionEar infections
A common condition in the German Longhaired Pointer. Ask the breeder about screening.
Occasional
2 conditionsHip dysplasia
An occasional condition in the German Longhaired Pointer. Worth asking about and DNA testing where available.
Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus)
Deep-chested. Avoid heavy exercise around meals; consider prophylactic gastropexy.
The German Longhaired Pointer in NZ.
- Popularity: Rare in NZ. Small breeder network.
- Typical price: NZ$2800–4000 from registered breeders
- Rescue availability: rare
- NZ climate fit: Coat handles cold/wet South Island shooting; needs heat management in Northland.
- Living space: Lifestyle block or rural property with daily off-lead access.
Who the German Longhaired Pointer is for.
Suits
- Versatile NZ gundog handlers
- Active rural households
- Owners who want a longer-coated alternative to a GSP
Less suited to
- Apartment living
- Households without daily exercise capacity
Common questions.
How is the GLP different from the GSP?
Is it a good family dog?
If the German Longhaired Pointer appeals, also consider.
Breeds with a similar profile that might suit your household.
Large Munsterlander
A versatile German all-purpose gundog with a black-and-white feathered coat. Used in NZ for upland gamebird and waterfowl work, with a noticeably calmer house temperament than the Munsterland's pointer cousins.
German Shorthaired Pointer
Versatile German hunting dog bred to point, retrieve and track on land and water. The most-used pointing breed in NZ deer, gamebird and small-game hunting communities, with high drive, high trainability and a serious daily exercise need.
German Wirehaired Pointer
The wirehaired version of the GSP. A versatile German hunting dog with a weather-resistant beard-and-eyebrow coat, popular in NZ rural and gamebird hunting circles. All-weather all-terrain working dog with serious daily exercise needs.
English Setter
A tall, gentle, speckled gundog. Calmer than the Irish Setter and easier on the household, with the same long coat to manage and a real daily running need. Held mostly by NZ gundog and active rural households.
Last reviewed:
Sources for this pageInformation only. Breed traits and health notes on this page are aggregated from public registry and breed-authority sources. Individual animals vary; this page is general information, not veterinary, behavioural, or insurance advice. Always consult a registered NZ vet or breeder for guidance specific to your situation.