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German Shorthaired Pointer Dogs for Adoption in St. Louis, MO

Your guide to finding and caring for a German Shorthaired Pointer in St. Louis

German Shorthaired Pointers fit the brick-bungalow blocks of Lindenwood Park and St. Louis Hills, where long, tree-lined streets make daily running easy. A GSP needs a real workout every day, and the flat, paved miles of the River des Peres Greenway give a runner room to stretch out. They're devoted housemates, but a dog with nothing to do gets destructive fast. If you're adopting one in St. Louis, plan on a fenced yard or a firm exercise routine.

368 German Shorthaired Pointers available in St. Louis and nationwide

Fall for a German Shorthaired Pointer

While we don't have enough dogs near St. Louis, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.

German Shorthaired Pointers Available for Adoption Near St. Louis

About the German Shorthaired Pointer breed

German Shorthaired Pointers were developed in nineteenth-century Germany as all-purpose hunting dogs that could point birds, track wounded game and retrieve from land and water. They're lean and muscular, with a short, dense coat in solid liver or liver and white, often ticked or roan. Adults usually weigh 45 to 70 pounds, with males larger than females.

Most GSPs are friendly, affectionate and eager to work, and many stay intensely energetic until two or three years old. That drive suits runners and anyone who enjoys training games, but a bored dog may chew, bark or jump fences. In St. Louis, that means building daily exercise into your schedule, whether you're on a greenway or in a backyard. Each dog differs, so expect some variety in energy and manners.

Weight
45–70 lbs
Height
21–25 in
Lifespan
10–14 yrs
Temperament
Energetic, Friendly, Intelligent
Group
Sporting
Shedding
Moderate

Owning a German Shorthaired Pointer in St. Louis

Having a German Shorthaired Pointer in St. Louis

GSPs pair athletic stamina with a sharp nose and a strong need to be near their people. In St. Louis, that shapes where they run, how well your yard is fenced and how they handle hot summers and cold snaps.

Temperament

Many GSPs are cheerful, affectionate and eager to please, and they often follow their people from room to room. Prey drive can be strong, so cats, birds and small pets may need careful introductions. A dog left alone too long may turn anxious or destructive. Reward-based training works well, though each dog's personality varies.

Exercise Needs

Young adult GSPs often need an hour or more of hard running daily. Off-leash running in St. Louis happens in fenced membership dog parks, and public places require a six-foot leash, so long leash runs on the River des Peres Greenway or Forest Park paths, plus fetch and nose work, fill in the rest.

Health Considerations

Hip dysplasia, bloat, eye conditions, hereditary lymphedema and bleeding disorders appear in the breed. A deep chest raises bloat risk, so avoid hard exercise around meals. Active dogs get cuts and pad injuries, especially on hot pavement in summer. A veterinarian can check hips, eyes and overall condition soon after adoption.

Living Space

A securely fenced yard with five- to six-foot fencing suits a GSP best. Brick flats and condos in neighborhoods like Fox Park or Downtown West can work for a committed owner who provides daily runs and expects some stairs. Indoors, GSPs want to be with the family and do poorly kept outside.

What it costs to own a German Shorthaired Pointer in St. Louis

ExpenseTypical costPer year
Adoption fee$100, one time$100 in year one
Food$55 to $110 per month$660 to $1,320
Pet insurance$55 to $110 per month$660 to $1,320
Routine vet care$250 to $500 per year$250 to $500
Other*$479 to $1,254 per year$479 to $1,254
Estimated yearly total (after year one)$2,049 to $4,394
First-year total (with adoption fee)$2,149 to $4,494

Adoption fee is the fee on German Shorthaired Pointer listings in St. Louis on GetBuddy today. Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.

* The $4 St. Louis registration for a spayed or neutered dog, flea, tick and heartworm prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, durable toys and bedding, and minimal coat care.

Adopt a German Shorthaired Pointer in St. Louis.

Now that you know more, let’s find you a new best friend. These rescues and shelters below currently have German Shorthaired Pointers available.

Rescues in St. Louis with German Shorthaired Pointers Available

St. Louis has a city-contracted shelter and several nonprofit rescues, each listed below with its current dogs. Here are the rescues & shelters in the St. Louis area where you can find German Shorthaired Pointers and other dogs available for adoption.

Frequently Asked Questions

Forest Park, Tower Grove Park and Carondelet Park all work for leashed runs, and the paved River des Peres Greenway suits longer outings. The city requires a six-foot leash outside designated dog parks. For off-leash running, fenced membership dog parks in Willmore Park, Shaw, Fox Park and Lucas Gardens require rabies proof and a yearly fee.

Yes, with care. St. Louis averages about 47 days a year at 90°F or higher, and the humid nights give dogs little relief. Run a GSP at dawn or after dark, keep its paws off hot asphalt, bring water, and never leave it in a parked car.

It can, if you're committed to daily running. About 55% of St. Louis households rent, so apartments and brick flats are common. A GSP needs an hour or more of vigorous exercise, and city rules require a six-foot leash outside dog parks, so plan greenway runs and training games.

No. Metro allows only service animals on MetroBus and MetroLink, and pets aren't allowed even in carriers. A 45- to 70-pound GSP won't fit that rule anyway, so plan on a car or walking distance for vet visits, and build daily outings around your neighborhood.

Often on patios. A 2007 city ordinance lets restaurants seat dogs outdoors if they post a sign saying so, though a few wards are exempt and each restaurant decides. Assume dining rooms are off limits. A GSP should be well exercised first and able to settle quietly.

Not much. A weekly brushing with a rubber mitt handles the moderate shedding, and baths are only needed when the dog gets muddy, which happens often in wet spring weather. Check for ticks after greenway and park runs, trim nails regularly, and moisturize dry skin in winter if needed.

A GSP is a German Shorthaired Pointer, a versatile hunting dog from Germany bred to point, track and retrieve game on land and in water. GSPs are athletic, medium-to-large dogs with short liver or liver-and-white coats and a keen expression. Many are affectionate, high-energy companions who thrive with active people and daily exercise.

Yes, German Shorthaired Pointers shed, and more than their short coat suggests. Their dense, bristly hairs fall out year-round and tend to weave into fabric. Shedding usually increases in spring and fall. Brushing once or twice a week with a rubber curry or bristle brush removes much of the loose hair and helps distribute skin oils.

We have 1 rescue with German Shorthaired Pointers available: Animal Protective Association of Missouri. You can see every rescue with German Shorthaired Pointers available in the list above these questions, or scroll to the top to see the German Shorthaired Pointers near St. Louis.

Expect roughly $2,050 to $4,400 a year for a GSP in St. Louis. That covers food at $55 to $110 a month, insurance at $55 to $110 a month, routine vet care at $250 to $500 a year, and other costs of $479 to $1,254 a year.

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