The German Shorthair (Deutsch Kurzhaar) was developed in Germany through judicious crossings of the “Old Spanish Pointer” and various “Scent Hounds.”  Historians of the breed sometimes suggest that some German breeders also “outcrossed” with English Pointers.  The ultimate intent was to produce a versatile gun dog, capable of pointing game and retrieving on land or in water.  Of import is the fact that the German Shorthair was developed not simply for use on upland game and waterfowl, but also for fur-bearing game (e.g., hare and fox).  From the very beginning, therefore, versatility has been the hallmark characteristic of the German Shorthair.

During the second half of the nineteenth century in Germany, the pioneer German breeders (such as Prince Albrecht zu Solms-Brauenfelds of the Royal House of Hanover) believed the basic “type” had been established.  The first German Shorthair to be registered was Hektor I (whelped 1872).  During this same basic period, two Shorthairs named Nero 66 Hoppenrade and Treff 1010 (whelped 1881) began to distinguish themselves at field competitions.  Soon Waldin 175 (whelped 1884) began to earn a reputation as a superb gundog, even in prestigious field trial competitions with Pointers and Setters (e.g., at Buckow).  Moreover, Waldin’s prepotency was established because of his siring Shorthairs such as Morell 444 Hoppenrade (whelped 1888) and Marki 322 (whelped 1887).  New shorthair kennels were inaugurated during this era as well, such as those of von Lemgo, v. Freudenthal, Holzweiler, Altenau, and von der Goldenen Mark.  Among the Lemgo Shorthairs of note are Wodan Hektor I von Lemgo and his son Wodan Hektor II von Lemgo (whelped 1888), descendants of Treff 1010.  Some have argued that Tellus von Freudenthal (whelped 1893) was a most pivotal sire of the fledgling Shorthair breed, because within his ancestry are many of the most important early Shorthairs (he was sired by Wodan Hektor II von Lemgo) and because his daughter Herta v. d. Maylust (whelped 1897) was among the most productive and important dams of Shorthair history.

            During the early decades of the twentieth century, two dogs are often considered to have been the most fundamental pillars of the breed: Christian Bode’s Mars Altenau (whelped 1914) and Forester Lehner’s Artus Sand (whelped 1921), with both dogs strongly indebted to Bessie Altenau (a dam with a lineage carrying the blood of Wodan Hektor II von Lemgo and Morell Hoppenrade).  Of course, Kurzhaar Sieger Benno vom Schlossgarten (whelped 1926) and Kurzhaar Sieger Kobold Mauderode-Westerholt (whelped 1930) were impressive field dogs, and reflected superb conformation to the breed standard.  Benno vom Schlossgarten is to be credited with siring the dam Freidel Südwest,” the foundation dam of M. Gschwindt’s great Südwest Kennel.  In addition to his impact on German breeding, Kobold Mauderode-Westerholt has also had profound influence in American breeding because he was the grandsire of Tim v. Altenau (a Thornton-bred dog that sired fifteen American champions) and the great-grand sire of Champion Davy’s Jim Dandy.  The Austrian Hohenbruch Kennel (established 1894) of Edwardt Reindt was very prominent during this time, and it is from this kennel that American Dr. Charles Thornton purchased Senta v. Hohenbruch (whelped 1924), the first registered Shorthair documented as an import into the United States (FDSB 125225).  Thornton also imported John Neuforsthaus (whelped 1926), a dog with Edelmann Giftig blood (dam side) and also substantial debt to the prestigious Maylust Kennel (sire side).  Significantly, John Neuforsthaus sired Thornton’s famed Fritz v. Bitterwurzel, a sire prominent in many American pedigrees.

            During the period after the Second World War, many distinguished Shorthairs were imported from Germany, Austria, Denmark, and Sweden.  Peter Kraft’s Gräbenbruch Kennel was one of the premiere German Kennels and from this kennel Richard Johns purchased both Sepp von Gräbenbruch (the first Kurzhaar Sieger imported into the United States) and Nanny v. Lückseck (the sire and dam respectively of Dual Champion Blick v. Grabenbruch).  Several years later, Richard Johns acquired the dog that was to become Dual Champion and National Field Champion Kay v. d. Wildburg (whelped 1956 in Germany).  Field Champion Greif v. Hundsheimerkogel (whelped 1947) was imported from Austria and became one of the most dominant sires in the United States at the time.  Hjalmar Olsen imported International Field Champion Moesgaard’s Ib from Denmark, and this dog sired dual, field, and show champions in the United States (including National Field Champion Moesgaard’s Dandy).  International Dual Champion Adam (with titles from Sweden, Denmark, and Finland) was imported from Sweeden (during the late 1950s).  He was the sire of Champion Adam v. Fuehrerheim (whelped 1962), the breed’s leading sire of show champions, and so has had profound impact on American breeding.  Naturally Esser’s Chick (sired by the famed Axel v. Wasserschling) must be mentioned as one of the most important of the German imports from the mid-sixties and the sire of National Field Champion Blick v. Shinback.  Of course, not all of the most foundational Shorthairs of this period were imports.  For example, Champion Yunga War Bride (whelped 1951) was bred in the United States (one of Thornton’s last breedings) and became a distinguished Shorthair dam.  Jack Shattuck’s Rusy v. Schwarenberg (by Mars v. Ammertal out of Vicki V. Schwarenberg) was also bred in the United States and even became the first German Shorthaired Pointer Dual Champion (in 1947).  Moreover, Field Champion Tip Top Timmy was also bred in the United States and became one of the most impressive and productive field dogs in the country, siring a significant number of field champions.  Nevertheless, the fact remains that the era after the Second World War was a period of careful and intense importation.

            The final decades of the twentieth century and the first years of the twenty-first century have reflected a period of maturity in American breeding.  To be sure, some very important Shorthairs continued to be imported, but this period also witnessed reduced reliance on imports.  Among the luminaries of this period were Field Champion Thalberg’s Seagraves Chayne (whelped 1964), Field Champion Uodibar’s Boss Man (sired by Tip Top Timmy), Dual Champion Oxton’s Minado von Brunz, Dual Champion Cede Mein Dolly Der Orrian, and Champion Gretchenhof Columbia River (Westminster Best of Show in 1974).  Significantly, Dual Champion Hillhaven’s Hustler (whelped 1978) became one of the most touted dogs during the 1980s, and Hustler’s son Dual Champion Trekker v. Grunbaum perpetuated and augmented this tradition of greatness.  Field Champion Dixieland Rusty (whelped 1978) became one of the most famous field dogs of the twentieth century, currently holding the record for siring the most Shorthair field champions (namely, a total of sixty-nine).  Among Rusty’s get and grandget are National Gun Dog Champion Lars Agnes v. Rusdelite and National Field Champion LB’s Ohi Shameless.  Also of significance for Shorthair history, National Field Champion Rawhide’s Clown became a household name among Shorthair fanciers during the 1990s, because of his consecutive national championships.  Dual Champion Up N’ Adam became a prominent name during the final years of the twentieth century, as did also the Dunfur Kennel (with dogs such as National Field Champion Dunfur’s Where You Ben) and the Robin Crest Kennel (e.g., with dogs such as Champion Robin Crest Silver Spirit). Of course, arguably a peerless Shorthair is the stunning Champion Minado’s Parade Drum Major (who in addition to his own wins at Westminster sired Champion Kan-Point VJK Autumn Roses “Carlee,” 2005 Westminster Best of Show).

Naturally, it should be emphasized that the German Shorthair (Deutsch Kurzhaar) continues to flourish in Europe and in Australia as well (and also in Russia and even on the island of Cyprus).  Within Germany, for example, the Hege-Haus Kennel has produced some superb dogs, including Kurzhaar Sieger Narziss vom Hege-Haus (whelped 2000) and Kurzhaar Sieger Tobias vom Hege-Haus (whelped 2002).  Also Germany’s Rocky von Neuarenberg (whelped 2003) and Alfred von Bruderamming (whelped 2003) are both stunning exemplars of the breed.  Furthermore, Austria’s Kurzhaar Sieger Bis Lovrenski (whelped 1999) reflects sterling conformation and has also performed with great distinction in the field.  Ultimately, the point is that throughout the world the German Shorthair (Deutsch Kurzhaar) continues to be a distinguished member of the Sporting Group, with numerous dedicated kennels continuing to produce superlative dogs.

 

Copyright 2006 Christopher Rollston.  All rights reserved.  Proviso Statement: Those wishing to create a link from their website to this article may do so, but any other use without the expressed written permission of the author is forbidden. 

 

Select Bibliography

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Kiefer, Claus.  Deutsch-Kurzhaar.  Deutsch-Kurzhaar Verband.

Maxwell, C. Bede.  The New German Shorthaired Pointer.  New Revised and Updated 4th
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McKowen, Robert H.  The New Complete German Shorthaired Pointer.  New York:
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Seiger, H. F. and F. von Dewitz-Cölpin.  The Complete German Shorthaired Pointer
            Silver Spring: Denlinger’s, 1951.