The Australian Shepherd German Shorthaired Pointer Mix

If you’re unfamiliar with The Australian Shepherd German Shorthaired Pointer Mix, you might wonder if it even exists. The answer is yes! This Australian Shepherd GSP mix is one of the world’s most active, loyal, and protective breeds! An Australian Shepherd German Shorthaired Pointer mix resulted from breeding a German Shorthaired Pointer and an Australian Shepherd. The characteristics of both breeds contribute to making this mixed breed dog ideal for city living and country living. It’s the perfect companion and best friend for just about any person!

The following article will answer all your questions about whether this beautiful dog is right for you.

History of Australian Shepherd Pointer Mix   

Mixed dogs generally have little history, so it is hard to make accurate assessments of them. This mixed breed likely found its share of puppies at the shelters due to accidental breeding in the past twenty years or so. In the following section, we will look more closely at both parent breeds’ history, namely the German shorthaired pointer and an Australian shepherd mix.

German Shorthaired Pointer History

The German Shorthaired Pointer is a very versatile breed due to its unique history. GSP are universal hunting dogs, developed in Germany in the 19th century as game catchers. The breeders of that era didn’t want a dog with a unique hunter’s character. The breeders aimed to develop a companion and hunting dog with a lot of versatility and obedience.

A German Shorthaired Pointer may be related to a German Bird Dog, several German Bloodhounds, or even Spanish or English Pointers. Earlier GSP were not aggressive enough and did not like water, which led to other hybrids correcting this behavior. Due to this breeding, the dogs became long, lean, and remarkably athletic, with strong personalities.

Australian Shepherd German History

Australian Shepherds, often called “Aussie,” are medium-sized dogs developed on ranches in the western United States during the 19th century. The dog evolved from a breed in the Basque Country in Western Europe. The Basque people brought it to the United States after a brief stay in Australia before moving to America. Aside from that, the dog has no ties to Australia.

Various theories exist regarding how the breed came to be associated with Australia; however, there is no consensus. Despite their apparent similarity to English Shepherds and Border Collies, Australian Shepherds are closely related to Border Collies. The Border Collie and Australian Shepherd are slightly less closely related to other kinds of Collies and Shetland Sheepdogs.

GSP Australian shepherd mix appearance 

To find out about the appearance of an Australian shepherd pointer mix, you should take a look at the characteristics of the two breeds. In the following, we give a brief description of German shorthaired pointer and Australian shepherd mix appearances.

Both breeds are distinct in appearance and are simple to distinguish. Let’s examine some of their apparent traits.

Coat of German shorthaired pointer and an Australian shepherd mix   

The German Shorthaired Pointer has a thin, water-repellent undercoat that keeps it warm in the winter and is short yet dense.

On the other contrary, the Australian Shepherd has a long, curly coat with a dense undercoat and a rough coating.

Color of German shorthaired pointer and an Australian shepherd mix   

The predominant coloration of the GSP are liver, liver & white, liver & white ticked, and liver roan. They are not regarded as breed standards, even if some may be black, tan, white, or other colors.

The Aussie is available in a variety of colors, including as solid black, red Merle, blue Merle, and solid red, with or without white or tan points and markings.

Other Characteristics of both breeds

As for height, the GSP is 21-25 inches at the shoulder, while Assie is 18-23 inches at the shoulder.

As for Weight, Australian Shepherds are 35 – 75 lb, while GSP are 55 – 70 lb.

Finally, GSP have a lifespan of about 12-14 years, while the average Australian Shepherd German lifespan is 13-15 years.

The temperament of the Australian shepherd pointer mix

Both the Australian Shepherd and the German Shorthaired Pointer are considered to be courageous and protective dogs. A well-known characteristic of the Australian Shepherd is her intelligence, activity, and protective nature. Dogs of this breed are also very loving. Their relationship with family and children is affectionate, and they are cautious yet non-threatening with strangers. In the same way as all dogs, they respond well to positive reinforcement. Spending lots of time with you should make them feel affectionate. The dog may try to herd your children or other pets because it has a herding instinct. Aussies are generally not aggressive, but they can become quite protective if they sense danger.

Active and fun, the GSP is a breed that loves spending time outside. Undoubtedly, it is highly intelligent, but it does need a good amount of mental and physical exercise. Lack of exercise may cause it to become frustrated, agitated, and destructive.  

In addition to being loyal and friendly, this breed is adorable and makes an excellent family pet. It can, however, pose a problem when it comes to small children. GSP are naturally predatory, and they are capable of hunting small creatures at any time of day and night. 

The health of Australian shepherd GSP mix

Genetic health problems may develop in any breed of dog, since some breeds are more susceptible to various ailments than others. The positive thing about owning a puppy is that you’ll be able to avoid this situation.

Several possible health problems may be prevalent in Australian Shepherds mixed with German Shorthaired Pointers, including epilepsy, eye diseases, hip dysplasia, heart disease, allergies, and more.

 Veterinarians are the best people to contact if your GSP or Aussie is acting abnormally or has an issue. In addition, regular check-ups are also necessary to find out whether it’s in good condition. 

Exercise of GSP Australian shepherd mix

 Take them for long walks and hikes to reduce their energy level. Mixes like this are likely to have a lot of energy. By performing this exercise, they will be kept from being destructive. There is nothing wrong with a tired dog. The act of tying your dog outside is cruel and inhumane.

What is the difference between a German Shorthaired Pointer and an Australian Shepherd?

The German Shorthaired Pointer originated from Germany, but the Australian Shepherd originated from the United States. The Australian shepherd pointer is shorter than the GSP in terms of height. GSP (55 – 70 lb) weighs more than Australian Shepherds (35 – 75 lb). They have other differences in lifespan, color, temperament, training requirements, exercises, etc. Moreover, the German Shorthaired Pointer requires Low maintenance, but the Australian Shepherd requires moderate maintenance.

Conclusion

 A lot of facts about Australian Shepherds and German Shorthaired Pointers are shared in this article. These dogs may be a good fit if you want a loyal, clever, and kid-friendly pet, although they do differ in some aspects. We hope this article can convey enough information to explain the differences between these two adorable and faithful breeds of herders.