Discover Everything About German Longhair
Learn about the breed characteristics, health, history, and find trusted breeders
At a glance
German Longhair overview
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Health grade
Relative to other breeds
As a robust hunting dog, the Deutsch Langhaar is generally in good health, though the breed association mandates numerous health tests. Joint conditions such as hip dysplasia (HD) and elbow dysplasia (ED), as well as incurable epilepsy, are the most well-known risks, which are, however, well-controlled through consistent selection. Buyers should insist on seeing complete health reports for both parents to minimize the risk of these hereditary conditions.
Lifespan
12–14 yrs
Height
60–66 cm
Weight
20–30 kg
Practical
- Puppy price: 1,200 – 2,500 €
- Coat: Long, dense, light undercoat
- Origin: Germany
Typical coat colors
- Brown mold
- black mold or brown uniform
Temperament
Daily life
What matters most
Especially with a German Longhair, choosing the right breeder is the single most important decision you'll make. Serious breeders consistently test the parents for inherited conditions, prioritize healthy early socialization, and stay accountable long after handover. A cheap puppy without health screening tends to become the most expensive dog later on.
See HonestDog breeder standards →Is the German Longhair right for you?
The Deutsch Langhaar is a powerful, water-loving Vorstehhund (pointing dog) — bred as a versatile all-around hunting dog for field, forest, and water, who needs close collaboration just as much as real hunting work.
Perfect for you if:
- You use him for hunting or, alternatively, work at a high level in dummy sports — a simple walk will never be enough to tire out this all-around working dog.
- You live in a rural area, ideally with a garden, and can offer him daily direct access to wide-open natural spaces.
- You have dog experience and can guide his deeply ingrained hunting instinct in a confident, proactive, and gentle way.
- You invest a lot of time in joint training, as he is passionate about constant, active cooperation with his human.
Less ideal if:
- You expect him to ignore game trails — he is a highly passionate hunting tool whose brain switches to autopilot when he spots game, unless he has perfect training.
- You live in a city or an apartment where real off-leash exercise and access to nature are constant logistical hurdles.
- You are looking for an uncomplicated 'tag-along' dog who will wait patiently at home for hours after a short walk.
The real vibes check
A well-exercised Deutsch Langhaar will lie in front of the fireplace like a heavy, soft rug in the evening — but outside, he transforms into an explosive athlete who scans every bush. You aren't getting a pure family companion, but a highly specialized hunting partner. If you share and guide his passion, you have a loyal partner; if you ignore it, he will definitely find his own job.
Breed Profile
The German Longhair is an impressive hunting dog with an elegant and proud appearance, which is emphasized by its long, shiny coat. He belongs to FCI Group 7 of pointing dogs and is very valued in Germany because of his versatility and endurance. The dog has a well-proportioned physique with strong bone structure and musculature, making him appear both powerful and graceful. His eyes are large and expressive, usually dark brown, and radiate calm and intelligence. The ears are medium-sized, set wide and high, and hang loosely on the sides of the head. The Longhair, as the name suggests, has long, dense fur with a light undercoat. The hair is straight and must not be curled or wavy. The coat color can vary from brown roan, black roan to uniform brown. White is always associated with mold or plaque. Often the head is solid color and the body with "plates" or "points" covered. The German Longhair also has long "tails" on the ears and a full, bushy tail. The breed is not differentiated into performance and show lines as it was traditionally bred as a working dog and its working qualities are still highly valued.
| Height | 60 - 63 cm (Female), 63 - 66 cm (Male) |
| Weight | 20 - 28 kg (Female), 22 - 30 kg (Male) |
| Life Expectancy | 12 - 14 years |
| Character | Versatile, gentle, balanced |
| Coat | Long, dense, light undercoat |
| Coat Color | Brown mold, black mold or brown uniform |
| Price | 1200 - 2500 € |
History
The German Longhair has a long history and can trace its roots back to the 17th century. Originally from Germany, he was bred by hunters and nobles who wanted a versatile hunting dog that could point, retrieve and do water work. The exact origins of the breed are unknown, but it is believed to have originated from a mixture of different hunting dog breeds, such as the Bracken, the Stöberer and various setters and spaniels. Over the years the breed has been further refined and improved to meet the demands of German hunters. Systematic breeding of the German Longhair began in the 19th century. The founding of the Club for German Longhairs e.V. in 1879 marked the beginning of organized breeding of this breed aces. The first breed standard was established in 1897 and has only changed slightly since then. Despite its long history and excellent qualities as a working dog, the German Longhaired Pointer is little known outside of its home country. However, it is still valued in Germany as one of the best hunting dogs and is very popular with hunters who value versatility and endurance.
The German Longhair was bred to be a versatile hunting dog for field work, water work and retrieving.
Germany
1879
Character & Temperament
The German Longhaired Pointer is a versatile and persistent hunting dog that is also very valued as a companion dog. He is known for his intelligence, his gentle nature and his close bond with his people. The German Longhaired Pointer is a reliable and loyal companion who is characterized by his affection and his willingness to work with his people. This dog breed is known for its even-tempered and calm temperament. They are generally not hyperactive, although they can show a lot of energy while hunting or training. They tend to be patient and calm around people and other dogs, making them good candidates for families with children or other pets. The German Longhair is very people-oriented and always wants to be with his person. He enjoys being near his family and enjoys being part of daily activities. These dogs are very playful and love to interact with their people, whether through play, training or just cuddling. Despite their bond with their people, German Longhairs are generally able to do well on their own as long as they receive adequate exercise and mental stimulation. They don't tend to develop separation anxiety, although they definitely prefer being in company. German Longhairs have a natural hunting instinct and can exhibit strong hunting or prey-catching behavior. They are very attentive and alert and can therefore also be used as guard dogs. However, they are not aggressive and are not prone to barking or reacting without reason. Overall, the German Longhaired Pointer is a versatile, balanced and gentle dog that can shine both in hunting and in family life. He needs a home that provides him with enough exercise and mental stimulation, as well as enough love and affection to satisfy his affectionate nature. With proper leadership and care, the German Longhair can be a wonderful companion and a loyal friend.
| Trainability Picks up commands quickly and wants to please. | Eager to learn |
| Watchfulness Reports unusual activity but stays controlled. | Moderate |
| Openness to Strangers Warms up quickly and is generally welcoming. | Friendly |
| Hunting or Herding Drive Powerful instinct that can override recall when triggered. | Strong |
Fun Fact!
Did you already know? The German Longhair has its origins in Germany and has been known there since the late 19th century, but it is still a rare breed outside of Germany.
What Awaits You
The best way to describe the German Longhaired Pointer is that in appearance it is the continental European version of the Setter: a pointer with a full tail and long coat with a dense top coat and a moderate undercoat. One notable difference is the GLP's preference for swimming and therefore hunting waterfowl.
Housing & Care
With its calm and balanced nature, the German Longhair is also suitable as a city dog, provided it gets enough exercise and mental exercise load. He gets along well with children and other pets, although his hunting instinct towards smaller animals must be taken into account. Early and consistent socialization is very helpful.
| Family Friendly Lives for its family — the born family companion. | Ideal family dog |
| Child Friendly Extraordinarily patient and loving — a true family dog. | Excellent with children |
| Dog Friendly Actively enjoys the company of other dogs. | Dog-friendly |
| City Friendly City-appropriate with enough exercise and stimulation. | Manageable in cities |
Owning a dog is not only a privilege, but also a responsibility. If you want to bring a dog into your life, you must be aware of the commitment that dog ownership entails!!
Training & Education
The German Longhaired Pointer should be raised consistently but lovingly. His intelligence and eagerness to please usually make training quite easy. This breed is ideal for various dog sports, such as agility, obedience or flyball, but also for working as a rescue dog. Particular attention should be paid to training impulse control and frustration tolerance in order to control the strong hunting instinct. Be sure to provide your German Longhaired Pointer with enough mental and physical stimulation to keep him happy and balanced. It is important to find a balance between activity and rest periods.
Nutrition & Care
The German Longhaired Pointer is an active dog that requires a balanced, high quality diet. Make sure you get enough protein and fat as they need a lot of energy for their activities. Part of the diet can also consist of fruits and vegetables as they provide many vitamins and minerals. When it comes to grooming, the German Longhair has medium requirements. His beautiful, long coat has a light undercoat and should be brushed regularly, at least once a week, to avoid matting. During the coat change in spring and autumn, increased hair loss can occur, so more intensive care is necessary during this time.
| Care Level Regular brushing and occasional professional grooming. | Moderate |
| Exercise Needs Needs several hours of serious exercise every day. | Very active |
| Shedding Regular shedding — dog hair on clothes is now normal. | Moderate |
| Trainability Picks up commands quickly and wants to please. | Eager to learn |
This information is currently being reviewed by experts. If you discover an error, please send an email to info@honestdog.de!!
Health
Robust
Health grade
As a robust hunting dog, the Deutsch Langhaar is generally in good health, though the breed association mandates numerous health tests. Joint conditions such as hip dysplasia (HD) and elbow dysplasia (ED), as well as incurable epilepsy, are the most well-known risks, which are, however, well-controlled through consistent selection. Buyers should insist on seeing complete health reports for both parents to minimize the risk of these hereditary conditions.
Grade is relative to other breeds — AI-generated by our veterinary-genetics model.
In daily life this can mean
With joint-friendly rearing during the first year of life and occasional check-ups for his eyes, your dog will usually stay fit and active for a long time.
The breeder's role
Reputable breeders have the hips, elbows, shoulders, and eyes of the parent animals thoroughly checked to preserve the breed's healthy traits.
No Health Tests Available
No specific health tests are currently available for this breed.
Experiences with the German Longhair
Sabine M., Halterin aus Niedersachsen (Hündin, seit 2022)
Der Deutsch Langhaar ist ein wunderschöner, extrem anhänglicher Hund, aber man darf seinen extrem ausgeprägten Jagdtrieb im Alltag auf keinen Fall unterschätzen. Ohne jagdliche Führung muss man sich im Klaren sein, dass normale Spaziergänge überhaupt nicht ausreichen – der Hund braucht unbedingt eine echte Ersatzbeschäftigung, um nicht verhaltensauffällig zu werden.
Wir lasten unsere Hündin täglich mit intensivem Dummytraining und Fährtenarbeit aus. Wenn sie diese mentale Auslastung nicht bekommt, merkt man schnell, wie sie unruhig wird. Für eine Stadtwohnung ist diese Rasse meiner Erfahrung nach absolut ungeeignet; sie braucht den engen Familienanschluss auf dem Land und Menschen, die bereit sind, täglich viel Zeit in die konsequente Erziehung und Arbeit zu investieren.
sinngemäß aus echten Halterberichten
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Frequently asked questions about the German Longhair
Is a German Longhair the right dog for me?
The German Longhair is an active dog that needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Research the temperament, grooming needs, and space requirements before deciding.
How long does a German Longhair live?
The average life expectancy of a German Longhair is 12-14 years. With proper care and regular vet visits, your dog can live a long, healthy life.
How much grooming does a German Longhair need?
German Longhair grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
Is a German Longhair good for families with children?
The German Longhair can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
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