Health
At LakeHaus Kennels, health isn’t treated as a marketing point or a checklist — it’s a responsibility.
German Shorthaired Pointers are generally a healthy, athletic breed, but no breed is immune to genetic risk, structural weakness, or long-term wear and tear. Responsible breeding means being honest about that reality and doing everything reasonably possible to reduce risk before a puppy is ever born.
Every breeding decision in this program starts with the same question:
Does this pairing improve the likelihood of producing a dog that will live a long, functional, comfortable life?
Health testing is a critical part of that process — but it’s not the only part.
What Health Testing Means Here
All dogs bred and owned within the LakeHaus program complete health testing in accordance with OFA and German Shorthaired Pointer Club of America recommendations, including orthopedic, cardiac, and ophthalmologic screening, along with breed-relevant genetic testing.
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These evaluations are performed by specialists and go well beyond routine veterinary exams. Results are publicly verifiable through the OFA database whenever available.
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In select cases, we may incorporate outside stud dogs — often from proven hunting or field lines — who may not have completed every available test. In those situations, minimum orthopedic clearances are required, and the pairing is evaluated carefully with full transparency and long-term health in mind.
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Health testing reduces risk. It does not eliminate it. Ethical breeding means understanding both.
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Beyond Test Results
Some of the most significant health concerns in German Shorthaired Pointers — including autoimmune disease, cancer, epilepsy, and thyroid disorders — are not fully preventable through testing alone.
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That’s why we also consider:
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Pedigree longevity
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Line history
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Structural durability
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Temperament stability
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Real-world function over time
Health testing is only one part of the picture. For us, success is measured over the long term — in how a dog holds up mentally and physically through years of work, training, and everyday life.
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That long-term perspective is why we focus on the whole dog: combining health testing with correct structure, stable temperament, and careful pedigree research. Testing tells us what we can measure today; pedigrees help us understand longevity, consistency, and risks that aren’t visible on paper. Together, they guide our breeding decisions and define how we measure success.
Additional GSP Health Resources:
There are excellent resources that go into significant detail about specific health conditions seen in German Shorthaired Pointers. One we frequently recommend is maintained by our friends at VickeryGSP.
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If you’re interested in learning more about individual conditions, screening protocols, and how health issues present in the breed, we encourage you to visit: www.VickeryGSP.com/Health
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We believe informed owners make better decisions — and transparency benefits the breed as a whole.
About the Author
Ashley Young is the owner of LakeHaus Kennels (alaskaGSP.com), an Alaska-based breeder of German Shorthaired Pointers focused on health, structure, temperament, and real-world versatility.