This (Updated) guide lists all of the Best Dog Foods for German Shorthaired Pointers this year.
If you are the owner of a German Shorthaired Pointer, you are probably aware that finding a dog food that’s both good for them and is something they like isn’t easy.
GSPs aren’t particularly picky and are absolute sweethearts when it comes to obedience and manners.
While the GSP is a sturdy, strong, and muscular breed, they can have sensitive stomachs and other health problems.
Often, the health of your GSP boils down to what you put in its bowl.
Below are my top picks. See the remaining dog foods later in the post…
The Best Dog Foods for German Shorthaired Pointers
| Top Picks | Top Ingredients |
| 1. Taste of the Wild High Prairie Dog Food (Best For Adults) | Buffalo, Lamb Meal, Chicken Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Peas |
| 2. Nulo Freestyle Turkey & Sweet Potato Puppy Food (Best For Puppies) | Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal, Salmon Meal, Chickpeas, Chicken Fat |
| 3. Now Fresh Senior Weight Management Dog Food (Best For Seniors) | De-Boned Turkey, Peas, Potatoes, Whole Dried Egg, Apples |
| 4. Purina Beyond Grain-Free Canned Food (Best Wet Food) | Chicken, Chicken Broth, Liver, Lamb, Spinach |
| 5. Annamaet 25% Medium & Large Breed Dog Food (Best For Weight Gain) | Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Millet, Rolled Oats, Pearled Barley |
| 6. Blue Buffalo Basics Skin & Stomach Care Dog Food (Best For Sensitivities ) | Deboned Lamb, Potatoes, Pea Starch, Peas, Lamb Meal |
| 7. Purina Pro Plan SPORT Life Stages Performance 30/20 Dog Food (Best For Active Dogs) | Chicken, Corn Gluten Meal, Brewer’s Rice, Animal Fat, Poultry By-Product Meal |
Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dog Food
Best Overall, Best For Adults
Ratings: 
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Buffalo, 2. Lamb Meal, 3. Chicken Meal, 4. Sweet Potatoes, 5. Peas
- Life Stage: Adult
- Suitable for: Small, medium, large breeds
- Caloric content (per kg): 3,719 kcal
- Form: Dry
Taste of the Wild High Prairie is a perennial favorite and, indeed, a premium dog food created to fulfill the nutritional needs of almost every dog. Every ingredient comes from high-quality sources. It has novel proteins from bison and buffalo.
Besides the protein, it is full of nutrition from sweet potatoes and many other superfoods. You get minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants to support your dog’s immune system and improve digestion. This recipe enhances the absorption of nutrients. And for a GSP with a sensitive tummy, the proprietary K9 strain probiotic in this grain-free recipe is the literal cherry on the top.
Analysis: Protein (min.) 32% | Fat (min.) 18%, | Fiber (max.) 4% | Moisture (max.) 10%
Nulo Freestyle Turkey & Sweet Potato Puppy Dog Food
Best For Puppies
Ratings:
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Deboned Turkey, 2. Turkey Meal, 3. Salmon Meal, 4. Chickpeas, 5. Chicken Fat
- Life Stage: Puppy
- Suitable for: Small, medium, large breeds
- Caloric content (per kg): 3,742 kcal
- Form: Dry
Nulo FreeStyle is a protein-packed delicious treat for your German Shorthaired Pointer puppy. Eighty percent of those proteins come from animal sources such as turkey and salmon. It doesn’t have chicken or egg, which makes it best for sensitive stomachs.
It has quality proteins and enough fat to keep your pup active without joint problems. Plus, it’s a low glycemic option for puppies susceptible to diabetes.
Analysis: Protein (min.) 33% | Fat (min.) 18% | Fiber (max.) 4% | Moisture (max.) 10%
Now Fresh Grain-Free Senior Weight Management Dog Food
Best For Seniors
Ratings:
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. De-Boned Turkey, 2. Peas, 3. Potatoes, 4. Whole Dried Egg, 5. Apples
- Life Stage: Senior
- Suitable for: Small, medium, large breeds
- Caloric content (per kg): 3,321 kcal
- Form: Dry
A senior working dog like GSP needs a diet that keeps its joints strong and its body in lean shape. Now Fresh Senior Weight Management easily meets those requirements. It’s made with deboned turkey, salmon, and duck meat for muscle maintenance and contains L-carnitine to promote fat metabolization.
Another objective of the formula is to keep your dog at a healthy weight. And it does with controlled levels of fat and protein. The recipe contains New Zealand green mussels, an excellent chondroitin source for joint support. The food is perfect for sensitive dogs and free from grains, artificial additives, and fillers.
Analysis: Protein (min.) 24% | Fat (min.) 11%, | Fiber (max.) 7% | Moisture (max.) 10%
Purina Beyond Grain-Free Chicken, Lamb & Spinach Canned Food
Best Wet Meal
Ratings: 
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Chicken, 2. Chicken Broth, 3. Liver, 4. Lamb, 5. Spinach
- Life Stage: Adult
- Suitable for: Small, medium, large breeds
- Caloric content (per kg): 1,237 kcal
- Form: Wet
Purina Beyond Entrée offers a mouthwatering taste and tons of protein and fat to make your German Pointer active and satisfied with each meal. This recipe uses farm-raised chicken and lamb meat, which maximizes muscle mass and energy retention.
Besides that, the recipe uses spinach and micronutrient supplements to fulfill all of your dog’s dietary needs. Purina Beyond Entrée is free from grains, corn, wheat, soy, and artificial additives like all high-quality foods for sensitive dogs.
If your German Pointer likes variety in its diet, Purina Beyond is the perfect replacement for their regular dry food.
Analysis: Protein (min.) 8% | Fat (min.) 7% | Fiber (max.) 1.5% | Moisture (max.) 78%
Nom Nom Turkey Fare
Best Fresh Option
Ratings:
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Ground turkey, 2. brown rice, 3. eggs, 4. carrots, 5. spinach
- Life Stage: All
- Suitable for: Small, medium, large breeds
- Caloric content (per kg): 1,479 kcal
- Form: Fresh
If you want your GSP to reach its potential, it needs a nourishing diet like this one from Nom Nom. What separates it from dry food is that the company prepares a formula for your dog from scratch. Expert nutritionists take a questionnaire regarding your dog’s age, breed, activity level, and health history to create the perfect diet plan for them.
You can select a base recipe, and Nom Nom customizes it specifically for your dog based on the answers to the questionnaire. We recommend the Turkey Fare recipe for German Pointers as it’s the most protein-dense and ideal for this sensitive breed. The food is prepared just hours before being delivered in sealed packages to your doorstep.
Analysis: Protein (min.) 10% | Fat (min.) 5%, | Fiber (max.) 1% | Moisture (max.) 72%
ORIJEN Six Fish Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Best Premium Option
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Whole Mackerel, 2. Whole Herring, 3. Monkfish, 4. Acadian Redfish, 5. Flounder
- Life Stage: Adult
- Suitable for: Small, medium, large breeds
- Caloric content (per kg): 3,900 kcal
- Form: Dry
Indulge your German Pointer in a premium, meaty, and delicious diet with the Orijen Six Fish Dog Food. Like a true carnivore’s diet, the recipe contains nearly 85% animal ingredients such as whole mackerel, monkfish, and whole hake. Animal ingredients keep your dog lean and allow them to digest the food effortlessly.
This grain-free food uses premium carbs like beans and lentils to fuel your dog’s energy and offer insoluble fiber for digestion. It includes fruits and veggies like pumpkin, pears, apples, and collard greens.
The formula has a protein and fat content of 38% and 18%, respectively, perfect for working dogs like the German Shorthaired Pointer.
Analysis: Protein (min.) 38% | Fat (min.) 18% | Fiber (max.) 4% | Moisture (max.) 12%
American Journey Chicken & Brown Rice Large Breed Dog Food
Best Budget Option
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Deboned Chicken, 2. Chicken Meal, 3. Brown Rice, 4. Peas, 5. Rice Bran
- Life Stage: Adult
- Suitable for: Large, giant breeds
- Caloric content (per kg): 3,382 kcal
- Form: Dry
American Journey may not be everyone’s top favorite, but they’ve got the formula right regarding large breed recipes. It is a highly recommended option for dogs that prefer chicken and poultry.
It isn’t wholly grain-free, but brown rice and barley are safer and healthier options. Real deboned chicken offers quality protein for GSP’s muscle growth. The recipe has all the essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals for your baby’s overall health.
Analysis: Protein (min.) 24% | Fat (min.) 13% | Fiber (max.) 6% | Moisture (max.) 10%
Annamaet 25% Medium & Large Breed Dog Food
Best For Weight Gain
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Chicken Meal, 2. Brown Rice, 3. Millet, 4. Rolled Oats, 5. Pearled Barley
- Life Stage: Adult
- Suitable for: Medium, large breeds
- Caloric content (per kg): 3,887 kcal
- Form: Dry
An underweight German Pointer can lose stamina and become more prone to diseases. Annamaet 25% Dog Food solves this problem with a calorie-rich diet to help your dog put on lean mass and reach its ideal weight. It has a 25% protein content using chicken meat, which offers plenty of amino acids to build muscle blocks.
Much of its calories come from easily-digestible grains like oats and brown rice, as well as chicken fat, which is crucial to power athletic dogs like the German Pointer. The recipe is also enriched with L-carnitine to prevent your pup from becoming obese and omega fatty acids to keep their coat in pristine condition. Lastly, the food is fortified with prebiotics and probiotics to help sensitive GSPs with digestion and nutrient absorption.
Analysis: Protein (min.) 25% | Fat (min.) 14% | Fiber (max.) 4% | Moisture (max.) 10%
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Healthy Weight Dog Food
Best For Weight Loss
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Deboned Lamb, 2. Potatoes, 3. Pea Starch, 4. Lamb Meal, 5. Canola Oil
- Life Stage: Adult
- Suitable for: Large, giant breeds
- Caloric content (per kg): 3,562 kcal
- Form: Dry
Obesity can make German Pointers lazy and prone to joint problems later in life. And that is precisely what Blue Buffalo Life Protection Healthy Weight seeks to avoid. It’s filled with lean protein to keep your dog in muscular shape and whole grains like brown rice as a non-fattening source of energy.
A crucial micro for the food to help dogs trim down is L-carnitine. It metabolizes the extra fat in your dog’s body and converts it into energy. The recipe also promotes joint health with glucosamine and chondroitin, and your dog will receive every essential micronutrient with Blue Buffalo’s proprietary LifeSource bits. And let’s not forget the taste-enhancing veggies and fruits in the recipe that make the diet equally attractive to picky dogs.
Analysis: Protein (min.) 20% | Fat (min.) 13% | Fiber (max.) 6% | Moisture (max.) 10%
Blue Buffalo Basics Skin & Stomach Care Dog Food
Best For Sensitive Stomach
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Deboned Lamb, 2. Potatoes, 3. Pea Starch, 4. Peas, 5. Lamb Meal
- Life Stage: Adult
- Suitable for: Small, medium, large breeds
- Caloric content (per kg): 3,230 kcal
- Form: Dry
A Limited Ingredient Diet is a good option for your German Shorthaired Pointer because they tend to have sensitive stomachs. This Blue Buffalo’s Basics Limited Ingredient Grain-Free has only the best ingredients and nothing else.
First, lamb is a non-allergenic ingredient most dogs, especially GSPs, tend to enjoy. Carbs from pumpkins, potatoes, and peas make it even easy to digest. It also includes taurine, chondroitin, and glucosamine for your baby’s overall health and wellbeing. It is a quality kibble that will keep your dog happy and healthy.
Analysis: Protein (min.) 20% | Fat (min.) 13% | Fiber (max.) 6% | Moisture (max.) 10%
Nature’s Recipe Salmon, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin Dog Food
Best For Allergies
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Salmon, 2. Garbanzo Beans, 3. Peas, 4. Pea Protein, 5. Salmon Meal
- Life Stage: Adult
- Suitable for: Small, medium, large breeds
- Caloric content (per kg): 3,400 kcal
- Form: Dry
Nature’s Recipe offers high-quality proteins, good fats, and healthy carbs. Real Sweet potatoes and pumpkin not only add carbs and fiber, but they also give this recipe a mouthwatering irresistible flavor.
Red salmon, the first ingredient in this formula, will provide quality proteins and healthy fatty acids to keep your active GSP’s joints running. Plus, carefully chosen antioxidants make it a good boost for the immune system.
Analysis: Protein (min.) 27% | Fat (min.) 12% | Fiber (max.) 4% | Moisture (max.) 10%
Merrick Real Texas Beef + Sweet Potato Grain-Free Dog Food
Best For Picky Eaters
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Deboned Beef, 2. Lamb Meal, 3. Salmon Meal, 4. Sweet Potatoes, 5. Potatoes
- Life Stage: Adult
- Suitable for: Small, medium, large breeds
- Caloric content (per kg): 3,300 kcal
- Form: Dry
This beef and sweet potato recipe is grain-free and a great choice for picky eaters.
It contains glucosamine and chondroitin for dogs with bone and joint problems and enough fatty acids to keep your friend happy and active.
Analysis: Protein (min.) 34% | Fat (min.) 15% | Fiber (max.) 3.5% | Moisture (max.) 11%
Purina Pro Plan SPORT Life Stages Performance 30/20 Dog Food
Best For Active Dogs
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Chicken, 2. Corn Gluten Meal, 3. Brewer’s Rice, 4. Animal Fat, 5. Poultry By-Product Meal
- Life Stage: Adult
- Suitable for: Small, medium, large breeds
- Caloric content (per kg): 3,300 kcal
- Form: Dry
I recommend Purina Pro Plan Sport for the highly active German Shorthaired Pointers because of the 30/20 protein to fat ratio. While it is okay for all life stages, it is best for older adults just coming into their senior years.
Finally, ingredients like glucosamine, DHA, EPA, and fatty acids will deliver the nutrition your dog needs.
Analysis: Protein (min.) 30% | Fat (min.) 20% | Fiber (max.) 3% | Moisture (max.) 12%
More interesting articles to check out on the site:
- Guide to the best raw foods for dogs
- Reviews of the top-rated Senior Dog Foods
- Buyer’s guide — Low Fat Dog Foods
Buyers’ Guide: Best Dog Food for German Shorthaired Pointers
Medium Breed or Large Breed
I have covered this in the FAQ section, but this topic warrants more detailed discussion since this is the one factor that often confuses GSP parents.
Many journals categorize German Shorthaired Pointers as a medium-sized breed, while others say it is a large breed dog.
Interestingly, neither is wrong.
While German Shorthaired Pointers are generally shorter than Pointers, they can vary in size like most crossbred dogs. They can be medium or large-sized, and sometimes even close to giant-sized dogs.
Now, this particular fact plays a vital role in finding the right dog food for your German Shorthaired Pointer. Many veterinarians would recommend a large or giant breed dog food – but the size isn’t the only reason.
Daily Calorie Requirements
Another reason your German Shorthaired Pointer will need large or giant breed dog food is that the calorie requirement is higher than other medium-sized breeds.
That is because of two main reasons:
- your dog has a muscular and athletic build
- your dog is highly active and playful
More activities mean your dog burns more calories in a day. Also, a lot of calories are burned in building lean muscle rather than accumulating fat. That is why an average GSP will need somewhere between 1,500 to 3,000 calories a day. Dogs that engage in strenuous activities such as hunting or swimming may need even more.
More Proteins, More Fat
Now that I’ve established that your GSP is a muscular and athletic breed, it is no surprise that it needs a lot of protein. That protein should come from animal sources, preferably from novel ones such as lamb and venison.
As for fat, dogs need fat for energy.
That’s right.
Unlike other animals, dogs don’t get their energy from carbohydrates. They get it from fat. The more active they are, the more fat they will need. It also takes care of their skin and coat.
However, the fat should also come from quality sources. Salmon, flaxseed, fish oil, and canola oil are good sources of good fat for your GSP.
What you need to maintain is the right balance of protein and fats according to your dog’s lifestyle and activity level.
Other Ingredients to Look for
Aside from protein and fats, your dog will need a balanced amount of vitamins and minerals. These should be sourced from vegetables, fruits, and superfoods. Superfoods also add a boost of antioxidants. Since GSPs are susceptible to several health issues, an antioxidant-rich diet can help them stay healthy.
Probiotics are also an excellent addition to your GSP’s diet. Many premium dog foods contain probiotics in the form of a live culture of healthy bacteria. These bacteria maintain a healthy gut environment to ensure easy digestion and better metabolism.
Ingredients to Avoid
I would recommend you to avoid anything likely to cause tummy troubles for your German Shorthaired Pointer. They have a sensitive tummy, and won’t be able to digest fillers like soy, wheat, and corn. Besides fillers, grains are also a common cause of indigestion and other stomach related problems in GSPs.
Your GSP can also do good without a lot of carbs in its diet. Carbs aren’t the main source of energy for dogs. There are only a handful of carbs that are safe for dogs with a sensitive tummy. Potatoes and peas might not agree with your dog’s stomach.
To sum it up, it is a good idea to go for hypoallergenic food for the large or giant breeds for your GSP. Keep in mind that every dog may have different needs, and you will still have to try a few options to find the best dog food for your German Shorthaired Pointer.
FAQs
The German Shorthaired Pointer is a unique breed with slightly different needs and requirements, and it is essential to know what makes it different so you can give them the best care.
How much should a German Shorthaired Pointer Eat?
A German Shorthaired Pointer is a medium to large-sized dog, but its an active hunting breed with lean muscle. An adult can eat 2-3 cups of high-quality food per day, which provides it a good amount of nutrition, but it may need 4-5 cups if the dog food has more filler in it.
Are German Shorthaired Pointers Prone to Digestive Issues?
GSP generally have sensitive tummies, but they are also prone to other diseases of the digestive tract. Dogs with a deep narrow chest like German Shorthaired Pointers may also suffer from gastric dilatation or bloating, which is a very serious condition.
What should I feed my German Shorthaired Pointers puppy?
A puppy German Shorthaired Pointer needs a minimum of 22% protein and 8% fat since it is in a growing stage. Protein should come from animal sources. Three meals per day are well enough for a German Shorthaired Pointer pup until it reaches the adult stage.
Which meat do German Shorthaired Pointers prefer?
A GSP’s diet must be comprised of quality meat, which is the ideal source of animal protein. Although they eat all kinds of meats, novel options such as venison or lamb are preferable due to your pointer’s sensitive tummy.
When can my German Shorthaired Pointers start with adult dog food?
You can transition your German Shorthaired Pointer from puppy food to dog food when it is 12 months old or reaches his adult weight, i.e., 45 to 70 pounds for males and 45 to 60 pounds for females.
How many calories do German Shorthaired Pointers need in a day?
A healthy and active German Shorthaired Pointer weighing in about 55 to 60 pounds needs to consume around 1,500 calories per day. However, if it is engaged in activities like hunting or sports, a GPS about the same weight will need 3,340 calories per day. Puppies need an average of 1,250 calories a day.
How much should my German Shorthaired Pointers weigh?
Adult, healthy German Shorthaired Pointer male weighs anywhere from 55 to 70 pounds while an adult female can be around 45 to 60 pounds. While it is considered a medium-sized breed by weight, GSP’s muscular built puts it in a large/giant breed category.
Can German Shorthaired Pointers get fat?
A German Shorthaired Pointer is a highly active and athletic breed. It burns the calories it consumes by keeping itself busy. It’s unusual for a GSP to get fat with such an active lifestyle, and it should remain lean throughout its lifespan.
Are German Shorthaired Pointers medium or large breed dogs?
German Shorthaired Pointers are usually categorized as a medium-sized breed due to their height and weight. But because of their muscular build and metabolism, their dietary needs are similar to that of larger breeds.
Should my German Shorthaired Pointers eat Large Breed dog food?
Yes, German Shorthaired Pointers can eat large breed or giant breed dog food. Since it is an athletic breed, GSPs need more nutrients and calorie-dense foods as compared to most medium-sized breeds.
Which health problems are common in German Shorthaired Pointers?
Problems common in German Shorthaired Pointers include gastric torsion, hypothyroidism, canine hip dysplasia, Osteochondritis Dissecans, von Willebrand’s Disease, entropion, and pannus, and significant issues such as lymphedema.
Which exercises do German Shorthaired Pointers enjoy?
German Shorthaired Pointers are bred to hunt out in the field. They are incredibly agile and high energy dogs that love to run, swim, and play. Its best for them and their health to exercise at least 1 to 2 hours daily.
Can my German Shorthaired Pointer get overweight?
A German Shorthaired Pointer is a hunting breed and is a highly energetic and active dog. It’s unusual for such a breed to put on extra weight, get fat or overweight. Just a little padding around the ribs does not count for being overweight. However, sometimes excess weight is just a symptom rather than a problem.
Is a raw food diet good for German Shorthaired Pointers?
A fresh and raw diet is always the best option over the processed food, no matter how nutritious the latter claims to be. However, you will have to try a few options to find out the safest raw dog food for your German Shorthaired Pointer.
Is grain-free dog food good for German Shorthaired Pointers?
Yes, grain-free dog food is good for German Shorthaired Pointers since the breed has a sensitive stomach. Grains are known allergens, and it is best to avoid them.
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