Are German Shorthaired Pointers Clingy?

The German Shorthaired dog is an exceptional and precious canine for many animal owners. This pet is hyperactive, intelligent, faithful, loving, kind, funny, overprotective, and athletic. 

It is an animal that likes to spend its time running, jumping, and playing in the park with its owners. In addition, it is an incredible dog that exhibits excellent hunting skills. 

Another of the German Shorthaired’s most striking characteristics is that it does not separate for a second from its owner. That is because they are very fond of them. However, how clingy can these canines be with their owners? It is one of the questions that people ask the most before acquiring a dog of this type. 

Why is My German Shorthaired Dog So Clingy? 

Normally, the nature of this animal is very affectionate and loving when it comes to its owner. It can even become very clingy with other family members, close friends, or strangers. 

This canine loves people and will want to be with the family at all times, almost to the point of being clingy. They will often follow your every move around the house and need to know where all family members are at all times. 

Can My German Shorthaired Dog Suffer from Separation Anxiety? 

Like other breeds of dogs such as the Weimaraner or the Vizsla, a German Shorthaired is an animal that can suffer from separation anxiety when its humans leave the house. 

Canines with separation anxiety are usually extremely social and affectionate dogs that need attention. 

When dogs of this breed are left alone or separated from their human families, they can become uncomfortable and act based on strange and erroneous behaviors, such as urinating and defecating inside your home, and are even capable of destroying furniture and barking excessively. 

In addition to being an energetic, anxious, and highly trainable pet, it is also intelligent, friendly, and enthusiastic. However, it can develop separation anxiety if left alone for long periods. 

Is It Good or Bad That My German Shorthaired Dog is Clingy? 

Really, the fact that your German Shorthaired is clingy can be both good and bad. 

That is because, on the one hand, your pet shows that it has affection for you and wants to be with you all the time at all hours playing and running. 

But on the other hand, it can be negative since you need your own privacy or even need to carry out activities at home or work at some point in the day. Therefore, as long as you have your canine around you trying to get your attention, you will not be able to do your tasks quietly. 

The latter is not at all exaggerated, since on many occasions, these dogs follow you to the bathroom and want to enter with you or wait for you outside the door until you leave. 

Why Can German Shorthaired Dogs Become Clingy? 

There are certain reasons why a German Shorthaired can become clingy: 

Our Own behavior 

If we stop every time we see our dog pamper it, praise it, or give it a treat, it will always try to get closer to us because it associates it with happy experiences. 

Letting your dog sleep in your bed can create a dependency (on the part of the German Shorthaired) to be close to you at all times, even at bedtime. That is not a bad thing, as it is ultimately a personal preference. 

Of course, if this doesn’t matter to you, that’s your decision. However, it is essential to understand that many times we encourage our dogs to be clingy without them noticing. 

Moving to a New Home or Neighbourhood  

Moving can be stressful for dogs, just as it is for us. If your canine seems very clingy after a move, you can help it relax by following a predictable routine so it can get used to it over time. 

Vision and Hearing Loss or Changes 

Changes related to aging, such as hearing or vision loss, can be stressful and scary for dogs, so they may choose to stay by your side for comfort. In this way, they develop an even stronger feeling of closeness for their humans than they had before. 

Boredom or Lack of Mental Stimulation 

These canines can get bored if they are not given enough physical and mental exercise. Remember that the German Shorthaired is an animal that needs to spend its energy daily, and if you do not allow it, it will be with you at all times. As they are looking for something to do, they jump up and follow you everywhere. 

Dependence on Its Owners 

Many working, herding, and hunting dogs have been bred to work side by side with their owners. They rely on their owners’ body language and instructions to guide them. 

In these cases, the German Shorthaired, being a hunting dog, depends on its owner or instructor to carry out its functions as a hunter.