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GSP Breeder

10K views 24 replies 13 participants last post by  dce  
#1 · (Edited)
We just recently put down our Yellow Lab, Finn, after having him for 14 years and the house just feels so empty without him. I hunt mostly upland birds (Grouse and Pheasant), Finn was more of a flusher, and I want to try hunting over a pointer with our next dog. While training Finn, we went to a few group meetups organized through other members of this site, and remember seeing some GSP’s work. I just loved the energy and drive those dogs had and knew it would be the next breed of dog for me. I did a couple of searches for GSP breeders on here and didn’t see anything posted recently. Can anyone recommend a German Shorthair Pointer breeder that might have a litter ready late Spring/early summer of next year? Definitely looking for a male Liver Roan GSP puppy with good hunting lines in their pedigree. Thanks for reading!
 
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#3 · (Edited)
Sorry about your Lab. I currently have a GSP from Warrior's Mark Kennels. He is one fantastic pup now about 2 1/2 years old. Naturally sociable with a great personality and great hunter with drive, a great nose, and very eager to please. Warrior's Mark seems to have litters of GSPs every spring. Check and keep checking their website or give them a call. BTW: he is a great house dog who has taken over my recliner.

172383
 
#5 ·
I called Warriors Mark, and left a deposit. I just saw too many consistently positive reviews, for such an extended amount of time (oldest reviews I saw were from 2007) that I didn’t see any point in looking anywhere else. Spoke to Donna, and she answered all my questions. It just seemed right. Thanks for reading and replying!
 
#11 ·
Get some ritalin for the dog and some prozac for you lol.I couldn't live without a GSP but the first year is intense.I lost track of how many time I uttered WTH.Mine is the most lovable,loyal and obedient dog I've ever had but the prey drive is insane.Nice looking pup by the way.There's few things I like more than standing back and watching my son and his dog do their thing.This was her first year.I think we killed between 60-70 birds over her that year.

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#13 ·
Ha! I am starting to see some hints of what I’m in for already! Jumping off the couch, pouncing on ants/bones/toys… definitely has a higher prey drive than my lab ever did! I also signed my son up for his hunter safety training class starting next week, so if we get Cooper on even half as many birds this year as you and your son did we will be very happy!

Thanks everyone!
 
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#15 ·
Ha! I am starting to see some hints of what I’m in for already! Jumping off the couch, pouncing on ants/bones/toys… definitely has a higher prey drive than my lab ever did! I also signed my son up for his hunter safety training class starting next week, so if we get Cooper on even half as many birds this year as you and your son did we will be very happy!

Thanks everyone!
It took about a year for mine to mellow out some and figure out her place.The enthusiasm and prey drive never goes away.You just get to the point where it's controllable.My son grabbed a rifle yesterday to kill a woodchuck.As soon as she saw the gun,she went nuts.It took about three hours before she calmed down.
 
#18 ·
Congratulations on your family's new pup. He's a looker. I don't know what kind of training you plan to do to bring pup along but I encourage you consider joining a training club like a local NAVHDA chapter, etc.
 
#20 ·
Expert advise is always good but I suppose it depends what you really want to get out of the dog.I'm not a dog trainer and to call myself one would be an insult to dog trainers all over the world.I never expected my dog to be a field trial dog.She's a pet first and foremost and a weekend hunter.She doesn't have a real soft mouth and she's not steady to shot although she does hold a nice point.However,if I say come,whoa or stay,she listens better than my kids.She also responds to hand signals very well.If I beep her collar,she's at my feet within seconds and she's only been zapped,maybe three times.She's always under my control and she's a blast to take out and watch work.Most well bred GSP's are born knowing how to hunt.You just have to learn how to hunt together.I'll guarantee that my dog has taught me more about hunting birds than I'll ever teach her.Depending on your expections,it really isn't that complicated.repetition,consistency and positive reinforcement.I've said this a million times.You almost have to like dogs more than people to have a GSP because you never get a minute alone if you have one.

My dog is super aggressive and when a bird hits the ground,it's never alive when she brings it back to me.I supposed I missed the training boat on that but I never really cared.As long as they listen to your commands,they figure out you you expect from them very fast.My dog wants that birds in her mouth in the worst way.We never rewarded her with flushed birds and it didn't take her long to realize that the only way she was getting one is if she pointed it.They're crazy smart,actually smarter than a lot of people.
 
#21 ·
I trained my last lab to be a decent companion to walk around the woods with! I also have a ton of training books to help me. I’m not interested in the NAVDA/Field-trial route though. I just don’t have the time/money for all that! I’ve been trying to focus on consistent basic obedience with hand signals right now. He’s been starting to show a little independence lately on retrieves and commands off lead, so I’ve had to start “mildly” using a check cord with him. I just want to build consistency on commands out back in my fenced in yard before I take him off leash anywhere. I’m terrified he will run off and just keep running!
 
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#22 ·
I don't know what time or money constraints you think NAVHDA will present but training costs money, period. With NAVHDA though you often have access to training equipment (remote launchers, etc) and help WITHOUT a significant cost. NAVHDA can actually help people save money training their dogs and meet some experienced members and get help training each other's dogs. I'd encourage you to at least check out a training day at a chapter or two near you.
 
#24 ·
I would say a good trainer since the basics are the same among all breeds and a gps collar. we don't hunt our 2 yr old gsp, he is a house dog and goes trail riding with the horses. has his bell on the GPS collar which we can hear out to about 100 yards since he isn't on the trail until he has done about 10-12 miles himself (if we're lucky) and i have the gps set to alert me when he leaves a radius of about 150 yards. built a very reliable recall before we let him out of our sight, the first time we couldn't see him or hear the bell my wife freaked out a bit (pup was only 7 months old or so but quick learner so we took him out on the horse trails) GPS i could see him coming in behind us. now it's just common for him to be ahead, behind, beside, but still have that peace of mind that we can go find him if he gets too distracted.

we did the garmin since it is what a friend has and is common in our area with hound hunters, if i give anyone the code to my collar that has the garmin system, they can track my dog if he goes missing
 
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