I have been wanting to bring a dog friend home for some time now. I am in the research phase still and would like a little input and information. I know and love the German Shorthaired Pointer breed, I would just like to know about other people's experiences and time spent with them.
Also, I live in Oregon and an in the process of looking for a reputable breeder...any suggestions or firsthand advice? Thanks.
Thanks Mary Jane...I have actually been thinking about a rescue as well but I really appreciate you putting that out there because many people do not consider rescues because they think the animals that come from there are "damaged" when in fact most of the times they are not:)
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My cousin’s have one and she’s very sweet and very vocal. She has a lot of energy and points at everything that flies. She’s also very outgoing and my aunt says that she knows how to climb up the playset ladder and go down the slide.
http://www.gspca.org/
http://www.akc.org/breeds/german_shorthaired_pointer/index.cfm
please, please, please, please, please, please, please don’t buy from any breeder. Please visit your local shelter or humane society and give a shelter dog a chance. I beg you to save the life of a wonderful, living, breathing, sweet, just as lovable, just as loyal, just as well behaved dog that is waiting second by second for you to come and be his forever mommy. Please. they come vet checked, healthy, normally potty trained, been spayed or neutered, no fleas, no worms, no problems like bred dogs often have from living in deplorable conditions, they are mostly inbred, never vet Chechen. they are just dollar signs. Every time a person buys from a breeder, a poor little soul dies tonight at the shelter
Here is a list of breeders in the GSP club of America:http://www.gspca.org/Breed/listings.html#OR
Although there might be others that also do a good job.
I have a friend who rescues GSPs and has some of her own. They are fabulous dogs from what I hear, but they do have A LOT of energy and can be “Go go go” type of dogs. After all they were bred to spend HOURS working in the field so they have a lot of stamina and have a high drive to work and be active. Nevertheless with regular exercise AND obedience training they seem to be really great dogs.
The GSP Club of America says this about their health:
“A fairly healthy breed but the first time buyer should always inquire about health clearances of the sire and dam when looking for a puppy. Breeders should have no problem discussing or answering any health issues being asked. The following are considered as a minimum to ask about: OFA or PennHip – hip dysplasia; Cardiac-echocardiogram for congenital cardiac; CERF – current eye clearance of PRA done each year until age 6 every two years afterward; CD – DNA test for carrier status for cone degeneration. May be cleared by both Parents DNA test indicating “normal” a non-carrier.”
So be sure whatever breeder you find DOES this type of tesing on their parent dogs to increase the chances your pup will be healthy.
Finally here are some GSP’s near Portland you might find attractive that are in shelters or rescues:
http://www.petfinder.com/search/search.cgi?tmpl=1&exact=1&breed=German+Shorthaired+Pointer&animal=Dog
How much time do you have? They want to be with you all the time and they need something to do. My guy likes to find stuff and bring it to me to get my attention. He learned how to open our big plastic mitten box (interlocking lid) and sometimes brings me mittens and gloves when I’m cooking as a way to entice me to play.
I think they are awesome, but if you don’t channel their energy they can make you batty. Depending on your home schedule a rescue might be a good idea.
Talk to breeders and you might be able to find a dog that is being re-homed (as opposed to a typical rescue dog). My dog’s breeder took back a dog that I would have snapped up in a second if I hadn’t just gotten my pup. Trained, housebroken, well-behaved, sweet as anything, calm—the owner became very ill and couldn’t keep the dog! If you get to know the breeders in your area you may stumble across an awesome dog like this that needs a home.
Get Nancy Campbell’s book about GSPs and read the section about living with a shorthair—it is DEAD ON! LOL. Nancy is a wonderful breeder and the former nat’l rescue chair.
http://www.amazon.com/German-Shorthaired-Pointer-Guideto-Healthy/dp/1582450587/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1208878572&sr=8-1
If you are interested in rescue: here is the Oregon page from the GSP orgeon club page.:
http://www.fastdirectory.net/gspco/gsp_rescue.htm#avail
The local club members who breed are also listed on the site.
IF you get a pup—meet the parents and any other siblings first. See if their temperment and energy level match your needs. Some GSPs can be more driven and others are more calm and the best way to tell what your pup will be like is to meet the dam and sire.
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