German Short Haired Pointer?

Question

Hi!
Just looking into puppies at the moment and have fallen in love with the German Short Haired Pointer. I don't want it for hunting purposes, and was wondering if anyone has any health info on them before I commit? So far everything I've read about them has been very positive, just wanted to check in closer to home about your experiences. Wondering also if they have a naturally high hunting instinct, or is it possible to curb this when you get them young?
Anything you can tell me is greatly appreciated!

Answer 1

The best - the VERY best - source for information about the breed is here:

http://www.gspca.org/

http://www.gspca.org/FAQ.htm


That is the National Breed Club for GSPs - the only one regconized and acredited by the AKC.


These dogs are smart, smart, smart - just whizzes at AKC obedience competition and agility trials and tracking as well as hunting.

Turn that drive from hunting to other acitvities and they are wonderful family pets- velcroed to your side and fabulous with kids. They do need to be kept busy and not just left on their own without their people or they get bored and ther behavior goes downhill (downside of very clever and trainable dogs.)

Adored seeing a GSP walk into my obedience classes on the first day - he was going to be one of my stars in the class.

(By the way, this is NOT my breed - trained them, handled them but not owned them - just a fan of theirs)

Hip dysplasia - less than 5%; elbow dysplasia less than 2%; thyroid just over 3% and cardiac less than 1%.

(Great statistics compared to a lot of breeds.)

The Clubs' websites will give you an ENORMOUS amount of information about the breed - the good, the bad, and the why or why not to get that breed. The clubs websites also have:

(1) a breeders list - all of whom have agreed to abide by the breeders code of ethics (which you can read)

http://www.gspca.org/breeders.htm

(2) a link to the breed rescue for their breed
http://www.gsprescue.org/


Do give serious thought to adopting from an adult from a breed rescue. The clubs' breed rescues go to a great deal of trouble to determine the dog's temperrment, personality, likes and dislikes (particularly kids and cats and other dogs in the household), health, and level of training. They make a huge effort to match the right dog to the right home - and if they don't have one they think will be suitable for your home, they won't place it. Great way to avoid the puppy training, newspapers, chewing.......They have dogs that are purebred and some part-bred (1/2 or so of their breed.) Dogs that come through rescue are so thrilled to have a forever loving home having once been abandoned to a shelter or rescue that they are typically extra devoted and loving. Dogs lose their homes for reason that are not their fault: death, divorce, a move and they couldn’t keep them, financial problems….

If you decide to get a puppy so they grow up with the childen, please use one of the breeders who are members of the breed club. A well-bred pet puppy may not be a candidate for the show ring (that nose being 1/8th of an inch to long or something else very picky) but they will be very healthy, the parents carefully screened for hereditary health problems, and from a breeder who has devoted a great deal of time to understanding the breed and bloodlines. A responsible breeder will have a written contract with a health guarantee for hereditary problems; require that if for any reason you ever have to give up the dog that it comes back to them; and always be available for help, assistance and advice about your dog. Such a breeder will tell you if they don't think their breed is right for you based upon your needs. They want a perfect forever home for the puppies - not the money. (In 43 years in the dog show world, I have never known a breeder of that caliber who has made a profit on their dogs - it is labor of love.)

A puppy from such a breeder costs no more - and often less - than from a backyard breeder who doesn't do the health checks, knows nothing about the breed or bloodlines, doesn't give a guarantee, never wants to hear about the puppy again and has breed from mediocre or poor quality dogs.

You may find the breeder who has the type of dog you want but no litter on the ground at the moment. Most ood breeders have waiting lists -get on it. You may find the breeder and puppy you want but at a distance. Among the really responsible breeders(members of the club) shipping a puppy is quite normal -they want the best possible home for the dog and the written contract is very extensive.

Do ask the breeders on the club list if htey have any dogs they bred that they need to rehome - good breeders all require if the owner can't keep one, it comes back to them. It may be a dog they placed and it came back because the owner didn't have time, didn't realize how big it would get, got divorced.... It may be a dog who was a show prospect but as they grew didn't meet their early promise. It may be an AKC Champion they decided not to use in their breeding program because while it did get the Championship, they don't need more bloodstock or find a tiny conformation flaw they don't want to reproduce.

Never ever a pet store - those puppies come from puppy mills - horrible conditions, no regard for the health or well being of the animals just mony - no health checks on the parentswho are literally bred to death - no vaccines worming and barely enough food to get keep them alive


IF A SERIOUS BREEDER OR RESCUE TELLS YOU THAT THE BREED IS NOT SUITED FOR YOUR SITUATION - BELIEVE THEM - NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU LIKE THE WAY THE DOG LOOKS

Obedience class is a must for these guys - got to keep them busy.

Now you both need a GOOD obedience class - and that is NOT Petsmart or Petco.

GO here to find contacts in you area that can help you locate and obedience trainer who works with all breeds and who does AKC obedience compettions:

http://www.akc.org/clubs/search/index.cf...

http://www.akc.org/clubs/search/index.cf... (set on all breeds)


http://www.akc.org/clubs/search/index.cf...

http://www.akc.org/clubs/search/index.cfm?action=perf&display=on (set on 'field trial' and then on 'hunting test')

Even it they are an hour or more away, they will know other people all over the state.

Answer 2

LOVE isn`t a choice, go for it. I would advise you to check out all that can. Read the book, Living with a German Short Haired Pointer. I can`t give you precise ISBN no. Also read Veterinary notes for dog owners ISBN 0-09-173817-2.And the hunting instinct all dogs have it, training is necessity. Good luck.

Answer 3

The hunting instinct is PERMANENTLY there. No matter what it will always want to and try to hunt anything and everything. It will bark a lot at squirrels, cats, other dogs, birds, etc. It will be very active and need lots of exercise. It will need a sturdy, high, well built fence... they are smart dogs, but have one track minds. It is almost like they have ADD, it is hard to get them to focus on you if they see something else. They make good pets though and should be good around children and different situations. If you decide to get one, good luck!

Answer 4

They are more birders, than general hunters. They will always be alert to birds, and quickly moving animals, but yes, you can curb the drive to some extent..They WILL learn to not chase, as that is important in their birding training..You can't ever have a field performer if the 'chase' instinct isn't curbed, and there are many great field champions..
They DO need an active lifestyle.. I knew one that was happy with apartment living, (neutered) but the owner was tenacious about getting him out for long walks and runs..
They tend to gain too much weight, and the health problems that go with obesity, if not exercised regualarly..

Answer 5

I have had two German Short Haired Pointers in my life and a close friend of mine owns one. The first one (female) was extremely well- behaved, gentle with children and other dogs & cats, passionate about hunting, intelligent & very loyal and loving. She lived for 14 years and was the best dog in the world. The second female we had was extremely unmanageable - hyper active, rough with children, difficult to train, nervous and unfortunately we had to give her to another home. My friend's German (Male) is 11 sweetest dog ever but has huge separation anxiety and takes his frustrations out by being destructive although when surrounded by people he is great. Overall, I would say it depends on the dog and the owner. I would check out www.akc.org to find out more about this breed to see if it would fit with your lifestyle.

Answer 6

A neighbor a few blocks over has a GSP, and he is a doll. He does still have that hunting instinct, and loves to keep the yard squirrel free. With hunting dogs, retrievers, hounds, they need to be in a fenced in area if they are off leash. They will take off chasing vermin if you let them!

They are generally healthy dogs, the only issue with GSP's is hip dysplasia, though it isn't very common.

Answer 7

GSPs fabulous dogs! Need LOTS of exercise. No relevant health problems, genetic or hereditary, but obviously get info from respected breeder. ALWAYS SEE PUPPY WITH MOTHER IN BREEDERS HOME! Easy to train, no overpowering hunting instincts. Will 'point' at anything interesting it finds. Extremely greedy, will eat everything they find, including the inedible. Good family dog, friendly and sociable. Do not consider one unless you have plenty of time to train and exercise!

Answer 8

A well-trained dog makes everyone happy, including his owner. Take a little time training him, and you'll never regret it; you'll always have an obedient dog by your side. Find more https://tr.im/fPf5r

By their nature, dogs are pack animals with a well-defined social order. Through basic training, you need to consistently make sure your puppy understands that you are the leader, not him. So in teaching him the basic rules, you take on the role of pack leader.

To fit into the family circle, your dog must be taught to recognize his name and such commands as come, heel, lie down and sit.

Answer 9

In most not all, the hunting instinct is high. They also are very energetic and need lots of exercise and they (as do all dogs) need training.
As for health concerns...GSP's are prone to seizures, hip & elbow dysplasia and bloat. If looking for a breeder you need to find one that does health testing(not just simple vet exams) OFA/PennHip on hips/elbows,has carefully researched their lines for seizures and bloat concerns.

They are wonderful dogs but they do need lots of structured exercise and obedience training.

For those who say there is no relative health concerns with GSP's they are VERY prone to seizures. It is a big problem. Also while the rate of hip/elbow dysplasia isn't as high as it is in some breeds it is high enough and relevant enough for NAVHDA to require that ALL GSP's used in a breeding program have hips/elbows OFA/PennHip certified. Eye problems are also relevant even though not as prevelant as in other breeds.

Answer 10

Good choice :) Fine breed - but you need to exercise them. If you live in a flat in a city, forget it. They need to be out in the countryside to be happy. A walk in the park on a lead is not good enough. Let them run free and watch them point....