Thinking of getting a GSP?

[mattb46]

Would be really interested in hearing peoples experience of owning a GSP (probably a bh). We are a very active family who love walking and being outdoors. I work from home a lot and my wife works part-time so the dog would only be left on its own for a couple of hours twice a week and would get 2-3 45 min+ walks a day. We are looking for a really active dog that is intelligent, trainable and will be good/affectionate with our children. When in the house (and after a walk) I would hope he/she will be quite chilled and happy in her bed/on the sofa.We dont want a dog which will be really manic with no off switch in the home and be destructive as soon as your back is turned. Thoughts/experiences anyone?

The alternatives at the moment are a border collie or a Vizla.

Thank you

[TobyLerone]

GSP?

Is that a typo for GSD, as in German Shepherd?

[CAPP0]

mattb46 said:

Would be really interested in hearing peoples experience of owning a GSP (probably a bh). We are a very active family who love walking and being outdoors. I work from home a lot and my wife works part-time so the dog would only be left on its own for a couple of hours twice a week and would get 2-3 45 min+ walks a day. We are looking for a really active dog that is intelligent, trainable and will be good/affectionate with our children. When in the house (and after a walk) I would hope he/she will be quite chilled and happy in her bed/on the sofa.We dont want a dog which will be really manic with no off switch in the home and be destructive as soon as your back is turned. Thoughts/experiences anyone?

The alternatives at the moment are a border collie or a Vizla.

Thank you

German Shorthaired Pointer? I don't know the breed. Nor the Vizla really although they seem popular currently.

But your comments above about chilled/not manic/happy in her bed are COMPLETELY incompatible with a border collie. Those need LOTS of activity/stimulation/jobs to do or they'll end up being exactly what you don't want.

GSP looks like a working dog too so I'm not sure it will meet your requirements?

[hondafanatic]

Lab?

Ours can be as active as you want and never run out of steam but also happy to lie across you on the couch with the tv on. (Don’t do the bed thing cause that’s just me). Obviously very trainable and never try’s to dominate anything other than a deer antler chew toy.

Edited by hondafanatic on Saturday 25th January 22:46

[andyb28]

Lovely dogs.

People on a shoot I go on use them for picking up. They do a good job of it too. Very intelligent hunting dogs.

[Unexpected Item In The Bagging Area]

A Springer would tick every single box. I’m heavily biased but they’re outdoorsy, highly trainable, very affectionate, fun and yet chilled indoors and they’re very good at fitting in with family life.

[dhutch]

CAPP0 said:

But your comments above about chilled/not manic/happy in her bed are COMPLETELY incompatible with a border collie. Those need LOTS of activity/stimulation/jobs to do or they'll end up being exactly what you don't want.

However, if you are going to be walking said dog 90min a day, plus loads of contact time and stimulation, a Collie would work fine... so not COMPLETELY incompatible?

Clarification on what you mean by GSP would be good. Else Golden Retriever?

Daniel

[mattb46]

Apologies: German Shorthaired Pointer


Love Springers too.

Edited by mattb46 on Sunday 26th January 07:41

Edited by mattb46 on Sunday 26th January 07:44

[stevesingo]

Bavarian Mountain Hound. About 2/3-3/4 of the size of a GSP. Active, trainable, affectionate and Otto is super chilled in the house.



Quite a character.

[monoloco]

Meet Jasper the German Shorthaired Pointer ( GSP ).



He's our second GSP and Mrs Mono and me could never have any other breed -adorable, bonkers, energetic, seriously fast, etc but also very 'biddable' so fairly straightforward to train -albeit with plenty of patience. Ok, like any other dog he has his moments -chasing squirrels or deer for example but aside from that he's lovely!

He is very sociable -loves playing with other dogs, loves kids etc although he is a bit of a hooligan/boisterous (in a nice way -you just have to be careful he doesn't crash into anyone accidentally and send them flying as 30kg of dog doing 30+mph hurts!

Ours gets about an hour's walk per day then he's at home with my wife most of the time so he can charge about in the garden (1/2 acre so plenty of space) and doesn't get left alone for too long-maybe the odd couple of hours once per week and occasional 4 hour stretch if we go out for the evening.

Handsome dogs too so Jasper (and his predecessor Max) always gets lots of attention from other people -the GSP is a relatively unusual breed so people always want to stop and make a fuss/ask about him. A final plus, they are a healthy breed with few genetic problems -as a 'working breed' they are mainly bred for health/stamina/intelligence/etc so not too much inbreeding like so many thoroughbreds.

Absolutely fine in the house, -crashes out in his bed for hours (or even better, in front of the fire!) not too much of a food-hoover (unlike say labradors) so leaves you alone at mealtimes etc. Short hairs are not too messy around the house, if he goes swimming/paddling he's bone dry in 30mins and rarely needs brushing/bathing. Good guard-dog though -quite protective if anyone comes to the door and can look quite scary if he's standing up on his hind legs barking at someone through the glass panel in the front door!

As already said I could never have any other breed but then after best part of 18 years living with GSPs I might just be a bit biased!

Edited by monoloco on Monday 27th January 13:57

[pikeyboy]

I've had two gwp and now on my third GSP. I work mine but they are first and foremost family pets. Great breed very loyal. They can be destructive if they get bored, as can most dogs. Very happy to work 7 days away week and snuggle by the fire at night on the sofa. They do or some lines have a high prey drive so do your research to avoid these if it a pure pet you want.

My oldest is a birkenwald ie German lines dog and is quite highly strung but you won't find a better worker. You might speak to sue at katelands gsp in tamworth.

Edited by boy on Monday 27th January 17:07

Edited by boy on Monday 27th January 17:09

Edited by boy on Monday 27th January 17:26

Edited by boy on Monday 27th January 17:31

[mattb46]

Thanks for all the really helpful comments and the excellent photos. They really are lovely looking dogs (as is the Bavarian Mountain Hound). Its interesting that no one has mentioned issues with recall as I have read that GSP's can get away from owners when they sniff out rabbits etc and can be really difficult to recall when they get into the hunting/seeking zone

[FrenchCarFan]

My friend has a GSP. It's put me of the breed for life. Feral dog. Mad and destroys everything.

[stevesingo]

FrenchCarFan said:

My friend has a GSP. It's put me of the breed for life. Feral dog. Mad and destroys everything.

As can any dog can be if it is understimulated.

[pikeyboy]

mattb46 said:

Thanks for all the really helpful comments and the excellent photos. They really are lovely looking dogs (as is the Bavarian Mountain Hound). Its interesting that no one has mentioned issues with recall as I have read that GSP's can get away from owners when they sniff out rabbits etc and can be really difficult to recall when they get into the hunting/seeking zone

This is very true. Hence why I suggested you don't get one from a strong working back ground. Also until recall and stop whistle are100 % and proven don't take them anywhere near game. Once they learn to chase tube got an uphill battle on your hands.