I want a dog that is good with other dogs, cats and ok with strange humans. Can jog 1, 2, or 3 miles once a day and a walk once or twice a day and if I miss a day or 2 they wont eat my couch. I would probably work a usual work day (8 hours) which the dog would be home alone for. I am interested in doing agility, obedience and/or rally. It all depends if I have the time to do all those things. I want to play fetch with the dog too. I dont know if I will have a yard or not though. Would a German Shorthaired Pointer (adult Shorthair-I could adopt) be right for me?

Mine are great with other dogs and love running and walking.  Many GSP's are not so great with cats.  They either want to play or think of the cats as prey.  You might want to look for a GSP who was raised with cats.

Mine have never eaten a couch but if you read other posts here. you will learn others have.  A bored GSP can be destructive.  Mine are crate trained so there's a limit to how much trouble they can get into.

GSP's like training and agility type stuff.  They are funny and smart.  High energy and probably not for everyone!

I agree with the idea of getting one raised with cats, it helps. I have had both in the past without incident. I am also so mean that I have had guinea pigs and I still have a cockatoo (who rules the house I might add!)

Mine seem to adapt to my  mood. If i am ready to go, so are they. If I want to spend the day vegging, they have no problem pushing me off the couch. They are great with kids and if the strangers are ok people, my group is usually ok with them. I wouldnt trade this breed for anything!

I understand and agree. I am in college right now. I am researching, looking for the right breed for me. I'm not sure when I will get a dog, it depends when I know I have the money to have a dog, and will have a continuous cash flow. I will also have to be where I plan on living for a while. This could be between 1-3 years from now, no sooner.

I want a GSP because the ones I have met so far have been sweet dogs, very affectionate toward their owners, well mannered dogs. I have met them at shows recently and I used to live next to a couple of them (who were also good dogs but they howled a lot-that didnt bother me). I have admired them for as long as I can remember, I just was never sure if I could provide the exercise they need. I have talked to people at the show who hunt and show and compete in tracking and agility, they all thought my schedule of a jog once a day and a walk once a day was sufficent for a GSP (though I understand it might not be for all). I think they are a great breed and have heard mostly good reviews of the breed from everyone I have asked. From what I have heard I should not get a puppy, I want a jogging companion and with a puppy I would have to wait a year maybe a little more if I got a puppy. The more I hear about them the more I like them. And to be totally honest with you I am looking at another breed that meets my criteria also, the Dalmatian. I have been to shows meeting Dal's too along with GSP's and at the moment I really cant pick between the 2 breeds, they are both awesome. So here I am looking for extra information on forums. I do plan on meeting with a breeder here in CO to meet some GSP's and with a breeder of Dal's to hopefully see which breed would better be suited for me, and that I could better meet their needs.

I agree with the posts so far.  GSPs are high energy and need exercise, but what you are planning should be sufficient, especially for an adult GSP.  They are also very loving and devoted to there people (meaning they love being with us more than anything).  I looked at breeds a while back before I chose a GSP and their disposition, intelligence and health were the big deciding factors for me.

I would recommend you go to the AKC site and look at the breed descriptions for both GSPs and Dals as this might also help you in your decision.  I applaud you in the fact that you recognize you need a more stable environment before you get a dog. 

Honestly I have known both GSPs and Dals and I would pick a GSP every time (of course I am a bit prejudice), but the Dals I have known have not had the sweet loving dispostion of the GSP. They tend to be a bit more agressive (probably a factor of what they were bred for), but maybe I just haven't been around really nice Dals.  Anyway, I would check out the breed descriptions on the AKC website as they are pretty good in helping you understand each breed and their temperament.

Also, look at the health issues each breed has as this could be very important to you, especially as you are a college student.  Vet bills are not cheap these days.

You seem to have the right approach to this search, so I am sure you will make a wise decision whichever way you go. Good Luck in your quest.

Kudos to you for doing your research and being realistic about what you can provide for a dog!

I picked the GSP because of their personality, mine make me laugh every day.  I've also been please to discover how smart mine is which makes training a little longer as he can be stubborn and I have to be REALLY consistent.  Once he gets it, he's really got it!

Good luck in your search, it sounds like you are on the right path.

The more and more I think about it the more I lean toward the GSP. Even the ones I saw at the show, the Pointers seemed to be more happy-go-lucky, which is something I like in a dog.

Pointer Fan-I see you are in CO, was the dog in your avatar at a dog show recently? I'm asking because there was one GSP at the show I visited that had that coat pattern. It wasnt being shown though, I really like that coat pattern, better then the usual liver roan you see at shows (but I like liver roan too).

Dalmatians, according to the Dal people, are fine with everyone just like the GSP, they just need more work from very young in order to be that way. And as you can imagine, most dog owners dont take that extra socializing step so most Dal's arent as well mannered as the ones at shows and with good breeders. Maybe something I shouldnt get into as a first time owner (I've never had a dog before but have worked around/with dogs for years).

I skijor/cart/sled/scooter with my crew, used to hunt also back when I had more time and there was more land accessable in my area. Mine are field trial bred so they may be a little 'amped up' compared to some.

We are a CAT FREE ZONE. I finally convinced my oldest to ignore my mother's cat in the house when we were visiting but if she saw that cat running out in the open she'd STILL chase it. That dog chases until they're cornered and then whines hoping they'll run again.... my male I just don't trust not to take one out, hope I never find out. Dunno what my youngest girl would do.

Exercise: you'll be committed, or you'll be sorry! Below is a picture taken of my boy Rogan the day after one of the longest, toughest skijoring runs I ever had... got turned around up at Blewitt pass and did 20 miles with a few thousand feet elevation gain. As you can see the adventure didn't put too big a dent in his enthusiasm, LOL!

OH! Thank you for posting that picture! I love seeing pictures. That is crazy, that is a lot of energy. I will have to work with the rescue people and make sure to get a dog that will be happy with the exercise I plan on giving. I love the versatility of the breed, I may want to skijor with my dog. Thats another thing I like, I like to try different things some times, I would love a dog that is willing to try new things with me.

No offense, but I'm wondering if you are more of a lab type?

BTW, that 'Dennis the Menace' comment is spot-on. There is quite a range of personalities in this breed but quite a few of them can be headstrong, independent thinkers, and extremely adept problem-solvers. They CAN be obedient, but many will take willful creative license with commands if allowed... it's a natural adaptation to working in the field where the human might be yelling at the dog to do something that it's nose knows is wrong, so that has to be appreciated for what it is.

And here's our group's famous "Daniel Yankee Flyer" showing off his 'young bored GSP' artwork. DO NOT SAY YOU WEREN'T WARNED!!!

I am a little confused. From the earlier posts it sounded like everything was ok and that a GSP would work in my situation. But now it feels like you are trying to scare me away from the breed. Just because I said I thought it was crazy and it was a lot of energy (which you have to agree IS a lot of energy) doesnt mean I couldnt deal with it. Sorry if that wasnt your intention, that is just what it feels like. I am starting to think I should stop researching, I am starting to scare myself out of dog ownership....

Why would a GSP need 3 walks a day if he/she could get a jog once and a walk once (maybe twice!)? Isnt a jog better then a walk?? This is excluding normal potty breaks.

For my first dog I want to adopt a well mannered adult. Since I have never ever owned a dog and neither has anyone I ever lived with, I think it is better that way. Plus I could rescue. I know what the dog is like before hand, I would be looking for a Shorthair that had a medium amount of energy, not the more fieldy type.

wgspr rescue: Why is it you think I am more of the lab type?

Pointer Fan: Yes, I am in Colorado. I am trying to do as much research on breeds as I can before I move home to Hawaii in September/October, over there I cant meet all these breeds. At least without flying to another island which costs too much money just to visit.

Shorthairplease:  I don't think anyone is trying to scare you out of a dog, they just want to make sure you know what you are getting into.  GSPs are high energy dogs and hard to tire.  That said with lot's of exercise and mental stimulation they can make wonderful pets.  My girls are very different in temperament.  Belle my 4 year old was born "old" meaning she has always been on the calm side. However, she is very intelligent and early in puppyhood she got into all kinds of trouble.  We have a chair that looks similar to the couch picture you see in some of the threads.  After about 2 though she settled down and is wonderful in the house when left alone.  That said we run her at least three times a day in our backyard playing ball and she always has to work for treats and food (sit, down, etc.).

My youngest, Halo, is 3 and she still has what we call the Crazy Halos where she zooms madly through the house.  With enough exercise those moments have grown fewer and further between with age.  She is fast and tireless though.  We finally exhausted her for the first time when we took her on about a 6 mile hike in the mountains at about 10000ft a week ago.  Of course she probably covered three times that distance and was mostly running/trotting the whole way.  That doesn't mean she doesn't behave in the house when left alone, she does and unlike her laid back big sister has never torn anything up.

Note: The GSP recovery time from exercise is very short and they are ready to go again very quickly.

So, every dog is different and you will have to get to know and understand the dog you eventually decide on, but you also have be be prepared to met that dogs needs: exercise (lots of it for GSPs), expense to feed and cover vet bills (it is not cheap to own a dog), mental stimulation (things like obedience training, rally, agility, etc if you don't want to hunt you dog are good outlets).  I think the folks on this board are not trying to scare you away, but make you aware as GSPs show up in shelters and rescue groups all the time because the owners weren't prepared and were expecting a dog that entertained itself and didn't need allot from the owner. 

You might want to take a look at this description of a GSP and their temperament and exercise needs.  It is pretty good and accurate (IMO):

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/germanshorthairedpointer.htm

Also, the AKC website is a good place to research various breeds.  You might want to take a look as you might find other breeds may fit your needs better.  I would recommend Vislas if you like the shorthair.  They are very similar, but a bit smaller in size. As a jogger I am not sure I would agree with a lab unless you get one of the leaner varieties that they use for hunting.  The stockier ones that show up in the breed ring I wouldn't think would do well with jogging.

If you do eventually get a GSP and take care of the exercise and mental stimulation, they are IMO the most faithful and loving of all breeds, and I have had dogs all my life (labs, greyhounds, cocker spaniels, terriers).

Good luck!! And if you have more questions, just ask everyone on this message board is full of good information and always willing to share it.

Texas Belle, I understand how people can feel strongly about the dogs they love, especially when so many get put into shelters and rescues because the owners didnt know what they were getting into. Another reason I need to wait until I get into a routine before I get my dog. Then I will know if I have the time to exercise a GSP. I really hope I will have the time, and a stable schedule because I really want to get a GSP.