OT: This is exactly where I'm at, which is why I ended up with 3 hooligans. Both with horses and with dogs I found I'm in my groove sitting on that drive when I have to and uncorking it when we've got the chance. There is absolutely NOTHING more frustrating than having an animal mentally throw in the towel when the chips are really down.

A couple weeks ago I had a terrible run where the fog was so bad that even with my high powered light I couldn't see much beyond Dulcie and Anya's backs up there in lead. I was on a somewhat complicated route we'd only run once before and I couldn't see the turns until I was right on them w/ the cart- and even then I was unfamiliar enough with the area that I wasn't sure I was going to hit them all correctly (it gets surprisingly easy to get messed up when you're navigating a tangle of dirt roads in pea soup at night).

I should know better by now. "Dog is my co-pilot" was the phrase for the night. They hit every turn without hesitation before I could even see the intersection, and kept charging ahead into the murk at full speed without even bothering to ask That Stupid Human Back There what was up.

People think I'm nuts for living with these crazy hounds, but they rarely if ever get to see these moments where the dog's ability and drive humbles my human capabilities completely. And once we've been there, for many of us it's really hard to concieve of owning a couch potato again.

Moose is dead on with the last post.  I had a similar experience with Belle.  She came from a breeder that has good hunting stock, but the GSPs he breeds do not conform to the standard.  Belle is a great dog and is my special girl, but after I got her and was introduced to the breed I new I wanted to do more with the breed.  So, I went hunting that really good breeder and found one.  Now I not only have a great breeder, but a good friend and advisor as well.

Tessa- Thanks....I do hunt and have hunted birds just by walking in the woods and going the the PA game lands 2 miles from my house that get stocked with Phesants.  So I will have an advantage over you there? (MAYBE )  But I have never trained or hunted over a dog meant for that purpose.  I did have a Pit bull that I would take with Me but it was just basically a walk for him.  Like Pixie's story, When I would get into the tall grass the big tough PIT BULL would either walk behind Me or get out of the grass and walk on the path beside Me!  I did shoot one bird over him but he had no idea what to do.  He just went over and got the bird all slobbery.  BUT WE HAD FUN!  So I am thinking that this will make it even better!

I have looked up the some local gun dog training grounds and the NAVDHA chapter.  I would like to check them out, but I think since right now is in season in PA.  They are all hunting!  No scheduled events but I will be contacting one of them.

The term 'prey drive' does not indicate a level or amount. It does not tell us the intensity,strength or endurance. How difficult is it to trigger the drive,how much intensity does the dog use to carry out the drive and how long does it last?
In essence, every dog has prey drive. What you see in a puppy may not be what you see in the same dog as an adult.Because prey drive is also 'play drive'.
Prey drive w/o desire is doomed from the get-go.

"I mean by desire - the natural instinct and given ability to search out and find "prey" reguardless of the circumstances"

I agree with this, But, you have the word prey in quotes and I don't know what your full meaning is.
For me, "prey" can be a dummy floating in the water for 1/2 an hour that the dog did not see and will be sent 25' from the bank to search and retrieve with no shot fired and on 1 command.No matter how long it takes.
Prey drive is elicted by movement,scent or sound. When none are present it is desire that
gets the dog in the water.
Unfortunately, these are the traits that can only be evaluated in a dog older than about 9 months. And you will know if what you see at 9 months is the true dog by the time the dog reaches about 3 years old. These are my opinions and experiences.
This is why it is good to have tested parents and grandparents and to test the puppy.
When there is no testing you rely totaly on the breeders estimate of traits and characteristics.To be honest, I have seen dogs that have titles and I didn't think they deserved them. So, don't go by testing as your only criteria, also.
So, confused yet?

Brave--That is exaclty what I was thinking and was a little nervous about now.  I would like a solid field dog that I could do trials with if I get good enough.  But want it to be able to relax and chill when in the house.  That Pit Bull that I had did not have that turn off button except when I took him hunting or long canoe trips (swimming)  and that was only because it would bust his feet up and it hurt to walk.  I really don't want to go through that again.  I don't mind energy and He will get excercised and hunted but really need him to be able to chill!

Pixie--is this like hazing   You have Me confused about what I said?!:

Nate-

It isn't that I couldn't have used my other two in trialing I very well could! They are exceptional hunting dogs. But when I saw their conformational flaws and in my male his other personality flaws I decided it wasn't worth the money to trial them.

I think you very well could trial these pups. With the right training you can almost trial any GSP in my opinion. Though I don't have the full training experience as many others on this board.

What I ment (and I was working while typing before) is that if you are wanting to breed at all in the future make sure you are getting a pup with good conformation along with ability.

As many can attest to on here I argued the fact that just cause a dog looks good in a show ring doesn't mean it can hunt but I now after much more reading and such understand why the GSP standard is what it is. Hunting in my mind will always be first and foremost but now that I understand the reason behind why they have the standard that they do I will also do my best to promote good conformation as well. Thus the reason my two oldest are now unable to reproduce. No matter how good they can hunt it just isn't worth passing on to pups the conformation that doesn't meet standard.

I spoke to the other owner she asked Me to read off my pups bloodlines.  We didn't find any matches so it sounds like the will be totally different.  She did say that the dogs prey drive is outstanding and it also ranges way out.  Which is what Bruce is saying would be troublesome for a rookie trainer.  The dog is great in the house, has alot of energy but that's these dogs.  She said the kennels a great outfit and a very nice place with great people. 

I am excited should be a good dog and hope that I am able to do the training that the dog deserves.  I also found out that Bruce and the owner of the puppy both frequent one of the local dog clubs that I was going to look into.  I can't wait to be able to get out see the other people and dogs and how they do it!

Thanks to everyone!