auwallace
Mobile, AL
MH
Posts:235
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| 01/18/2009 4:37 PM |
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Okay, i know this is completely out of nowhere but here it goes. Does it iritate any of you gsp owners when people act shocked that you aren't going to hunt your dog? You get the ,"why did you get that dog if you're not going to hunt it?" look. I chose both of my dog breeds because I love high energy dogs and they are what i believe to be the best looking dogs around. I just want to scream,"HOW MANY FREAKIN PEOPLE BUY LABS AND GOLDENS AND DON'T HUNT THEM!"
that is all |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:7839
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everbell
Kanata, ON
MH
Posts:3164
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| 01/18/2009 4:59 PM |
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It's funny ... up here where they aren't such a popular breed the only people who seem to recognize them ARE hunters (or other pointer owners).
Maybe 'cuz we live in Canada, hunting isn't such a big deal up here. No one seems to blink when I say we got Bo to be my husband's running partner. |
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Joce and Rich
Bogart and Shiraz (GSPs)
Roxane (RIP: 1995-2009) and Tiger Lily (Cats)
The Everbell Adventures |
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Somer
Houston, TX
MH
Posts:280
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| 01/18/2009 5:47 PM |
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| Most people just ask me where they can get a dalmatian like mine. |
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carlower1
Kansas
MH
Posts:1253
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| 01/18/2009 6:34 PM |
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AU
I so understand this!!! My vet advised me to find an "Appropriate" home for Wachter when we found him since I don't hunt and this is a hunting breed. Now when I take him out I either get "I used to have a Dalmation just like that" or "What you dont hunt??? how much will you sell your dog for?"
Carrie |
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gsp-fan
AZ
MH
Posts:353
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| 01/19/2009 5:40 AM |
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I am right there with you on the comments or looks from people who wonder why we have hunting dogs and don't hunt. We get poor dog it is not doing what it is bred to do or what a waste of a good hunting dog or I have no business owning a hunting dog. Some people have been down right nasty about it. I use to argue back with these people and now I just shake my head and walk away - well sometimes 
I am not knocking people who use there dogs to hunt so please do not take it that way - I have no problem with hunting. There are alot of people out there who's hunting dogs are also companions but there are alot of hunting dogs that are nothing but hunting dogs and when not hunting they are sitting in a kennel ignored until it is time to hunt.
This forum is great because you have both types of owners here pets only and hunters and you don't get blasted for owning this breed as a pet only. There are other gundog forums that if you let them know you own a hunting dog as a pet only you will be ripped apart.
I will get off my soap box now
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Pointer Fan
Westminster, Colorado
MH
Posts:954
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| 01/19/2009 7:38 AM |
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| When I had kids I explained that the only dog I will own with kids is a hunting dog. You seldom hear of a hunting dog biting a child and if they do the damage is minimal to none. Now I explain that the only dogs I have had for the past 30+ years are GSPs and I love them. Actually I don't usually have to explain anything. One look at that tail and wiggling butt and they know this is a happy dog. |
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carlower1
Kansas
MH
Posts:1253
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| 01/19/2009 7:38 AM |
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Another thing on this topic...
NOT ALL GSP's have the personality to be a hunting dog!!! While the prey drive may be there.. they are gun shy, or just don't have the gumption to want to do it....
Kinda like the little elf in the Christmas Rudolf special... He wanted to be a dentist! not a toymaker! Wachter would prefer chasing his prey around... but never wants to catch it.
Carrie |
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FLfinfan
SH
Posts:59
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| 01/19/2009 8:57 AM |
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Nearly every single dog out there was bred to hunt something. From rats to birds to bears. From the littlest dogs to the biggest. No one has a Great Dane to lead their Roman Army into battle anymore. Not many Beagle owners are out hunting fox. The guy down the street with the big German Shepard is not guarding Stalag 13!
Just tell the haters that your GSP does hunt. He points out rude, obnoxious people with no manners, and even less intellegence.
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everbell
Kanata, ON
MH
Posts:3164
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| 01/19/2009 10:17 AM |
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| Hahahaha! Good response! |
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Joce and Rich
Bogart and Shiraz (GSPs)
Roxane (RIP: 1995-2009) and Tiger Lily (Cats)
The Everbell Adventures |
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BEANS
Washington state
MH
Posts:1119
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| 01/19/2009 10:29 AM |
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timely topic
I am looking into an 8 month old solid liver male...The guy wants the dog to have a GOOD HOME......I'm afraid this means a HUNTING HOME ( to him )......Waiting for more info...he has a Female that he says, keeps his hands FULL ?? |
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Renee'
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gsp-fan
AZ
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Posts:353
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| 01/19/2009 10:53 AM |
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| How exciting for you, Greg and Bean can't wait to here more and see pictures if you get him |
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everbell
Kanata, ON
MH
Posts:3164
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| 01/19/2009 10:54 AM |
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| No kidding ... hunting squirrels is hunting, isn't it |
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Joce and Rich
Bogart and Shiraz (GSPs)
Roxane (RIP: 1995-2009) and Tiger Lily (Cats)
The Everbell Adventures |
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BEANS
Washington state
MH
Posts:1119
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| 01/19/2009 11:04 AM |
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The new dog thing...wasn't planned, seems I always have an eye open in that direction, especially since Bean has become such a great dog friendly girl. Yesterday she actually let my Mom and the wiener dog ride with her in the truck, out to the trail ! That was the first time we SHARED the truck  ...she wasn't even phased by it.
I'm still waiting to hear from the guy....If it is meant to be, it will happen ! Meantime it's 25 degrees and sunny, we're headed for a play date with King.
If Squirrel hunting counts....we're a PERFECT FIT |
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Renee'
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MegC
Ellensburg, WA
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Posts:989
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| 01/19/2009 11:07 AM |
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I'm of two minds on this one. On the one hand, we haven't hunted in years- just no time- and the dogs are definitely living large. But clearly with all the mushing stuff we do, the dogs have a job they're happy with.
I also understand that some dogs highest mission in life is hunting, and to prevent them from that would seem very cruel indeed... which is why when I rehomed a lab/GSP cross we started with, I specified for a hunter only. She nabbed a rooster on a walk with the new owner within a week FWIW. He was quite happy with her. NOTHING turned her crank like birds did, which I felt needed to be respected.
I will say that I've had many quiet offers from GSP breeders over the years, saying that they'd gladly offer a discount on some very nicely bred pups since we offer a stable working home from cradle to grave, even if that work isn't hunting. GSPs tend to be very active, driven dogs, so potential owners that understand that and have a job for the dog in mind- hunting, mushing, hiking, cycling, jogging, agility, flyball, etc.- would just seem like a safer bet.
So.... to-MAY-to, to-MAH-to.... These are NOT retrievers, and one of the lovely aspects of this breed is that a very high percentage of them seem to retain some semblance of ability and desire for the task they were originally created to do. But they don't all hunt- although many do. And they don't all HAVE to hunt- although some do. |
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Megan
+ Dulcie (Lehmschlog's The Right Spot) + Rogan (Lehmschlog's BR Rogan) + Anya (Lehmschlog's Anya O Conchobar)
Intro to harness sport/mushing- start here! |
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auwallace
Mobile, AL
MH
Posts:235
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| 01/19/2009 11:46 AM |
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| i agree totally with what you said. i have a buddy who has a lab who is the most drivin retriever i've ever been around, yet he gets to play off leash two or three times a month maybe. no doubt these guys were born to hunt, but if you redirect that energy into something the dog and the owner enjoys there is no harm. |
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pixie bee
MH
Posts:4450
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| 01/19/2009 12:04 PM |
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I will play devil's advocate.
If pet litters are bred then the hunting instinct will be diminished along with the proper conformation to perform the role of a verstile hunter.
Francine |
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"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle
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MegC
Ellensburg, WA
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Posts:989
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| 01/19/2009 12:36 PM |
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IMO owning a GSP for a pet and breeding are two different things entirely. I'd never even consider breeding a GSP without having an experienced hunting trainer/handler work the dog on birds and give me their honest evaluation at a minimum.
But clearly many of these dogs make good pets/working companions in roles other than strictly hunting. |
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Megan
+ Dulcie (Lehmschlog's The Right Spot) + Rogan (Lehmschlog's BR Rogan) + Anya (Lehmschlog's Anya O Conchobar)
Intro to harness sport/mushing- start here! |
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Rugergundog
Saginaw Michigan USA
MH
Posts:395
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| 01/19/2009 3:11 PM |
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I hear you, but i guess i ride both sides of the fence. I suppose I don't see the point in buying a dog with a known bloodline that has been going generation after generation with hunting titles for a pet when there are others out there bred more so for that. Don't take this the wrong way but it "could" be a waste of potential if someone were looking for a pup from a specific litter.
I guess its sort of like a guy buying a Shelby GT super charged yadda yadda Mustang to pitter pudder around town.
But then again....if you love the breed and give the dog a good home and the workout it needs....i see nothing wrong with it. If the dog was not ever exposed to hunting situations it really is not missing what it does not know. |
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Saginaw Michigan
Brittany- Ruger
GSP- Kilian |
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auwallace
Mobile, AL
MH
Posts:235
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| 01/19/2009 3:24 PM |
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| i would never buy a dog with champion bloodlines to sit on my couch and chase frisbees. i know better than that. but i could see where that could be a problem. some people always want the absolute best most expensive version of whatever they buy just so they can brag about it. |
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