lcook
Posts:2
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| 04/22/2010 6:11 PM |
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Hi -
We are looking for a family dog (we have two boys - 5 and 7 years old). We want a dog that can run (off leash) with my husband while mountain biking (8-12 miles). That can swim with us while kayaking. That's as comfortable sleeping next to my son's beds as would be sleeping outside of my tent flap. That's intelligent and easy to train and good with kids and other dogs (we have a yorkie). That has the stamina and love of outdoors and exercise but will not tear the house up if a walk is missed one day.
What are your thoughts - would a GSP fit with our family? Oh - are they known for barking? Our Yorkie barks all the time and drives me nuts.
Thanks for your input!!
Leslie |
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dieterthegsp
Cape Breton, NS, Canada
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Posts:559
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| 04/22/2010 6:54 PM |
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Your family seems 100 times more active then mine. This is a video of my gsp after not even getting out for a leashed walk for two days and having traveled 3 hours in a car. Also..you are posting on a gsp website. I doubt you will have anyone tell you no.
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Properly trained, a man can be dog's best friend.
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dieterthegsp
Cape Breton, NS, Canada
MH
Posts:559
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| 04/22/2010 6:55 PM |
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im pretty sure everything you are looking for in a dog a gsp can excell in and would be lucky to be part of your family
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Properly trained, a man can be dog's best friend.
Videos
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zodiakgsps
NW PA
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Posts:1059
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| 04/22/2010 7:55 PM |
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You sound like an ideal family for a GSP!! They are highly active & a very intelligent breed that needs obedience as well as exercise, but I havent found daily runs to be neededfor any.(I had one hyper one years ago, she was spayed)
I run mine heavily, I field trial, hunt, guide on a preserve and show. Mine are fine for more than 4-5 days between runs. All of them come to my grooming shop daily & are very well behaved there all day.
I would just research kennels well to find a breeding that suits you & your family, be sure they do health testing!!! (heart, eyes & hips) Good luck! |
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Shelley
Bristol, UK
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Posts:704
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| 04/23/2010 1:41 AM |
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| They would be perfect for you - loyal companion, great with kids.......... |
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Splat
Illinois (Northern)
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Posts:3136
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| 04/23/2010 5:33 AM |
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You better tell Dieter to calm down he is just too rowdy!
My kids are 10 and 6 years old we have a 10 month and a 4 month old GSP's one per kid. The boys love their dogs and the dogs love them. They sleep in bed with their boy every night. Mine are not barkers unless they are playing with each other, then they get a little loud.
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pixie bee
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Posts:4450
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| 04/23/2010 5:44 AM |
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Forget the dog. Can you adopt me?
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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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JoeyBean
Albany, NY
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Posts:315
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| 04/23/2010 6:53 AM |
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Yes! It sounds like you'd be a great fit with a GSP. They are very gentle and playful in general. LOVE their people!
One thing I was actually really suprised about was after hours of research about their energy levels, our pup broke her leg and had to be confined for around 2 months and she did amazing with it. Even now, months after that shes fine if you miss a day of exercise, she doesn't try to destroy anything (knock on wood). Granted, a well exercised GSP will just pass right out and snuggle, but they also do fine on those rainy low days which was a surprise to us.
Haven't done and biking or running with ours yet but I plan on it. I was waiting till she's around 1. Ours barks at the dog park when playing.. she just wants other dogs to chase her though. Occasionally she barks out the window.. its unusual though. |
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carlower1
Kansas
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Posts:1253
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| 04/23/2010 7:52 AM |
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I bike with mine and he loves it. Due to health reasons I don't walk much and can't run anymore. Wachter goes absolutely batty when the bike comes out!
Carrie |
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DesertRoseKennel
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Posts:1033
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| 04/23/2010 5:49 PM |
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Agree with everyone above. One comment not made yet though. A GSP will EXPECT to sleep in the tent with you, not outside  They love, love, love their people.
Jean |
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"Our dogs are bred to be champion hunters who sleep on the bed"
www.desertrosekennel.com |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
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Posts:7843
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| 04/23/2010 6:11 PM |
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| Jean - I beg to differ, the GSP will in fact expect to sleep in the sleeping bag with you or at least on the top of your sleeping bag with you in it. LOL, yes they do love their people. |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
   
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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zodiakgsps
NW PA
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Posts:1059
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| 04/23/2010 6:27 PM |
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| Thats how I keep warm at night when I tent camp at a field event, several dogs sleep in the tent with me & usually 2 in the sleeping bag with me. |
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DesertRoseKennel
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Posts:1033
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| 04/24/2010 7:04 AM |
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Yup, I guess I wasn't very clear. Of course the GSP will be in the sleeping bag . They would be inside your skin with you if they could! |
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"Our dogs are bred to be champion hunters who sleep on the bed"
www.desertrosekennel.com |
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Marie
Wisconsin
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Posts:2721
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| 04/24/2010 1:40 PM |
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 Rocky and I agree with what others have posted about GSPs. Not outside the tent, but inside the tent. On the bed wrapped up with covers next to humans!!
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Marie and Rocky, a tall, high energy GSP
http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab18/Annette_Merryfield/100_0285.jpg?t=1287205231 |
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lfb
UK
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Posts:184
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| 04/24/2010 1:49 PM |
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| Having had a GSP wedged head first (and panicking) in a 'mummy style' sleeping bag (the sort that narrow towards the feet) - I can recommend keeping the zip open! His bottom end was sticking out thus making it impossible for me to reach the zip and we had to be rescued. |
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Marie
Wisconsin
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Posts:2721
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| 04/24/2010 1:53 PM |
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| PS: I just love the pics of those who have multiple GSPs piling on the couch using each other as pillows. That is a true display of the GSP Velcro part of their personality. |
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Marie and Rocky, a tall, high energy GSP
http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab18/Annette_Merryfield/100_0285.jpg?t=1287205231 |
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lcook
Posts:2
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| 04/25/2010 5:47 AM |
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Thank you everyone for your replies and pictures! After reading your comments and doing more research we have decided that a GSP is the dog for our family! We have just put a deposit down on a puppy. We can't wait to pick him up!
Thanks again.
- Leslie |
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Shelley
Bristol, UK
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Posts:704
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| 04/25/2010 5:52 AM |
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| Fantastic news!!! Where are you getting he/she from? How long do we have to wait for pics? x |
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flygirl
Muncy, PA
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Posts:409
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| 04/26/2010 5:36 AM |
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| Leslie, Congrats!!! Now we need pics! |
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Benelli
Abby
RIP Dutchess - 2000-2010
Cheyney the cat |
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boognish
Idaho
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Posts:105
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| 04/26/2010 2:22 PM |
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Guess I was too late to respond. Some things I've found out about my GSP since I got him (he's three now).
- He gets cold very easily, so he's definitely not as suited to winter activities like cross country skiing, or extended time in cold rivers as my other dogs have been.
- He never settles down. This breed is VERY active...almost spastic. I run him every night and take him biking with me, but he still never slows down at all and gets so excited when people try to pet him that it is pretty much impossible for anyone but me to actually pet him (he calms down with me for some reason).
- Although he has a good heart, he has started to become very aggressive towards other dogs and ripped up a labrador retreiver pretty good the other day. Definitely an Alpha type dog/breed. I feel like I'm going to have to do some extensive work with him now to make it safe to bring him around other dogs.
- Really good with my son and other little kids, although he is completely obsessed with retrieving things and has a tendency to annoy guests pretty quickly by constantly trying to drop slimy things in their laps.
I've owned many dogs over the years, and have never experienced a breed as "wound up" as GSP's are. I should have known I was in trouble when a co-worker said that his brother raises GSP's, and not to worry about their hyper-activity, because they calm down when they reach about 10 YEARS OLD!
I now see this breed as more of a specialty breed that is great for hunting, which I do, but for strictly a family dog, I'd recommend a mellower breed than this one. Get a Labrador Retriever or a Setter if you want a dog who loves to be outside and active, but still knows how to be calm when it is appropriate. |
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