Here is a little history for you GSP breeders. This is Poge my husband's first GSP he adopted from a WI GSP breeder in 1976  Poge was AKC registered and had champian parents in both field and show linking 4 generations.. Puppy GSP price. $50 Poge was an awesome hunting dog and retrieving geese at 7 months old. Look how much GSP puppy prices have inflated from 1976!!!!!

To me it all depends on who's making that judgement about that 'great' non-titled dog.

If it's just your regular joe who's shot maybe 3 birds over the dog and plays with it at the park, I'm skeptical.

If it's someone like our breeder who used to be a field trial judge, or a pro guide, or a guy who's trained a number of MH or whatever and has also seen a lot of dogs work.... then we're onto something. If the dog has done a few field trials and placed well that's more evidence (even if the letters aren't attained). If non-owner experienced people comment favorably about the dog, that's also some indication of quality.

Bottom line: prove your claim. You may love your dog, but it should take much more than that to warrent breeding it.

For myself, I'd never undertake breeding a litter without 100% green lights from brutally honest mentors that had themselves produced really outstanding dogs. There are great breeders out there that have learned a lot the hard way and it would seem wise to consult with them before putting pups on the ground.

That's why I ask you all so many questions. My male(hunter) is a great hunting dog. I hunted over him countless times the last 2 years(he is now 3) he retrieves to my hand, in water or out. He will go anywhere to find the bird. I knew he had a good lineage but it was the natural ability that I was so impressed with. Aside from obedience training I honestly didn't have to do a whole lot to get him into hunting. He was gun shy as a pup but I cured him of that by making it a game with a dummy launcher.

Mocha and Belle came from a good friend of mine, he ownes a pheasant farm(quail, and chukars too) and the sign for me was when all the pups were attacking my son on the ground. The one female with markings was no where to be found. We looked and found her locked up on point at the pheasant pen. I took that as a good sign. Belle came from the same place. I figured the first one was so good I would take another. Belle was taken back to him as the owner was not taking care of her. My friend called me and I went to see her and guess what. With all her skin and bones she was locked on point at the chukar pen.

Natural ability in these dogs is wild(any of them) I am learning and I greatly appreciate ALL the posts. I take them with a grain of salt. I know there are lots of you out there with TONS more knowledge than me.

The new pup I am getting has great lines(atleast I think so). He only guarantees the no hip problems for like 30 months. He assured me that he has never had a problem. If I had known a little more then I might have looked for a different breeder. I do think that this will be an awesome hunting dog. I am still trying to figure out why there is a difference between show and field lines? Hunter is exactly like his sire and grand sire etc.. Not having the wider chest. Mocha has a huge wide chest as her German import sire. (Hege-haus)

I am trying to track the sire back down to possibly cross with Belle. (After the testing)! I am trying to figure out why there seems to be two sides of the standard. Field against Show. I just love the breed regardless of what. I will not be into the showing them but will try to get into some field trials. I know that mine are great hunters and I know that 7 of the 10 pups are hunted. No one has done any trials with them. But I guess that is fine for me. Again, I totally respect ALL opinions and help.

Bill

Thanks Trey. Mocha is on perfectpedigrees.com  Her's is #958 & Hunter is #959. I will have to check on the trials with Shawn. I do know he uses them on guided hunts and things like that. I am planning on going to get my pup either march or early april from him.