Canuck
Vancouver, BC
Posts:19
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| 03/09/2010 3:36 PM |
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Just looking for some opinions and peoples experiences.
DO you think a GSP pup that does not come from strong hunting lines be able to point and retrieve if introduced to it from 6-8 weeks of age? How much does a puppies breeding play into it if a new pup is introduced to birds, guns and field and water retrieving from as young an age as possible.
Thanks. |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:7839
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| 03/09/2010 3:57 PM |
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| I think there is some of both, but if the instinct is in the lines at all, you will be able to get it to show with an introduction to birds. The degree of intensity and hunting style/ability may not be as strong, but most of the time the instinct is there. To qualify this, I would not go to a non-hunting line for a pup if I wanted to compete with the dog in hunting venues or wanted a serious hunting dog. It will depend on your expectations of what you want the dog to do as well as to whether you will be satisfied with the dog too. |
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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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Canuck
Vancouver, BC
Posts:19
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| 03/09/2010 4:11 PM |
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To be a bit more clear....... I am talking about GSP's and whether or not they come from a breeder who breeds there dog to be a hunting companion and would be able to test with training..... Compared to a GSP that comes from a regular breeder who doesnt focus on hunting abilities but you would like a pup that you can train from a pup to hunt and retrieve water fowl and Upland.... as well as blood track.
My main motivation to this question is to see if it would be possible to do this without looking to deep into breed standards. |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:7839
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| 03/09/2010 8:18 PM |
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| Again I would say it depends. There are allot of dogs that come from breeders that do not focus on hunting in their breeding program, but have dogs that are absolutely capable of hunting and being trained from a pup to hunt. There are also dogs out there that just don't hunt. You are more likely (and this is just playing the odds and genetics) to get a dog that just won't hunt from lines that are not bred where hunting is main ingredient. Of course, there are no absolutes in breeding. Your best bet is to look at the pedigree, talk to the breeder and do research to find how other offspring from the sire and dame have done with regard to hunting. |
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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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pixie bee
MH
Posts:4449
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| 03/10/2010 5:08 AM |
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My take on this is that it is best to buy from parents and grandparents that do what you want to do with your dog,buy the best genetics you can afford and hope you lucked out. There is no 'yes' 'no' answer to your question and there are no guarentees. I have said before that it is difficult to find a GSP that will not find a bird, point and locate a downed bird that was marked. If this is the minimum requirement for a hunter and dog then the rescue is a good place to begin a search,if the hunter is more demanding of quality of nose,temperment,innate ability,cooperation,trainability,drive and desire and blood tracking it is best to look at genetics.Blood tracking requires a sensitive nose, focus and cooperation.
Locating shot deer is not the same as doing a track. I can't say which is more dfficult
it depends on the dog but it has been my experience that poorly shot deer are difficult and require a good dog.
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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bravepoint
North Gower, ON Canada
MH
Posts:894
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| 03/10/2010 5:10 AM |
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I agree with TB. It totally depends on the lines and the dogs. I don't hunt but do field work with my dogs and they are birdy as all get out. When I'm breeding, I make sure to pick a male for my girls that is hunted. Of course, I look for many other things in a prospective stud dog as well. I don't market my dogs as being hunted but have sold puppies in the past to hunting homes. These dogs have gone on to be great hunting companions to their owners. I'm not a show breeder either but have dogs that perform in many venues.
I expose my puppies to birds from 6 weeks, water depending on the time of year but not gun fire. They are rasied in my dining room so hear lots of noise from our busy household. The majority of them point the birds even at that young age. We try to introduce retrieving as well by shaping a retrieve of a teeny tennis ball. |
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Gail, Moka, Avery, Terra & Rayne
Bravepoint GSPs
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Canuck
Vancouver, BC
Posts:19
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| 03/10/2010 3:21 PM |
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Thanks for the input... So then another question, if hunting, retrieving, water work and all round good family companion is what I am looking for where should I get a pup from? I would like a GSP or DK for this spring/early summer.
Thanks |
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bravepoint
North Gower, ON Canada
MH
Posts:894
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| 03/10/2010 3:31 PM |
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I see your a fellow Canadian so you could try checking out some breeders that are also members of the GSP Club of Canada, http://www.gspcanada.com/breedinfo.htm
I'd love to help out but my next litter won't be til 2011.
There is a breeder of DKs in WA that a friend of mine with DKs has told me about. They areare Hege Haus lines, lots of KS dogs. My friend's male is breeding a female from Iowa this week if you want, I can get info for that litter.
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Gail, Moka, Avery, Terra & Rayne
Bravepoint GSPs
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Canuck
Vancouver, BC
Posts:19
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| 03/10/2010 5:33 PM |
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Posted By bravepoint on 03/10/2010 3:31 PM
I see your a fellow Canadian so you could try checking out some breeders that are also members of the GSP Club of Canada, http://www.gspcanada.com/breedinfo.htm
I'd love to help out but my next litter won't be til 2011.
There is a breeder of DKs in WA that a friend of mine with DKs has told me about. They areare Hege Haus lines, lots of KS dogs. My friend's male is breeding a female from Iowa this week if you want, I can get info for that litter.
Hi,
Thanks for the helpful info. Any info on upcoming litters would be fantastic. I appreciate any help you can offer. Picking the right pup from the right breeder is very important we sure would like the best quality pup we can find.
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Rugergundog
Saginaw Michigan USA
MH
Posts:395
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| 04/01/2010 10:25 AM |
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Maybe this is a bit off topic but i will share.
My GSP comes from a line that does not have strong hunt test in his pedigree for the past 5 generations; mostly all show. I bought him to hunt and hunt test and he is ending up to be a great prospect, quick learner and has lots and lots of natural ability.
Despite me being confident of him i do not plan to breed as I feel i would be setting up the puppies. They would be harder to send off on time to good homes even if i breed with a stacked dam. Not as many people are willing to take a gamble as I did. |
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Saginaw Michigan
Brittany- Ruger
GSP- Kilian |
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