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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:6748
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| 08/18/2010 9:27 AM |
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I am in the process of finding good homes for my litter and have been screening puppy buyers. Some of mine are going to show, hunting, obedience, agility homes, but some are going to what I call companion homes. Some of my companion puppy buyers are also hunters which is great, but some have active lifesytles and the GSP as a versatile dog fits that lifestyle. In my opinion the most important thing I look for is whether or not that puppy will be a member of the family and equally important will they get the exercise they need. I do not worry if the exercise is achieved by letting the pup chase a frisbee (which GSPs absolutely love), or maybe they are playing flyball (another sport GSPs love), or they are biking, hiking, running or mushing, etc. As long as the dog is loved and will be active that IMHO is a good home. Don't get me wrong, I love seeing shorthairs used for what they were bred to do, but I also know that shorthairs are just as happy as long as they have the love of their family and an active lifestyle. If my breeder (who is also now a good friend) had had a rule about selling shorthairs to hunting only families I would never have gotten Halo, because at the time I did not play the hunting game. I was an avid hiker and loved the obedience ring. It was my shorthairs that led be into the conformation and hunting games as other things to do with my dogs. So, again IMHO I think it is important to find the right homes for the puppies, but I will not rule out someone just because they don't hunt. Who knows that person through my encouragement or others who have shorthairs may just become a hunter in the very near future.
The only thing I really want for my puppies is the best and most loving home I can find for each of them. |
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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:3916
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| 08/18/2010 9:47 AM |
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Not every home can be a hunting home - this is understandable.
What is important,to me, is that each breeding produced should be to produce hunting dogs that are conformationally and tempermently sound and healthy.
This, IMHO, is how a this breed will be bred to better the breed.
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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trueblushorthairs
MH
Posts:129
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| 08/18/2010 10:40 AM |
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| Don't get me wrong, I will only sell to hunters. But, if one will commit to keeping them properly exercised and considers the dog a part of the family, I think it's great for other breeders to sell to active non-hunting homes. However, where my dogs like to ride in the front seat of the truck, like to retrieve dummies from the lake, lie on the couch or chair, they go nuts, whine, circle, the minute I hook the horse trailer up or they even just see the shotgun case. Their specific excitement lets me know where their focus lies. |
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therozypozy
MH
Posts:333
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| 08/18/2010 11:04 AM |
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| While I can understand some breeders only selling to those who hunt, I am certainly glad there are those that will sell to others (thanks Beverly Quarles & Julie Lahr!). I do not hunt, but my Maple can do a spin in excitement in mid air and land the same direction she started the spin the minute I either grab my obedience bag, my bag for agility or if I put on my running shoes to head to the lakefront so that she can either point and chase the squirrels or do some retrieving from the lake. So they are very versatile dogs, no doubt they just need a job. And even though I don't hunt, Maple did get her NRD title . . . so I certainly appreciate their hunting capabilities using their nose because there is no way she could see that quail in the water (the water was the same color as the bird) so I know she could see where the bird dropped to start her retrieve, but used her nose to actually swim straight for it. |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:6748
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trueblushorthairs
MH
Posts:129
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| 08/18/2010 12:50 PM |
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| Actually I think the common denominator is the fun and exercise plus the people aspect. It is purely personal for me that buyers have to hunt. But, few dogs do spins to get the fun and enjoyment of doing nothing but lying around, you know. |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:6748
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| 08/18/2010 8:55 PM |
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| Trueblue - Agree completely. Mine are ok being couch potatoes once in a while, but would not be happy if we didn't stay busy. |
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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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