Hi, I just signed up for this forum while doing research on shorthairs.

I grew up with a Lewellyn Setter and she lived to 13 years until a horrible spinal disease completely crippled her and she had to be put down as she was suffering to much. She was a great hunting dog and companion.

We decided that our next hunting dog will be a male German Shorthair Pointer and we want him around the next couple of weeks. We looked through breeder websites & online ads and have found a couple available litters. We like this guy
www.puppyfind.com/view_listing/

and we also found some show dog breeders who charge $1200 for a solid liver male, last one in the litter
imageshack.us/photo/my-images/696/img2231th.jpg/

I need some help deciding wich one to pick. We want a dog that hunts with good lineage, and aren't really looking for any show-dog but this guy (second pic) looks great and we might be willing to pay the $1200.

What did everyone here pay for their shorthair? is $550 (first picture) too cheap or is it a great deal. Which male would you recommend out of the two options.
I have the pedigree's and extensive information if anyone needs to see.

Thanks.

demetre there are LOTS of good breeders in and around Toronto. I would be happy to PM you some names or take a look at the GSP Club of Canada Web site.

http://gspcanada.com/

Yeah we checked out that website. I looked at the Breeder's List for Ontario and we called them all up. Most of the listed breeders are not planning litters until December, and a lot of them are sold out, etc.

I searched extensively and these are the only two we narrowed down to, that we can get now.

The price range you have been given sounds fine (although $550 does sound a bit low). What I would want to know is: health clearances, hunting history (of the parents) and how often they are hunted, what kind of exposure have the pups had to birds, what kind of contract does the breeder have you sign.

If you are comfortable with the answers to all those questions then, and only then, would I go to meet the puppies. If not, choose a breeder and wait until they have a litter available.

That's just my two cents. Good luck with whatever decision you make.

 Yes, I agree with Texas Belle.   Check around.  I too paid 800.00 for Kaido.  Maybrie was free due to a previous injury she had sustained.    My breeder will also repurchase dogs that are not great fits for the would-be owners, and she told me most reputable breeders will do this.   She has had to buy back from people who are not as active as they thought they were.....even though she lets people know they HAVE to RUN and are VERY active dogs.   She sort of interviewed us extensively in a round about way!    We got Maybrie first, and upon seeing our lifestyle...although a bit more spoiling than most breeder/hunters/trainers are accustomed to.....she tries to give me just about every GSP she rescues!   I want to take them all!    When I have GSP withdrawal and can't get enough, I just go to her place!    My two were bred, not rescued, but we got them at separate times, and as older pups...5 and 7 months.   All I can say is, ask questions, go back several times, re-ask questions to make sure the answers are consistent, etc.  Good luck!  Enjoy your new GSP!   Just know they are all different, just like people. My two came from the same litter, and other than the cuddle factor, could not be more different than each other!  One is male, one is female, and both have their pros and cons. 

I got a GSP puppy from Muddy Creek Kennel In Missouri, best dog I ever owned , they breed hunting GSP's that are high energy so you need to keep them busy but really really smart and fun dogs , I would check them out , good luck