Oh oh oh oh pick me, pick me, pick me!
German shorthaired pointer.... Love.
I've only owned Fred of course, but part of owning him was being enveloped into the GSP world and being auntie to about a million other GSPs by proxy. So I've come to known lots, and speak to lots of owners and my latest venture has been to organise a GSP meet up for the Facebook group I am part of, which is at the end of the month! Can't wait.
GSPs should be good with other dogs, kids and people. This is part of the expectation, and if the dog isn't, it isn't a desired quality. They are family dogs, and love their people. A lot. They can suffer with separation anxiety because they love their people that much. I've met a few grumbly GSPs at the shows though, who have snarked at other dogs, but this is frowned on. Fred generally likes other dogs, he's never been in a fight other than one time a springer attacked him (he didn't fight back poor baby) but has grumbled at other young intact males. I am chalking this down to hormones and dealing, I don't expect it to be an ongoing thing. Generally speaking though, dog and people friendly.
Fred can be wary of strangers, but once introduced they're generally game for being sniffed, loved and befriended in a very physical way. They are very boisterous and clumsy and play with their feet, so really have to be watched around small kids. They will hurt them with love lol. Fred is great with kids he's met, just a bit of a lump. I imagine being raised with children they would be even better and more cautious.
Dock dogs and agility, well ideal! They're never going to be a border collie, but god they can be fast, and they literally have springs for legs. Fred starts agility in October, and his bro has already started and is top of the class. They're not the same to train as a herder, they're not quick like that. But they do love to please, they love making you happy, but are ever so slightly pig headed and stubborn about it... Lol. Ok a lot. They need to enjoy it. If they aren't enjoying it, or find it boring you will know. And they like rewards
but they're bright and do well. They can be independent as they were bred to cover huge areas of ground, so you've always got to err on the side of caution! Theyre not typical agility dogs, so I suppose it depends what you want to get out of it. If you want an agility dog, I suppose a collie type will likely out compete a gsp... But they will do well and will love it.
Errr downsizing.... Fred is on the very top end of the standard, like very very top, so he's a large gsp. Not over size, but large. He was 32kg last weigh day, a while ago. That's 70lb. You shouldn't get larger, you can get considerably smaller and bitches are smaller and lighter still. So you would be downsizing. They are solid dogs though, they shouldn't be too fine boned and snipey. They're muscular and fit and solid. You need to look at the lines for an idea of size and it can vary a lot.
Off lead walking will be as reliable as the energy you put in to train recall! They do roam far off the lead. I do still have to lead Fred up at times, if I think there's a hazard near by, or if there's other dogs. He's not 100% reliable. But he is off lead a lot and is improving all the time. Remember he had 3 months off all walking. He loves hunting for bunnies and squirrels, which is fine by me, but I do worry he'd bolt so I keep him on lead near any roads etc etc. He generally behaves if other dogs are in the distance, but we are still learning. They are SLOW to mature, so he's still VERY puppy like at 14 months nearly. He has much better recall that his brother, I don't know why, if its down to training. I've hammered recall into him hard as I also take them off lead. I'd say compared to average joe blogs dogs his recall is GOOD. He comes if he's not too distracted. But he LOVES to smell and run
we also have an emergency recall whistle which we are still charging, but he comes to that too. I think they make fabulous walking companions, and will adapt to you with training. Remember they are gundogs so should take instruction.
He's totally reliable at home, he doesn't bolt or run away. Our home isn't 100% secure and he'd never disappear. But we don't live in a suburb type area, it's a rural village, so not tons of people or dogs or neighbourhood stuff. Again, I think this is all to do with training and the individual dog. I hear about LOTS who are escape artists and I think this is probably more normal....
What else? They're very very very comical. They're gymnasts. They can squeeze into the weirdest shapes, sleep in the strangest positions. They really do have springs for legs, they are pretty much ALL legs. And feet. And they like to paw.
They can be vocal. I wouldn't say they're barky dogs, but all the ones I've met like to growl and roo when they play or are excited. Fred will alert bark, but often he's driven by bodhi to bark. But when he wants to play he is VERY vocal!!! I'd say he's quiet for the most part in between.
They're not dogs for everyone. They are stubborn, they are energetic, they will drive you mad, but they are ADDICTIVE. Most people I know don't stop at one GSP. Seriously. They wriggle into your heart. They're unbelievably loving dogs. They are workers, and lovers
they bond hard with you. And they are slow to mature, so it grows over time.
They like to dig. They're not dogs for those with manicured lawns
they like to dig and they are mischief makers. Fred often steals items and wanders off with them. Shoes, blankets, socks. They can be destructive, but again, training, exercise, stimulation etc.
Fred is fine in his crate, but it has been gone a while now, we have no issues leaving him unattended.
They're just amazing dogs. Characterful dogs. GORGEOUS dogs. Fun, active, comical, serious when they want to be (not really found out when yet lol), loving. Will make you laugh every day at something. Can't stay mad at them. But they do need a serious owner who will put time into training, a little bit every day, good sense of humour, patience, don't mind being jumped on and being physical with a dog. They can be sensitive so positive training works well
but they are numbskulls so you have to be clever. I don't think they suit weak personalities at all, the dogs I've seen with feeble owners are usually very very naughty and out of control. That's when they get a bad rep.
Generally healthy breed, can be prone to hips, eyes, heart so checks are a bare minimum. Can develop lumps and bumps in old age, can develop cancer etc. but generally longer lived larger dog.
Can you tell I'm smitten?????
Eta, longest reply I've written EVER!!!!!
Also, off switch is good, but you know when he's wired because he gets right up in your face and DEMANDS you play and give attention. He can stay in all day, but expect him to be demanding the next day. You'll get toys shoved at you, your feet chewed etc etc, its not high strung energy, as mentioned!