Help With Breed Selection (formerly: Gsp Vs. English Pointer)

[Joel]

EDIT:

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Ok, so far I'm leaning towards a Pointer (English), but I would like to ask if anyone has any other suggestions on breeds. Originally this post only concerned GS and English Pointers, but with the suggestion from Snowysal to change the topic title to change the direction of the thread to include suggestions of other breeds, I've decided to do so. SO, if anyone has any suggestions, I'm all ears

P.S. The type of dog I'm after needs to meet these characteristics:

> Be able to keep up with Honey (Kelpie/Red Heeler/Unknown mix (theres a pic of her further down if you want to see))

> Needs to be able to be calm inside (even though Honey is as quick and energetic as any dog ive seen while shes playing outside, once shes inside its like shes eaten the biggest meal of her life and just wants to lie down)

> Needs to be social with people and other dogs

> Can't be too high maintenance in regards to grooming (that said, Honey never stops shedding - i sweep the floor almost every day and come up with a handful of fur. i dont know how she produces so much hair!).

Thats all I can think of at the moment, lol.

So, FIRE AWAY

ORIGINAL POST:

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My partner and I are looking into getting some company for our Red Heeler/Kelpie mix Honey so she's not alone while we're at work (and because we just love to have dogs around - they seem to make everything a little more enjoyable). So far we've been looking at getting a GSP, have spoken briefly with a breeder and have been doing some reading. We need an active dog to keep up with Honey (she's only 2) so the GSP fits the bill well. On the other hand, I've also read that GSPs can be a little reserved with other dogs and people (when we visit my family (who all have dogs) its not uncommon for there to be 6 or more dogs at someones house at one time AND i live across the road from a dog park), which may be a problem. Which brings me to my question...

Which, the German Shorthaired or English Pointer has a better temperament? Obviously a lot of this has to do with the environment that a dog lives and was brought up in, but generally speaking. Also, are there any other benefits of one over the other? Is one of them more energetic than the other (obviously we want something that can keep up with Honey's working dog energy, but dont want a dog thats going to be bouncing off the walls at night)? More willing to chill out inside on the couch (not that I let dogs on the couch, but figuratively speaking)? Better around other dogs? Health issues?

Lol, theres a lot of questions there. Any insight would be really great!

Oh, I might as well ask while I'm at it... does anyone have any recommendations for breeders (of both breeds)? We live in Adelaide, but my family is in Melbourne, so I dont mind traveling there (to be honest, I'd probably travel most places in the country for the right dog).

Edited August 5, 2010 by Joel

[Cosmolo]

From a training point of view, i love both breeds- i would think GSP's are a little easier to come by. One of my trainers has a GSP, so i can find out some good breeders through her if you like. I'm sure many DOLers will be able to recommend different breeders.

I find both breeds to be active, outgoing and friendly- i wouldn't call either of them reserved!! Both breeds fantastic to train, haven't met any of either breed with aggression issues but anxiety and excessive excitability are things to look out for with both in my experience.

[VJB]

I definitely wouldn't say a GSP is reserved. Love company from other dogs as well as humans..... the more the merrier. I agree with what Cosmolo said re excessive excitability.

[Joel]

Some breeder recommendations from one of your trainers would be great!

I have heard that both are lovely breeds (which is what drew me to them in the first place). I think reserved was the wrong word to use. I mean more... cautious of strange things. Bah, i don't know the right word for it. It'll come to me eventually (probably when I'm in bed trying to go to sleep).

[Nevafollo]

I've never owned a GSP, but the ones I have known have all been alot more energetic and over the top compared to english pointees. Given I dont have much experience with them I will just tell you my opinion on Pointers (of the english kind )

One of my pointers is only a baby so hard to say what sort of general character she will have but both my girls seem pretty similar temp wise (as they should be) . Both are goofy and LOOOVE other dogs and people. kite really LOVVVVES people especially people she deems hers!!! She is very affectionate and loves to give cuddles. I have never had a dog that was so good with other dogs, even the pugs have a tendancy to be abit rude towards other dogs. Kite is also a great bed dog Loves to sleep in the bed with me but is also just as happy to snuggle up in her crate! They have both been super easy to toilet train but their breeder starts them on toilet training early on so there was never really an issue.

Both mine can run around the yard for ages but once they come inside and settle they are very easy to have around the house (see pic below for proof that they are lounge lizards)

Honestly so far I cant fault the breed and reccommend them as much as possible! But still they arnt for everyone. If possible I would reccomend you meet some Pointers and some GSPs and compare them yourself.

Edited July 30, 2010 by sammy_ballerina

[Joel]

hehehe cool sammy, they sound wonderful! yeah i'd like to meet some (part of wanting some breeder recommendations is so I can meet up with them and hopefully check out their dogs and be around them for a while). The being able to settle down easilly is a really important thing in this house as Honey, when she is outside is super energetic (and never without a tennis ball in her mouth waiting for me to throw it for her) but SUPER relaxed inside. At the moment she is lying half on her bed, half off, asleep (and dreaming) in front of the heater.

Heres a pic of her

[FHRP]

I've also read that GSPs can be a little reserved with other dogs and people (when we visit my family (who all have dogs) its not uncommon for there to be 6 or more dogs at someones house at one time AND i live across the road from a dog park), which may be a problem.

Sorry, but I have to laugh! My 3 year old GSP is anything but reserved! It's certianly not a trait I'd associate with the breed. If anything they tend to be more over the top in regards to people and dogs, more so than the Pointer.

My experience comes from owning one GSP, knowing many others and having a more limited exposure to Pointers (although I have come into contact with them as pets, agility dogs, show dogs and field dogs) so keep that in mind GSPs seem to be more energetic, although a Pointer doing field work generally ranges further. GSPs are Utility Gundogs, whereas the Pointer is just that, a specialised Pointer. As GSPs are also required to retrieve for their original purpose, which takes more 'human' side control they are IMO 'easier' to train and are certainly more popular with obedience and agility trainers than Pointers, but both can do it!

Both are beautiful, active, friendly dogs. Might be time to meet some more of each breed and see what you think.

Edited July 30, 2010 by FHRP

[Joel]

hehehe yeah, im getting the feeling that it was probably the wrong way to say it I read it from the GSP 101 thread though (but I think that it ties in with anxiety, which (in my opinion) arises from poor leadership, training and socialization).

I would like to train whichever my partner and I choose to get to do field work (not because I'm a hunter, but I compare it to huskies with sledding - it gives them an activity that they're naturally good at and enjoy doing and is fun for everyone). I don't know how exactly I'd go about it, but I would like to incorporate Honey into it as well (not really fair if I leave her sitting on the sidelines). I think she has a terrible sense of smell though :\ (I play a search game with her where she has to find her toy that ive hidden (and it stinks, so she should be able to smell it a mile away) and unless she sees it, she never finds it. Shes had her head resting on it before and didn't realise until she pulled back and saw it). Maybe get the GSP/Pointer to find what they're looking for (ie, a bird) and then get Honey to retrieve it (although I wont be shooting anything, but I can throw a toy bird for her or something).

[aussielover]

I have personally not owned either breed but found through experience at work and at the dog park, that pointers are a bit less over the top in terms of energy and excitability than GSPs.

Having said that, a GSP is in my top 5 breeds that I would love to own

[Dogsfevr]

pointers more laid back easier to live with ,GSP more needy & can be very vocal & stress.

This has nothing to do with ownership either ,GSP are just simply either easy to live with or not.The exact same as Weis.

I have shown both breeds & boarded both breeds & the pointers just go with the flow,easy to please.the GSP are certainly easy to handle but harder to board.

I do believe whilst both breeds are very social they are also more people driven for company & love there owners attention.

Both breeds thrive at agility/obedience of which you can also involve your other dog.

Not every gundog breed is born to work.

[CareyJ]

Definately a GSP vote from me! But....don't you mean a german shorthaired "nutter"!!!

We are totally biased because we love our crazy monster who has been described by junior footballers as "on speed" (where do 12 year olds get this stuff from and how do they know what that means???). And She is anything but reserved, She loves people and other dogs.

She is super energetic but happily spends most the day sleeping - either inside, in her kennel or in a sunny spot.

And because everyone else is posting pictures -

Sorry....couldnt help myself but to get carried away!

Edited to add - she isnt too stressy but does get a bit vocal including whineing a bit but I wouldnt call her necessarily "needy". Although she is just a little spoilt

Edited July 30, 2010 by CareyJ

[Joel]

Both breeds thrive at agility/obedience of which you can also involve your other dog.

Not every gundog breed is born to work.

Hehehe, looking at Honey, i would say that not every 'working dog' is born to work either, lol. (as i wrote that, she gave out the biggest sigh ive heard, changed position and went back to sleep).

Its good to hear about the agility - I think its something that Honey would be great at too (actually, we've had a number of people ask us why we haven't trained her to do agility yet).

Wow Carey, she is beautiful. I laughed a little when I saw the second picture - thats one of Honey's favorite positions to fall asleep in! I dont understand how they find it comfortable, lol.

Edited July 30, 2010 by Joel

[Pepper and Jax]

I agree with the comments above about over-excitability in GSPs, but it's been manageable (if often embarrassing) in our girl Pepper, and there comes a point in the day when she becomes a total lounge lizard/ snugglebum.

Joel, feel free to come and join us in the GSP thread (in the breed sub-forums) and learn a little bit about some of our day to day experiences with our lovely nutters.

I'm sure you'd be welcome in the Pointer thread too

Edit: I decided Pepper's excitement is more than occasionally embarrassing in public!

Edited July 30, 2010 by Pepper and Jax

[raineth]

I have a narrow experience with both these breeds.

I have met one GSP in my time, but he was a foster so I got to know him well

An aquaintence of mine has an English Pointer and We see each other on walks and introduce the dogs etc.

BUt from that I would say

the GSP is a lot more excitable! Definitely not reserved! He was always everyone's friend.

He was extremely mischievous!

The English pointer seemed much more laid back, less energetic. And a bit more reserved. He's a very smoochy dog with his family and easier to manage, than our GSP.

They are both lovely dogs

[poodlemum]

As the former owner of a GSP, I can definately recommend. "Wings", my beautiful solid liver GSP, was wonderful dog - loving, good-natured, full of fun and got on well with most other dogs. He was honorary "Uncle" to many Poodle puppies and I still chrish the mental picture of him lying down with puppies pulling his ears, biting his tail and him growling, but the tail wagging!

Wings being "King of the park" at Victoria Gardens, Prahran

[Kavik]

I have definitely seen more GSPs at agility than Pointers

They are lovely dogs!

[Guest belgian.blue]

I'm a English Pointer owner, so far owned three and I'm addicted.

Pretty much what everyone else has said .. the English are cool, calm and collected and from the GSP's I've met [never owned one] they are more aloof and outgoing.

Badger is only 5 months old but I have a fair jist of his character .. he loves to sleep and lounge around He will run around for short crazy bursts but is very happy to lay on his bad all day long, as long as his master is there.

Don't think a GSP would lay around all day long?

[Ashanali]

Pointer.

They are the 'undiscovered' breed. Great dogs, laid back, big smoochers and happy to go with the flow. People see less of them at agility because quite simply, there are a lot less of them out there (due to the fact that few people know what they are).

Pointer all the way! (not that I'm biased or anything).

Visit my blog and you'll see lots of photos and video http://breilla.wordpress.com/

[Monah]

Lovely Ashanali!!!

Just have to say, the other great undiscovered breed is the Italian Spinone

[shapeshifter]

GSPs are definitely not reserved, well the ones I know anyway, of the 3 I know they all live together, they are all definitely different and the younger female shows some timidity (is that a word) but even she loves playing with other dogs and people.

Interestingly, I take my TT over to run around with them, I won't say play as my TT doesn't play LOL, and they all love seeing her but they are careful not to be over the top with her and take care around her, I've been told that the older female is like that with children, she will actually get down to their level so they can pat her.