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

[Joel]

hehehe, thanks guys for all the suggestions

umm, I don't mind brushing my dogs, but i dont want to be in a situation where if I dont do it for a fornight they look like a hobo. I dont quite know what blowing a coat means (I thought it meant most of the undercoat coming out in one go (in a week or so)). If that was the case and after that there was hardly anything, that would be fine. If on the other hand there was that, AND more, then its a bit too much of a pain for me. The main reason that I consider the need to not need too much grooming is because I plan on moving back to melbourne eventually, which will mean that they will spend a lot of time in a muddy old dam. Having a big white fluffy dog thats covered in muddy water every week is not a real good combo (especially since I've read that dogs shouldn't be washed that often and can develop skin issues(?)).

As far as a smooth collie goes, im not real big on how they look (sorry all the collie owners!)

I'll look into the Finnish Lapphund, but they LOOK like a high maintenance breed. That said, I know nothing about them, so I'll do some reading

I also looked into a Blue Merle Border Collie as an option (far out do they look nice), but I think that they just might not be chilled out enough when they're not doing something <--- Can anyone who's got one confirm or deny?

THE HUNT CONTINUES!!!

*Puts on racing commentator voice*

THEY"RE OUT OF THE BOX, its the English Pointer and its cousin the German Shorthaired neck and neck! They come into the corner with the Pointer on the inside, a nose in front, the Finnish Lapphund and the little Whippet closing in on the GSP. Don't rule out number 3 yet folks, the fabulous Blue Merle Border Collie is not letting them out of their sights and, as we've seen before, can have plenty of run in the last legs of the race. HOLD ON TO YOUR SEATS FOLKS, THE ATMOSPHERE HERE IS ELECTRIC.

Stay tuned.

[Joel]

Oh, I forgot to add, I really like whippets, but I prefer dogs that are a little... meatier Actually, I like dogs to be really muscly and heavy (a breed that comes into mind is the American Bulldog *drool*) but I don't think they would really suit our situation with honey at the moment. She plays with my aunts Rotties, and they just can't handle it, poor things. They try, but she just runs rings around them. Before we got Honey I was looking into American Bulldogs, but I didn't know how to find a reputable breeder then (and they weren't very common at all), and now theres no point Oh well, next time maybe. For now, the race continues.

P.S. I wonder whether if I had never mentioned Pointers or GSPs whether people would have recommended them. I assume so, but would it have been as many I wonder?? *ponders*

Edited August 4, 2010 by Joel

[poodlefan]

*Puts on racing commentator voice*

THEY"RE OUT OF THE BOX, its the English Pointer and its cousin the German Shorthaired neck and neck! They come into the corner with the Pointer on the inside, a nose in front, the Finnish Lapphund and the little Whippet closing in on the GSP. Don't rule out number 3 yet folks, the fabulous Blue Merle Border Collie is not letting them out of their sights and, as we've seen before, can have plenty of run in the last legs of the race. HOLD ON TO YOUR SEATS FOLKS, THE ATMOSPHERE HERE IS ELECTRIC.

Stay tuned.

*in racing comentator voice*

But WAIT, what's the blur coming hard and fast up on the outside.. it's streaking past the other dogs like they're standing still!!! Is it a bird, is it a plane? No, its a WHIPPET..!!

He's caught the GSP now

And now he's got the rabbit!

Edited August 4, 2010 by poodlefan

[poodlefan]

If you like "meaty" dogs Joel (you poor deluded thing ) How about a male Staffordshire Bull Terrier??

[fiveplusone]

Seriously Joel......how can you go past

this?

[Joel]

*in racing comentator voice*

But WAIT, what's the blur coming hard and fast up on the outside.. it's streaking past the other dogs like they're standing still!!! Is it a bird, is it a plane? No, its a WHIPPET..!!

He's caught the GSP now

And now he's got the rabbit!

;)

AAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA This made me smile and laugh a lot! How tough are whippets? Can they stand a bit of rough n tumble (afterall, they'll be around Honey, 2 of the biggest Rotties the world has ever seen (and I mean it - ill have to post a picture of them for everyone to see) and a greyhound on (hopefully) a pretty regular basis. Also, are they like greyhounds in that they have short bursts of energy and then are lazy bums? (hehe). Those pictures are so great!

Seriously Joel......how can you go past

this?

Awww. Hugo was really great, lol, but *whispers* I think he's a bit of an exception when it comes to energy. He was pretty energetic while we were there, but even so, less than what I expected a GSP to be (and less than what Ive read about on here). And then when you said he just went inside and flopped down to sleep (lol), I think thats not the most common behavior He's still one of the nicest looking GSPs Ive ever seen (including the 1000s of pics ive looked at on the net). When he fills out a bit, he'll look amazing.

Edited August 5, 2010 by Joel

[lappiemum]

hehehe, thanks guys for all the suggestions

umm, I don't mind brushing my dogs, but i dont want to be in a situation where if I dont do it for a fornight they look like a hobo. I dont quite know what blowing a coat means (I thought it meant most of the undercoat coming out in one go (in a week or so)). If that was the case and after that there was hardly anything, that would be fine. If on the other hand there was that, AND more, then its a bit too much of a pain for me. The main reason that I consider the need to not need too much grooming is because I plan on moving back to melbourne eventually, which will mean that they will spend a lot of time in a muddy old dam. Having a big white fluffy dog thats covered in muddy water every week is not a real good combo (especially since I've read that dogs shouldn't be washed that often and can develop skin issues(?)).

As far as a smooth collie goes, im not real big on how they look (sorry all the collie owners!) ;)

I'll look into the Finnish Lapphund, but they LOOK like a high maintenance breed. That said, I know nothing about them, so I'll do some reading

I also looked into a Blue Merle Border Collie as an option (far out do they look nice), but I think that they just might not be chilled out enough when they're not doing something <--- Can anyone who's got one confirm or deny?

THE HUNT CONTINUES!!!

*Puts on racing commentator voice*

THEY"RE OUT OF THE BOX, its the English Pointer and its cousin the German Shorthaired neck and neck! They come into the corner with the Pointer on the inside, a nose in front, the Finnish Lapphund and the little Whippet closing in on the GSP. Don't rule out number 3 yet folks, the fabulous Blue Merle Border Collie is not letting them out of their sights and, as we've seen before, can have plenty of run in the last legs of the race. HOLD ON TO YOUR SEATS FOLKS, THE ATMOSPHERE HERE IS ELECTRIC.

Stay tuned.

LOL They may look impressive coat wise, but Lappies are NOT high maintenance. They were bred as working and herding dogs - there is no time for grooming when out herding reindeer in the north of Finland!

[fiveplusone]

"Awww. Hugo was really great, lol, but *whispers* I think he's a bit of an exception when it comes to energy. He was pretty energetic while we were there, but even so, less than what I expected a GSP to be (and less than what Ive read about on here). And then when you said he just went inside and flopped down to sleep (lol), I think thats not the most common behavior He's still one of the nicest looking GSPs Ive ever seen (including the 1000s of pics ive looked at on the net). When he fills out a bit, he'll look amazing. "

....well today he is being a right pain in the $@^#! He is currently trying to make a 4x2 biscuit play with him ;) and not very succesfully I might add so he's becoming a bit agitated! After yesterday's mud episode (see pics in GSP forum) he is confined to inside or the side area (which has no lawn or mud) for toilet breaks, so he is a bit hyped up, even after his morning walk. Secretly I think he's wanting to get out in the mud but I have too much work to do right night for the clean up that would entail (unless I leave him out for a significant period of time........and he is Hugo after all so would be a big sook and want to come in once he is cold and wet )

ETA.....he is now currently under my desk trying to bite and chew my feet and slippers! Ouch!

Edited August 5, 2010 by fiveplusone

[SparkyTansy]

Poodlefan - how can you say "bugger the gundogs"?!! Your username suggests otherwise!!

[poodlefan]

Joel:

AAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA This made me smile and laugh a lot! How tough are whippets? Can they stand a bit of rough n tumble (afterall, they'll be around Honey, 2 of the biggest Rotties the world has ever seen (and I mean it - ill have to post a picture of them for everyone to see) and a greyhound on (hopefully) a pretty regular basis. Also, are they like greyhounds in that they have short bursts of energy and then are lazy bums? (hehe). Those pictures are so great!

When you're bred to run at 50mph through uneven fields after hares, you're a lot tougher than you look. Temperament varies but Howie is very outgoing, loves playing with FHRPs gundogs (that's her GSP with the bunny) but I'd have to say would rather chase than engage in full body contact play with larger dogs. He does have a Cocker Spaniel pal he spends hours wrestling with and he enjoys the "bitey face" game with his Russian Supermodel (Borzoi) girlfriends.

Yep, Whippets tend to have two speeds.. flat out and comatose. Howie loves a good long walk every day and a few zoomies a week. Would a Whippet be a good match for a Kelpie? I think so. One would knock up faster but they recover pretty quickly. Howie plays "peek a boo" with my friend's Kelpie in the forest most mornings. He crashes through the trees, pops up and barks. The kelpie comes in to ambush (herding style) and Howie madly blats around in circles to pop up again a bit further down.

Go to a good breeder with outgoing dogs, socialise the pants off a pup and I think you'd have a good match. I'd go for a male - a bit more robust IMO. If you like muscle on a dog, you'll have a lot of fun conditioning a Whippet with roadwork. IMO they really do need to sleep inside though.. minimal body fat is not a recipe for hard beds or insulation against extremes of weather.

ST:

Poodlefan - how can you say "bugger the gundogs"?!! Your username suggests otherwise!!

Ah yes, the little gundogs that should be in Group 3 but arent'. I loves most Gundogs. ;) But if I wanted a dog for a smaller yard and that wasn't too high in energy, they would not be my first choice. I hope my friends continue to own gundogs but strongly suspect I will never have one myself.

Edited August 5, 2010 by poodlefan

[Joel]

"....well today he is being a right pain in the $@^#! He is currently trying to make a 4x2 biscuit play with him confused.gif and not very succesfully I might add so he's becoming a bit agitated! laugh.gif After yesterday's mud episode (see pics in GSP forum) he is confined to inside or the side area (which has no lawn or mud) for toilet breaks, so he is a bit hyped up, even after his morning walk. Secretly I think he's wanting to get out in the mud but I have too much work to do right night for the clean up that would entail (unless I leave him out for a significant period of time........and he is Hugo after all so would be a big sook and want to come in once he is cold and wet icon_smile_mad.gif ) "

Lol, I can imagine him trying to play with a biscuit. ahahaha. Should get him a kong and put some meat and peanut butter in there - keep him busy for hours! Of course he wants to get out in the mud, lol. What he REALLY wants is to get out in the mud with his biscuit toy, ahaha. Can you imagine? hehehe.

They may look impressive coat wise, but Lappies are NOT high maintenance. They were bred as working and herding dogs - there is no time for grooming when out herding reindeer in the north of Finland!

Hmm.... Well, you've certainly planted a seed of thought. And they're fine in the heat? Adelaide gets pretty damn hot, and theres a good chance that they wont be inside an airconditioned room when we're at work (im not working at the moment, but obviously that can't last forever). I mean, they'll have shade (we have a huge carport behind the gate) and a kennel, and probably some huge iceblocks with treats in em, but with all that fur... they dont overheat? I know that the double coat is said to insulate from both extremes, but my brain cant get around it. It'd be like wearing a woolen jacket when its 35º.

When you're bred to run at 50mph through uneven fields after hares, you're a lot tougher than you look. Temperament varies but Howie is very outgoing, loves playing with FHRPs gundogs (that's her GSP with the bunny) but I'd have to say would rather chase than engage in full body contact play with larger dogs. He does have a Cocker Spaniel pal he spends hours wrestling with and he enjoys the "bitey face" game with his Russian Supermodel (Borzoi) girlfriends.

Yep, Whippets tend to have two speeds.. flat out and comatose. Howie loves a good long walk every day and a few zoomies a week. Would a Whippet be a good match for a Kelpie? I think so. One would knock up faster but they recover pretty quickly. Howie plays "peek a boo" with my friend's Kelpie in the forest most mornings. He crashes through the trees, pops up and barks. The kelpie comes in to ambush (herding style) and Howie madly blats around in circles to pop up again a bit further down.

Go to a good breeder with outgoing dogs, socialise the pants off a pup and I think you'd have a good match. I'd go for a male - a bit more robust IMO. If you like muscle on a dog, you'll have a lot of fun conditioning a Whippet with roadwork.

Hmm.... Another seed of thought. The peek a boo game made me laugh, lol. I can just imagine it. Honey bounding through the forest (sometimes i think that she thinks shes a deer the way she runs through the grass) after a whippet whos too clever for her, lol.

Hmmm...

*Commentator voice*

As they round the corner, its still the Pointer and the GSP, a nose apart, but the Whippet on the outside is coming up quick with the Lapphund snapping at the tail. The Border Collie is still there with them, but the Bulldogs have dropped back and look as though they just cant keep up. ITS CLOSE BETWEEN THE TOP FOUR FOLKS, ITS INTENSE, ITS RIVETIIIIIIIIIIIINNG. NOBODY'S IN THEIR SEATS, THEIR ALL ON THEIR FEET. ITS PRETTY MUCH NECK AND NECK!!!!!!!!

stay tuned

Edited August 5, 2010 by Joel

[SparkyTansy]

lappiemum how much grooming does a full coated lappie need and how often?

[dee lee]

The main reason that I consider the need to not need too much grooming is because I plan on moving back to melbourne eventually, which will mean that they will spend a lot of time in a muddy old dam. Having a big white fluffy dog thats covered in muddy water every week is not a real good combo (especially since I've read that dogs shouldn't be washed that often and can develop skin issues(?)).

As an owner of a hairy, cream shedder (also named Honey btw ), I can definitely warn you of the PITA factor of a muddy, wet, longer haired dog.

My Goldie is wash and wear, but only when she dries. And it takes a hell of a long time for her to dry!!

Every morning after our run/walk at the park I have to spend about 15 minutes drying her tummy off with a towel or she will get a skin rash because the wet fur takes so long to dry on its own.

Then there is the half hour I have to set aside for washing her. Followed by the hour or 2 that she takes to dry naturally, depending on the weather.

I hold off for as many weeks as I can... Or take her to the local dog wash. Winter is particularly annoying.

I imagine any longer haired breed, including the Samoyed, Lappie etc would be much the same.

However, having owned a Keeshond, I do know though that the spitz breeds definitely don't shed as much as a GR!! ;)

[aussielover]

How about a lovely labrador?

They would seem to fit your requirements. If they are kept in good fit condition, they would easily be able to keep up with whatever activity (see those crazy labradors thread lol!).

My puppy is very calm in the house, of course alot depends on the indiviual dog and training it receives, but any puppy is going to be a little crazy at first.

If labs weren't able to be calm in the house and during the day they wouldn't be used as guide dogs.

They are highly trainable and extensively used as service dogs of all types!

They are extremely easy to groom and maintain, a rub with a towel is all they need after playing in the rain/mud etc.

If socialised properly they are great with people and dogs ;)

Finding a good breeder is very important though as is maintaining their training and a fairly strict diet.

I love aussie shepherds too, and they share many of the virtues of labs, being easy to train etc however their coat is harder to maintain in my experience.

[Joel]

Hmm... yes, skin allergies can be a problem. I hadn't thought about it like that :\ (in regards to washing and drying. Something else to consider.

Great! The more info I get, the more of an informed decision Steph (my partner) and I can make

THE RACE CONTINUES!!!!!!!!

EDIT:

Hey aussielover, I was wondering why you hadn't recommended Australian Shepherds... (not that its a bad thing - I'd rather people recommend what they think would fit MY situation and not their own). I did a bit of research into them at the same time as I did with the Blue Merle BCs. They seem like lovely dogs, but yes, again, the coat may be an issue.

I hadn't really considered a lab before. I think I figured that it wouldn't be able to keep up with her in the same way that a Rottie wouldnt? They are lovely dogs and very intelligent, I'm just worried that one isn't going to have the energy (or the speed) to match Honey. Ill have to look into it. Do many people have Labs to agility or anything like that? They might be worth me looking into regardless I guess. Ill have a look!

P.S. Its kool that your dog is named Honey too ;)

Edited August 5, 2010 by Joel

[aussielover]

The main reason that I consider the need to not need too much grooming is because I plan on moving back to melbourne eventually, which will mean that they will spend a lot of time in a muddy old dam. Having a big white fluffy dog thats covered in muddy water every week is not a real good combo (especially since I've read that dogs shouldn't be washed that often and can develop skin issues(?)).

As an owner of a hairy, cream shedder (also named Honey btw ), I can definitely warn you of the PITA factor of a muddy, wet, longer haired dog.

My Goldie is wash and wear, but only when she dries. And it takes a hell of a long time for her to dry!!

Every morning after our run/walk at the park I have to spend about 15 minutes drying her tummy off with a towel or she will get a skin rash because the wet fur takes so long to dry on its own.

Then there is the half hour I have to set aside for washing her. Followed by the hour or 2 that she takes to dry naturally, depending on the weather.

I hold off for as many weeks as I can... Or take her to the local dog wash. Winter is particularly annoying.

I imagine any longer haired breed, including the Samoyed, Lappie etc would be much the same.

However, having owned a Keeshond, I do know though that the spitz breeds definitely don't shed as much as a GR!! ;)

On saturday I spent 1.5 hrs drying a lovely old GR boy with a hair dryer. He was still not completely dry after that but the onwer came to pick him up

Goldens are beautiful looking dogs, but it does take a bit of work to keep them like that!

[Nevafollo]

Seriously Joel......how can you go past

this? ;)

I cant remember if its ever been mentioned before fiveplusone so please excuse me if it has but your boys colours are more pointer like than GSP Ive never seen a GSP of his colour. Is the colour/markings common in GSPs? Is he a pure GSP?

[fiveplusone]

Seriously Joel......how can you go past

this?

I cant remember if its ever been mentioned before fiveplusone so please excuse me if it has but your boys colours are more pointer like than GSP Ive never seen a GSP of his colour. Is the colour/markings common in GSPs? Is he a pure GSP?

Its been mentioned alot! ;)

I can't say he is definately purebred but I have owned 2 GSP's before and he looks very much like my first boy (who was also black but more black than white). His face is very GSP (ie roman nose rather than the "dish"??? shape of EP). I myself have never seen colouring like it before but I was recently looking at a UK breeders website and there were lots of GSP's that had the same colouring as Hugo, even some that had a lot less black than him, one boy on this UK website was referred to has not having "normal" GSP colouring . You can't see from the photo that you have shown but he had lots of black spots/ticking on his back and legs and in fact as each month passes he gets more black spots.

ETA....this is UK breeder website if you are interested. couple of very different coloured/pattern GSP's, particularly the boy name "Pilot". http://www.riverside-stud.co.uk/new_page_1.htm

Edited August 5, 2010 by fiveplusone

[Nevafollo]

Seriously Joel......how can you go past

this?

I cant remember if its ever been mentioned before fiveplusone so please excuse me if it has but your boys colours are more pointer like than GSP Ive never seen a GSP of his colour. Is the colour/markings common in GSPs? Is he a pure GSP?

Its been mentioned alot! ;)

I can't say he is definately purebred but I have owned 2 GSP's before and he looks very much like my first boy (who was also black but more black than white). His face is very GSP (ie roman nose rather than the "dish"??? shape of EP). I myself have never seen colouring like it before but I was recently looking at a UK breeders website and there were lots of GSP's that had the same colouring as Hugo, even some that had a lot less black than him. . You can't see from the photo that you have shown but he had lots of black spots/ticking on his back and legs and in fact as each month passes he gets more black spots.

Just goes to show that I walk around here with my eyes closed half the time

My new girl is ticked and I'm guessing will get more as she ages! I love ticking!!!! My older girl kite has a smidge of ticking (her father is HEAVILY ticked) but she looks more like her mum than her dad! I might go do some googling, Id like to see if I could find more about the colours and markings of GSPs its quite interesting! Just a note thou some pointers dont have the correct dish, its sad really as its such an important part of the breed.

Joel you want to borrow a pointer for a little while? Im sure Kite would like to come visit aslong as she can sleep in the bed under the covers

[Robbi]

My Whippet lives with a Bull Arabx puppy and a Kelpie, he was raised with a large Sighthound and he gives as good as he gets ;) Whippets are suprisingly resiliant(as long as they have a warm spot in front of the fire to recover from their exertions)

He is a big Whippet! and maybe a bit meatier than some