will these dogs be good bird hunting dogs?

Question

I'm looking for a german short haired pointer to buy as a bird hunting dog.
does this ad sound like they would be good bird hunting dogs?

AKC German Shorthaired Pointer Puppies for sale. Currently have 6 (2 males and 4 females). Well behaved, family friendly dogs. High energy, but easy to train. Will be ready mid-September.

I plan on training him this year and hunting with him next year.

Answer 1

Are they close enough to drive and visit the pups before you choose one?

I don't put a deposit on a pup without a visit. Ask to see the parents' pedigrees. There should be some MHs (Master hunter), or SHs (Senior hunter) showing the lineage have been hunt-tested. Generally GSPs are good hunters, but it only take a couple indiscriminate breedings to lose the drive.



So buy a pheasant wing(s) from Gander Mt. Tie one on a fishing pole, go visit the pups and flip the wing around, drag it around and watch the puppies' reactions. If they track, chase, and/or point the wing good. If they ignore the wing, I'd pass. Maybe one is the go-getter, maybe none. Of course they need to need up and active to do this; if they just got up from a nap, don't expect much reaction. Let them wake up and become active.



Go to the AKC website. Go to "events" go "event search" enter "hunting test" find some events in your state, contact the clubs, go to some events (it's free to watch), you find plenty of GSPs. Talk around, there'll be litters to choose from. You don't want a dog to keep for 10 years that doesn't hunt. Sometimes people will have litters at events, DO NOT expect to buy a pup at an event, that's not permitted. But it is OK to meet the pups and arrange for a meeting after the event. Plus you will get loads of training tips.

Answer 2

If you want a hunting dog, get one from hunting lines. The ad you referenced doesn't say a thing about the parents having been worked (hunted). Or even shown. Sounds like the typical Backyard Bred litter that isn't good for anything except providing the breeder with $$$.

Answer 3

For twenty years we had golden retrievers which we offered from breeders who bred champion bloodlines. the two dogs have been spectacular on their own with little or no preparation. we've a 5 month old English Springer Spaniel whose lineage isn't what the goldens got here from yet he shows large promise. His father is ideas-blowing to observe interior the sector & his mom has an incredible nostril for monitoring. I relish the two breeds.