German Shorthaired Pointer owners

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My husband grew up with two on a farm. So he will get to get the dog he has wanted since they died and I’ll get a running partner. I’ve been running in the mornings through winter and was harassed a little running in the dark. Not enough to call the police but I’d feel safer if I had a dog with me. I also looked into Weirmaraners. Any thoughts? Less active/ destructive?

Vizsla poster again. We had a Weim for 13 years before the Vizsla. I do think she had a bit less energy, but it’s so hard to know if it was just that particular dog. Our Weim was much more aloof than our V is though, and they have a bit of a reputation for that. Also much more anxious. I’ve heard that GSPs are the most rambunctious (and biggest jumpers—as in jump over your fence) of the three breeds. My DH also wanted a GSP. I see lots of Vizslas at the dog park (like 10 regularly go to the dog park we go to), a few GSPs (like 2), but rarely see a Weim. Dogs get trendy though like everything else so might just be a reflection of trend.

Was your weim crate trained? As I said in the OP I’ll need to be able to leave them alone in the house for no more than 4 hours at a time. And was it a good family dog? PP mentioned a lab and I considered a one (not my husband) but no lab I know makes a good running partner.

Yes, we didn't have any trouble crate training our Weim (or our V) and had no issues with leaving them for periods of time. I just followed various advice from the breeder, books, internet, whatever about making it a positive place, their den, etc. Plus if you get a puppy, you'll be using the crate a lot to help with housetraining.

Our Weim was 4 when our first child was born. She tolerated our kids but never really bonded with them. They just sort of co-existed. Like I said, kind of aloof. I didn't realize how aloof she was until we got our V.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My husband grew up with two on a farm. So he will get to get the dog he has wanted since they died and I’ll get a running partner. I’ve been running in the mornings through winter and was harassed a little running in the dark. Not enough to call the police but I’d feel safer if I had a dog with me. I also looked into Weirmaraners. Any thoughts? Less active/ destructive?

Vizsla poster again. We had a Weim for 13 years before the Vizsla. I do think she had a bit less energy, but it’s so hard to know if it was just that particular dog. Our Weim was much more aloof than our V is though, and they have a bit of a reputation for that. Also much more anxious. I’ve heard that GSPs are the most rambunctious (and biggest jumpers—as in jump over your fence) of the three breeds. My DH also wanted a GSP. I see lots of Vizslas at the dog park (like 10 regularly go to the dog park we go to), a few GSPs (like 2), but rarely see a Weim. Dogs get trendy though like everything else so might just be a reflection of trend.

Was your weim crate trained? As I said in the OP I’ll need to be able to leave them alone in the house for no more than 4 hours at a time. And was it a good family dog? PP mentioned a lab and I considered a one (not my husband) but no lab I know makes a good running partner.

Yes, we didn't have any trouble crate training our Weim (or our V) and had no issues with leaving them for periods of time. I just followed various advice from the breeder, books, internet, whatever about making it a positive place, their den, etc. Plus if you get a puppy, you'll be using the crate a lot to help with housetraining.

Our Weim was 4 when our first child was born. She tolerated our kids but never really bonded with them. They just sort of co-existed. Like I said, kind of aloof. I didn't realize how aloof she was until we got our V.

Thanks for the insight.

[Anonymous]

We rescued a 2yo GSP and he was seriously the best dog ever. High energy for sure, and would spend most of the day outside running around and tracking birds (we live in a rural area on a large property). He would track and snap at carpenter bees and then they would fall to the ground, where he would slap them with his paws and guard them, which was hilarious to watch. We didn't find that he needed a lot of walking or running with us, since he had a couple of acres to run free and he had another dog to play with (which he did, constantly), but he would have been great at hunting or agility. Once he was done hunting for the day, he was a snugglebug - just wanted to cuddle up next to you on the couch. Incredibly intelligent dog with soulful eyes - he rarely barked or made noises, but was always sort of quivering with energy during the day. He was very patient with my kids, who were a toddler and a baby when we got him, he would even let them dress him up. The family who fostered him had kids so he was used to them before we got him. He chewed the furniture a little when he first came to us, but we chalked it up to stress from being in a new place, and it was only for a month or so and we had to keep him in the laundry room where his crate was until he was more relaxed. Unfortunately, he developed anal cancer (carcinoma) which apparently can run in this breed, so we lost him at age 9. Of all the dogs I've lost, I miss him the most.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We rescued a 2yo GSP and he was seriously the best dog ever. High energy for sure, and would spend most of the day outside running around and tracking birds (we live in a rural area on a large property). He would track and snap at carpenter bees and then they would fall to the ground, where he would slap them with his paws and guard them, which was hilarious to watch. We didn't find that he needed a lot of walking or running with us, since he had a couple of acres to run free and he had another dog to play with (which he did, constantly), but he would have been great at hunting or agility. Once he was done hunting for the day, he was a snugglebug - just wanted to cuddle up next to you on the couch. Incredibly intelligent dog with soulful eyes - he rarely barked or made noises, but was always sort of quivering with energy during the day. He was very patient with my kids, who were a toddler and a baby when we got him, he would even let them dress him up. The family who fostered him had kids so he was used to them before we got him. He chewed the furniture a little when he first came to us, but we chalked it up to stress from being in a new place, and it was only for a month or so and we had to keep him in the laundry room where his crate was until he was more relaxed. Unfortunately, he developed anal cancer (carcinoma) which apparently can run in this breed, so we lost him at age 9. Of all the dogs I've lost, I miss him the most.

That was a great experience. Unfortunately I don’t live in a rural area but our option is to run public trails close to our house. And I hope it’s enough for it.

[Anonymous]

Out of all the gorgeous short-haired sporting breeds mentioned on here, I like the personality of the English pointers the most.
Just as beautiful if not more beautiful than a GSP and vizsla but a lot less hyper. Very intelligent and sensitive dogs. A great family dog too, and a perfect running companion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Out of all the gorgeous short-haired sporting breeds mentioned on here, I like the personality of the English pointers the most.
Just as beautiful if not more beautiful than a GSP and vizsla but a lot less hyper. Very intelligent and sensitive dogs. A great family dog too, and a perfect running companion.

English pointer owner here. Totally agree with this. Our EP isn’t hyper at all but will happily run miles with me. They are super affectionate and intelligent; great family dogs.