climbrx

Hello,

I've followed this forum for a while and have learned a lot from you all, thanks for that.

I'm planning to get my first pointing dog within the next year or so and was hoping for some advice regarding breeds. After a lot of research I've decided on either a GSP or a Vizsla. I plan to hunt with the dog, but I also want a companion I’ll be happy with for the other 9 months of the year….a dog I can take fishing, camping, hiking, and to the cliffs when I go rock climbing, without the constant fear that he’ll take off to go hunting on his own. How independent is a GSP? I’ve heard people on this forum, and others, say that their GSP’s would rather hunt than eat, and to a GSP, you’re just the guy that feeds them and takes them hunting. Whereas Vizsla’s are more attached to their owners, sometimes to the point where they don’t want to let you out of their sight. For this reason, I was thinking that the Viz might make a better “pet” during the off-season…a dog that will just hang out with me on the bank of a trout stream, or on a hiking trail, without having to be leashed all the time, or have me constantly calling him back. I can see how this level of attachment might be a disadvantage to someone who wants a pure hunting dog, but I don’t plan to compete with this dog, I don’t need a diehard hunter, I do want a good hunting dog, but most of all I just want a dog that will point some birds for me in the fall, and will be my buddy for the rest of the year.

My only problem with the Viz is that they’re a lot more expensive (which isn’t such a big deal) and I’ve heard that it’s much more difficult to get a good Vizsla than it is to get a good GSP, unless you’re known to the breeder and have experience with Vizslas.
I know this will sound like blasphemy to some, and I apologize but here it comes…is it possible to get a GSP that isn’t ALL about hunting ALL the time? Or am I better off with the Vizsla?

Also, any comments comparing the "trainability" of these two breed with regard to a first-time pointer owner is welcomed. I do have experience with dogs, I've had beagles, golden retrievers, and mutts in the past. But this will be my first hunting dog.

Thanks for your help.

MA Jay

Climbrx, I used to live in Waltham and am familiar with dogs in our area.

First off, the notion that GSP's are all the time hunters and Vizsla's are more owner attached is not exactly true. Dogs, like people, have individual personalities that are as varied within breeds as across them. The good thing is you have thougt a lot about what type of dog you would like to own. The next step is to start researching breeders. Quite a few years back I bought a GSP out of a kennel in Athol Mass I think it was. She was a smallish female that wasn't the most confident in the litter. Not the typical dog I would gravitate to, but after a few visits and meeting the bitch and sire I chose her. She turned out to be a very good hunter and took to training very well. She always was a bit nervous around new people and took awhile to feel comfortable around them and I had her fixed as she was not what you would consider perfect in her temperment. Not a biter or barker.. just avoided contact with new people. She loved to run, but would sit quietly on a bass boat while I fished and loved when I went mountain biking or hiking, she never had to be called back, always stayed close. She was a perfect house dog, never once chewing anything and as long as I ran her once a day she was always happy an not hyper. The only thing she wasn't was social with people she didn't know. Not a problem in my book, as I have a Springer now who loves everyone.

I have hunted over 2 friends Vizla's here in the North East. 1 of them a guy in Medford. He was an excellent dog in the field and home, but very high energy. Much more than my GSP I had here in Mass. Not one you could take hiking without constantly callign back, and if you took him rock climbing, he'd either have climbed the wall or met you at the top. The female I knew was a sweetheart, and not much of a hunter. A bit of a boot licker in the field. She'd point, but damn near would have to step on a bird to go on point. Great house dog, a bit to sensitive as she handled stress poorly .. but very sweet. I don't believe she came from field lines as claimed.

I have owned several GSP's, the best were dogs from Washington state that had great lines, and as I said have hunted over and trained 2 Vizlas, and the only advise I can give knowing exactly where you live is to do some serious research and meet several breeders and their dogs. Look for the temperments in the breeding stock you would like in your new dog. I don't think we have near the hunting bloodlines locally as exist in some areas of the country. I would be less concerned with the breed in your case, and be much more concerned with the breeder and the bloodlines and quality of their dogs.

spuddog

I've been doing some research as well. I've met and few GSPs and love them, but have heard good and bad about them as pets. Had a GSP mix as a kid and she was absoulutely kid proof, but would take off at the sound of a gun. Stole a couple of other guys phesants while my mom was out walking her. I understand most of this can be controlled with good training as a puppy.

I have come across a breed know as the French Brittany Spaniel. These are original Brittanies from France, not from Americanized lines. The are shorter than the American Brittany, hunt closer and are specifically bred to hunt vigorously and then to blend in with the family when they get home. I like them because of their size and family ability. I've been reading, but have not met one yet. They are less common and so are a bit pricey ($1000 range). Unless the smaller size is an issue, they sound like what you are looking for.

Put French Brittany Spaniel in Google and you'll find info.

Spud

Mite

Have you checked out the Brittany spaniel? Very close working dog in the field. I would also second Spuddog on the French britt after what I've read although I haven't seen one.

bowhuntinoh

my fav dog is the english setter its kind of hard to get a good close working dog but they are very loyal and love attention but they do need more grooming than the short hair breeds as with all dogs you need to find the dog that works for you good luck with the dog search

jashoffa

My GSP is very attatched to me. She hates when I leave and is always wanting attention. I take her camping and fishing with me, well I stopped taking her fishing because my boat is very small and she takes up valuble space. But as long as she is with me she is great. I have taken her hiking in the woods and she runs around a lot but she stays within ear shot and always comes back when I call her.

I have to wonder where someone would get the idea that a GSP would be independent and un-attatched to their owners. For one thing, GSP's are known for suffering from Separation Anxiety. A condition in which a dog gets very upset when the owner leave and displays habits of distructive crewing and other distructive behavior. It is no longer a problem for me because I simple crat my GSP whenever I am not home.

Mite

I saw a litter of french brittanies today at the dog park. They were selling them for $600 for femmes and $500 for garcons. The mother was surpising small. I was on the fence of getting one but didn't. With the dogs here in Western WA, its very hard to determine if the dogs comes from hunting lines. I know french britts are new here which made me consider buying but I don't wanna make another mistake as with our golden retriever (The Master Mouse Hunter).

Maskellrascal

I currently own a GSP female that is a great housedog, and family pet. She is a little reserved with strangers at first, has to check them out a little bit, unless they are holding a shotgun. She is a wonderful dog, while I am outside doing yardwork she will stay in my yard or the nearby yards. I currently don't have a fenced in yard. I feel that she would be good on hiking excursions or possibly while fishing, haven't taken her yet.

Another dog I have been looking at is the French Pointer or Braque Francais. This breed looks a lot like a GSP, but there personality is more like a French Brittany or Brittany. I learned about this breed at www.gundogmag.com. This website has a lot of information about several different breeds of gun dogs. Another good place to look for dogs and some information, www.versatiledogs.com. They have several kennels listed there as well. Just letting you know what I have found.

Good Luck and Happy Hunting

BLUEGRASSGSPS

EITHER DOG YOU GO WITH WILL WORK GREAT. THE NOTION THAT GSP'S ARE NOT GOOD FAMILY DOGS IS JUST NON SENSE. I OWN 8 GSP'S AND EVERYONE IS GREAT WITH THE FAMILY AND KIDS. I HAVE A FOUR YEAR OLD BOY THE JUST AGGRAVATES THE FIRE OUT OF MY DOGS AND THEY JUST LOVE HIM TO DEATH. NOT ONCE HAVE THEY EVER TRIED TO BITE. MY DOGS ARE PART OF THE FAMILY THE HUNT, FISH, AND GO RIDING IN THE TRUCK WITH ME. THERE JUST GREAT DOGS. NOW I'VE ONLY BEEN AROUND 2 VIZSLAS SO I DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT THEM. BUT I CAN SAY THAT OUT OF ALL THE DOGS THAT I'VE OWNED FOR BIRDHUNTING THESE HAVE BEEN THE EASIEST TO TRAIN AND THE MOST PERSONAL DOGS I'VE OWNED. IF YOUR INTERESTED I HAVE 4 MALE GSP PUPPIES FOR SALE OUT OF SHOOTING STARR AND SNIP'S TICKED OF BREEDING, BOTH DOGS GO BACK TO HILLHAVEN BREEDING.

brush_buster

I own four GSPs and the ones I've raised personally will not leave myside til I give them the command. They are very well mannered, friendly, and lovable dogs. Mine are hunters six months a year in my guiding business.