german shorthair pointers

matty docks

matty docks

Active member
do any of you guys duck hunt with with a german shorthair pointers ?if so how are they? i ahve a puppy on the way plan on training her for just duck hunting...
 
I think it will be the unusual GSP that makes a good duck dog. Some will retrieve, but few will take to cold water. No slight on the breed, just not what they have been bred to do. Most don't have the temperment to be a patient, enjoyable boat or blind partner either. Again, bred for a different field sport. Good luck, but don't get disappointed if the pup won't work like you expect a retriever to work.
 
They can do it. Get a good vest to keep body heat in.
I would not hunt the dog if the water temp goes in the low forties.
Watch the wind if the dogs wet. Good luck keep us posted on the puppy and progress
 
I'm sure there is a local NAVHDA chapter you can check with to see how their member's shorthairs handle the conditions in the area.

If it is from a bloodline with recent german connections then the retrieving part will probably be fine. If it can handle the cold is another story. Years ago I had a Vizsla who had a coat and build a lot like a shorthair. He couldn't take being wet for very long. I think it is as much their build as the coat.

Before I picked my wirehair pup I talked to a guy with a wirehair that has the same coat as a shorthair. He says she is his best duck dog but he keeps her about 5 pounds overweight and a vest is a must. Mine looks like a shorthair from a distance but his coat is thicker so I think he will be fine with a vest.

I know of a guy in MN who uses his shorthairs on ducks but that isn't their main purpose and I doubt he uses them late in the season.

Good luck and make sure to post puppy pictures.

Tim
 
I knew a guy back in NJ who used his to retrieve ducks.
The dog did very well.
With a good vest you should be ok in all but the coldest weather.
Also towel dry them off between retrieves will help too.
 
I have had many different dogs and now have the drathaars but by far my best was a GSP she never lost a bird, just the truth. Ok I only shot one, all kidding aside she handled ducks like a champ. I had to be careful in really cold weather when she would get wet but she did retrieves out of the south platte with ice flows. She was a good girl, a lot of fond memories with her.
 
They can make a great duck dog if trained properly. Mine not so much. I lacked the time and experience to train mine properly and is shows. I was able to train my flat coated retreiver with less experinec as a trainer and the same amount of time into a good duck dog. Accordingly I would advise you that you should plan to put in more time with the GSP than you would with a traditional duck dog.

Temperment is also something to watch, I have been torn apart about mine. He has biten/nipped three people now and I think it is time to say good bye to a family memeber. The first I forgave him because my step son brought someone into the yard unanownced and he was a kid I felt like punching so I forgave the do for doing what I wanted to. The second was my son and I chalked it up to aggressive play by the dog. The third was me for no reason. I would keep him and live with the risk to myself but I can not risk my wife, daughter and son. In researching the breed temperment/aggression can be an issue, as they served a guard dog as well as hunting dog originally.
 
I have had two gsp's (a mother and her granson)and they have both done well. And sometimes its nice to carry some steel light loads and try for a woodcock or grouse coming or going to a spot.
I'll second the suggestion of a vest and also a mat of some sort for the bottom of the boat. Also a bit of food along for them as well. Both of mine were lean and I was always worried in the harsher conditions about hypothermia.
The grandson at year nine was still retreiving, but after one or two hard ones I'd usually call it a day. His problem was a bad back. I've got a you dd that I'm training now. She's a pistol.
Frank
 
I had a big 80lb male. He was a great retriever, never lost a cripple pheasant. As for the duck hunting blind he could not take being wet and cold nor was he as good a swimmer and a lab.
 
I am DD guy, but I am a Judge under JGHV so I have judged DK's(a "german" shorthair like a DD vs GWP) They are fine swimmers and retrievers, They don't tolerate the cold and in general don't have a "love" for the water like a DD. Just like any dog finding the right Kennel that hunts the same conditions and types of game you do is most important. I would also make sure the mental side is suitable for a duck blind n general terms they can be more active/hyper.
 
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