Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 5:01 pm Post subject: Questions for GWP owners
Hi,
I'm considering buying a GWP, and was wondering what you other GWP owners use yours for mostly.
Do you find them well suited to any terrain or job in particular?
Are they really as prone to hard-mouth as I have heard?!
I already work an ESS but this would be my first HPR dog, and I would appreciate any feedback concerning the pros and cons of the breed!
Hi We have 7 GWP's and we use them for game and deer work.
You need to forget everything you we ever told about training your spaniels when training a GWP. They really are a versatile gundog, but can be hard work during the training process (and beyond!!).
I havent had a problem with hard mouths, but when we first looked into GWPs we were told the same thing, crocodile mouths!! I think there were maybe a few dogs around in the early days which were harder mouthed than we would like, but I think they are few and far between now, go to a reputable working breeder, ask to see the bitch work and the dog if possible, and the rollercoaster will then begin just kidding We love em and wouldnt have anything else to do the job that we need to do.
There are experienced wire owners and trainers on here, so there is help at hand if you need it.
Hard mouth is my pet hobby horse subject, yes many of the wirehairs I've seen have been hard mouthed --- along with many of the G.S.P.'s , Weimaraners and all of the rest of 'em !!!
If I was buying I would try to see both the bitch and dam work or failing that I'd look at their trialling credentials. I'd want soft mouth on BOTH sides of the pedigree.
Unless I knew the breeder VERY well I would not take their word for it about their dogs mouth. Some owners seem to believe that if a dog brings back 9 out 10 birds O.K. then that's fine. To me that is a hard mouthed dog !
If I could not do any of this then I would NOT buy a pup of that breed.
to turn the questions back on you, what do you want a gwp for?
what sort of work would you be doing with it and what do you expect from it?..........i always ask this when hunters ring me up enquiring about a pup.
I have 2 that I use as picking up dogs its a great breed but as has already been said require alot of training and in the early days it can feel like you are banging your head agains a brick wall(or a stubbon wirehair )
My advice is the same as others go for one from proven working strain and one that is going to be kc registared(there are a couple of litters around at the moment that arnt) as you might like to do working test or trials later on when you get bitten by the bug
Caz _________________ NOB'S do it in the field!!!!!!!!!
Thankyou for all your replies!
I intend to train the pup up for beating and picking up on a couple of local pheasant shoots, (much like I am doing with my ESS) but obviously to point game aswell.
I would also like to use her while rough shooting when just going for a walk round the fields, so pretty much a good all rounder!
The fact that they must be from good working stock is top of my list, also that they are docked & KC reg, ideally with the parents having been screened for HD & vWB.
Is there much trouble from elbow dysplasia within the breed? I wasn't aware of it until lately, I have heard it can be a problem in larger dogs such as these?
perhaps a britt will be a better choice
i can't comment on beating or picking up as i don't think gwp's are labs or ess but they make very good rough shooting dogs....mind you so do labs and spaniels.
One of the shoots I beat at and occasionaly shoot on is all three, a rough shoot, with driven days, and a few walked up days too.
I doubt I'll be put off getting a GWP, it's just a case of finding the right breeder with the right litter! If i don't get one I don't think I'd get another dog at all as I don't fancy just geting another Springer (not that I don't like them!) and I've never really been that taken with labs.
Also I can't really deny that looks don't play a big part in this!
Thanks for the info though, as it's not something I want to rush into!
it's a wise man that never rushes in mate
they are great dogs, i just don't like seeing hpr's being used on a beating lines or as picking up dogs.........sounds silly i know
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Join! (free) 
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
when training a GWP. They really are a versatile gundog, but can be hard work during the training process (and beyond!!).
just kidding We love em and wouldnt have anything else to do the job that we need to do.
)
