Gun Dog Forum

Hey guys.

I'm entertaining the idea of picking up a GSP pup from Spin Top Kennel http://www.spintopkennel.com/ in Athens, Alabama. I've read through countless positive testimonials on their gundogbreeders.com page however, most of the posts are from people who bought house dogs. The posts made by hunters, although sparse, were positive.

Does anyone have any experience with David Holt and Spin Top Kennel? Are they members here at GDF?

Best,

Jordan

EDIT: Here is their gundogbreeders site. It is much more thorough than their main site. All pedigrees listed...

http://www.gundogbreeders.com/breeders- ... ennel.html

Looking at the web site there is not much information. Since they breed all types of dogs, sell for different prices, raise birds etc.

What breed are you looking for and I bet we can find a member on here to recommend that will have what your looking for.

Thanks, Ultra.

I may have edited my post as you were typing yours. I added their gundogbreeders.com website which has their pedigrees listed. I am interested in one of Hank and June's (possibly Hank and Tilly's) pups. We'll see when they get here.

ultracarry wrote:What breed are you looking for and I bet we can find a member on here to recommend that will have what your looking for.

I'm interested in a GSP puppy and am certainly open to suggestions. I will say, among other things drawing me to Spin Top, their price is especially attractive. I just cannot spend $500-$800 on a puppy right now. My wife and I are adhering to tighter than normal budget with me being in the job market right now.

Thanks again.

I looked at the website and it seems like the guy is willing to show what his dogs have got. As long as he's not too far away it wouldint hurt to go see. I hold lots of respect for someone who can show me rather than have a good line of bull. At 360 per pup there's not a whole lot of profit margin and if he's willing to spend some time showing you the parents on birds he's most likely very passionate about his sport and his dogs certainly not getting rich on the sale of the pup.

With all due respect, If you can not spend $500 (only $140 more than $360)or more, then maybe the time is not right. The thing is stuff happens, Vet bills, food, gear etc. I don't mean to be how it sounds just a thought that came to mind.

Sorry.
Rick

In looking at the pedigrees, I see names that I know, but they're a couple of generations back.

Makes me nervous to see an operation that has litters from four different breeds. I just don't see how anyone can keep up with what's going on in four breeds.

Now, about the reviews. I suggest that you contact that site and ask if they allow negative reviews to be posted. I've got something tickling in the back of my mind that they don't. Does that matter? Not if you know about it. I'd be a lot more inclined to put stock in references that are independent. If I had a few minutes, I could provide you with references that will tell you that I'm a great dancer...and friend, let me tell you, I can't dance a step.

OK, now this last. I don't know, I'm asking, OK? Under what circumstances does the AKC inspect a kennel and go over its operation? When they inspect, what are they inspecting? Does it really mean anything? I've never heard of the AKC inspecting a kennel. But, heck, I've not heard of a lot of things.

But, the proof of the cake is in the eating. If the dogs are great, they're great. How do you know if they're great? Get out and compare. You owe it to yourself to make the short drive up to LaFayette, GA and see Rick and Brenda's dogs. http://www.walnuthillgsps.us/ .

If you do not see any health clearances definetly question it...I have to at least see hip ratings..And i also run from multiple breeds...

I agree with Greg a kennel with four breeds of pups, I would not even look. Talk to Brenda about shorthairs.
Birddog 307

Ruffshooter wrote:With all due respect, If you can not spend $500 (only $140 more than $360)or more, then maybe the time is not right. The thing is stuff happens, Vet bills, food, gear etc. I don't mean to be how it sounds just a thought that came to mind.

Ruffshooter, I understand your statement and do not take offense.

My situation is unique: Not to get too personal, but I am currently in the job market. My wife and I are living on one income at the moment and after losing my beloved best friend/GSP four weeks ago, there is a giant void in my life that I'm finding difficult to bear. As you can imagine, I'm just looking for the best that very little will get me. Spin Top also have breeding couples the pattern we're looking for - solid liver head and roan/patched body.

The upside to my plight is that my father is small animal vet, so any needed medical, God forbid, is taken care of. I think I have all the basic puppy gear that I need(check cord, grooming tools, etc.) and dog food has always been included in our monthly budget.

Thank you all for the concern. I'm going to keep researching Spin Top to see what I can dig up. Hopefully a fellow GDF member will chime in with some first hand info.

Greg Jennings wrote:In looking at the pedigrees, I see names that I know, but they're a couple of generations back.

Makes me nervous to see an operation that has litters from four different breeds. I just don't see how anyone can keep up with what's going on in four breeds.

Now, about the reviews. I suggest that you contact that site and ask if they allow negative reviews to be posted. I've got something tickling in the back of my mind that they don't. Does that matter? Not if you know about it. I'd be a lot more inclined to put stock in references that are independent. If I had a few minutes, I could provide you with references that will tell you that I'm a great dancer...and friend, let me tell you, I can't dance a step.

OK, now this last. I don't know, I'm asking, OK? Under what circumstances does the AKC inspect a kennel and go over its operation? When they inspect, what are they inspecting? Does it really mean anything? I've never heard of the AKC inspecting a kennel. But, heck, I've not heard of a lot of things.

But, the proof of the cake is in the eating. If the dogs are great, they're great. How do you know if they're great? Get out and compare. You owe it to yourself to make the short drive up to LaFayette, GA and see Rick and Brenda's dogs. http://www.walnuthillgsps.us/ .

AKC has the right to check all paper work and location to see if it's up to par. If they are a full time breeder they will come and inspect, what dogs have been bred to what and if all is correct. If they don't coply with AKC they will not let you register with them. I've been there and pasted with flying colors.

What I gathered was that they come and inspect records, right?

Ruffshooter wrote:With all due respect, If you can not spend $500 (only $140 more than $360)or more, then maybe the time is not right. The thing is stuff happens, Vet bills, food, gear etc. I don't mean to be how it sounds just a thought that came to mind.

Sorry.
Rick

+1

Greg Jennings wrote:What I gathered was that they come and inspect records, right?

They will inspect your kennels if they desire but not say much.

I don't get where you guys are coming from about kennel with more than one breed of dogs. I wont take my pointers duck hunting in an icy river. My labs are not going to cover vast expanses of sparse desert for quail. We have a shorthair that's been with us for years she's not the best at everything but she gets it done same for the longhairs we have.
I don't only duck hunt, i don't only quail hunt, same for pheasant, dove, grouse i can go on.
Certain jobs are done better by certain things. If i golfed i would have a full set of clubs.
I enjoy well working bird dogs regardless of breed or lines. If i find another breed that i want i will buy the best ones that i can find. and see if i can improve it. I am sure there will be failures along the way.
If you read snakefoot making of a champion you will see Whele bred horses, cows, fox, in addition to many lines of pointers that he refined to fit HIS DESIRES.

Different things altogether.

The breeder has Pointers, Setters, Brittanys and GSPs. Has a couple of litters of each. No field titles listed in any of them. I'm not saying that it's the case here, but that is often a sign of a high volume breeder.

I agree with your point Mr Jennings. He futher down the line the more likely the abilities are diluted.

I agree with Greg on the multiple breeds. I want a breeder who pretty much specializes in a particular breed. I won't even look at a kennel breeding several different breeds. I am not saying you can't get a good dog, I just think the odds are much better researching the one breed kennels.

Charlie

I guess I am somewhat different. I do agreee that multiple breeds can be a problem but when I am looking for a pup I look for the breeding and the pup and pay no attention to who has it unless you are talking about someone that can't be trusted.Good dogs are good dogs no matter who bred them, raised them, or sells them.

Ezzy

Jordan, I seen you sent a pm regarding a Gsp pup for sale. It looks like a nice pup to me. Good luck and I hope it works out.

BTW, that pup is bred awesome. Hustler bred on top through snip's ticked off and crosswind's fritz on bottom. You better get it before I do .

Ron R wrote:Jordan, I seen you sent a pm regarding a Gsp pup for sale. It looks like a nice pup to me. Good luck and I hope it works out.

Thank you, Ron. I checked my PM's and nothing has come through yet.

Nevermind Ron. I misunderstood your post.