Gun Dog Forum

my son wants a gsp and I kinda do too, but wife wants to keep it in the house. I know they have tons of energy but what about shedding and housebreaking?

Energy not a issue if you keep the pup mentally and physically active.
House breaking is same as any other dog
shedding is a issue, but the hairs are short and brushing helps. pretty much a little shedding all the time as opposed to one big shed in the spring.
generally speaking GSPs make excellent family dogs...................................Cj

thanks for the info. anyone know of any breeders in oh,wv or ky?

s223196 wrote:my son wants a gsp and I kinda do too, but wife wants to keep it in the house. I know they have tons of energy but what about shedding and housebreaking?

I've had two in the house over the years. No different than any other dog. Housebreaking is just like any other dog- doesn't happen right away. Don't give the pup the run of the house. MIne stay in two tiled rooms - den and kitchen - until fully trained.

Can't stay in the crate from 8-5. Needs a good run before you go to work , at lunch , and after work for the first year at least.

Sheds less than a JRT or setter.

I got a shorthair as my first gun dog 9 years ago and he was in the house with me until the day he passed. I lived in 4 different houses in 8 years, including a condo without a yard and he did great. They do need exercise though so don't expect a bulldog that sleeps all day and night. He was the best dog I was ever around and losing him broke the hearts of everyone who knew him. Go get one, bring him in the house and make him part of the family. You won't regret it.

So, what will you take for your wife?

everything sheds less than jrt worst shedder but best dog I ever had was a jrt ive got a new gsp on the way and had several in my younger days all were house dogs and all were great in the home other than puppy issues ie chewing on things that wernt ment to be chewed on more my fault than dogs overall one of the best all around breeds you could ask for

I have 2 boys, a 14 yr old and a 4 yr old, finding a pup for xmas would be ideal. nobody knows of any pups ? I have found some on puppyfinder and classifieds, but don't really now what your getting as far as genetics

my gsp is a house dog. idk if its just him, but he is calm. nothing that would make me say he is over hyper. he does shed and my wife goes nuts, but whatever lol.

s223196 wrote:I have 2 boys, a 14 yr old and a 4 yr old, finding a pup for xmas would be ideal. nobody knows of any pups ? I have found some on puppyfinder and classifieds, but don't really now what your getting as far as genetics

See here :

viewforum.php?f=120

Just because they are posting on gundog forum does not ensure a reputable breeder BUT I would think much better than looking in the newspaper classified.

Life without a Shorthair in it is simply not a life lived to its fullest..just an opinion.

In all seriousness - the satisfaction and absolute joy a bird dog can offer a family & in particular his or her no.1 (aka - master) is something that simply cannot be put into words, the work put into it is repaid ten fold - having a gun dog with which you have bonded through work in the field and resting comfortably in your home as a member of your family is one of the greatest pleasures in life one can know.

Do not deny yourself any longer and just dive right on in...your wife is on board!

Sent you a PM.

My wife wasn't a big dog person either, now look. She spoils him. He's the best dog I have ever had, can't go wrong with GSP

What kind of birds do u plan on hunting? I haven't hunted grouse in a long time back home. Are there still birds in southern Ohio?

s223196 wrote:my son wants a gsp and I kinda do too, but wife wants to keep it in the house. I know they have tons of energy but what about shedding and housebreaking?

First dog?

Housebreaking is trained and shedding is normal.
I had a GSP before going to setters...the hair was not an issue with value placed well.....either breed.

Chose from a good GSP breeder and give the dog opportunities to be tired.
Might consider an older dog....for the dog and for you.

+1 on take some time and find a good breeder that has what you want.
They have worked for me. No cockle burr problems. Spent a lot of hours as a kid removing them from our setter.

I have 3 gsp's and 2 labs in the house, my male gsp sheds a lot or possibly just because he's black and white I notice it more the females are mother and daughter and the daughter sheds less than her mother but that may change as shes still young but the mother isn't to bad for sheding usually if she gets nerved up. my labs same thing my choc. lab sheds terrible in spring and fall my yellow you hardly notice.. as far as house breaking depends on the dog most of my gsps ive had haven't been any worse than any other dog excep for this pup I have now shes been stuborn about it. energy levels will depend on breeding too all gsp's seem to have ADD but some are worse some better when you look for a pup check out the parents that should give a fair idea how they pups will be temperament and energy wise. I love the breed and couldn't imagine not having one sometimes I question my sanity on having 5 bird dogs in the house but that's a whole nother thing in its self