Gun Dog Forum

Hello,
Hopefully sometime next year. I hope to have a few new pups. I'm familiar with mainly Coonhounds and a few other breeds. I plan on getting 2 Black and Tan Coonhounds. However, I've had my eye on the GSP Breed. I would not mind owning a Liver/Roan puppy. I would like to know if there are any real concerns about this breed such as health issues, Temperament, Are they decent/safe to have around children? (Granted a lot has to do with training when it comes to behavior.) Just basically are there any red flag type issues concerning the breed, that only people who currently have or had owned them before would be aware of. Thanks

Health is generally good

Not generally snappy. I raise mine pulling tails, ears, feet, so they think that is normal.

They don't seem to instinctively know not to run people or things over while at play.

For your squirrel hunting a hound or cur or terrier might be a better choice however you might be able to train one for that. While camping mine turn into chipmunk terrorizers.

I've only had 2 GSPs but had absolutely no problems .

No real red flags - nice breed overall, but you get what you breed for - so be picky about getting the "range" and "instinct" that you want. Check out the parents, look into the line of dogs. Be picky about the breeder. And do NOT raise it with another puppy if you can help it. One at a time. Google littermate syndrome (and it doesn't have to be littermates - it can be any two pups of similar age). It's a serious issue that I deal with when working with rescue pups all the time. Also had it happen to me with a pair of beagle pups, so I know how difficult it can be to overcome.

I have many different breeds and the gsp is far above any breed I own. They're the only dog I can coon hunt, hog hunt and bird hunt in the same day. Your best bet is research for a kennel that hunts gsp on more than birds.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Practically everyone I know that uses their dog the wy you are go with a DD or wirehair. Much tougher than a shorthair.

ezzy333 wrote:Practically everyone I know that uses their dog the wy you are go with a DD or wirehair. Much tougher than a shorthair.

It really depends more on the bloodlines within the breed than the breed....................Cj

cjhills wrote:

ezzy333 wrote:Practically everyone I know that uses their dog the wy you are go with a DD or wirehair. Much tougher than a shorthair.

It really depends more on the bloodlines within the breed than the breed....................Cj

I think its more a commentary on the coats than the character of the dogs.

Thanks everyone for your input. Its greatly appreciated.
I plan on using the GSP for Bird Hunting (pheasant/quail) That's my initial goal. Ill check more into the breed, and have to start looking for some breeders and see what is available Thanks again.