studley Posted May 11, 2013 Report Share Posted May 11, 2013 Hi Guys, I'm looking to contact anyone who owns GWP's for some practical advice rather than reading from books and the internet. Having decided its time to get my first working dog, I seem pretty taken by the GWP's as opposed to a black lab or springer as seems the norm. I've noticed a lot of comments on how hard you need to train them, but, having owned two Airedale's (albeit as pets) I'm used to rowdy dog behavior. My shooting ranges from the foreshore to rough and driven shooting so a GWP seems like the complete package and I'm willing to put the hours in despite being a novice, is this madness? Looking forward to your thoughts! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highbird70 Posted May 11, 2013 Report Share Posted May 11, 2013 Where do you live mate? I might be able to suggest a few local people Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirty Harry Posted May 11, 2013 Report Share Posted May 11, 2013 I'm on my first Gundog and first GWP. He took longer to train than a lab but that was partly due to my lack of knowledge. I rough shoot with him and he does just what I want. Hunts all day long and never looses interest. He is not the sort of dog to sit in a hide or on a peg because he wants to be hunting. He is great with the kids, strangers and other dogs. On the downside he is a ****** for stealing food left within reach even if its still in a carrier bag and he's made himself ill a few times because of it. He will also kill anything that takes his fancy within the garden. He has had ducks, chickens, bantams, guinnea fowl, a cat and a lamb in the garden. He will watch them through the fence but won't jump over into the orchard because he knows he's not allowed to. He will come into the orchard and won't touch them but if they come into his garden its a different matter. I live with it and try to make sure the livestock keep out of the garden before they become deadstock. I would not be without him and will be getting another. Harry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studley Posted May 11, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2013 Cheers for the replies guys, I'm studying a Royal Ag in Cirencester/Home is Witney in Oxfordshire. So back and forth between the two at the moment. Got exams coming up then a very long summer so thinking that it would be a good opportunity to take on a pup with the long days etc in time for the 2014 season. Having not trained a gundog before a lot of people are saying get a lab because they're easier. I shoot with the Glos Wildfowlers, rough, driven, pigeons so keen to get a dog that can handle the river severn and everything else I throw at it. Am I expecting too much? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted May 11, 2013 Report Share Posted May 11, 2013 Ok if you go down the gwp route the only bit you might find a struggle is driven shooting, mine loves beating and hates being on peg. Though its improving she just wants to be in the action. Foxing and stalking she will just sit under a high seat for hours patiently till required but driven is different. If you get one they are complete characters and fantastic dogs but you will find it a lot harder than a lab. If you have rough shooting or stalk though they are a lot of fun. I hopefully am having a litter in the not too distant future and have been lucky to be able to use a cracking stud dog and am just waiting to see if she is in pup. Once I know you are welcome to have a look and see if you think one might be for you. They are a high maintenance dog so do need plenty of exercise and as mentioned they will wreak devastation if they can get away with it. The other thing is you have to be fairly careful what you buy some of the ones with plenty of European blood are designed to take on reasonably large game and can be a complete handful, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirty Harry Posted May 11, 2013 Report Share Posted May 11, 2013 The Agg college is 38 miles from me if you want to have a look or come for a walk with him. The 2014 season might be pushing it a bit from a pup this summer. Little bits maybe but don't expect the finished article. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sprocket Posted May 11, 2013 Report Share Posted May 11, 2013 I've trained spaniels and labs for a long time. I wanted a challenge so bought a GWP, He's 6 months old, is a lot less mature than the other breeds at this age -but what a character - makes me smile every time I look at him! He will retrieve fur/ feather, heels beautifully and sits immediately when commanded. Just be patient and remember although they are BIG, they are also still puppies. Get one and enjoy a close relationship -but be careful where you buy from as some can be quite aggressive, I live in Wootton Bassett, if you want to come and meet him -let me know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted May 11, 2013 Report Share Posted May 11, 2013 Are they ever the finished article Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sprocket Posted May 11, 2013 Report Share Posted May 11, 2013 Are they ever the finished article Who knows? I reckon he should mature within the next 15 years - but up till that point I will just carry on enjoying him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotslad Posted May 11, 2013 Report Share Posted May 11, 2013 I've got 1 just over 2 now, He is coming on but he is going to be nowhere near the standard i;d expect off my other dogs. It is possible a GWP could be trained to do all u want but i guarrantee a Lab or springer would do them better and be easier to train and even more so for a first gun dog. Also some if u decide to get help/lessons some pro gundog trainers will not be vey keen or refuse to give u lesson's I'd honestly not recconmmend 1 to anyone (unless i knew them knew they were experienced handlers and had some proper work for it, not beating line or non slip retrieve work) and esp not for a fisrt dog, They can be a real handful really hard headed but at the same time very soft, definately a complicated character. If u really think they are the ideal 'wonder' dog that some people say do ur homework and research the lines, generally speaking the more danish breed lines seem to have a better/softer temperment, danish work is quite birdy and similar to wot many want here, the traditional german/DD lines tend to be more bred/used for tracking work and can be a real handful with quite a bit off aggression.in some dogs, i have seen some real ******** over the years. There also can be a massive difference between individual dogs even from the same litter Sorry for being so negative but just trying to open ur eyes they are a difficult first dog. I personally would not have an GWP/hpr unless u need a dog to point, which is the reason i have 1, if my shooting changes and i don't need a dog to point i would not have an other hpr, GWP/hpr's only come into there own when they are covering vast areas off open ground and running free, it's great to watch a good 1 run, infact probably the best dog work u can watch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted May 12, 2013 Report Share Posted May 12, 2013 Deer and foxes are the other real use for them but I'd echo most of that othe than I'll be getting a second. Whether that's luck or not I don't know but one suits my shooting but that's lots of rifle work 20 odd days beating and some rough shooting. I find her useful beating but she is different to the norm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotslad Posted May 12, 2013 Report Share Posted May 12, 2013 I can see me gettin an other one too, but i will also have lab's and spaniels at the same time, an hpr is my luxury dog whereas lab's and spaniels are a workhorse that just do wot u want them too. Doubt my wire will ever see a beating line and only pick up on certain shoots on smaller days Lab's or spaniels will work on deer no problems esp the more old fashioned working lines. Used to be a keepers line of lab's near me that was legendry on deer back in the days of deer drives. Must admit never really got the need for a lamping dog but if works for u alex. All i'm trying to say is unless u have acess to large open areas (snipe bog's, grouse moors, rough grazing etc) that's when an hpr really comes into it's own, and are a joy to watch. But when u are working them close in with high numbers of birds u are going against there breeding and natural instincts and constantly holding them back, get a dog that has been bred for that ie lab or spaniel. Just my opinion and will be different to others. Do ur homework and try and see some work. Mibee try to go along to a training day join a local hpr club and se the dogs work and speal to there owners or even a field trail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted May 12, 2013 Report Share Posted May 12, 2013 The funny thing is mine is easiest with lots of birds and steadies up totally, just stalks and flushes and watches, I tried her on our small syndicate first and have gone from there and she generally is easier with lots of birds than the spaniels. Lamping wise again she only came out as she loves being out shooting an in the truck and is no bother, then the discovery that when you drop one on stubble that she finds them in seconds it saves a lot of looking, then on the rare wounded one she is ideal if you can't get a follow up shot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studley Posted May 12, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2013 Thanks for the input guys, glad it wasn't sugar coated too much! I've had a lot of people say go for a lab first for ease of training etc but still keeping open minded, ordered a few books to read as I want to make the right decision for something thats going to be around for 13 odd years! Will be busy with exams before I make a decision over the next fortnight. Thanks for the invites Sprocket and Dirty Harry, Hopefully I'll PM you once I've shaken off the exam celebration hangover(s). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted May 12, 2013 Report Share Posted May 12, 2013 I wouldn't recommend a breed on the basis of how supposedly easy they are to train, if you put the effort in and channel a working dogs instincts with consistent input you will end up with a good dog. BUT if you buy a breed designed to hunt, be sure your end use for the dog involves hunting. Best of luck, whatever you decide. Al4x knows the strengths and weaknesses of the breed, as does MiLisCer on here (Mike). PM these guys and get a balanced and honest response. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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