German Shorthaired Pointer Puppies - Versatile Hunting Dogs - Westwind Kennels - German Shorthair Breeder - Started Dogs
WESTWIND GSPs ...    as featured in Gun Dog Magazine..

... the home of AKC Master Hunters 
 

- Presents Tips On German Short Hair Pointer Puppies -

Over the years we have had the great privilege to produce some of the finest German Shorthairs in the United States.  Each of them was at one time just a small puppy romping around here at Westwind GSPs.  We have seen them socialized by our son and by now by his children.  And the consistency of type continues through the generations.  We have bred many litters over some 30 years and are proud of what we have accomplished.  Here are some tips for you as a new owner.

 

The 49th Day Is NOT The Best Day To Get Your Shorthair Pup:

No matter what you may have read or heard some so called expert espouse there is no such magic day.  In fact it has been in our experience that very few pups if any are ready to leave their litter at 7 weeks.  We know it is widely done and we also know there are many dogs that suffer from some form of separation anxiety in our country.  Each litter tells us when they are ready for a new environment.  Behavioral changes towards other littermates is a sure sign the pup is ready to leave and make his mark on the world.  If you are still in need of a time table we would say you can expect your pup to be ready to leave its litter between 9 and 12 weeks.  So be ready to take delivery when your pup is ready for you.

 

How Much To Feed Your Pup As It Grows:

We like to raise our litters on full feed until a few weeks before you get it.  For the last two weeks we scatter food in the yard or kennel and make the litter find their food as we say over and over again "Dead Bird" "Dead Bird" "Find the Bird" "Hunt Dead" in a low tone. We have found that not only does this help all of the pups learn a basic command of a good bird dog but we can see which pup in the litter if any is significantly more aggressive on task than the others. It has been our experience that these dogs will turn out to be harder charging and more determined in the field.  In fact these are the dogs that unless placed in the correct hands can turn out to become "too much dog for the handler"  So when you get your pup it will appear to be ravenous beyond what you might expect.

This means that you will need to feed him up slow.  Give him a cup of food every few hours rather than letting him eat all he wants or will eat.  If you give him too much food his stools will become loose and it will make his socialization into your pack even more difficult.  It could take a couple of days to get things regulated.  You will know you are feeding him too much if his stools are loose and you will know if you are not feeding him enough if his stools are constricted.  Very simply you need to keep food in his digestive system for the correct length of time.  As he grows monitor his stools to make certain you are giving him what he needs to grow at a natural rate.  What you are looking for are stools that are slightly loose on the very tip.

Your ultimate goal is to help him get through his first six months of life and never gain too much weight.  At no time is a dog heavier on their feet and bones than at this age.  And to top it off their bones are growing and are very pliable.  This is why we do not recommend puppy food.  We remember when there was not such thing and don't feel that large breeds are served well by growing too fast.  Puppy food is designed to promote growth.  German Shorthaired Pointers are slow maturing dogs.  Let nature take its natural course your dog will not be fully muscled until it is 3 years old.