Thread: Replacement GWP

I've had 3 wires, got my first in 2000, never had any problems with aggression.

I have one of Jason’s (Kawhia) Drahthaars
He is an entire male and is 18 months old and has been awesome so far much better than the GSP I had before him, only thing I have to watch is he is pretty keen on cats... other than that awesome as has the off switch inside and has been great with other dogs so far

Am onto my fourth GWP now. All have been great. Each has their own personality and training and handling must recognise and deal with those traits to get the best from the dog. The breed is highly intelligent and communicative. Not responding in a positive way to the body language of the dog could easily lead to a frustrated animal with resulting behavioural difficulties. They are not a dog for inexperienced handlers. They give and expect love and care. Mine certainly make plenty of noise when people enter the property, and it is easy to hear the changing tones from warning to welcome barks when dogs do or don't recognise the visitor. Nobody can put their hand in my vehicle though, if I'm not there. If I hear the bark maintained as warning tone, I tell the person to stand perfectly still while the dog /s investigate in my presence. I am quite sure if I indicated that I thought the visitor was a threat, then they would react protectively.
One dog I had was a true alpha male and this became more evident as he got to about 15 months. He would act quite stiffly to any other dog. I studied all I could about managing aggressive behaviour. One trainer recommended that I approach other dogs with my dog on a leash. As soon as the other dog got within about 40 yards, I made my dog sit and face to the side so no dog to dog eye contact was possible. It only took about a dozen of these training sessions till my dog realised the only one in our pack who was allowed to decide on challenging another dog was me, and not him. Never had a problem with him from then on, although if he was ever attacked he certainly then dealt to the aggressor, but he never started a fight himself, and did his best to avoid eye contact with challengers. That dog had massive hunt drive but at the same time was incredibly steady and biddible; probably the best dog I will ever have, such that it is now the measure I try to attain with subsequent dogs. I can't emphasise enough, that these dogs always have something new to teach you, IF you have the ability so see and think dog language and signals. Well bred GWP's deserve respect. As @Tahr said, there was a very bad strain bred by a puppy factory a few years back, and thank goodness it is no longer in existence. My dogs have ben bred in SI directly from European stock or within one breeding of that stock.

You have a grandfather on one side with European blood woody, the rest is typical nz lines... related to my old sweep in fact, 11 years old and still going strong, his dad was one of stugs 3, we bred 2 litters from him none of which was breeding material.
As stated the gene pool is hiding many issues compounded by inbreeding and lack of a benchmark to breed against.
The root stock being English came with health coat and temp issues... none of it is a good thing and the gwp gene pool still has it.
The lack of new bitch lines was the biggest reason.... bringing in new males was not the answer.
It is identified and eliminated from the breeding gene pool in the drahthaar world when it come up.... hence the testing they go through.
Some of the eastern German lines were known to be very aggressive and big, looking at old pics of the nz foundation stock they looked very similar.

German Wirehaired Pointer breeder warns dog should not be pets after girl mauled in Neerim Junction | Daily Mail Online

Its a nonsense statement isn't it...and criminally irresponsible maybe...its the breeders responsibility to ensure his dogs recognise and are safe in their own pack surely...even if there is a cost to some trait that they value...

how much is a draathaar pup going to set me back?

Originally Posted by Fisherman

Its a nonsense statement isn't it...and criminally irresponsible maybe...its the breeders responsibility to ensure his dogs recognise and are safe in their own pack surely...even if there is a cost to some trait that they value...

you should not be leaving your dog(s) unattended with children anywhere near them especially unattended......................... for the sake of the dog(s) cause no matter what happens if its bad the dog will be blamed.

ironic in the fact this happened last week, thars and gapped axes comments came to mind once the news was coming out.

yep...and respect your integrity posting it...

Looking for another one

I am looking to get one too, I should be ready about November if anyone knows of anything coming up

Am teaching mine to crawl beside me now. He was very puzzled at first but had caught on quick. When I give him the down and then get down myself and command crawl, he crawls nicely with his head under my armpit. A few more days and will start to train him to do it independent of me. Big smile on his eyebrows when he knows I appreciate his "good job". He keeps my life smiling.