German Shot Hair Breeders

[BenBelly]

Working on getting back into upland hunting, I'm looking into breeders and strongly leaning toward the GSP. One breeder in Iowa, Top Gun, was recommended. Does anyone know about this breeder? Any and all recommendations are welcome - Thanks!!

[quail hound]

Ben I know its a drive but they're having a NAGDA gun dog competition at guns and roosters near Porterville this weekend. A lot of good guys and breeds (including gap) will be there. If you can come out and watch us run, some of these guys breed some nice dogs.

[quail hound]

I'll be running my springer dog.

[Madison COunty]

Working on getting back into upland hunting, I'm looking into breeders and strongly leaning toward the GSP. One breeder in Iowa, Top Gun, was recommended. Does anyone know about this breeder? Any and all recommendations are welcome - Thanks!!

Check out Chris Riddle 6R Upland Kennels in Grinnell Iowa. He has a awesome bloodline and his dogs are great to watch work. I bought a puppy from him in October from him and could not be any happier with it.


6ruplandkennels.com

[BenBelly]

Thanks for the suggestion, unfortunately we have plans this weekend but maybe next time. I've seen guys with Springers but know little about them. What are their strong "points", no pun here, lots of research to go.

[BenBelly]

Thanks for the 6r kennel info. I'll check it out.

[Madison COunty]

Make sure you do! Chris is a great breeder and a great guy as well. Nicest guy that you will ever meet.

When we were looking at dogs he took my wife and me out to the fields so we could watch his dogs work. I had never seen a bird dog hunt before this and it was great watching them.

[BleuBijou]

Have you ever had a GSP before? There is a lot of research you need to do ! What Line of GSP are you looking for or that suits your hunting style and so on!! Some lines are better suited for house and some for kennel ! You have to decide !!!! And this is just the begining!!!

[BenBelly]

I'm on the site now and it looks very good. It's going to be hard to decide between the reputable breeders. Testimony like your will help a lot - Thanks Madison County

[Uncle Buck]

Look for HillHaven lines if this is your first GSP. HH HUSTLER, STRADIVARIUS BROUQE etc.Check Horizon Kennels in Sioux Falls. These lines produce nice pets that hunt well.

[quail hound]

Springers were built to hunt pheasants and that's what they excell at. Mine are great quail hunters on the quail we have here but I wouldn't expect them to do nearly as well as a pointing breed on bob whites. They are natural retrievers, mine regularly retrieve doves for 5 or 6 guns. And are great family dogs.

I'm not trying to push springers (even though they are the best :D) It takes a lot of research to find the right breed for you. I'll try to give you a better heads up next time, you'll see a lot of different breeds run at these events.

[BenBelly]

BleuBijou - I've hunted with them and gotten to know a few great GSPs. Yes, I have lots of research to do because I understand the responsibility involved. I know the basics of training and overall care. Beyond that I know that I am leaning toward a female as I think one would be easier to control when coming across deer and the like. The dog will also be an off field buddy with a good temperment. I hope to learn more here - thanks for the information Uncle Buck

[BenBelly]

Quail Hound - Good info - until I place a deposit or pick-up a dog my mind is open. I have several months to decide and hopefully everyone here will offer lots of input.

[BleuBijou]

BenBelly, the tightest Hustler lines I know of are out of Westwind GSP's in Kansas!!! I believe Gary has the best Hustler stock in the Country!!!! I.C.'s in the high 20's !!!!! ( Inbreed Coefficient) You can Google Westwind GSP's!!He has a great web site!!!:thumbsup:

[BenBelly]

BleuBijou - That one is so far closest to home - thanks for the information

[Cobblestone]

There are so many GSP lines out there that do soooo many different things. First thing is to know what you want out of your GSP. Some line produce track stars, other line produce true versatiles.

Me personally....I'd go "Slick" line all the way!

[Uncle Buck]

Check out Hillhaven prodigy. Great pets and hunters too. Horizon Kennels,Sioux Falls, Dave List has some great dogs in that line.

[BenBelly]

These are pics of a good dog I know. She's the best but located quite a few miles from me.

[OKIEGunner]

Working on getting back into upland hunting, I'm looking into breeders and strongly leaning toward the GSP. One breeder in Iowa, Top Gun, was recommended. Does anyone know about this breeder? Any and all recommendations are welcome - Thanks!!

BB,
First let me say, doing your online research is only one step in process of making a lifelong decision on a good dog. Be Careful of the backyard breeders that have a few champions in their bloodlines.

I would visit several prospective breeders after talking with them on the phone first. Have specific questions of interest too you and what you expect from the breed you are getting ready to buy. References from hunters are okay, but spending time on the phone with each potential breeder and asking for information concerning DNA, OFA, Brucellosis Testing, CERF Exam you can soon weed-out the back yard breeders from the professional breeders that are truly dedicated in producing top-quality dogs.

A nice looking web site also does not mean that they are a reputable breeder. I will not buy a dog without spending time hunting behind the parents, unless I know the breeder personally.

A reputable breeder will also guarantee future testing results on pups, as well as produce a legal contract at the time of purchase. Take your time and it will pay dividends in the long-run. Good Luck!

[KansasCowboy]

There are plenty of breeders close to home! Oklahoma produces some really good dogs and Kansas has the most GSP breeders in the country so you wont have to travel far!

[BenBelly]

Great news that there are so many breeders in Kansas and close to OK. I will take the advise to visit and probably haunt those who are truly professionals on the short list. First I have lots to learn.

[OKIEGunner]

Take your time....when you have a few potential candidates, give me a PM and I will give you my two cents. Another thing to consider, is if you want a true versatile dog you may want to see some water work demonstrated. Oklahoma has some great waterfowl opportunities.

[BenBelly]

Sounds good - I will do that OKIEGunner

[birdshooter]

Working on getting back into upland hunting, I'm looking into breeders and strongly leaning toward the GSP. One breeder in Iowa, Top Gun, was recommended. Does anyone know about this breeder? Any and all recommendations are welcome - Thanks!!

I have a Top Gun Dog. Sent you a PM

[Uncle Buck]

BenBelly, the tightest Hustler lines I know of are out of Westwind GSP's in Kansas!!! I believe Gary has the best Hustler stock in the Country!!!! I.C.'s in the high 20's !!!!! ( Inbreed Coefficient) You can Google Westwind GSP's!!He has a great web site!!!:thumbsup:

Good advice re Hustler. As anyone who has been on this site a while knows, I breed Pudelpointers. I am not, however "breed blind" as many are and have owned several GSPs. I had a son directly out of Hustler and he was one great dog on the field and my wife's favorite in the house. I'll put some pics up one of these days. (waiting for the first blizzard of th year).

[BleuBijou]

Good advice re Hustler. As anyone who has been on this site a while knows, I breed Pudelpointers. I am not, however "breed blind" as many are and have owned several GSPs. I had a son directly out of Hustler and he was one great dog on the field and my wife's favorite in the house. I'll put some pics up one of these days. (waiting for the first blizzard of th year).

I would sure love to see them pic's !!!!! Hope it Blizzard's soon!!!!!!! Chief's markings are so darn similar to Hustler!!! Hope he is half the dog!!!!

[terrylndrs]

Top Gun Kennel was sold

[BenBelly]

terrylndrs I contacted Top Gun first, the pictures I posted were of a great Top Gun dog. Steve Ries referred me to a kennel in Indiana where they continue the Top Gun line. That breeder is on my list along with others referred to me here.

[birdshooter]

I had a son directly out of Hustler and he was one great dog on the field and my wife's favorite in the house. I'll put some pics up one of these days. (waiting for the first blizzard of th year).

Hustler was a great dog and was bred to many different females over the 16 years that he lived. One of the most celebrated breeding's which produced offspring that excelled in their own right was from the pairing of Hustler/Wendy von Enztrand, which produced the prepotent sire himself DC Stradivarius Baroque as well as others. Hustler is long gone (17 years to be exact) and most pedigree's with him in it now would most likely be at least 5-6 generations back. But his influence IMO can still be seen if careful line breeding has taken place.

Here's an interesting read over at GDF about over used sires causing a genetic bottleneck. Hustler's name comes into the discussion : http://gundogforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=69&t=23503

[shotgunner66]

I too echo the accolades for Hillhaven Hustler and Stradivarius Baroque lines. I have litter mates, Bear and Blaze, who not only have those but also Rawhide Clown in their blood lines. These are 2 of the best dogs I have ever owned and had the pleasure to hunt over. They are "driven" and "relentless" in the field and "lap dogs" around the house...even at 80 and 60 pounds. My male, Bear, is almost 8 and I would love to breed him to a nice female to get just one more male pup to continue the lines. Good luck on your search, I'll be following your progress. God bless.

[birdshooter]

Won't argue with you there. The Hustler breeding has been a boon to the GSP world.