German Wirehaired Pointer Club of America

Indiana Mitch · Posted: 09/10/03, 7:19 pm Post subject: New GWP Owner Joins the Forum

Greetings all,

My name is Mitch and I'm a Bird Huntin' Fool (BHF) that's never lived anywhere but Northwest Indiana... where hunting for pheasant and/or quail means lots and lots of walking... with very little shooting. Now and then, things get better... or we have a lucky day and take our limit... but mostly we walk and dream about headin' West in the Fall.

Through a strange series of events, back in December, I became the "owner" of a sweet little GWP the breeder called "Queenie" and I renamed Sophie. This is my first GWP and now I understand why so many websites describe them (and the DD) as clowns.

What a great sense of humor these dogs have... and I'm amazed at their intelligence. I've trained a FT lab... and a fine GSP... and helped out with quite a few other dogs... and I honestly think the GWP (at least the one I'm feeding) may be the smartest dog I've ever dealt with. I won't waste your time with details... you probably have 10 stories for every one that I could tell.

So... I just wanted to say "Hi" and post a photo or two of Sophie. I'll post questions and thoughts on other threads so this note isn't WAY too long.

Little Sophie at 6 months old.

Such a cute (ugly) dog!

This is Sophie and me shortly after the first time I let her run at a nearby preserve. I didn't have any birds released... since the owner and I are good friends and he just lets me know when there might be some leftovers.

Sophie found 3 very dead quail from the previous day's activities. First she pointed them... but after a little coaxing from me, she learned to fetch them up on my command.

A little later, she crowded two pheasants which flushed noisily and headed for Wisconsin (or so it looked). I allowed her to chase, while I kept my mouth shut and let her figure out she can't catch those things. A "training habit" that has served me well in the past.

A little while later, she pointed (quite nicely and for about one minute) a rooster which I flushed and dispatched with my little 28 gauge. With very little prodding from me, she made an acceptable retrieve.

That seemed like a good time to head back to the truck and take a photo or two, while reminding Sophie what a good dog she was.

Thanks for listening to this proud new GWP owner and lover.
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Indiana Mitch
"Are the woodcock down yet?"

KYSER · Junior Joined: 06 Jul 2003 Posts: 46

Good looking dog Mitch, the facial marking look a lot like my pups. The wife keeps wanting to cut the hair in front of his eyes but I wont let her.
Best of luck with your new pal. I'm on my first GWP also and I'm totally sold.

Keith · Master Joined: 27 Dec 2002 Posts: 163

I love that head shot picture. Cool looking dog.

outdoorsman · Posted: 09/11/03, 8:25 am Post subject:

great looking dog. Welcome to the board.
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www.fdgwpc.org

ANGUS · Junior Joined: 13 Aug 2003 Posts: 32 Location: BC Canada

Your Sophie looks like my Angus,he just isn't as fuzzy .
Enjoy your dog.I know I do.

oacona · Member Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 13

Have to add to the "congrats, great looking pup, and enjoy". She looks a lot like our Kona, who is the funniest, smartest, best loved dog ever in our lives (in the world, if you ask us). They are a blast - hunt with such a passion, and return the love in like form - Kona just can't get enough, and would survive on only bird scent and our praise and petting. Enjoy every minute - they're wonderful.
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Oacona

ME · Junior Joined: 13 Sep 2003 Posts: 65

Well Mitch,
Now your hooked enjoy the ride.

She is a beauty for a hairy faced girl LOL Wink

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