So Im pretty much set to get a GWH puppy late April early May, I was wondering if anyone on the forum had any personal experience with these dogs? Most of the breeders I'm talking to have Drathar blood in their kennels, and from the research I've done so far they sound like great dogs. missy
My soul is sick of chicken soup, it wants some chocolate!
falconess I have a buddy that has Drathaars and I can get you in contact with him if you are interested. I plan on getting one myself when I get out of the Navy and move to NM. Everyone that I have seen has seems to be a good dog. I have been told they usually don't excel at just one trait but good at many. Meaning the are pretty versatile. They should track blood,feather,fur and go to water to retrieve. Now I'm not sure about the German long hairs I have not been around many
I used to think i knew some things. But i'm not so sure anymore.
I was first attracted to them by their scruffy look but after alot of research and finding out that they can be very veristal: pointing, tacking, and flushing- that made the desision for me, esspecial for those that are also registered as Drathars. I also think that they would be more comfortable in Utah's cold weather with that wire coat, but that may not matter as I know alot of people here run the GSHs and Vislas with no problem.
missy
My soul is sick of chicken soup, it wants some chocolate!
I own 2 german wirehairs that I gun hunt, fly with falcons and my hawk, and test in the NAVHDA system. They are incredible. They will point feather or fur, track, hunt waterfowl, or just lay by the fire. I'm hooked on the breed. I'm also a professional trainer. I highly recommend researching your individual line of dog that plan to get. Dogs registered in the german system (DD's) tend to be a little different than the wirehairs. The germans put a lot of focus on the retrieve and on not losing any game. I have trained several DD's and have seen that they are usually stronger in the retrieve and track than in pointing and searching for game. In essence, I prefer a DD after game shot. That's when they really shine. Wirehairs tend to shine before the shot however. Americans like a dog that runs with a higher head and has a great search. Finding game is the strong suit of the wirehair. Now don't misinterpret this, there are exceptions to both and training can do a lot. When it comes to natural instincts though this is a trend I've seen. For falconry, I prefer the wirehair over the DD. Research your line and you shouldn't be dissappointed.