Background
Lodon Kennels prides itself on
quality GSPs. We breed for excellent temperament, ability
to hunt, point and to retrieve a variety of game on both land and
water. A GSP is a joy to watch, whether it be in the field
performing his tasks tirelessly, with great desire and style, or at
home with the family. At the end of the day, the GSP should be
an agreeable and sociable companion able to live in your home as a
family member. Our first priority from birth is to get the
puppy socialised in a calm and quiet atmosphere. The first 12
weeks of a puppies life is critical to the development of the dogs
temperament in later life. We provide care and attention
during these important early days. We have built a
considerable reputation for producing high quality dogs
that will work and provide company and pleasure to any
family environment.
History
As the name implies, the country
of origin of this breed of dog was Germany. German Shorthaired
Pointers have been known to be a distinct and separate breed
probably since the 17th century. However, the dog that we
identify as a GSP today was developed by a group made up of
dedicated noblemen and sportsmen towards the end of the 19th
century. It is important to note that these people had a very
specific purpose in developing this breed. They wanted a
personal gun dog, that could "sense, find, point, mark, and return
game in the field and out of the water." They also wanted a
companion and family dog. They wanted it all, a dog that could
do anything. Prior to this time, noblemen would keep large
kennels with a variety of dogs depending on what he wanted to hunt
that day. Each dog would have a speciality, earth dogs, field
dogs, water spaniels, etc. The philosophy of the developers of
the GSP was "Those that have many dogs do not have any dogs."
It is believed that these developers selectively bred to the German
Pointer, the Spanish Pointer, the English Pointer, and various scent
hounds until they arrived at what we know today as the German
Shorthaired Pointer. Hunting privileges had been given to the
middle classes in the 18th to 19th century, hunting to this date had
been almost exclusively for the nobility. The middle class
needed to have a dog that could help hunt dinner, be a companion to
its master and be a protector of the family. It had to get
along with other animals, since this dog would mostly be found on
farms. There would be no separate kennel for the dog - it lived with
the family.
Bloodline
Barleyarch Playboy
Barleyarch Playboy is out of the
highly rated Barleyarch Kennel, based in Warrington, owned by Sue
and Martin Harris. Playboy is affectionately known at home as
Blue. He has an outstanding track record. Sue and Martin
describe him as a "dog in a lifetime". Andrew considers Blue
to be a very special dog and is a great admirer of Blue and what he
has accomplished - so much so that he is looking to reproduce the
personality and quality of Barleyarch style in the Lodon GSP
pedigree. The Barleyarch style is epitomised by Blue. Some of
his looks and style can be seen in his daughter Lodon Dilly Dally.
It is recognised that he is the best ever GSP produced in the United
Kingdom. In his career he has accomplished more than any other
male GSP in the history of the breed in the UK. He has amassed
an incredible 36 CCs, and has won the Dog CC at Crufts 3 times,
twice with Best of Breed; he has won countless BIS at the Breed
Shows and won BIS at National Gundog, the premier Gundog
Championship Show and Reserve Best in Show at LKA, 2nd only in size
to Crufts. There are far too many accolades attributed to him
for us to mention them all suffice it to say that judges from around
the world have recognised his qualities and have rewarded him
accordingly. Blue is simple a fantastic dog!!
Dolf Von Wittekind
Dolf Von Wittekind is owned by Mrs
Ann Gill based in Gillingham in Dorset. Ann is a very experienced
breeder and has the very established Birkenwald Kennel. Dolf, as he
is affectionately, know was imported direct from Germany. He was
highly acclaimed across the country of the origin of the German
shorthaired Pointer breed. Dolf has a tremendous working pedigree
which is recognised across the United Kingdom as he has sired a host
of bitches who’s owners are looking to involve his bloodlines in the
development of thier pedigree. The demand for the puppies he sire’s
stretches across the globe. When Andrew was first introduced to Dolf
he was very impressed with his strong personality and working
experience. Birkenwald Ciska, Dolf’s daughter has proven to be strong
personality and excellent working bitch, very much out of the mould
of her father.
The Perfect Blend of Blood Lines
The formula for success of the
Lodon GSP pedigree is highly influenced by both Dolf Von Wittekind
and Barleyarch Playboy. Two fantastic dogs in there own right, but
both with different qualities and personalities. Dolf with his
established working background in Germany and Blue with his clam
personality and phenomenal showing career. Both Lodon Cissie and
Dilly Dally were bred with these qualities in mind. The results are
clearly demonstrated in the quality of puppies that Ciska has
produced and now both Cissie and Dilly Dally are set to
continue the Lodon story.
All about GSPs
This breed was designed with two main objects in
mind: first and foremost to fulfill the role of a versatile gundog
and, secondly, to make a pleasant companion dog for the family of
the sportsman. Selective breeding over many decades for
sporting instincts means that most, if not all, GSPs have a strong
hunting drive within them - demonstrated by the need to get out
daily to use these urges to hunt for rabbits, pheasants, partridge,
ducks and other game in the hedgerows, woods and countryside.
Because of this inbuilt desire, owners of GSPs need to make sure
that they train their dogs to recall to the whistle, stop (drop) to
the whistle (to stop chasing and hunting onwards), as well as the
usual basic obedience commands. With different lines of GSPs
come variations in their hunting drive and methods. Some are
very fast running dogs with a big, wide natural quartering pattern -
ideal for hunting on big plains or fields. Others with a
closer range and slower pace are happier in a wood or smaller
fields/hedgerows. However, this versatile breed will happily
hunt for game in all terrains, woods, heaths, hedgerows, fields, and
plains and, of course, marshes and wetlands for wildfowling.
GSPs also enjoy swimming and retrieving from water - whether it is a
pond, stream, river or the ocean.
Hunting
The GSP is a hunter. You will therefore
enjoy going for country walks, in places where the GSP may fulfill
his hunting instincts - without being a nuisance to the owner of the
land. Not everyone wants a GSP running along a hedge hunting
rabbits and birds and, in woods, there may be deer (Roe
particularly) whose strong scent and fast run attract the dog’s
attention. It is not considered good behavior to have a dog
that chases deer. Woods often contain pheasant pens and birds
kept for shooting. The dog will love these - lots of fun -
but, again, the owner of the shoot and his Game Keeper may take an
entirely different view. So, you need to consider if you have
suitable walks available for your dog and whether you want a dog
that needs to be trained to keep it under control, harder with a
keen hunter than a non-hunting breed. An out of control GSP
chasing a fox or deer can easily get run over or cause a road
accident. Not only can, but also do - many GSPs have been
killed this way.
If you want to work your GSP, then you will have
the motivation to train the dog and work with it hunting out game.
Training can be very interesting and enjoyable for both owner and
dog. And, the old adage is true, a trained dog is a happy dog!
The breed clubs and various gundog clubs all run training classes
for gundogs and, while the GSP works in a different way from
Retrievers and Spaniels, the basic commands are the same. GSPs
generally are happier living in the house, with people, and other
dogs or cats, rather than in kennels, but many do spend their lives
in kennels. They enjoy company and can get noisy and/or
destructive if left alone for long periods, so if you plan on being
out at work all day, day after day, and have neighbours - think very
carefully before buying a GSP.
The exercise requirement for this breed is as much
as you want to do... When young, exercise should be balanced,
on lead and some free running - to produce a strong, healthy adult -
not a shelly one whose food has gone into too much running, rather
than building a strong skeleton and muscle system. A GSP may
be quite happy with an hour’s walk a day - provided most of this is
free running with some hunting interest. When I was involved
in GSP rescue and re-homing work, I used to get people ringing up
who wanted to get rid of their dogs because they had just got them
so fit, with hours of exercise every day, that they could not cope
with the lifestyle. It's up to you - the owner - if you want
to spend 6 hours every day walking your GSP, the dog will do it (in
time, when it is fit) but is this what you want to do every day?
The breed is noted for enjoying the company of
children and being a nice family dog. However, the children
need to be taught respect for the dog - when eating and sleeping,
etc.. and vice versa! The GSP is not primarily a child’s pet -
I am always surprised at how many people say that is why they want
one. This dog is designed hunting... It therefore follows that
it is not a suitable breed for a small child to take for walks,
unaccompanied by an adult...
In other countries GSPs are used as sledge dogs,
for example, in Norway - they take the sledges up to the hills and
forests which are used to bring the game back from the shoot!
In America, teams of GSPs have been used for running in teams,
pulling "sledges" and purpose built vehicles used for running races,
like the Iditarod in Canada. They are widely used in the UK,
USA and Australia, for example, as sniffer dogs for drugs and
explosives. This role is where some of the GSPs end up who
have very strong hunting instincts and a powerful drive for constant
activity which has made them too demanding as "pets".
Grooming
Very little is required. If you just have
one or two, you could brush them daily. They need a bath every
now and again - particularly when they have rolled in their
favourite fox excrement - very important to get that off as it may
contain mites. So, bath thoroughly occasionally when necessary
using good quality dog shampoo. Clean teeth regularly with dog
tooth paste. Clip claws if necessary, some wear down - some
don't. Keep ears clean with ear cleaner from the Vet.
Health
There are strong opinions out there - on what is
genetic and what just happens..... No definitive answers.
However, the vast majority of GSPs are normal, healthy dogs who
often live to 10-15 years in age. There have been a few who
have had hip dysplasia and osteocondritis dessicans, but,
fortunately, one can x-ray potential parents under the BVA/KC Hip
Scheme - GSP breed average score is 10. Many people also check
their dogs eyes under the eye scheme. So, when looking for a
dog of this breed, consider your requirements in relation to that of
the dog. When choosing a puppy - keep them in mind. If
you want a more placid, family dog, look for a puppy with
corresponding temperament - the breeder should be able to help you,
having reared the litter, and knowing each individual puppy.
If you want a real goer to hunt in the field - look for the bright,
active puppy, constantly exploring and sniffing. Don't buy
your puppy just on the cute markings. Markings change, anyway,
as the white on liver and white or black and white dogs may fill in
with roaming or ticking as the dog grows older - choose the right
natured dog for you. Check out whether it will retrieve or run
towards a thrown toy, if you want a retriever. Does the puppy
like people - is it bold - or retiring? Consider the whole
dog, its nature, its conformation and type before you decide on a
puppy.
The Lodon Kennel Complex
When Birkenwald Ciska arrived Andrew, a
practical engineer, set about building a purpose built kennel to
house his first GSP and future bitches to continue the Lodon
bloodlines. The kennels are insulated and are designed to be
functional yet very comfortable. The dogs love the place they
have come to recognise as their home. More recently Andrew has
designed and fabricated a purpose build whelping kennel. It
has a large run area for when the puppies find their legs and want
to explore and play. It has an area that can be easily
sectioned off to accommodate the demanding puppies and an area for
the mother to be close by, but free to relax and have a well earned
rest.
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