My life with a Dog

When my last dog, a black Labrador bitch, died I was devastated. She had been with us for over thirteen years and led the life of a full member of the family rather than a pet. For months I was unable to talk to any dog I might meet and saw her as irreplaceable. Gradually however, I got back to sanity and decided to start to think about another dog.
What was clear was that it could not be a Labrador. I would always be comparing the new with the old which would be unfair to me and animal. I looked around and settled on a choice from two breeds; vizsla or German Shorthaired Pointer. After spending some time with both breeds, I choose the GSP.The characteristics and features of a GSP have been defined as:

1. A versatile, tireless hunting dog capable of hunting feathered and furred game, pointing or treeing as necessary, retrieving to hand over land or water, and tracking wounded game. 2. A dog capable of dispatching predators. 3. A dog who is a loving, loyal family companion and hearth-warmer. 4. A vigilant watchdog capable of guarding his home and family. GSPs retain a puppy level of energy throughout their lives. They require physical and mental stimuli to help keep this energy at a manageable level.
Devoting necessary time to fulfill a GSPs drive to "work" and learn through training and play and to satisfy his need for human companionship is essential.
A sense of humor should be a prerequisite for any future GSP owner. A GSP can be quite mischievous; its pranks often not appreciated by humans. GSPs can be protective of their home and their humans. As a very social and human friendly breed, the GSP loves to be around people and activity, and handles this well, assuming it has been properly socialized. The tendency to protect territory and "pack" can be present in some more than others.
GSPs are hunters. This does not mean they would be unhappy in a non-hunting home. It does, however, mean that other avenues to direct their energies may have to be found.
GSPs get bored very easily if not kept busy. They are very inquisitive and can
be quite inventive when entertaining themselves. Unfortunately, many things they consider fun (such as playing with all the neat toys in the kitchen garbage can, unspooling toilet paper, digging in the flowerbed, jumping or climbing fences, shredding pillows or furniture, and the list goes on) we consider destructive. GSPs are very people oriented, sometimes to the point of being clingy; following your every step around the house for example. They thrive upon human interaction to be truly happy. They do best, whether hunting, competing, or just kept as companions, if allowed to live as a part of the family unit as a housedog rather than a yard or kennel dog. GSPs are, by nature, often not very amicable with cats and other small furry or feathery pets. They can be trained to leave them alone and share home space, but their hunting instinct may interfere at times.
The GSP and its owner will both benefit from obedience and other types of
training.
A GSP's intelligence and independent-mindedness can often lead to
pitfalls if not planned for. Many GSPs can be counted on to ignore commands if it doesn’t feel that obeying the command is the proper thing to do at that point in time. Training shapes the GSP, teaching it both control and confidence in obeying commands. They thrive upon structure and leadership, instinctively realizing the need for this.
GSPs tend to train easily, as they are a very biddable breed. As a working breed, they literally love and need to work.

We have been exceedingly lucky. My bitch, Sable, has fully integrated into her immediate family of the two of us and the wider family of Lord knows how many. All of the points about the character of the GSP made above are 100% true. She inherited hunting. We have, quite rightly, been warned off an exercise area where she just would not give it up. The first year or so was very frustrating as training seemed to be just a daily joke – mostly against me. We would have a training session. She learnt what was passed over. She did what was passed over. We went home. Next morning, we started by trying to recap on what we had done the day before. Gone – all gone into some mist. And attempt at conditioning by my treatment of her was just swallowed up – she was as obstinate as three donkeys. I stuck with it and then one day – quite suddenly as if a light had come on inside her head – she had it all. Now – we do not need any training. We go out and enjoy ourselves almost without any command being needed from me.
She is a fine and perfect dog and I love her to bits.