Just picked up my birddog

Cute pup, if he grows into those paws he'll be a good size dog. May you both have a long and happy hunting life together.
 
His father was around 65 pounds so he will be a big dog! I can't wait to get him in the field! Based on his bloodline and another dog from the same father he has great potential! He is already very smart and almost house broken at only 10 weeks old!
 
Very glad to hear this! Settled for a male instead of a femele I see! Congratulations!
 
Great looking pup! Its gonna be a good sized dog if it does grow into the paws and ears! A friend of mine had a male GSP that tipped the scales right at 100#. I told him it was only that heavy because its head was full of rocks, lol. That was the most trouble causing dog I have ever met! My GSP was a tiny 40# female that was the best gun dog I ever owned, except for being gun shy every year for the first week, and chronic car sickness. But, in the field she was in her element.

What diet do you have planned for him?


-Xander
 
Congrats! GSP's are wonderful dogs. We have had our GSP now for 5-years. I wish you many happy and successful years together in the field.
 
I remember my Grandfather had GSPs at one time. He loved to quail hunt. Some of my earliest memories are of a series of Eberhardt paintings he had on the walls in his house. I guess I come by my love of bird dogs honestly.

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I'm too infirmed to go afield hunting these days, but this intellegent dog laying on my feet sure does give me joy and comfort. Congrats again on the new pup. May you both teach each other a lot in the comeing years.
 
Great looking pup! Its gonna be a good sized dog if it does grow into the paws and ears! A friend of mine had a male GSP that tipped the scales right at 100#. I told him it was only that heavy because its head was full of rocks, lol. That was the most trouble causing dog I have ever met! My GSP was a tiny 40# female that was the best gun dog I ever owned, except for being gun shy every year for the first week, and chronic car sickness. But, in the field she was in her element.

What diet do you have planned for him?


-Xander

He is on purina pro plan for puppies.
 
Yeah I went with the pup that reacted to me when I was meeting them. I had a feather hidden in my hand :). I've almost caught him pointing but my phone is always in my pocket.. I must say this dog is very stubborn. But repetition will hopefully cure this. But him yelping at night is killing me no sleep for me! But this is night three so hopefully his crying in the kennel days are almost over
 
Congrats on a great looking pup. I myself just got a Golden Retriever/Heeler mix from a nearby rescue. Her personality is ALL Golden but she has a smaller body size and much shorter fur of the Heeler (read "low maintenance :)). She is only a year old, but acts very mature for her age. I don't know that I will make her a gun dog as there aren't many opportunities for pheasant or ducks in my part of the woods. Still, she should make a great companion as I am sure yours will too. Stay vigilant in ignoring any night yelping. I'm sure you already know--ear plugs can be a great thing.
 
Go to Wal-Mart or a dollar store and buy a windup Big Ben alarm clock. Hide it under the bedding. But whatever you do, don't reward the whining with attention. And by the way, a stubborn dog is a smart dog. You aren't the established pack leader. Yet.
 
He is on purina pro plan for puppies.

Any particular reason for choosing this food? Its an ok food, but still contains corn and corn products pretty high in the ingredient list. Corn does have some benefit, protein and fiber, but more often than not is used as a filler. I know a lot of dogs do just fine on Pro Plan, but do be vigilant of skin, coat, bowel and apetite issues. Smooth coat dogs and many pure bred dogs seem to have higher instances of sensitivities to food ingrediants than many mixed breed dogs in my own observations. I manage a pet food store and talk to as well as see LOTS of dogs and issues every day. Sadly, most people are more apt to come to a store like mine to fix issues with their dog than go see a vet, I always recommend they do and preface all my recommendations with "I'm not a vet or RVT, but..." Again, its far and away better than Dog Chow or other commercial foods, but there is a whole 'nother world of premium and ultra premium diets out there that can save money over lesser foods and future vet bills.

I have owned working/hunting dogs my whole life, my two now are mixed breed rescues (not enough time to do justice to a hunting dog nowadays), have bred dogs and been involved with family members who have been breeding dogs for 40+ years.

I am up to date one most dog foods and how they compare to each other, also how each facet the complex needs of dogs relate to features of most foods, so if you have any questions feel free to ask, but remember, I am not a vet or RVT, I can just help you wade through all the marketing hype and confusing information out there about dog food.


Again, great looking pup!


-Xander
 
Xander - not to derail, but what are your thoughts re: raw diets for dogs? We have ours on Nutro Max currently (and have had no issues), but keep toying with the idea of going with something closer to a "wild" diet.
 
Raw diets are great. My store carries Natures Variety, Instinct raw frozen. 95% meat and bones, 5% whole vegetables. Seldom do raw diets have the issue of digestive upset do to switching protein source like dry kibble does, but it is also expensive. NV has 1oz medalions or 8oz patties. The small medalions are great to suppliment a dry diet and keep cost down when feeding larger dogs. Even the old B.A.R.F. diet that was popular in the 80's is a great way to go, but does take planning to be sure your dog gets everything they need in a safe form.

There is also freeze dried raw, NV makes one and also there is Stella & Chewy brand. Can be fed dry or reconstituted with water. A bonus about raw diets, they often can be fed to dogs and cats with no need to buy different foods.

Going from Max to wholly raw is a big $$ leap though, there are tons of great options in between.

One thing to remember about raw diets, packaged raw pet food is prepared and handled to be consumed raw, unlike food for us which often relies on being cooked to be safe.


-Xander
 
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