any Wirehaired pointing griffon breeders in WA?

[yorketransport]

Well I'm going to the dog show in Centralia on Sunday. I've been talking with Carol Ptak and she said that there will be 6 Griffons at the show, and I may be able to go by her ranch and see some of her other Griffons.

I may be suffering from information overload though. In the last few days I've been going over 10 generation pedigrees  for a few litters, and learning the difference between a Korthals Griffon and the hybrid WPG. I think my head is going to explode.

Now if you want a dog that hunts as well and looks much better, then consider a Small Munsterlander.   

I'm half tempted to just get a black lab off craigs list and be done with it, then you throw in another breed.

Andrew

[MadMooner]

Hah!

When it comes to dogs, everydamnbody got an opinion! Whether it's training, breeding, breeds etc... everybody has their opinions and most are purty hard headed about 'em.

If you want a bird dog, look for a breeder that hunts, trains and raises bird dogs. Simple as that. It's up to you to determine what you consider a bird dog. I want a breeder that hunts his stock, trains, and raises birds.

I'd really look into the PNW NAVHDA. It's a bunch of hunters, trainers and breeders trying to get the best out of the dogs.

Small Munsterlanders are really cool too!  Too freaking pretty.....but purty good bird dogs!

[Shannon]

I'll probably get flamed for saying this but here goes. If your a hard core bird hunter and hunt a bunch, I would over look the Griffon. If you want an awesome buddy year around and want a dog that can get the job done adequately, I would look at the Griffon. If your sold on a Griffon I would definitely talk to John Kohnke. Nice guy that really knows his breed.
I think it's easier to find and your much more likely to find a hunting machine with a Pudelpointer, Wirehair, German shorthair, etc. I've seen a lot of Griffs run and I've never seen one that was a fast, stylish, big runner, bird crazed hunter. I know they exist but they are a lot harder to find.
Good luck in your choice.

[wildweeds]

Only flaming you'll get from me is over the pudelpointer,take that one off your list and your good.IMO the only continentals worth looking at  are a  GSP as the first choice and GWP as a second,I would choose between those two  according to possible percentage of time used for waterfowl.Best odds on getting a great hunting dog are on the GSP and GWP.

I'll probably get flamed for saying this but here goes. If your a hard core bird hunter and hunt a bunch, I would over look the Griffon. If you want an awesome buddy year around and want a dog that can get the job done adequately, I would look at the Griffon. If your sold on a Griffon I would definitely talk to John Kohnke. Nice guy that really knows his breed.
I think it's easier to find and your much more likely to find a hunting machine with a Pudelpointer, Wirehair, German shorthair, etc. I've seen a lot of Griffs run and I've never seen one that was a fast, stylish, big runner, bird crazed hunter. I know they exist but they are a lot harder to find.
Good luck in your choice.

[MadMooner]

I agree.

GSP or a GWP are safe bets for a hunting machine. Though I've seen more than a couple GSP's that didn't like water.

In fact, I know John also hunts a GSP and Frank hunted a GWP. Both however still hunt Griffs mostly.

I talked to a fella that bred and hunted Griffs, he said If he was going to get a dog to just hunt the snot out of, he'd get a GWP.

My $.02.....
If you want a dog that is going to stay in the house, be good with kids and other dogs, be a great buddy, and hunt a little closer. Get a Griff from a good hunting breeder. (Not to say GSP's and GWP's can't do this as well).

If you don't care about any of that and just want a solid, kick azz hunting dog, I'd get a GWP.

Breeder is more important than breed in my opinion.

[Shannon]

Wildweeds,
I actually think the Pudelpointer is the easiest of all of them to find a bird crazed bird dog out of that will hit the water as hard as the fields. They are only bred by hunters for hunters only and the AKC hasn't had a chance to screw them up like a lot of other breeds. Make sure your not thinking of Labradoodle. I have two Pudelpointers that were machines right out of the box. They were a foundation breed for the Wirehair and they have most all of the same traits except the sharpness. They may have a little more style on average and a bigger run on average than the Wirehair but all in all a very similar dog.
Mine are deadly on anything with feathers and pretty rough on fur even though I discourage it.

[yorketransport]

My $.02.....
If you want a dog that is going to stay in the house, be good with kids and other dogs, be a great buddy, and hunt a little closer. Get a Griff from a good hunting breeder. (Not to say GSP's and GWP's can't do this as well).

These are all the reasons that I decided on the Griffon. I'm not a hardcore bird hunter by any means. The dog will be 80% pet and 20% hunter. I am a foot hunter and I've never been a big fan of dogs which take off and work 200 yards ahead of me. I'll see how things go this weekend with Carol after watching her dogs work a bit.

Andrew

[Shannon]

People that are used to hunting over flushers like the idea of keeping the dog close. That's required with a flusher but the beauty of pointers is they go out and cover the ground so you don't have to. I don't want to hike every hill looking for a chukar or hun or whatever I'm hunting. I want my dog to cast out and do that so I don't have to. It's not uncommom for me to walk 8 miles while my dogs go 35+. That's what pointers are for. If you want to keep your dog within gun range I would recommend a flusher.
Good luck with your griffon. They are great companions.

[MadMooner]

People that are used to hunting over flushers like the idea of keeping the dog close. That's required with a flusher but the beauty of pointers is they go out and cover the ground so you don't have to. I don't want to hike every hill looking for a chukar or hun or whatever I'm hunting. I want my dog to cast out and do that so I don't have to. It's not uncommom for me to walk 8 miles while my dogs go 35+. That's what pointers are for. If you want to keep your dog within gun range I would recommend a flusher.
Good luck with your griffon. They are great companions.

Hah!

Like I said, everybody gots an opinion!

[yorketransport]

Well I thought I had a dog all lined up, but that didn't work out. I got a call from the breeder (Larry Harkins) to tell me that there won't be any pups. I got my deposit back and now I'm back to searching. I was getting pretty exited about it too.

Andrew

[JLS]

People that are used to hunting over flushers like the idea of keeping the dog close. That's required with a flusher but the beauty of pointers is they go out and cover the ground so you don't have to. I don't want to hike every hill looking for a chukar or hun or whatever I'm hunting. I want my dog to cast out and do that so I don't have to. It's not uncommom for me to walk 8 miles while my dogs go 35+. That's what pointers are for. If you want to keep your dog within gun range I would recommend a flusher.
Good luck with your griffon. They are great companions.

You are spot on in this assessment.  I have a lab, and the guys I hunt with have GSP and GWPs.  They cover so much more ground than I do it's not even funny, and I'm in way better shape than either of them. 

I just got a GWP pup this summer, and the training philosophy for the versatile dogs is quite an adjustment from training a lab.  I find myself having to bite my tongue because I want to call him back and keep him close when we're out walking, when in reality I know that I need to cultivate that desire and willingness to explore on his own.

So on a side note, do any of you guys backpack with your pointers, and if so do you keep them on leash or just use commands to keep them in closer?  I love backpacking with my bird dogs, but I don't like them ranging out of sight where they could be a PITA for anyone else on the trail.

[Firecat63]

Im that girlfriend referred to in earlier emails that doesn't hunt?  -- I find myself wondering if that is a "fair" classification because Im training my Griff (now 9 mos) to hunt and do hunt test.   I may pick up a shotgun for birds at some point; -- don't know.  -- I did shoot as a kid;grew up in a hunting family.    Carol Ptak is a wonderful resource; glad you were able to connect.  It was my meeting w/ her and the meet and greet with her three prodigies that led me to the Griffs.   Griff breeders that I was able to research were nearest in Oregon and Idaho.   The best, A#1 breeder I know of is Herrenhausen.  I don't know if you've contacted them, but I was very impressed in my conversations with Barbara, and Ive heard nothing but shining references for her program from others.    As for the ability to obtain a pup, I personally did research for 4 to 6 months and ultimately was waitlisted. -- I started looking for a WPG in fall of 2012 and didn't find a pup until spring 2013.   All I can say is that if you have truly decided on a WPG -- good things come to those who wait.

Note of caution on breeders.  -- I recommend you try to learn as much about the breeding program as you can.  I was dismayed to find out that the mother of my pup was pregnant more than once a year?  -- Maybe my perspective is "off", but to my mind that stress is hard on the dog.  And I was under the impression this was not an anomally(sp).

Note on Griff personality.   All have said Griff's are wonderful family dogs.   I agree, but would qualify it.   I've had an English Lab, and grew up with labs.  -- Now THAT's a family dog.  --- They're as patient as Job and tolerant to the nth degree, which is very important if you have kids of ANY age.   The difference I have noted with my Griff is that he is definitely not a rough-and-tumble-about-the-carpet kind of dog like a lab.  -- If you do that to my griff, he rapidly gets defensive and aggressive, barking loudly, snarling and nipping (even biting) the unfortunate soul who thought it would be fun/funny to play rough.   Conversely, my Griff is most definitely it's owner's dog.  -- He's MY boy, and sticks to me like glue.  He is affectionate and a loveable with family members(as long as they dont egg him on); while guarded and protective in public or with strangers.   In the field he works close if only out with me, ranging further afield if he is backing another dog.  If your hunting style and physical fitness is to "move out", then a faster, wider ranging breed (e.g. a Brittany or Pointer) might be more appropriate.  I personally wanted a breed that would work with me -- finding prey close enough that I /or the person Im handling my dog for can get to quickly enough.   We all know that birds run, and I can't tell you how many times I've hiked a country mile to get to the dog only to find out the bird ran.

I wish you much success in your search.   

[one more]

It sounds like you have the dog you want.  Best wishes for great hunting times together.

I would like to get a female W P Griff and have been on several "Rescue" lists in WA  ID  and OR,  for several months.  I was looking for an older dog.  The dogs listed in other states are listed for just hours before the listing says they are adopted.  Griffs sure are popular.   There are a "Griffology" and a "Griffon Rescue" Facebook Page and each seems to have over 100 people visiting them from all over the country.  They show pictures of and answer questions about Griffs, hunting dogs and dogs in general.
We had a Griff many years ago and my daughter has one I helped train, a little, but she moved to Anchorage. 

So, my husband told me to look for a puppy!  I will contact Carol Ptak and the Kohnkes and all the breeders in the three states.
Maybe sometime we can get together with our pups.
Diane

[yorketransport]

So, my husband told me to look for a puppy!  I will contact Carol Ptak and the Kohnkes and all the breeders in the three states.
Maybe sometime we can get together with our pups.
Diane

Good luck on the search for your pup. I couldn't be happier with the one I ended up with. She's an absolute sweetheart regardless of how she ends up working out as a hunter.

 Right now we're working on her nose so I'm dragging a rabbit fur around the yard and having her follow it. She's doing pretty well, but I think it's going to take a little more time for her nose to develop.

You're in a great location to meet up with Carol. She's down in Rochester and is very willing to invite folks over to watch her dogs work.

Andrew