Thoughts on Drahthaars and Eastern WA?

[Jesse Jaymes]

I am relocating to eastern WA.  Specifically somewhere near Chewelah, north of Spokane.

A bit of background:  Grew up in PA.  Thought I was a "hunter" at an early age.  Too much competition in PA to really do much.  Moved out west to NM for several years.  Discovered "real" hunting.  Limited out on doves and quail at will.  Bought my first Chessie at 13 years old with paper route money.  Bought another when I moved to NM at age 25.  Both were "needy" dogs and had to be touching me at all times and had seperation anxiety, as well as thyroid problems.  Not faulting the breed, just the breeders and my dog raising ability at the time.

Much more savvy now on pack structure, rank and discipline.  But I gave up much of my bird hunting.  At 38 years old and somewhat successful or at least established, I can finally afford a flat bottom boat for duck hunting or at least some of the other nice things that were unattainable as a young man(I am by no means wealthy)

Just can afford some training birds, dummies, etc.

I did not compete with my previous two dogs, but would like to work for a title of some sort as a hobby should I purchase a hunting dog.

I am pretty loyal to the Chesapeake breed.  Like the size and looks.  But I did have some issues.

I am not in WA yet, but will be within a month.

I am asking the masses, what can I expect for hunting opportunities in this area?

And how much use would a dog like a Drahthaar be?  The pics of them retrieving raccoons, foxes, and birds while tracking wounded deer is more than intruiging.  Whether it's officially legal or not (WA has some really messed up Game regs) a wounded deer dog is a great tool to have. 

The Big Time oil guys that hunt the ranches of S. Texas pay big dollars to shoot bomber whitetails.  And a deer dog makes a TON of cash and are on 24 hr call out.

I know if I have a dog that can do it, and someone wings a bomber NE  Whitetail they can't recover, you'd better call me.........

So, can I get some opinions on a Chessie vs Drahthaar?

And what are the differences between a  GWP and  Drahthaar other than about $2000?

[3dvapor]

i was told they are german papered dogs with more of a stringent bloodline no akc afiliation allowed hunting field test are also more stringent.  i have a setter but also am interested in the breed.

[Shannon]

Lee Root is a member here and raises Draathaar's about an hour west of Chewelah in Omak. Look under Washington breeders on the VDD website. I would take the Draathaar over a Chessie myself for the versatility and less health issues that come with chessies and labs. Good luck in your quest.

[Jesse Jaymes]

Kinda funny, as I found him on a linked search and was emailing him, and got a yahoo PM notification from a similar sounding dude....was him getting back to me before I got to him.

You really think lots of Chessies have problems?  Or I just got two lemons?  Sample set is small, but once you have a 3 year old buddy, I think it's BS to send him to the packers just cause the breeder says so, and you get a new dog.

Like most bar room know-it-alls, I am now a firm believer that you can hardly kill a mixed breed mutt, and line breed show winners all pretty much suck...

Still reading and getting more interested.  Seeing the picks of these dogs with pics of coons and foxes in their mouth is pretty darn neat.  They certainly look pretty hearty.

Did read that a true VDD is pretty hard to get and the breeding/registery is super strict.  I would think that's a pro rather than con, as long as the pedigree is more than a branch or two.

Hip Displaysia, cataracts, and thyroid issues all really decrease the use of the dog.  By the time they are good to go at say, 3, with health issues they are spent by 7 half the time.

[bobcat]

I have a Brittany, and in the past had a German Shorthair, but I think a German Wirehair, or Drahthaar, would be a perfect dog for Eastern Wa. They would take the cold/wet a lot better than the shorthaired dogs and should be a great all around dog for any kind of bird you want to hunt.

[Wayne1]

If I was'nt such a big fan and owner of a couple fine Lab's...  my second choise would be a Drahthaar

[NW-GSP]

the DD would be an awesome dog for eastern wa, I have a german shorthair and he does awesome over there but he has to whear a neopreme vest when it gets cold. maker sure to read up on pointing dogs and I would recomend checking out upland journal .com the guys on there are full of info on pointing dogs of any breed.

[high country]

I have one of lee roots c litter dogs. I have been a lab guy for years, but feel bad for them in the hot months down on the snake. my draht is 100% hunt 100% of the time. I hope you don't plan to just hunt the dog during the season........they need daily exercise. and everything you hear about them hunting everything is bang on the money.......amazing dogs. they are not perfect though......there is a bit of tempermentalness that needs to be considred...kids, cats, other dogs......they will need to be socialized otherwise expect to see the other dogs and cats sitting dead under your proud draht.

once socialized they really are amazing. I do wish mine floated better. she is so lean she can run on the bottom of the lake w/o a jacket on lol.

[Sportfury]

I have to agree with high country. I have an 11 month old GWP and she is on all the time, so they do need to run a lot. I can run my girl and her brother until there tongues are hanging out and then go to the pond where they will swim until I get tired of it. They just do not stop. With the kids, cats, and other dogs socialization is the key, however with cats that aren't yours... well they had better watch out. My eight year old GSP still chases our own cats even when he knows the e-collar is on. Best to get them as a puppy then you can socialize them as they grow up.

The Drahthaar and GWP are basically the same dog although some will argue that. The Draht is governed by breeding standards from Germany. Check out http://www.vdd-gna.org/. The GWP is the Draht's American counterpart and I don't think they are bred to the same standards as the VDD. You can find more here http://www.gwpca.com/.

As for hunting opps in WA we have valley quail, grouse (3 species), chukar, huns, pheasant, doves, ducks, and geese. You cannot use dogs to hunt or find game animals here (There are some exceptions for cougar and bear). Like you said WA has some messed up game regs... Welcome to bleeding-heart, animals have rights, we know whats better for animals than a biologist who went to school does country.

If you are going to do a lot of upland hunting on the east sided of the state I would say to stay away from the chessie as it might get to hot for them. Not saying that they couldn't do it, but that is one thing to consider. It sounds like you know most of this info, but hope it helps other out. 

[Jesse Jaymes]

Thanks guys.

On the trailing thing....I do not want to make enemies on here and don't think I will.  But as I said earlier, if you are an archery guy and poke a bomber, and can't find him by 9am the next morning.....And you know I have a dog that can.  You'd better be giving me a call.

There is nothing that says I can't walk my dog on a 6ft lead in the same area you had your stand hung   And I work in Law Enforcement.  There is much discretion on the officers part.  Some are wired much different than others as well.  I am not shooting deer out of season or out the window of the truck, so please, just give us a break. 

Rant over.

I have a monster Australian Cattledog right now.  Best buddy.  I am done with the 100+ lb macho dogs.  I like scrap and small packages.  Traveling buddies.

He is pretty much hard on cats.  I recently got married.  Wife has a cat that she is very attached to.  It's quite a chore to keep them seperated.  I really thought my dog would back down after being swatted in the beak with all 5 claws and a hissing, cornered cat.  But the few times they have met in the open arena, the cat was lucky to make it under the bed, with trailing monster pretty much flipping the bed over.

Wife's two little dogs oddly wrestle with the cat and are quite good friends.  She does not take it too well when I inform her that I do not expect my dog to not kill or chase cats.  It's been going on for A LONG TIME.  But she seems to think they can be made to get along.  He was about 5 when I met her.  Hates her cat ever since.

So it's more of a turn on than a turn off that they are at least a touch macho.

On one additional note, I cannot believe the stamina of these type of dogs.  And do not think anyone is embelishing the truth about what they can do.  My good friend and mini Triathlete had a GSP female.  She pulled his bicycle for 8 miles on a bike path, then he assisted by pedalling just a bit for the next 5 miles to complete the loop.  Unbelieveable.

[high country]

you can use a dog to track game.....but not live game, and not while you have a weapon.......at least that is what was told to me when I called asn asked about it.

[Ossahatchee]

One thing I would encourage anyone that is interested in a DD to do, is go see one at work. No better way to know if they suit you and your hunting than to see them work around other people and dogs. Our testing season began last weekend throughout the country and there is actually a test in Eastern Washington at the end of this month. The test will be a combination HZP and VGP. Both test include field and waterwork with the VGP also completing forest work as well, including bloodtracking. The VGP is a Utility or finished dog test and the HZP is for dogs largely complete with their field and water training.

 In the meantime you can see a little of what a single DD is capable of here www.drahthaar-trulyversatile.com/video

  A DD is not for everyone but a good match for versatile hunters that are willing to take the time to train.

[adam.WI]

I have done a lot of research on the breed because I am very interested in them for my next dog. I will say that there is a difference between the GWP and DD. The difference I see is like buying a used car. You can buy a certified pre-owned vehicle from a dealer, or a car of craigslist. Either way you could end up with a great car, and either way you could end up with a lemon, but the certified gives you a little comfort in knowing that they have checked everything they could to ensure it goes.  With that I'm not saying one is better than the other but to me it's a piece of mind sort of thing. I hunt everything and so do DD's so to me they are ideal.               

[Sportfury]

One thing I would encourage anyone that is interested in a DD to do, is go see one at work. No better way to know if they suit you and your hunting than to see them work around other people and dogs. Our testing season began last weekend throughout the country and there is actually a test in Eastern Washington at the end of this month. The test will be a combination HZP and VGP. Both test include field and waterwork with the VGP also completing forest work as well, including bloodtracking. The VGP is a Utility or finished dog test and the HZP is for dogs largely complete with their field and water training.

Ossahatchee,

Just wondering when and where the hunt test is going to be? I wouldn't mind going to see this.

[Ossahatchee]

 It will be in the Palouse area starting Friday. Pm me if you are interested and I can get you the details.