The German Shorthaired Pointer – A History

This group of dogs can track wounded game, follow deer and boar, work with falcons, quarter ground closely or widely, hold game on point, flush on command, mark and retrieve shot game, work in water and dense cover, withstand cold and wet conditions, and still provide loyal companionship for their owners. Often called a “jack of all trades” or “canine triathlete” for its ability to hunt, point, and retrieve, the German Shorthaired Pointer is invaluable in the field. As Hunter Pointer Retriever, the Continental Gundog, describes: “A good German Shorthaired Pointer which knows its job is not simply part of the equipment, it is the most important member of the team.”

Dogs with pointing abilities have existed in Europe since at least the 13th century. By the 17th century, Gesner referred to them as vorstehund, or “dog that stands before.” In Germany and France, they were called quail dogs, while the Italians named them net-dogs. These versatile hunting dogs came in all shapes, sizes, and coat types, adaptable to various forms of hunting. At the end of the 17th century, de Selincourt coined the term “gundogs” to distinguish between braques and spaniels. Braques, or setting dogs, hunted with a high nose and stopped at the scent, while spaniels used a low nose to track and were often paired with falcons.

During this period, Germany was not yet a unified country but consisted of many states ruled by kings and princes. When not at war, these rulers engaged in formal visits and hunting, often exchanging prized dogs as gifts. Period writings indicate that a braque or pointing dog, similar in build to the modern German Pointer, was in use across Central Europe, France, Italy, and Spain. These dogs, often white with brown markings or speckled with brown spots, hunted with high noses and were highly valued.

With advancements in firearms, shooting birds on the wing became popular, bringing pointers to prominence. By the mid-18th century, pointers were used throughout Europe and the British Isles. The 1848 revolution allowed Germany’s non-aristocracy to participate in shooting and own gundogs. By the start of the 18th century, only a few pointers existed in Germany, but crossbreeding began to enhance their capabilities. Though records are sparse, most crosses involved indigenous German dogs, as noted by Herr Seiger: “There was no deeper knowledge in the art of breeding to play a major part in old-time Germany.” Breeders were united in their desire for a versatile dog that excelled in field, forest, and water work.

As breeding progressed, Italian, French, and Spanish pointer stock were integrated with the original German pointer, and later with the Hannover Hound. By 1872, the breed continued to evolve, although a standard set in 1879 disqualified many dogs that did not resemble the early German pointers. In 1887, the conformation of Waldin (whelped on July 26, 1884) reenergized the breeding community, influencing breed development.

Following Germany’s unification, both the country and the German Pointer evolved. However, the two World Wars severely impacted breeding stock, and some kennels struggled to rebuild after WWII.

In 1925, Dr. Charles R. Thornton of Missoula, Montana, encountered an article with images in National Sportsman featuring German Shorthaired Pointers. After reading it repeatedly, he remarked to his wife, “If those dogs don’t cost a million dollars, I am going to buy a pair.” He purchased a bred bitch from Austrian breeder Edward Rindt. However, the male dog was killed in an accident before shipment. The female, Senta v. Hohenbruck, arrived after a 24-day journey in a crate and, on July 4, 1925, whelped seven pups, although one succumbed to pneumonia.

The breed was not yet recognized by the AKC, so Thornton registered the litter in the Field Dog Stud Book under “Everyuse” in early 1926.

Walter Mangold and Ernest Rojem, having served on opposite sides in WWI, met on a Nebraska pheasant hunt in the late 1920s. Sharing a love for the breed, they managed to import a breeding pair with help from Ernest’s brother in Germany, despite reluctance from Germans to export quality dogs. By 1932, Wisconsin-based former German gamekeeper Joseph Burkhart imported three foundational dogs: Bob v. Schwarenberg, Arta v. Hohreusch, and Feldjager’s Grisette, which had a lasting impact on the American breed and established many kennels.

Jack Shattuck of Minnesota acquired a pup from the Bob/Arta litter and founded the Schwarenberg Kennel. Shattuck brought recognition to the breed by campaigning Fritz v. Schwarenberg across the U.S., achieving BOB at both Morris & Essex and Westminster in 1940, and winning the Chicago International four years in a row. Fritz’s offspring, Rusty v. Schwarenberg, became the breed’s first field and dual champion. Hjalmar Olsen, another prominent figure, imported Denmark’s field GSP of the Year for fifteen years and acquired Timm v. Altenau from Dr. Thornton, associating his efforts with the renowned Moesgaard line.

The American Kennel Club officially recognized the breed in 1935. By 1938, the breed had gained significant traction in the Minnesota-Wisconsin area, extending into Michigan. This growth allowed enthusiasts to establish the German Shorthaired Pointer Club of America, Inc. with Joseph Burkhart and Jack Shattuck as founding officers. The club’s purpose was to define and promote the breed’s standard, adopted initially from the German standard and officially approved in 1946.

In 1947, a revision of the GSPCA, Inc. charter occurred, but the Minnesota club retained parent club status until 1953, when AKC required a separate parent organization. In 1962, the GSPCA restructured to its current form. The breed’s first conformation standard from 1946 has seen minimal changes, with comprehensive updates in 1972 and 1992 to align with AKC’s standard format.

During WWII, the German Shorthaired Pointer’s survival faced challenges as Gustav Machetanz barely escaped advancing Russian forces with a few dogs. His dog, Axel vom Wasserschling, became an essential post-war sire. Under the fascist regime, all hunting dogs, including breeding practices, were controlled, with Hermann Goering decreeing the elimination of white and liver dogs to promote camouflage in the woods with solid liver and liver roans.

The post The German Shorthaired Pointer – A History appeared first on Showsight Magazine.

The golden ratio reveals the most beautiful dog breeds

Every breed of dog, from the muscular Rottweiler to the loveable French Bulldog, holds a special place in the hearts of countless devoted dog enthusiasts. After all, we’re all suckers for an adorable pup. But it’s safe to say some of our canine companions seem just a little more aesthetically blessed than others.

We know looks aren’t everything when it comes to falling in love with our four-legged friends. What really matters are a dog’s loyalty, playfulness, and unconditional love. However, it’s still interesting to consider the most classically beautiful breeds. So, we turned to the golden ratio.

The golden ratio is approximately 1.62 and is believed to create aesthetically pleasing proportions. It appears repeatedly in nature, such as in seashells and trees, and has been incorporated into many famous art pieces, like Dali’s The Sacrament of the Last Supper.

We applied this ratio to the faces of some of the most popular dog breeds in the US. We measured ratios between features like the eyes, nose, mouth, and overall head shape to give each one a number. The closer this aligned with the golden ratio of 1.62, the more beautiful the dog is based on this mathematical concept of ideal proportions.

The top ten most beautiful dog breeds

1. Catahoula Leopard Dog | Ratio score of 1.62

The Catahoula Leopard Dog claims the number one spot with a perfect 1.62 golden ratio score. These striking dogs with an athletic build can be found in a vivid blend of merle, brindle, and solid-colored patterns. Their floppy ears and short coats round out their distinctive appearance, while their intelligent and loyal personalities ensure that anyone who meets them risks falling instantly in love.

2. Alaskan Malamute | Ratio score of 1.61

Nipping at the heels of the Catahoula is the Alaskan Malamute with a 1.61 ratio, just 0.01 under the ideal. These Arctic sled dogs are born for ice-cold temperatures and have thick double coats, pointed ears, and well-plumed tails. Their appearance closely resembles that of a wolf, while their personalities are more playful and affectionate.

3. German Shorthaired Pointer | Ratio score of 1.64

The German Shorthaired Pointer (GSP), at 1.64, takes the third spot. This versatile hunting breed is just 0.02 over the ideal golden ratio and has a short, smooth coat that may be liver or black in color, with or without white that creates stylish patches, ticking or roaning. GSPs are perfect for anyone who wants a canine companion that is always up for vigorous exercise like running and even swimming.

The states with the most beautiful state dogs

There are 13 US states with official state dogs. While some opt for broader categories, such as “adoptable dog” in Georgia or “working dog” in New York, others have designated a specific breed.

But which of these are the most beautiful according to the golden ratio?

As the most beautiful breed overall, it’s no surprise that the Catahoula Leopard Dog is also the most beautiful state dog. First bred in Louisiana and used for hunting game and herding livestock, this breed has been beloved within the Bayou State for centuries.

The Alaskan Malamute and the Great Dane complete the top three. The latter breed was originally bred to be a boar hunter, but the dogs gradually became better suited over time to being watchdogs and have made great companions ever since.

Methodology:

We created a seed list of 25 of the best-known dog breeds in the US from the American Kennel Club. Alongside this list of popular breeds, we also made a list of the 13 official state dogs (only noting those breeds that were not on the list of the 25 best-known dog breeds).

We then measured these dogs’ facial features using face-on images. As we were only concerned with ratios, the difference in size between images did not impact the overall result.

We took measurements for the following features before running the numbers through a golden ratio calculator to get the ratio score for each dog breed:

1. Length of face
2. Top of head to pupils of eyes
3. Pupils to nose tip
4. Pupils to mouth
5. Width of nose
6. Distance between outer corners of eyes
7. Width of face
8. Bottom of ears to pupils
9. Nose tip to chin
10. Mouth to chin
11. Length of mouth
12. Nose tip to mouth

With this ratio score, we determined the difference between each breed’s score and the golden ratio of 1.62, ranking each dog breed on how close their ratio score is to the ideal.
The golden ratio is a mathematical concept with a value of 1.62. It is used to judge beauty as many people find this unique ratio pattern, based on the famous Fibonacci sequence, visually pleasing and ideally proportioned.

The post Beautiful Dogs: The Golden Ratio Reveals the Most Beautiful Dog Breeds appeared first on Showsight Magazine.

1. How were you first introduced to the sport of purebred dogs? To your breed?

Dr. Michelle Wiberg: My mother bred and showed Lhasa Apsos when I was a child. After I married my husband, Christopher, and graduated from Vet school, we acquired our first German Shorthaired Pointer as my husband’s first bird hunting dog. My mother recognized her quality and encouraged me to start showing her. She finished her CH and GCH fairly quickly and we eventually decided to breed her under the mentorship of her breeder and after acquiring a handful of other titles in Hunting, Obedience, and Rally. The rest is history!

2. How many years in dogs? How many as an Owner Handler? As a Breeder?

Dr. Michelle Wiberg: Although I grew up with Lhasa Apso, my husband and I have been owners of GSPs for 12 years. I began showing our first GSP as an Owner Handler 10 years ago. Our first litter under our kennel name Chrishelle is about to turn eight years old. From this litter was my first special that I competed heavily with in the NOHS events.

3. Do you attend show handling classes? Have you attended in-person handling seminars?

Dr. Michelle Wiberg: I have occasionally attended Conformation practices sessions at our local dog school when I have a young dog that needs some training and practice. I’ve watched some online handling seminars, but have not attended one in person. I like studying handlers’ techniques ringside.

4. Have you found virtual learning tools to be helpful? Videos? Websites? Social Media? AKC Canine College?

Dr. Michelle Wiberg: Yes. I have found the AKC Canine College to be a great educational resource. I have watched videos on AKC, like the George Alston Seminars, and have found them to be helpful. Social media can be helpful, but also
heavily opinionated.

5. Do you compete in the National Owner-Handled Series? Are rankings important to you?

Dr. Michelle Wiberg: Yes, I started competing in the NOHS with my first bred-by Special in 2017. We achieved Top 10 rankings in the NOHS for three years during his show career! I now have a second-generation bred-by Special that was ranked No. 2 in the NOHS in 2023 and is currently No. 1 in the NOHS! Rankings are a fun bragging point for me, but I do personally put more weight in the Breed and All-Breed rankings.

6. How important is the Bred-By Class to you? How important are Specialties?

Dr. Michelle Wiberg: I take pride in showing my puppies in the Bred-By Class and am honored when I receive my Bred-By Champion medallions. I love Specialties, both local and national. They are a great place to congregate to socialize with other breeders and owners, welcome new people, and see the dogs
in person.

7. Is it a challenge to compete with your breed as a Breeder/Owner Handler?

Dr. Michelle Wiberg: Being a breed with minimal grooming, I do not think it is a challenge to compete as a Breeder/Owner Handler. I’ve never had a handler on my dogs and have been able to achieve high rankings myself in the Breed and All-Breed rankings with my dogs. My current Special just turned two and is currently ranked No. 2 GSP in the Breed standings (February stats) and finished 2023 No. 4 in both the Breed and All-Breed stats at just a year old!

8. Who have been your mentor(s) as an Owner Handler? As a Breeder?

Dr. Michelle Wiberg: My first mentors were my mother and the breeder of our first Shorthair, Mary Morris of Aus Den Norden GSPs. I’ve also received mentorship from established breeders who are owners of the stud dogs we have chosen to use in our program.

9. How important is the Breeder/Owner Handler to the future of the sport? To your breed?

Dr. Michelle Wiberg: The Breeder/Owner Handler is very important. To be first-hand seeing and participating in the dog’s show career, assess the competition in the ring with you, and be able to recognize your own dog’s strengths and weaknesses against the competition is important for moving a breeding program in a positive direction and not becoming kennel blind. Personally, I like seeing the Breeder/Owner on the end of the leash and visualizing the team as one, rather than seeing the dog be campaigned by a professional. I think it levels the field and also opens the door for ring-side breeder-to-breeder conversations. I’d like to think we have good sportsmanship and camaraderie within our breed, which is also important for the sport.

10. What advice would you give to Owner Handlers who are thinking of breeding their dog(s)?

Dr. Michelle Wiberg: Have a mentor. Talk to other breeders and ask for their honest assessment of your bitch. You will hear different evaluations from different people. Take each assessment with an open mind and use that information to help you identify the areas that need the most improvement, and ask for help in finding a stud dog that is exceptional in those areas as well as complementing to your bitch. It can be easy as a newbie to love your dog so much that you can’t see her flaws and weaknesses. A good mentor will be honest with you and help you find a stud dog to improve your program as well as help you with questions along the way with canine reproduction, whelping, and puppy raising.

11. What are your goals as a Breeder/Owner Handler? Is there a victory that has eluded you?

Dr. Michelle Wiberg: My goals are to continue to breed versatile GSPs that can continue to be successful in a variety of venues, including Conformation, Hunting/Hunt Tests, Obedience/Rally, Dock Diving, and more. My current Special has helped me accomplish many goals this past year, including winning a Sporting Group, ranking No. 1 in the NOHS, ranking Top 5 in the Breed, and getting a special invitation to Westminster. The elusive victory for me is a Best or Reserve Best in Show and a placing at our National Specialty and Westminster. I am very excited for the opportunity to show at Westminster for the first time this year, as well as take my current Special to her first National Specialty show.

12. Is there a funny story that you can share about your experiences as a Breeder/Owner Handler?

Dr. Michelle Wiberg: Recently, I competed at a Regional Specialty with my current Special, “Belle.” My previous Special, “JJ,” is now a veteran and I offered him to be shown by an eager and talented young Junior in the Junior Showmanship competition and the Veteran Class. I was pleasantly and humbly surprised to win the Specialty with Belle, but I was basically in shock that this talented Junior not only won Best Junior and Best Veteran, but made cut after cut in the Breed ring and ended up Best of Opposite Sex behind me with my old boy! I was so proud of, and happy for, this Junior that I think I made a bigger deal about her win than my own! What a day to remember!

The post Dr. Michelle Wiberg | The Breeder/Owner Handler appeared first on Showsight Magazine.

1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself. Where do you live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder? What is your kennel name?
2. What is your “process” for selecting show puppies? Performance puppies?
3. In your opinion, is your breed in good condition overall? Any trends that warrant concern?
4. As a Preservation Breeder, can you share your thoughts on the sport today? How’s the judging these days? What do you think about the number of shows?
5. In your opinion, is social media good for the sport? Is it harmful?
6. What are the biggest challenges facing the dog show community as a whole today and how can these be addressed?
7. What are some of the positive changes you’ve seen in the sport over the past decade?

1. My name is Dr. Michelle Wiberg. I am a breeder-veterinarian from North Branch, Minnesota. My husband, Christopher, and I began breeding German Shorthaired Pointers under the kennel name Chrishelle in 2016. We’ve owned Shorthairs since I graduated from vet school in 2012. I grew up with Lhasa Apsos, as my mother bred and showed Lhasas since the early 1980s. I was primarily an equine veterinarian for over 10 years before transitioning into small animal medicine with a focus on canine reproduction.

2. I am evaluating my puppies from birth for structure, temperament, and drive. Sometimes we end up with an obvious pick of the litter or a few top puppies that catch your eye from the beginning. I try to place my best-structured puppies in show homes, my best bird-drive puppies in hunting homes, and my most athletic and biddable puppies in performance homes. Sometimes it’s hard to wait until that “golden period” of 7-8 weeks of age to make a final structural decision, but most often, we already know who will fit best in each home based on the structure and behaviors we’ve seen in the weeks prior. It always seems to work out that each puppy ends up in just the right home after careful consideration.

3. I do believe there are still many good GSP breeders out there who are breeding for form to function and are not losing track of the purpose of the breed—a versatile hunter. It can be easy to get caught up in the latest fad or partaking in the popular sire syndrome, but I truly believe there are many others like myself who can see the flaws in their own programs that they want to improve, see the positives in other programs and what they bring to the gene pool, see the importance of preserving the proper biddable temperament and bird drive, and continue to produce quality dogs that can compete successfully in all venues of Conformation, hunting and performance. Trends I see that concern me are the divide between the strictly field and strictly show lines. The field lines can have conformation deviating far from the Standard, and the show lines are losing the natural hunting abilities. Conformation trends of concern are over-angulated rears, prominent forechest, straight fronts, loose elbows, and oversized dogs. We have a beautiful Illustrated Standard for breeders and judges to study.

4. Every day is a different day at the dog show. I’ll win and lose under the same judge and I’ve gotten to the point of just enjoying showing my dog and am thankful when the judge points to us. I always take notes on what a judge does that day, but even if we fall out of the ribbons I appreciate it when I can follow what a judge is looking for based on the placements. Most of the time, the judges are finding the best dogs for the top placements in my breed. Being a wash-and-wear breed, we have a lot of owner-handlers showing and succeeding against the professionals, which is fabulous. The best judges should be able to overlook the handler and solely judge the dog. As far as the number of shows, I love having the option to travel to a couple of dog shows within a few hours of home a couple times a month. Some months are busier than others, but our breed often draws good entries at most larger shows and clusters and is always sporting quality dogs from a variety of breeders. We’ve started to have a couple of shows in the region end up on the same weekend, and that can be frustrating when you enjoy both shows and like the judges on both panels. This seems to lower the entry numbers for one or both clubs, and I do hope in the future that shows can coordinate their dates better so as to not overlap in the same region/area causing a divide of entries.

5. Social media is a great way to communicate, spread the word about events, ask questions, and gain knowledge. Of course, there are always people out there pessimistically spreading negativity or complaining, but the nice thing about social media is you can choose what to read and engage in. I enjoy pages like the Judges Report Card to read about people’s experiences with certain judges I have not shown to before. I also enjoy breed-specific conformation critique pages, and pages dedicated to building majors at shows. I rely heavily on Facebook for keeping up-to-date about many AKC events and our National Specialty shows.

6. Some of the biggest challenges I see as a whole are bringing in new people to the sport, keeping new people in the sport, getting people involved to help put on events successfully, and accepting new people who want to get involved. Breeders should be encouraging their puppy buyers to get involved with their local clubs and events. Getting people to volunteer and become involved in a club can be challenging, as everybody is balancing a multitude of things in their daily schedules. Gratitude and appreciation can go a long way. The worst thing a group can do is to not allow an eager newbie to help or get involved, or to tell them they are doing things wrong because it’s not the way they want things done. I’ve noticed occasional clashes between the older and the younger generations, usually because the newer generation wants to try something new or change something and the older generation is stuck in their ways. The sport and people within, as a whole, need to be flexible, accepting, encouraging, and spread positivity to keep the sport alive and growing.

7. I have enjoyed the addition of the National Owner-Handled Series, and now, the new levels of recognition within the NOHS. More and more clubs are stepping up their level of ribbons and awards for their NOHS Groups and it is certainly appreciated.

The post Dr. Michelle Wiberg | Chrishelle German Shorthaired Pointers appeared first on Showsight Magazine.

1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself. Where do you live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder? What is your kennel name?
2. What is your “process” for selecting show puppies? Performance puppies?
3. In your opinion, is your breed in good condition overall? Any trends that warrant concern?
4. As a Preservation Breeder, can you share your thoughts on the sport today? How’s the judging these days? What do you think about the number of shows?
5. In your opinion, is social media good for the sport? Is it harmful?
6. What are the biggest challenges facing the dog show community as a whole today and how can these be addressed?
7. What are some of the positive changes you’ve seen in the sport over the past decade?

1. My husband, Steve, and I live in Hagerstown, Maryland. We have been in German Shorthairs for 51 years. Our first homebred litter was whelped in 1976. We have produced over 100 homebred champions to date out of only 32 litters bred and co-bred. Our dogs are bred and registered under the name “Shomberg.” After traveling the world with USAF, Carl and Kahla Ennis have called Yorktown, Virginia, home for 38 years. They bought their first German Shorthaired Pointer in 1972. Carl wanted a Sporting dog to hunt with. After researching various breeds, he decided on the versatile GSP. So, 50 years later, it is still the dog that can and wants to do everything for them. While looking to get a new puppy, 20 years ago, Kahla connected with the Dattilios. Sharon and Kahla were like-minded and bonded over GSPs. Kahla has been co-breeder with Sharon on litters that have gone on to do great things in all venues. Kahla has become the main trainer in her house, which currently has four dogs with titles in Obedience, Rally, and Dock Diving, including a Senior Hunter and three Master Hunters.

2. Puppies are whelped and raised in the Dattilio home. We do not own a “ kennel.” Puppies are hand-raised and enjoy living with us, which allows more personal interaction and observation, and gives the ability to handle them often and evaluate them as they grow and develop. I watch for those characteristics, structure and personality traits, that I feel to be critical in exhibiting them as a correct and worthy breed representative. Not every puppy has show potential, but they all deserve to be in a family and home that will love and care for them for their entire life. When evaluating puppies for performance, I want to see bold yet controllable; a puppy that is excited to investigate and is happy and outgoing, and has a great attention span.

3. As a preservation breeder, and now also an AKC Conformation Judge, I have observed quite a few changes over 50 years—and not all for the better. Overall, the breed is in good condition, but I’m seeing new people coming into the breed who often feel they already know quite a bit. I feel you continually learn, no matter how long you’ve been in your chosen breed. The popular sire syndrome is alive and well among many pedigrees, and a huge concern for me is watching as some paint themselves into a corner and have no idea how to get out. You have to know structure inside and out. You have to know when to linebreed, how often, and when it’s critical to go out. All too often, the dogs and bitches in the top standings in the country are not always the greatest breed specimens. They have financial backers, advertising, and professional handlers who have put them where they are. I can say that I’ve lived on both sides of that street, so I come to my observations knowing that many great dogs are in homes laying on someone’s sofa.

4. The sport today has changed dramatically; fewer dogs exhibited overall, higher point scales for fewer dogs mean cheaper champions, and the costs involved to participate are crazy-expensive. Judges often take a really bad rap for awarding poor specimens and creating cheap champions, but when you consider how entries have fallen in the sport from 20 or 30 years ago, and the expenses involved to participate, it’s understandable. If judges withheld ribbons or didn’t award dogs handled by professional handlers, they wouldn’t be asked for assignments… period. That’s simply a cold, hard fact. If you judge, you’d better do it because you love it and not expect a lot more.

5. Social media has its good points and its bad as well. It has allowed more audiences to watch the sport, but there is also some negativity that comes along with that with many animal rights groups and advocates.

6. Biggest challenges? Encouraging people to try the sport. Having good, knowledgeable people to mentor and guide new people. Making it more affordable for average people while still allowing host clubs to cover expenses and realize some profit. To be honest, I’m not entirely sure how we accomplish all of this but we should at least try or we’ll be losing more and more exhibitors in the future.

7. I feel that most exhibitors and breeders try, for the most part, to come into the sport with the intention of showing off the dogs they have bred and dearly love. I feel there is more awareness of the many talents of so many breeds, and in coming together, we have educated and given our fellow exhibitors and breeders, as well as the general public, a window into a sport less recognizable a century ago

The post Sharon & Steve Dattilio, Kahla Ennis | Shomberg German Shorthaired Pointers appeared first on Showsight Magazine.

1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself. Where do you live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder? What is your kennel name?
2. What is your “process” for selecting show puppies? Performance puppies?
3. In your opinion, is your breed in good condition overall? Any trends that warrant concern?
4. As a Preservation Breeder, can you share your thoughts on the sport today? How’s the judging these days? What do you think about the number of shows?
5. In your opinion, is social media good for the sport? Is it harmful?
6. What are the biggest challenges facing the dog show community as a whole today and how can these be addressed?
7. What are some of the positive changes you’ve seen in the sport over the past decade?

1. My name is Jennifer Murphy and I breed German Shorthair Pointers (GSP) and Dalmatians under the kennel name White Oak Kennels. I got my first show dog in 2005. He was a beautiful Chinese Shar-Pei bred by Brenda Cook with Showbiz Sharp-Pei. In 2011, I started breeding Dalmatians with my Mom, Kathy Wosnak, under Calvary Dalmatians.

I had my first GSP litter in 2021 and my second in 2022. Between the two litters I have produced 10 Champions, including Winners Bitch and Reserve Winners Bitch at the 2021 GSPCA National and Reserve Winners Bitch at the 2022 GSPCA National as well a Top 10 GSP.

2. I work hard to breed to our Breed Standard. Each puppy is evaluated against that Standard as well as temperament tested to be matched with the best family.

3. I feel like in any breed there is always some things we can improve on. I think what we try to avoid is seizures. That is always top of my mind when I breed GSPs. One concern with Dalmatians is the Copper Storage Disease.

4. Our numbers are good at Specialties, but you have to travel for them. At local shows, it’s hard to come by majors. This might be because you can find a show almost every weekend.

5. It’s definitely good and bad. Being able to see a live feed and watch movement on a dog you are thinking about using is amazing. Also, the ability to market your dog online and share exciting wins fast as well, as it reaches so many more people. There are downfalls also, like bullying, people are on their phone so much more instead of enjoying the moment, as well as added pressures.

6. As a Show Chair for Fayetteville Kennel Club, I see how hard it is to keep to a budget that works. Good judges are booked a year or two in advance. Prices keep going up for everything and people also don’t have the money for gas to travel. I feel having a Cluster and splitting everything really does help. The other thing that it takes is volunteers! These clusters are run only on volunteers who love the sport.

As a Show Chair for Fayetteville Kennel Club, I see how hard it is to keep to a budget that works. Good judges are booked a year or two in advance. Prices keep going up for everything and people also don’t have the money for gas to travel. I feel having a Cluster and splitting everything really does help.

7. I see more events happening at Clusters that are bringing more folks out. I also see clubs coming up with great ideas like Junior Scholarships to bring new blood into the sport.

The post Jennifer Murphy | White Oak Kennels German Shorthaired Pointers appeared first on Showsight Magazine.

Interview with Valerie Nunes-Atkinson, Breeder behind the VJK-MYST Kennels

Where do I live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder?

Valerie Nunes-Atkinson: Proudly, I’m a second-generation breeder. My father, Chuck Nunes, started our line in 1971 under the prefix of Von Jango. My father got into Cutting Horses when I was a young teen. I continued on in the breed with my first breed mentor, Marilyn Stockland, co-breeding with her. I’ve been a breeder for around 45 years myself.

What is my kennel name? How many dogs do I currently keep?

Valerie Nunes-Atkinson: I carried on with Von Jango and Marilee (Marilyn Stockland’s kennel name) for some years. It wasn’t until Marilyn Stockland passed away that I forged a partnership with my co-breeder, Yvonne Hassler-Deterding, and we became VJK-MYST in around 1999.

We don’t keep a large kennel. In fact, we consider ourselves quite small. We instead prefer to co-own our dogs out so that they lead full, complete lives with families of their own. In my home at the present, I have my current young special, “Phoenix,” and two young bitches, “Ember” and “Jilly.” Yvonne has a couple young dogs we are running on and a handful of retirees… oh, and her husband Steve’s gundog.

Which show dogs from the past have been my noteworthy winners?

Valerie Nunes-Atkinson: “CJ” and “Carlee” are probably my two most noteworthy winners who most have known. Both were awarded Best in Show at the Westminster KC, in 2016 & 2005. More recently, “Jade” also won the Sporting Group at Westminster KC in 2021.

“Toby,” NSC CH Minado’s Parade Drum Major ROMXX HOF, bred by Inge and Leanne Clody of Minado Kennels and owned by myself and the late Barbara Caron, was the most noteworthy dog not only in my breeding program and pedigrees but for so many other lines worldwide as well. Toby is the ALL-TIME TOP PRODUCING SIRE IN OUR BREED HISTORY IN THE WORLD. He has played a significant role in my dogs, with him usually the sire, grandsire, or great-grandsire of so many of our top dogs, including those mentioned above.

Which have been my most influential sires and dams?

Valerie Nunes-Atkinson: When you look at great pedigrees and the traditional ideas of breeding dogs, having a strong female line is usually the practice. Although we have had some amazing bitches that have done well for us, it’s really our sire line that is significant; with Toby always the anchor of the line. CJ has also followed in Toby’s strong ability to be quite prepotent and come through in a variety of lines whether he’s linebred or outcrossed.

Again, the bitches that have done well for us are usually the daughters, granddaughters, or great-granddaughters of Toby or CJ.

Can I talk a bit about my facilities? Where are my puppies whelped? How are they raised?

Valerie Nunes-Atkinson: Our facilities are our homes. The dogs are raised in our homes with our families. Yvonne does have a small kennel building, but all dogs are raised and kept in a more home-oriented manner, with all litters whelped and raised in our homes with us and with 24/7 care and handling. Like I mentioned before, we consider ourselves a small kennel. Traditionally, we breed just a litter a year as we breed for ourselves and our vision, first and foremost. So, every generation is critical for us moving our program forward.

What is my “process” for selecting Show Puppies? Performance Puppies? Field Puppies?

Valerie Nunes-Atkinson: We select our babies at 7-1/2 weeks for Show, Field or Companion. That process starts quite young as we start to have a good idea of temperaments and structure once they start getting up on their legs and bouncing around. Around 5-6 weeks, we start table-training them to better see their conformation potential and we introduce the bird wing to allow their natural instinct
to ignite.

Do I compete in Companion Events? Performance Events?

Valerie Nunes-Atkinson: We do enjoy both Hunt Tests and Natural Ability Testing through NAVHDA and feel it’s important to prove our dogs and maintain the natural hunting instinct. We have enjoyed and titled our dogs in Obedience, Agility, Rally, Dock Diving, Fast CAT, Barn Hunt, Trick Dog, CGC, and so much more. Our breed is a very unique breed as they were bred to be the dog that can be anything and do anything that their owners desire.

Are Field Trials or parent club Hunt Tests important to me?

Valerie Nunes-Atkinson: I think, to maintain type and natural ability, proving your lines in Field Events is important. That’s not to say that to own a GSP your dog must hunt. Our breed is amazing at using its incredible scenting abilities to aid in Police & Border Protection, as Service Dogs, and always as great family dogs.

How would I define “conditioning” as it relates to my breed?

Valerie Nunes-Atkinson: Conditioning our breed is easy. Given space and time, they naturally keep themselves in excellent condition. Our breed is a high-energy breed and does need a release of sorts, and so a dedicated and consistent effort is needed to keep them well balanced. This doesn’t mean they require 10 miles of running every day. What it does mean is they need training early on and they need consistency in what is asked of them.

They are German, strong-willed, and actually thrive under conditions that have set strong ground rules through training. Keeping the balance can be done through physical exercise and mental exercise; both work quite well and it should be a combination of effort. They do want to please and work for their owners. The owners just need to put the effort in and they will have a wonderful family dog. In regards to traditional conditioning, keeping a quality coat is easy with a premium food, some oils, and protein. Other than nails, teeth, and ears, our breed is quite easy to maintain.

Are there any health-related concerns in your breed? Any special nutritional needs?

Valerie Nunes-Atkinson: Our breed is considered a healthy breed overall, in my opinion. Like so many other breeds, epilepsy, hemangiosarcoma, and various cancers have crept into our breed in the last couple decades; something we are all concerned about and do our best to breed healthy, long-lived dogs. Our breed does enjoy a long life, and living 14-16 years is not unheard of. Right now, we call Yvonne’s house our geriatric ward, with many over 12 and on up to 16 years of age.

We do believe in a low protein diet through early growth stages, but traditionally our breed’s nutritional needs are easy and basic. Quality food, basic ground rule training, companionship and love, and consistent exercise both in body and mind are all that is needed to keep a GSP thriving as your companion.

Do I think my breed is supported by a sufficient number of preservation breeders?

Valerie Nunes-Atkinson: Yes, I think we have some fabulous preservation breeders who do an outstanding job breeding quality GSPs that are true to TYPE in conformation, hunting ability and companionship. And it’s nice to see some younger breeders stepping up and finding mentorship, and who are enthusiastic to carry on breeding quality dogs.

Is my breed well suited to be a family dog? Who are the best candidates to own my breed?

Valerie Nunes-Atkinson: YES, our breed makes ideal family dogs. The well-bred GSP is even-tempered, loving, and protective of their family in a non-aggressive manner. They generally get along well with other dogs and make the perfect family dog for people who enjoy adventure and the outdoors. A GSP is always up for anything and can do it all. I like to say, “If you can dream it, they can do it.” Truly a remarkable breed.

What is the biggest misconception about my breed? What is my breed’s best-kept secret?

Valerie Nunes-Atkinson: The biggest misconception is that they are hyper, destructive, and can’t be contained. Unfortunately, this is seen in what many backyard breeders produce from unproven, non-health tested dogs with zero mentorship and/or a breeder guarantee. Our dogs are strong, confident animals that thrive under the same type of ownership. Our best-kept secret is the fact that they are not just hunting dogs. What’s amazing is truly all that they can do. Any sport or activity you enjoy, they can do it.

If I could share a comment or two with judges of my breed, what would I like to say to them?

Valerie Nunes-Atkinson: I always tell judges that our breed is easy to judge. Our Breed Standard is basic and straightforward, especially in comparison to so many other Standards. We are a medium-sized breed that should be athletes in every sense of the word, with the ability to move and cover ground efficiently. They should be in great physical condition and hard in muscle. They should exhibit keenness, a smart, rich, aristocratic look and demeanor that tells a person they are willing and able to get it done. We are not a “head breed” and we are not a breed that requires full dentition. Our Standard requires you look at the sides not for full dentition, but to make sure the molars intermesh properly.

Do I have any words of wisdom to pass along to newer breeders? Words of wisdom?

Valerie Nunes-Atkinson: Study pedigrees and the Standard. Know the history of the breed and its intention. Find a mentor and ask questions. Develop your eye and what you like and want in your dogs. Take your time. Find the very best linebred bitch you can find to start a program of your own. Mentors, pedigrees, and knowing your Standard are key to success. Oh, and time. It all takes time to develop not only a line but a family of dogs that will depict your vision. Be patient and keep working at it, generation by generation.

For a bit of fun, what’s the most amusing thing I’ve ever experienced with a Sporting Dog?

Valerie Nunes-Atkinson: Most amusing? GSPs are clowns. They love to make you laugh. They are always doing things that bring a smile, like having to carry anything in their mouths. This could be a ball or maybe the biggest dog bed they can find close to them. Sticks, too, the bigger the better, or toys also, the louder the better. My new young dog, “Phoenix,” loves bath tubs. He must get in and inspect every tub, listening to the drain like someone is calling him.

Are you looking for a German Shorthaired Pointer puppy?

The best way to ensure a long and happy relationship with a purebred dog is to purchase one from a responsible breeder. Not sure where to begin finding a breeder?

Contact the National Parent Club’s Breeder Referral person, which you can find on the AKC Breeder Referral Contacts page.

Want to help rescue and re-home a German Shorthaired Pointer dog?

Did you know nearly every recognized AKC purebred has a dedicated rescue group? Find your new best friend on the AKC Rescue Network Listing.

German Shorthaired Pointer Breed Magazine

Showsight Magazine is the only publication to offer dedicated Digital Breed Magazines for ALL recognized AKC Breeds.

Read and learn more about the German Shorthaired Pointer dog breed with articles and information in our German Shorthaired Pointer Breed Magazine.

If you enjoy the German Shorthaired Pointer Breed Magazine, help us educate the community by sharing it.

The post Valerie Nunes-Atkinson | VJK-MYST Kennels appeared first on Showsight Magazine.

Interview with Christy Hale, Breeder behind the Halestorm Kennel

Where do I live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder?

Christy Hale: I live in Hendersonville, Tennessee. I started showing dogs in 1982. I have only recently become a breeder as of 2020.

What is my kennel name? How many dogs do I currently keep?

Christy Hale: My kennel name is Halestorm Kennel. I currently have six dogs.

Which show dogs from the past have been my noteworthy winners?

Christy Hale: My most noteworthy winners are actually more current dogs. GCHG Halestorm-Suma This Is Unbelievable CGG FDC YKN ATT FCAT CA (Ripley) is my top-ranked dog, finishing No. 2 German Shorthaired Pointer Breed for 2022 and BOS at our 2022 National.

Which have been my most influential sires and dams?

Christy Hale: My foundation bitch is definitely the star in my success. GCHB CH Suma’s For The Fun Of It JH RN FLAT CGC TRN CAA FDC VC.GSP (Reece) produced Ripley in her first litter and some beautiful upcoming puppies in her last litter.

Can I talk a bit about my facilities? Where are my puppies whelped? How are they raised?

Christy Hale: I do not have a kennel building, per say. Our dogs stay in our house, have a spacious backyard for exercise, and completely make us fight for couch space. I have a whelping room inside my house, and when the puppies are ready for the next step, we have an amazing area in our bonus room for all the Puppy Culture they could ask for. My goal is to expose them to everything I can find so that they have the best start in life.

What is my “process” for selecting Show Puppies? Performance Puppies? Field Puppies?

Christy Hale: I have the best mentors I could ever ask for in this new journey of breeding. I am blessed that they are willing to evaluate, talk, teach, and answer my hundreds of questions. As a whole, we piece together many things besides just the “look” of a puppy to determine the best fit for that puppy.

Do I compete in Companion Events? Performance Events?

Christy Hale: I do compete in a lot of dog sports. My dogs have titled in Field Work, Rally, Dock Diving, Lure Coursing, Scent Work, and many fun titles.

Are Field Trials or parent club Hunt Tests important to me?

Christy Hale: Yes, I believe the GSP should be able to perform in the field and in the show ring. I have participated in both Field Trials and Hunt Tests and enjoyed them both.

How would I define “conditioning” as it relates to my breed?

Christy Hale: I believe our breed should be presented in excellent condition. Ours is an active breed that should be able to hunt all day or perform a task/job all day. That conditioning carries over to other dog sports. As with any athlete, performance is related to conditioning.

Are there any health-related concerns in my breed? Any special nutritional needs?

Christy Hale: Unfortunately, we do have issues with epilepsy in our breed. This is something our parent club continuously works on for research. We also require basic testing such as hips, elbows, hearts, and eyes. I would not say there are any special nutritional needs, but GSP require more calories during higher periods of work and training to maintain optimal weight.

Do I think my breed is supported by a sufficient number of preservation breeders?

Christy Hale: Yes.

Is my breed well suited to be a family dog? Who are the best candidates to own my breed?

Christy Hale: I believe the GSP can make a great family dog for an active family. They love to be with their people and can adapt to many living environments. However, they do require a significant amount of exercise and mental stimulation.

What is the biggest misconception about my breed? What is my breed’s best-kept secret?

Christy Hale: I think one big misconception is that the GSP cannot be a housedog and be a great hunting dog. This idea could not be any further from the truth. I think the best-kept secret is that they may be the best bed warmers on the planet!

If I could share a comment or two with judges of my breed, what would I like to say to them?

Christy Hale: Color does not matter! Structure should be foremost over color in determining your placements.

Do I have any words of wisdom to pass along to newer breeders?

Christy Hale: Since I consider myself very new to the art of breeding, I would say, without a doubt, talk to anyone and everyone you can, listen to the “deep-seed” breeders and absorb everything they are telling you. If you do not know what is generations behind your dogs, you cannot know where you are going with your program. As they say, knowledge is power.

For a bit of fun, what’s the most amusing thing I’ve ever experienced with a Sporting Dog?

Christy Hale: There are way too many amusing things that happen with this circus on a daily basis—LOL!

Are you looking for a German Shorthaired Pointer puppy?

The best way to ensure a long and happy relationship with a purebred dog is to purchase one from a responsible breeder. Not sure where to begin finding a breeder?

Contact the National Parent Club’s Breeder Referral person, which you can find on the AKC Breeder Referral Contacts page.

Want to help rescue and re-home a German Shorthaired Pointer dog?

Did you know nearly every recognized AKC purebred has a dedicated rescue group? Find your new best friend on the AKC Rescue Network Listing.

German Shorthaired Pointer Spaniel Breed Magazine

Showsight Magazine is the only publication to offer dedicated Digital Breed Magazines for ALL recognized AKC Breeds.

Read and learn more about the friendly German Shorthaired Pointer dog breed with articles and information in our German Shorthaired Pointer Breed Magazine.

If you enjoy the German Shorthaired Pointer Breed Magazine, help us educate the community by sharing it.

The post Christy Hale | Halestorm Kennel appeared first on Showsight Magazine.