Why do we have so many dogs?
The answer is in our breeding program. The idea is not to just have a lot of dogs, but to have a lot of the right dogs.
The end goal of our breeding program is to breed a standard of qualities to our liking. But it's how we got there and what we were thinking that is the interesting part. It's one thing to just breed dogs, it's another to have a breeding program. A breeding program that is going somewhere.
It must start with an understanding of the perfect dog, if it's just in your mind, but it should be pretty detailed. The other is an understanding of the breed and what's there for you to work with.
I knew what I wanted because as a kid I had seen what I thought was a perfect German Shorthair. I had played with this dog for hours, loved on him, and admired him. I had seen him hunt, and heard a hundred stories about how wonderful he was. I saw him track down a deer and bring him to the ground with tremendous power.
Even though I had Police dogs, and many hunting dogs, that dog Jack, a solid liver dog would always be in my mind. There was just something about him. So when I got older I wondered what happened to the Shorthair of my youth. I was getting and seeing shorthairs that were lacking.
So I along with my wife, and her full support, went of a quest. A remarkable journey really. One that would be filled with enough excitement and challenges to fill a book.
When the quest started there would not be a Google search, and little information to go on. Most people I talked to had very little knowledge, and none were trying to produce a truly versatile dog. I had spent many hours, even as a young man wondering what crosses would have to be made to make such a dog as a German Shorthair. I figured that there must still be Shorthairs like our solid liver Jack. I mean there had to be, Right?
However I had no idea! I decided that I would learn everything I could that had anything to do with GSPs, and breeding. I already had a practical knowledge of performance based breeding. I had expected to find hunters breeding shorthairs of the quality of Jack, but I would soon learn that was not to be the case.
My 3 main goals were to first read everything I could find, and talk to people about the breed and breeding. Second I would get my hands on, and hunt behind as many good shorthairs as I could. Third I would breed and then hunt behind as many shorthairs as I could. I figured that if we gave it our 100 percent, time, money, and facilities that in 5 years I would have a pretty good understanding of the German Shorthaired Pointer in America. I honestly figured I would do in five years what the average breeder would do in their life time.
So after over 10 years, what did I find out, how did I get there, and why do I have so many dogs? That my friends is this story.
First I was not starting as a young kid, I already had a vast knowledge of a whole lot of things. Many of them had to do with dogs and breeding. For one I came from a large family of every type of hunting dog. For another I had been the youngest Police K9 officer in America. But all of that is for another story.
I already had 2 shorthairs before I retired and jumped into this with both feet in 2008. Both were ok, but just ok. It was this just ok that lead me to want to breed better shorthairs. Somewhere, something had gone wrong and I was going to find out what it was and fix it. I know it sounds a little lofty, but I figured it was worth the challenges. I mean this is America, and I am an American and with all of our freedoms and hunting access why not. Plus I was addicted to hunting in a way that only few hunters can understand.
I won't name breeders or kennels, just lines. You have to realize that the GSP has what might be the largest, most diverse gene pool of any hunting dog. But at first I knew nothing of this. It amazes me still that most breeders in America still don't know this. There simply was not an article like this one available to read. There was however a breeder of English pointers that I would come to admire. Wehle, the breeder of the famious Elhew line. I'll tie him in later.
So I did the only thing I could think of at the time. I hit the road with Dusty our GSP for a few months of hunting the western states and visited as many hunting GSP kennels as I could. I wanted hunting dogs from hunters. And that's what I ended up with. The first year in 2007/2008, I ended up with about 20 dogs. The very best I could find. I hunted these, raised many from puppies and spent over 600 days (2 years) in the field. I was learning about the history, about breeding, and training. But what I was learning most was life with shorhairs and what to expect in the field. We were hunting pheasants in South Dakota, and everything I could find in Arizona. We were treeing foxes by the dozens, bobcats, wild cats, running rabbits by the hundreds and so many quail it was unreal. I was trying to get the waterwork down but was having some problems. I was also finding that many of the dogs were working to far out and some were not retrieving well. But some of the dogs were simply outstanding. I mean unreal.
The first couple of years I had either 100 percent American Field Trial lines or 50/50 crosses. This would be my first real learning lesson. I got a pedigree program and started imputing pedigrees sometime after this. I was learning about Moesgaard and Rusty lines. I was forming an opinion of just what these lines could and could not do. Also a lot of practical kennel knowledge was being learned. Whelping, care, shots, feeding, space, etc. I would add other white dogs from Shoot to Retrieve lines that were just offshoots of the white Field Trial lines. Same dogs different venue.
The first litter I kept every dog and hunted all seven from pup to adult starting at 8 weeks old. I had already the very first year raised and hunted at least 8 of our later to be breeding dogs from small pup to adult. This would be the pattern for the next 10 years and would come to define our kennel.
I was intrigued by by the breeder Wehle and his thinking and methods. He was a very successful breeder of field trial English Pointers but his love was hunting pointers. His belief was that it's all in the genes. The dogs genes make up who and what the dog is and will become. He was a breeder of many other animals and has a vast working knowledge of breeding genetics. What I thought most amazing was the fact that he bred dogs for over 60 years and kept every puppy. Not just one from each litter like I do, but every single pup. 100 or so a year. Raised all 100 and evaluated all of them and only kept one or two. Only kept the very best. Who can do this? If you are a breeder of hunting German Shorthairs you should read everything he has written.
So some of the dogs I had were not really very good. Some due to the condition I got them in, and some to bad breeding. Others to good breeding but not breeding to a goal of a complete versatile hunting and family dog. A couple however were outstanding. By a couple I mean 2, Dolly and Lady were fantastic. In over 15 years I don't think I've yet to see an all around better hunting dog than Lady. I would say on par with solid liver Jack of my youth, and to think she is solid live too. Dolly was a great dog in every respect. Dolly a pretty liver roaned, patched and ticked girl. There is a good chance that Lady and Dolly had retrieved over 500 wild birds each before they were seven months old. There were at least 12 other dogs that were closely related to these two. All white dogs. Some were excellent in some areas. Lady's half sister Fancy and Dolly's niece was a very good dog. She and Pepper had some wonder qualities, but they were not truly versatile dogs like Dolly and Lady.
So the next chapter about 2009/2010 I went to some black lines. I really went to the lines of a grouse hunter. I mean grouse hunters have great dogs. And if you know a grouse hunter they are a little fanatical and even a little crazy. It's because they have to hunt in that crazy thick stuff. Their dogs have to be good. This move of 5 dogs would truly change my life, and the lives of many others. It would change the way I thought of German Shorthairs in America and American German Shorthiar breeders. The mother line of 4 out of the 5 were the same. A dam with her bottom half having 100 percent of the dogs from the United Kingdom. In fact Lacey looks like Layton's Champion Midlanders Shawnee, the same head and ears. These dogs were Jack, his full brother who died early, David, Katie, and Jill.
What was amazing about these 4 dogs that would become somewhat the foundation of our program was good waterwork. Every single one the the four were truly versatile hunting dogs. Now I had something to work with, enough hunting days in the field, and the ability to develop the puppies. I was starting to the knowledge, facilities, and hunting area to meet my goals.
Now the next chapter was filled with a little faulty thinking. A lot of knowledge and experience would come out of it, but believe me I missed the mark. Since Jack and Jill who are both black roan, of different breeding were so good and so versatile. Great waterwork, point/back, natural retrieve, close working and the best temperaments. I thought that since blacks were not that long ago out of Germany that the German dogs were the key to versatility. And I was beginning to think that the breeders of the white field trial lines were responsible for the lack of versatility in the American line.
So I went of a quest for German lines. This was about six years ago. So by this time searching the internet was useful. I contacted every single German breeder I could get a number for. I talked to them about the German lines. Then the German breed master and I had a few informative talks and he set me up with a breeder who he himself was going to use, and I contacted him. At this time I was also wanted to add the best water dogs I could and I had heard the German dogs were the best. The breeder I got Buck and Barbara from was in the north and guided for ducks with his DK / Shorthairs. When I asked if his dogs were as good as Labs, he said they were better. Ok I thought. That's not going to happen.
I got Buck and Barbara. 100 percent DK dogs from a DK club member. Their breeding was as good as it it's. Two outstanding, dogs. I would later get another DK dog that had come from the former breed master, and one out of Germany.
The water work, or love of water was as I was told, as good as a Lab. The love of waterwork was second to none, I mean really good. Barbara as a little puppy was challenging the older dogs for the water retrieve. To say I was pleased with the waterwork would be an understatement. Some of the dogs I had also had great waterwork. Dolly, Lady, Jack, Jill, Rob, and Tom C, but here it seemed that the entire German line might be wonderful water dogs. This was remarkable to me because it was just not so with the American lines.
At this time I was keeping at least one pup from each breeding. I was crossing the different dogs and lines together, reading every single shorthair book I could get my hands on and spending hours adding dogs to my pedigree program. The website was looking good and I was getting some pretty good feed back on the puppies I had sold. I was spending a lot of time in the field with the Gang and making long hunting trips.
It did not take me long to form an opinion about the German dogs. Even though the waterwork, and retrieve, along with the temperaments were outstanding they did seem to have their shortcomings. First and foremost they were not showing much of a point and back. Up to this point all shorthairs that I had seen pointed. The German dogs have this high pray drive. They love to hunt but they were not showing a natural point. In fact when the other dogs went on point the German DK dogs busted in and flushed the bird trying to catch it. The second concern was their build. Some were to big. The German standard was allowing bigger dogs, and it seemed that some of the German breeders were taking advantage of this. It was not only that the dogs were bigger but they did not seem to have the cardiovascular system that the American dogs, especially the American Field dogs had. When we got Sophie out of Germany she was better. She was kinda my last look at a German DK dog. She was pretty good. Better build and a much better cardiovascular system. She loved the water, loved to retrieve, and has a great temperament, but she does not really like to point. She will, every now and then but it's not really her first chose.
About 7 and 5 years ago we added two more dogs. Tom C Foolery and Rob. Tom was heavy in Hillhaven's Hustler. Rob was out of what I call the American veratile lines. Sharp Shooter, Shooting Starr, Odyssey, Grouse Point etc. These two dogs are excellent, first class American versatile hunting dogs. Both Tom C and Rob are as good as you can get. Honest hunting and family dogs.
So by now the breeding program is on fire. We are breeding, living, and hunting with a lot of Shorthairs. Our whole life, at least mine is shorthairs and more shorthairs and I'm loving it. By our 13th year or so I have a pretty good working knowledge of the shorthaired pointer. I also have a paper knowledge. I have read everything about shorthairs I can find. I read about breeding programs from sled dogs to hound dogs. Almost every breeding is predictable. I have tried almost every line I can get my hands on.
Current chapter. We have had for the last 10 years, every year about 24 shorthairs and litters almost always on the ground. We have one full time employee Jackie for the last 3 years. We currently have well over 35 dogs, many young that we are evaluating.
We added one more line. We have added the American Hainholz line. This line was Heinz and Daisy Schapheer's. It's not really that line 100 percent. I could not get that. Sires from the line were available via frozen semen.
I had helped another breeder out with dogs and kept his dogs while he was selling his house. Years ago I seen that he had available to him this semen as well as one female who also had great American lines. So he owed me big time, but I was finding it hard to get what I wanted. I finely got one dog. Tonya. She was only Hainholz on the very top. One quarter, was from their DC KS Hof dog Ybold Rothenuffeln, and Katie Blue V. Hainholz. I was never able to get anything else from this breeder. Always something. Even though he had access to the semen he never would give a pup up to me.
Then came Cheryl from Idaho Gun Dogs. Even though I said I was not going to give names I'm going to name her because she came through for me. Not only did I get the wonderful Tom C, but I got our second Hainholz dog, Scout because of her and Mark. Scout is 50 percent Hainholz. His whole top half. This time via DC Bodo V Warrand, and a DC KS Hof Ybold and Katie Blue daughter Yabold Tara. The bottom half of both Scout and Tonya are the same, and does have a leg to one more Rothenuffeln dog KS Yoli Rothenuffeln Who is the great DC Hof Treeker V Grunbaum's grandfather. Both Tonya and Scout's mother's pedigree is in truth as good as the Hainholz line. You will just have to take a look.
We also have one show dog. Molly, allmost every single dog in her line is a show champion. Her pedigree has 57 show champions out of 61 dogs. This is the first and only dog of her breeding that we have ever had, and in truth adds nothing to our program. I just wanted to satisfy a belief I have that GSP show dogs are better hunting and versatile dogs than most other breeds hunting dogs, and this does seen to be the case. She is versatile. Hunting, pointing, and waterwork. She however to my minds eye does not have the proper build. Her line is almost but not all the Minado line with Pine Hill up close on the dam's side.
How you might ask is all this tied into me having so many dogs. Well it's easy. This is what has lead up to this happening, in no specific order:
This is our A team: Lady and Jill, they were bred to Jack and that gave us Ms. Charlie and Bella. We have Bonnie who is a Jack daughter and Pepper granddaughter. Scout and Tonya are A team dogs as well. Bajenks who is a son on Vera, who is a daughter of Jack and Dolly, and Bajenks is a son of David. Dusty is an A team dog but a none breeder. Sopie the German dog. Tamara a David daughter. Molly the show girl.
Now the pups who we have kept back to look at, Prospects: Tonya and Scout pups (4) Daisy, Calvin, Gordon, and Mae. Scout and Ms. Charlie's Edna. Bonnie and David's Vickie. Sophie and David's Karla. Rob and Bella's Blaise and Rebel. Bajenks and Katie's Tina, Chuck (Lady x Buck) and Bonnie's Rose. Chuck and Anna Brown's Ann. Bailey (Tom C x Jackie B) and Jack's Heather. Vera and Scout's Kate. David's girl Brettney. Scout's girl Kerry.
Little Pups: Rob and Lady's Pauline. Scout and Bella's Shea. Scout and Molly's Jenny.
Note: I am pleased with the very large gene pool that make up the German Shorthairs. Also the fact that the breeding can be very predictable once the lines are understood. More importantly there are a few ways using any lines to produce a versatile hunting dog. In one generation you can be on track having versatile hunting dogs. A dog that loves the water, points and backs, has a natural retrieve, hunts with you and for you, and has a great temperament.
Some Examples: A German DK bred to any dog that points. An American Field dog bred to a German DK, or any Versatile hunting dog line.
A show dog bred to any versatile hunting dog line.
That my friend is the how and why we here at Desert Point Kennel have so many dogs.
The answer is in our breeding program. The idea is not to just have a lot of dogs, but to have a lot of the right dogs.
The end goal of our breeding program is to breed a standard of qualities to our liking. But it's how we got there and what we were thinking that is the interesting part. It's one thing to just breed dogs, it's another to have a breeding program. A breeding program that is going somewhere.
It must start with an understanding of the perfect dog, if it's just in your mind, but it should be pretty detailed. The other is an understanding of the breed and what's there for you to work with.
I knew what I wanted because as a kid I had seen what I thought was a perfect German Shorthair. I had played with this dog for hours, loved on him, and admired him. I had seen him hunt, and heard a hundred stories about how wonderful he was. I saw him track down a deer and bring him to the ground with tremendous power.
Even though I had Police dogs, and many hunting dogs, that dog Jack, a solid liver dog would always be in my mind. There was just something about him. So when I got older I wondered what happened to the Shorthair of my youth. I was getting and seeing shorthairs that were lacking.
So I along with my wife, and her full support, went of a quest. A remarkable journey really. One that would be filled with enough excitement and challenges to fill a book.
When the quest started there would not be a Google search, and little information to go on. Most people I talked to had very little knowledge, and none were trying to produce a truly versatile dog. I had spent many hours, even as a young man wondering what crosses would have to be made to make such a dog as a German Shorthair. I figured that there must still be Shorthairs like our solid liver Jack. I mean there had to be, Right?
However I had no idea! I decided that I would learn everything I could that had anything to do with GSPs, and breeding. I already had a practical knowledge of performance based breeding. I had expected to find hunters breeding shorthairs of the quality of Jack, but I would soon learn that was not to be the case.
My 3 main goals were to first read everything I could find, and talk to people about the breed and breeding. Second I would get my hands on, and hunt behind as many good shorthairs as I could. Third I would breed and then hunt behind as many shorthairs as I could. I figured that if we gave it our 100 percent, time, money, and facilities that in 5 years I would have a pretty good understanding of the German Shorthaired Pointer in America. I honestly figured I would do in five years what the average breeder would do in their life time.
So after over 10 years, what did I find out, how did I get there, and why do I have so many dogs? That my friends is this story.
First I was not starting as a young kid, I already had a vast knowledge of a whole lot of things. Many of them had to do with dogs and breeding. For one I came from a large family of every type of hunting dog. For another I had been the youngest Police K9 officer in America. But all of that is for another story.
I already had 2 shorthairs before I retired and jumped into this with both feet in 2008. Both were ok, but just ok. It was this just ok that lead me to want to breed better shorthairs. Somewhere, something had gone wrong and I was going to find out what it was and fix it. I know it sounds a little lofty, but I figured it was worth the challenges. I mean this is America, and I am an American and with all of our freedoms and hunting access why not. Plus I was addicted to hunting in a way that only few hunters can understand.
I won't name breeders or kennels, just lines. You have to realize that the GSP has what might be the largest, most diverse gene pool of any hunting dog. But at first I knew nothing of this. It amazes me still that most breeders in America still don't know this. There simply was not an article like this one available to read. There was however a breeder of English pointers that I would come to admire. Wehle, the breeder of the famious Elhew line. I'll tie him in later.
So I did the only thing I could think of at the time. I hit the road with Dusty our GSP for a few months of hunting the western states and visited as many hunting GSP kennels as I could. I wanted hunting dogs from hunters. And that's what I ended up with. The first year in 2007/2008, I ended up with about 20 dogs. The very best I could find. I hunted these, raised many from puppies and spent over 600 days (2 years) in the field. I was learning about the history, about breeding, and training. But what I was learning most was life with shorhairs and what to expect in the field. We were hunting pheasants in South Dakota, and everything I could find in Arizona. We were treeing foxes by the dozens, bobcats, wild cats, running rabbits by the hundreds and so many quail it was unreal. I was trying to get the waterwork down but was having some problems. I was also finding that many of the dogs were working to far out and some were not retrieving well. But some of the dogs were simply outstanding. I mean unreal.
The first couple of years I had either 100 percent American Field Trial lines or 50/50 crosses. This would be my first real learning lesson. I got a pedigree program and started imputing pedigrees sometime after this. I was learning about Moesgaard and Rusty lines. I was forming an opinion of just what these lines could and could not do. Also a lot of practical kennel knowledge was being learned. Whelping, care, shots, feeding, space, etc. I would add other white dogs from Shoot to Retrieve lines that were just offshoots of the white Field Trial lines. Same dogs different venue.
The first litter I kept every dog and hunted all seven from pup to adult starting at 8 weeks old. I had already the very first year raised and hunted at least 8 of our later to be breeding dogs from small pup to adult. This would be the pattern for the next 10 years and would come to define our kennel.
I was intrigued by by the breeder Wehle and his thinking and methods. He was a very successful breeder of field trial English Pointers but his love was hunting pointers. His belief was that it's all in the genes. The dogs genes make up who and what the dog is and will become. He was a breeder of many other animals and has a vast working knowledge of breeding genetics. What I thought most amazing was the fact that he bred dogs for over 60 years and kept every puppy. Not just one from each litter like I do, but every single pup. 100 or so a year. Raised all 100 and evaluated all of them and only kept one or two. Only kept the very best. Who can do this? If you are a breeder of hunting German Shorthairs you should read everything he has written.
So some of the dogs I had were not really very good. Some due to the condition I got them in, and some to bad breeding. Others to good breeding but not breeding to a goal of a complete versatile hunting and family dog. A couple however were outstanding. By a couple I mean 2, Dolly and Lady were fantastic. In over 15 years I don't think I've yet to see an all around better hunting dog than Lady. I would say on par with solid liver Jack of my youth, and to think she is solid live too. Dolly was a great dog in every respect. Dolly a pretty liver roaned, patched and ticked girl. There is a good chance that Lady and Dolly had retrieved over 500 wild birds each before they were seven months old. There were at least 12 other dogs that were closely related to these two. All white dogs. Some were excellent in some areas. Lady's half sister Fancy and Dolly's niece was a very good dog. She and Pepper had some wonder qualities, but they were not truly versatile dogs like Dolly and Lady.
So the next chapter about 2009/2010 I went to some black lines. I really went to the lines of a grouse hunter. I mean grouse hunters have great dogs. And if you know a grouse hunter they are a little fanatical and even a little crazy. It's because they have to hunt in that crazy thick stuff. Their dogs have to be good. This move of 5 dogs would truly change my life, and the lives of many others. It would change the way I thought of German Shorthairs in America and American German Shorthiar breeders. The mother line of 4 out of the 5 were the same. A dam with her bottom half having 100 percent of the dogs from the United Kingdom. In fact Lacey looks like Layton's Champion Midlanders Shawnee, the same head and ears. These dogs were Jack, his full brother who died early, David, Katie, and Jill.
What was amazing about these 4 dogs that would become somewhat the foundation of our program was good waterwork. Every single one the the four were truly versatile hunting dogs. Now I had something to work with, enough hunting days in the field, and the ability to develop the puppies. I was starting to the knowledge, facilities, and hunting area to meet my goals.
Now the next chapter was filled with a little faulty thinking. A lot of knowledge and experience would come out of it, but believe me I missed the mark. Since Jack and Jill who are both black roan, of different breeding were so good and so versatile. Great waterwork, point/back, natural retrieve, close working and the best temperaments. I thought that since blacks were not that long ago out of Germany that the German dogs were the key to versatility. And I was beginning to think that the breeders of the white field trial lines were responsible for the lack of versatility in the American line.
So I went of a quest for German lines. This was about six years ago. So by this time searching the internet was useful. I contacted every single German breeder I could get a number for. I talked to them about the German lines. Then the German breed master and I had a few informative talks and he set me up with a breeder who he himself was going to use, and I contacted him. At this time I was also wanted to add the best water dogs I could and I had heard the German dogs were the best. The breeder I got Buck and Barbara from was in the north and guided for ducks with his DK / Shorthairs. When I asked if his dogs were as good as Labs, he said they were better. Ok I thought. That's not going to happen.
I got Buck and Barbara. 100 percent DK dogs from a DK club member. Their breeding was as good as it it's. Two outstanding, dogs. I would later get another DK dog that had come from the former breed master, and one out of Germany.
The water work, or love of water was as I was told, as good as a Lab. The love of waterwork was second to none, I mean really good. Barbara as a little puppy was challenging the older dogs for the water retrieve. To say I was pleased with the waterwork would be an understatement. Some of the dogs I had also had great waterwork. Dolly, Lady, Jack, Jill, Rob, and Tom C, but here it seemed that the entire German line might be wonderful water dogs. This was remarkable to me because it was just not so with the American lines.
At this time I was keeping at least one pup from each breeding. I was crossing the different dogs and lines together, reading every single shorthair book I could get my hands on and spending hours adding dogs to my pedigree program. The website was looking good and I was getting some pretty good feed back on the puppies I had sold. I was spending a lot of time in the field with the Gang and making long hunting trips.
It did not take me long to form an opinion about the German dogs. Even though the waterwork, and retrieve, along with the temperaments were outstanding they did seem to have their shortcomings. First and foremost they were not showing much of a point and back. Up to this point all shorthairs that I had seen pointed. The German dogs have this high pray drive. They love to hunt but they were not showing a natural point. In fact when the other dogs went on point the German DK dogs busted in and flushed the bird trying to catch it. The second concern was their build. Some were to big. The German standard was allowing bigger dogs, and it seemed that some of the German breeders were taking advantage of this. It was not only that the dogs were bigger but they did not seem to have the cardiovascular system that the American dogs, especially the American Field dogs had. When we got Sophie out of Germany she was better. She was kinda my last look at a German DK dog. She was pretty good. Better build and a much better cardiovascular system. She loved the water, loved to retrieve, and has a great temperament, but she does not really like to point. She will, every now and then but it's not really her first chose.
About 7 and 5 years ago we added two more dogs. Tom C Foolery and Rob. Tom was heavy in Hillhaven's Hustler. Rob was out of what I call the American veratile lines. Sharp Shooter, Shooting Starr, Odyssey, Grouse Point etc. These two dogs are excellent, first class American versatile hunting dogs. Both Tom C and Rob are as good as you can get. Honest hunting and family dogs.
So by now the breeding program is on fire. We are breeding, living, and hunting with a lot of Shorthairs. Our whole life, at least mine is shorthairs and more shorthairs and I'm loving it. By our 13th year or so I have a pretty good working knowledge of the shorthaired pointer. I also have a paper knowledge. I have read everything about shorthairs I can find. I read about breeding programs from sled dogs to hound dogs. Almost every breeding is predictable. I have tried almost every line I can get my hands on.
Current chapter. We have had for the last 10 years, every year about 24 shorthairs and litters almost always on the ground. We have one full time employee Jackie for the last 3 years. We currently have well over 35 dogs, many young that we are evaluating.
We added one more line. We have added the American Hainholz line. This line was Heinz and Daisy Schapheer's. It's not really that line 100 percent. I could not get that. Sires from the line were available via frozen semen.
I had helped another breeder out with dogs and kept his dogs while he was selling his house. Years ago I seen that he had available to him this semen as well as one female who also had great American lines. So he owed me big time, but I was finding it hard to get what I wanted. I finely got one dog. Tonya. She was only Hainholz on the very top. One quarter, was from their DC KS Hof dog Ybold Rothenuffeln, and Katie Blue V. Hainholz. I was never able to get anything else from this breeder. Always something. Even though he had access to the semen he never would give a pup up to me.
Then came Cheryl from Idaho Gun Dogs. Even though I said I was not going to give names I'm going to name her because she came through for me. Not only did I get the wonderful Tom C, but I got our second Hainholz dog, Scout because of her and Mark. Scout is 50 percent Hainholz. His whole top half. This time via DC Bodo V Warrand, and a DC KS Hof Ybold and Katie Blue daughter Yabold Tara. The bottom half of both Scout and Tonya are the same, and does have a leg to one more Rothenuffeln dog KS Yoli Rothenuffeln Who is the great DC Hof Treeker V Grunbaum's grandfather. Both Tonya and Scout's mother's pedigree is in truth as good as the Hainholz line. You will just have to take a look.
We also have one show dog. Molly, allmost every single dog in her line is a show champion. Her pedigree has 57 show champions out of 61 dogs. This is the first and only dog of her breeding that we have ever had, and in truth adds nothing to our program. I just wanted to satisfy a belief I have that GSP show dogs are better hunting and versatile dogs than most other breeds hunting dogs, and this does seen to be the case. She is versatile. Hunting, pointing, and waterwork. She however to my minds eye does not have the proper build. Her line is almost but not all the Minado line with Pine Hill up close on the dam's side.
How you might ask is all this tied into me having so many dogs. Well it's easy. This is what has lead up to this happening, in no specific order:
This is our A team: Lady and Jill, they were bred to Jack and that gave us Ms. Charlie and Bella. We have Bonnie who is a Jack daughter and Pepper granddaughter. Scout and Tonya are A team dogs as well. Bajenks who is a son on Vera, who is a daughter of Jack and Dolly, and Bajenks is a son of David. Dusty is an A team dog but a none breeder. Sopie the German dog. Tamara a David daughter. Molly the show girl.
Now the pups who we have kept back to look at, Prospects: Tonya and Scout pups (4) Daisy, Calvin, Gordon, and Mae. Scout and Ms. Charlie's Edna. Bonnie and David's Vickie. Sophie and David's Karla. Rob and Bella's Blaise and Rebel. Bajenks and Katie's Tina, Chuck (Lady x Buck) and Bonnie's Rose. Chuck and Anna Brown's Ann. Bailey (Tom C x Jackie B) and Jack's Heather. Vera and Scout's Kate. David's girl Brettney. Scout's girl Kerry.
Little Pups: Rob and Lady's Pauline. Scout and Bella's Shea. Scout and Molly's Jenny.
Note: I am pleased with the very large gene pool that make up the German Shorthairs. Also the fact that the breeding can be very predictable once the lines are understood. More importantly there are a few ways using any lines to produce a versatile hunting dog. In one generation you can be on track having versatile hunting dogs. A dog that loves the water, points and backs, has a natural retrieve, hunts with you and for you, and has a great temperament.
Some Examples: A German DK bred to any dog that points. An American Field dog bred to a German DK, or any Versatile hunting dog line.
A show dog bred to any versatile hunting dog line.
That my friend is the how and why we here at Desert Point Kennel have so many dogs.
Rob N Sandie The answer is why not, Lol! Your videos are pure heaven!❤❤
Vickie Watson Tanner Love reading all your stories and descriptions in how you got to were you are with the pups and your goals. I also like seeing your descriptions in action via your photos and videos. Finally, I live seeing the joy you have with the dogs and the joy they have as being a member of your pack. 🖒
Randy Randall Thank you, that is why you are the best.
LikeShow more reactions
Vickie Watson Tanner ...whatever I am, it is because of the great friends I am blessed to have. 😉
LikeShow more reactions
Maggie Hardinger Plahn This was the best read! Thank you
Dan Smith You're a good man Randy. Pam and I may come down and see your puppies early next year if you have any. (Probably will)
Randy Randall Great
Ed Taczanowsky Flipper is an example of your breeding. He could pull a moose down if I let him
Dustin Ward Randy, your breeding program is second to none. I have seen your dogs work and grow over the years first hand and I have to say job well done.
Randy Randall Thank you
LikeShow more reactions
Liz Connell Alford Incredible testimony! Thank you for sharing. GSP’s are truly the best. Would love to have a pup connected to you & your kennel one day!
Randy Randall Yhanks
Tanja Eiben You need to write your own book now complete with yours and your dogs' story. You just laid out the framework and everybody who read it all the way to the end wants to hear more!
Tanja Eiben And you have sll those gorgeous photos to go with it!
Randy Randall Someday maybe.
Janell 'Postier' Slifka That photo needs a frame. Stunning.
Randy Randall Thank you.
Carmel Berglin · 2 mutual friends
What a great read! Very intrigued by your time and effort!! Impressive..love to see your pictures daily.. what an awesome job you have done!!
Randy Randall Thank you
Theodore Stagpole Very impressive , well done. An excellent book is The German Shorthair by Georgina Byrne from Western Australia. Its our bible an have got all our GSPs from her over 20 years now.
Randy Randall My favorite.
Pauline Weiland OK.. now we need to see how you can become an AKC judge on sporting dogs.. and use you at our dog show. And when exhibitors ask questions about why they didn't win a ribbon you can educate them . Maybe we'll ask you to give a presentatrion to judges and exhibitors about field dogs and pointers. Breeding and what to watch for.
Randy Randall Thanks
Ed Taczanowsky I hope randy continues to hold hunters opinions higher than the political field trial and show judges opinion. My yearling short hair ftom Randy performs better than a 4 time gun dog champion son I've owned for 12 years. I love them both . There are a large number of sportsman who care less about pedigree and titles. At the end of the day you crack a beer or whiskey. Look next to you and at your feet or in my instance next to you in your cab is the incredible companion that fought through the brush snskes and environment and as a partner brought home the bacon and then consider the people who think food comes from grocery stores. You go home clean it cook it and your bud is their with you. That is why I chose randy as a breeder. a I could have spent 5 times what I paid for my dog and got a quarter of what I did. My dog is great. His purchase training and hunting has been more than I could have hoped for. Sorry for the rant but this guy is a hunters breeder
Randy Randall Thank you Ed.
Ed Taczanowsky You thank me every day with the company of my hairy son
Marla Hoffman-Krejci Great picture
Kimberlee Randall Well said honey!
Jodie Hall What a fabulous story. I am a horse breeder so understand the passion behind their blood and the desire to breed your own. I'm also a devotee of GSP's here in Australia. I'm hoping your children are learning your craft - such knowledge should be shared down the line and kept in the family. You show a dedication not too many can and is quite inspiring! Thankyou for sharing 😍😍
Randy Randall Thank you very much.
David Gowdey Very nice. You understand that breeding is a process and that you have to have an ideal that you are striving toward. If only many other GSP breeders had that vision.
Randy Randall Thanks David, means a lot coming from you.
David Gowdey I mean it. I wish more GSP breeders had your breeding philosophy and goal of turning out great hunting GSPs.
Harold Pete Pack Randy, your dedication to a genetic-based breeding program to achieve top quality GSPs is impressive. Your diligent pursuit of that ideal GSP has truly paid off. Reading the comments from people who have purchased pups from Desert Point Kennel, it is obvious that your program is a real credit to the breed. The high standard you have constantly insisted on has enriched the lives of every hunter and family who is blessed enough to have one of you pup pups. Keep up the good work.
PS - great photography as well 💜✝️
Randy Randall Thank you Pete.
Michael Gowdey Interesting read, Randy. And Wolfgang is a great dog! Thank you for your work!
Randy Randall Thank you very much.
Julie Squire Very interesting,thank you X
Jacqueline Kollee Thanks for sharing your story with us...now we all know how and why!!!😉🐾
Randy Randall Thank you.
Renae M. Anderson Amazing dedication to the breed. Thank you!
Lahona Sanders Wagner I really appreciate all the work and research you've put into your breeding program. I hope to get out there to see it in person! Thank your for sharing a bit of your slice of Heaven with us! 💙❤💜
Randy Randall You are welcome!
Francine Maciejewski Interesting read.
If you want the type you describe venturing into the german testing system will get you closer. From what i can see you are still a bit blind folded.
Some DK lines do point between 5-12 months old, others earlier, like mine.
The cardiovascular issue you mention is simply the lines youve chosen. I know many DK that are light on their feet, quick with endurance.
Sometimes, its best to have the “split” in the breed(s).
From the outside, reading this, you appear more scattered than focused.
Or rather, focused on too much and not what will bring you closer.
Just my opinion.
I wish you the best of luck in your quest
You will have fun
Brittney Durkin Wow, the love and dedication you have for the breed is inspiring! I have soooo much to learn from you. I'm starting to think I might not be able to retain it all. lol. Not many breeders are so open and honest about their program, much less willing to share the way they operate the way you do. Thank you Randy for loving your dogs and for sharing that love with us.
LikeShow more reactions
Randy Randall Super nice of you. Thank you.
James Doyle Thank Randy loved that read ,well done,
Randy Randall Thank you.
Martha Towner · Friends with Kathleen Lester
Thank you Randy loved the read. My dad was good friends with mr Wehle and he was such a wonderful person. Always patient with me as a young girl tagging behind them and educating me on dogs and horses.
Randy Randall Wow, that is very cool. Thank you very much for sharing that with me.
Martha Towner · Friends with Kathleen Lester
I'll see if i can find any pics of the two. But it would be in a duck blind with my dads labs lol
Randy Randall I was thinking, if you had pictures.
Martha Towner · Friends with Kathleen Lester
Im slowly going thru boxes and boxes that my parents had. And i remember a picture being taken at vanderbuilt marsh when Bob was there. It might take me some time but when i do ill send them to you.
Martha Towner Thank you.
Jennifer Lonchay Randy Randall, the time and thoughtfulness of your breeding program is outstanding. It's a wonderful contribution to the breed which, as you know, is of utmost importance. I am curious if you know or can tell me: are there multiple "Elhew" breeders? Reason I ask is about 7 years ago, I sent my GSP (which I admittedly knew nothing about) at age 3 (solid liver by the way) to be hunt trained at Chokebore Kennels. I knew I had a hunting dog, I knew he was bonkers, I knew I needed help, and I knew he was special (at least in my opinion).
It was winter in New England, my property was covered in well over 2 feet of snow and Teddy kept going to an 8 ft tall bush covered with a foot of snow and sticking his nose through the fence smelling it on his hind legs, just hovering for what seemed like an eternity as though he was trying to tell me something. Once the snow had melted that spring, sure enough he pointed it and was obsessed. Low and behold, a bird's nest. I found Chokebore Kennels online and it was a mere minutes from my house. The owner, Brian Hays, spoke to me with a lot of doubt due to Teddy's age (3) and hesitantly accepted Teddy into his program as a trial for a week. Basically he said "Lady, we start training these dogs out of the womb, they are all Elhew dogs and I don't want to waste my time or your money if he doesn't have it." I returned after the first week and much to both of our surprise, he had it! I kept him there for nearly 5 months and he was a different dog when he came home. I went every Saturday and Sunday to work with him. It was a glorious experience watching my boy do what he was bred to do. I know Brian has since passed away, but I just went to Chokebore Kennels website and it says something about having inherited the famous Elhew lines directly from Wehle when he passed away. I guess I'm just curious, did I somehow have my dog hunt and train alongside the infamous Elhew Pointers? It seems I hit the jackpot having run across the man who would become the inherited owner of Bob Wehle's Elhew Kennels. I just don't know enough about how the Elhew line is continued, are there many that have their lines? Sorry this is so long, I'm just so fascinated. Here's the link to their website. http://www.elhewkennels.org/
Elhew Kennels
ELHEWKENNELS.ORG
Randy Randall The Hays family did get theirs from Bob, so it would seem. There however are many, many Elhew breeders, and why should there not be. They were considered the best, or at least a well established line. Hell I might just get one myself some day.
Su Marcy We love our Molly Andy Jack girl. She is our first GSP. She has a great temperament, loves everyone, great nose, great point, loves the water, smart, athletic, and we think gorgeous! I have a hard time getting good pictures with just the cell phone.
Randy Randall Yes it would seem that this is the kennel that got the Elhew Pointers from Bob. They are however a lot of kennels that are Elhew lines. Also thanks for the kind words.
Andrea Brännström This was very interesting!😁 I come from Sweden where it’s almost impossible for a non hunter to buy a gsp. I haven’t considered the lines so much before, but will in the future. My youngest is a machine but not easily controlled so that is something I will look for, a more “will to please” mentality. I really enjoy your posts and videos!😁👍
Randy Randall Thank you very much.
Vickie Watson Tanner Love reading all your stories and descriptions in how you got to were you are with the pups and your goals. I also like seeing your descriptions in action via your photos and videos. Finally, I live seeing the joy you have with the dogs and the joy they have as being a member of your pack. 🖒
Randy Randall Thank you, that is why you are the best.
LikeShow more reactions
Vickie Watson Tanner ...whatever I am, it is because of the great friends I am blessed to have. 😉
LikeShow more reactions
Maggie Hardinger Plahn This was the best read! Thank you
Dan Smith You're a good man Randy. Pam and I may come down and see your puppies early next year if you have any. (Probably will)
Randy Randall Great
Ed Taczanowsky Flipper is an example of your breeding. He could pull a moose down if I let him
Dustin Ward Randy, your breeding program is second to none. I have seen your dogs work and grow over the years first hand and I have to say job well done.
Randy Randall Thank you
LikeShow more reactions
Liz Connell Alford Incredible testimony! Thank you for sharing. GSP’s are truly the best. Would love to have a pup connected to you & your kennel one day!
Randy Randall Yhanks
Tanja Eiben You need to write your own book now complete with yours and your dogs' story. You just laid out the framework and everybody who read it all the way to the end wants to hear more!
Tanja Eiben And you have sll those gorgeous photos to go with it!
Randy Randall Someday maybe.
Janell 'Postier' Slifka That photo needs a frame. Stunning.
Randy Randall Thank you.
Carmel Berglin · 2 mutual friends
What a great read! Very intrigued by your time and effort!! Impressive..love to see your pictures daily.. what an awesome job you have done!!
Randy Randall Thank you
Theodore Stagpole Very impressive , well done. An excellent book is The German Shorthair by Georgina Byrne from Western Australia. Its our bible an have got all our GSPs from her over 20 years now.
Randy Randall My favorite.
Pauline Weiland OK.. now we need to see how you can become an AKC judge on sporting dogs.. and use you at our dog show. And when exhibitors ask questions about why they didn't win a ribbon you can educate them . Maybe we'll ask you to give a presentatrion to judges and exhibitors about field dogs and pointers. Breeding and what to watch for.
Randy Randall Thanks
Ed Taczanowsky I hope randy continues to hold hunters opinions higher than the political field trial and show judges opinion. My yearling short hair ftom Randy performs better than a 4 time gun dog champion son I've owned for 12 years. I love them both . There are a large number of sportsman who care less about pedigree and titles. At the end of the day you crack a beer or whiskey. Look next to you and at your feet or in my instance next to you in your cab is the incredible companion that fought through the brush snskes and environment and as a partner brought home the bacon and then consider the people who think food comes from grocery stores. You go home clean it cook it and your bud is their with you. That is why I chose randy as a breeder. a I could have spent 5 times what I paid for my dog and got a quarter of what I did. My dog is great. His purchase training and hunting has been more than I could have hoped for. Sorry for the rant but this guy is a hunters breeder
Randy Randall Thank you Ed.
Ed Taczanowsky You thank me every day with the company of my hairy son
Marla Hoffman-Krejci Great picture
Kimberlee Randall Well said honey!
Jodie Hall What a fabulous story. I am a horse breeder so understand the passion behind their blood and the desire to breed your own. I'm also a devotee of GSP's here in Australia. I'm hoping your children are learning your craft - such knowledge should be shared down the line and kept in the family. You show a dedication not too many can and is quite inspiring! Thankyou for sharing 😍😍
Randy Randall Thank you very much.
David Gowdey Very nice. You understand that breeding is a process and that you have to have an ideal that you are striving toward. If only many other GSP breeders had that vision.
Randy Randall Thanks David, means a lot coming from you.
David Gowdey I mean it. I wish more GSP breeders had your breeding philosophy and goal of turning out great hunting GSPs.
Harold Pete Pack Randy, your dedication to a genetic-based breeding program to achieve top quality GSPs is impressive. Your diligent pursuit of that ideal GSP has truly paid off. Reading the comments from people who have purchased pups from Desert Point Kennel, it is obvious that your program is a real credit to the breed. The high standard you have constantly insisted on has enriched the lives of every hunter and family who is blessed enough to have one of you pup pups. Keep up the good work.
PS - great photography as well 💜✝️
Randy Randall Thank you Pete.
Michael Gowdey Interesting read, Randy. And Wolfgang is a great dog! Thank you for your work!
Randy Randall Thank you very much.
Julie Squire Very interesting,thank you X
Jacqueline Kollee Thanks for sharing your story with us...now we all know how and why!!!😉🐾
Randy Randall Thank you.
Renae M. Anderson Amazing dedication to the breed. Thank you!
Lahona Sanders Wagner I really appreciate all the work and research you've put into your breeding program. I hope to get out there to see it in person! Thank your for sharing a bit of your slice of Heaven with us! 💙❤💜
Randy Randall You are welcome!
Francine Maciejewski Interesting read.
If you want the type you describe venturing into the german testing system will get you closer. From what i can see you are still a bit blind folded.
Some DK lines do point between 5-12 months old, others earlier, like mine.
The cardiovascular issue you mention is simply the lines youve chosen. I know many DK that are light on their feet, quick with endurance.
Sometimes, its best to have the “split” in the breed(s).
From the outside, reading this, you appear more scattered than focused.
Or rather, focused on too much and not what will bring you closer.
Just my opinion.
I wish you the best of luck in your quest
You will have fun
Brittney Durkin Wow, the love and dedication you have for the breed is inspiring! I have soooo much to learn from you. I'm starting to think I might not be able to retain it all. lol. Not many breeders are so open and honest about their program, much less willing to share the way they operate the way you do. Thank you Randy for loving your dogs and for sharing that love with us.
LikeShow more reactions
Randy Randall Super nice of you. Thank you.
James Doyle Thank Randy loved that read ,well done,
Randy Randall Thank you.
Martha Towner · Friends with Kathleen Lester
Thank you Randy loved the read. My dad was good friends with mr Wehle and he was such a wonderful person. Always patient with me as a young girl tagging behind them and educating me on dogs and horses.
Randy Randall Wow, that is very cool. Thank you very much for sharing that with me.
Martha Towner · Friends with Kathleen Lester
I'll see if i can find any pics of the two. But it would be in a duck blind with my dads labs lol
Randy Randall I was thinking, if you had pictures.
Martha Towner · Friends with Kathleen Lester
Im slowly going thru boxes and boxes that my parents had. And i remember a picture being taken at vanderbuilt marsh when Bob was there. It might take me some time but when i do ill send them to you.
Martha Towner Thank you.
Jennifer Lonchay Randy Randall, the time and thoughtfulness of your breeding program is outstanding. It's a wonderful contribution to the breed which, as you know, is of utmost importance. I am curious if you know or can tell me: are there multiple "Elhew" breeders? Reason I ask is about 7 years ago, I sent my GSP (which I admittedly knew nothing about) at age 3 (solid liver by the way) to be hunt trained at Chokebore Kennels. I knew I had a hunting dog, I knew he was bonkers, I knew I needed help, and I knew he was special (at least in my opinion).
It was winter in New England, my property was covered in well over 2 feet of snow and Teddy kept going to an 8 ft tall bush covered with a foot of snow and sticking his nose through the fence smelling it on his hind legs, just hovering for what seemed like an eternity as though he was trying to tell me something. Once the snow had melted that spring, sure enough he pointed it and was obsessed. Low and behold, a bird's nest. I found Chokebore Kennels online and it was a mere minutes from my house. The owner, Brian Hays, spoke to me with a lot of doubt due to Teddy's age (3) and hesitantly accepted Teddy into his program as a trial for a week. Basically he said "Lady, we start training these dogs out of the womb, they are all Elhew dogs and I don't want to waste my time or your money if he doesn't have it." I returned after the first week and much to both of our surprise, he had it! I kept him there for nearly 5 months and he was a different dog when he came home. I went every Saturday and Sunday to work with him. It was a glorious experience watching my boy do what he was bred to do. I know Brian has since passed away, but I just went to Chokebore Kennels website and it says something about having inherited the famous Elhew lines directly from Wehle when he passed away. I guess I'm just curious, did I somehow have my dog hunt and train alongside the infamous Elhew Pointers? It seems I hit the jackpot having run across the man who would become the inherited owner of Bob Wehle's Elhew Kennels. I just don't know enough about how the Elhew line is continued, are there many that have their lines? Sorry this is so long, I'm just so fascinated. Here's the link to their website. http://www.elhewkennels.org/
Elhew Kennels
ELHEWKENNELS.ORG
Randy Randall The Hays family did get theirs from Bob, so it would seem. There however are many, many Elhew breeders, and why should there not be. They were considered the best, or at least a well established line. Hell I might just get one myself some day.
Su Marcy We love our Molly Andy Jack girl. She is our first GSP. She has a great temperament, loves everyone, great nose, great point, loves the water, smart, athletic, and we think gorgeous! I have a hard time getting good pictures with just the cell phone.
Randy Randall Yes it would seem that this is the kennel that got the Elhew Pointers from Bob. They are however a lot of kennels that are Elhew lines. Also thanks for the kind words.
Andrea Brännström This was very interesting!😁 I come from Sweden where it’s almost impossible for a non hunter to buy a gsp. I haven’t considered the lines so much before, but will in the future. My youngest is a machine but not easily controlled so that is something I will look for, a more “will to please” mentality. I really enjoy your posts and videos!😁👍
Randy Randall Thank you very much.