Nuthatch Kennels - Breeders of Siberian Huskies and German Shorthaired Pointers

Nuthatch & the G.S.P.

(Above: Our Senior Rescues: Tess & Dylan)

Our first German Shorthair Pointer (GSP) came in the form of a rescue dog named Dylan. Everyone fell madly in love with him and we became involved in showing shorthairs shortly thereafter. We also participate in hunt tests and remain heavily involved with GSP Rescue.

GSPs tend to make very energetic and affectionate companions. They require lots of daily exercise and minimal grooming. Easily trained, they make excellent obedience and agility candidates. They are an excellent all-purpose gun dog for the hunter who wants his dog to also serve as family pet.

In terms of health issues, GSPs are prone to hip dysplasia, a variety of eye disorders including cataracts, epilepsy, and subaortic stenosis (SAS - a disease of the heart). Your breeder should be able to provide you with proof of the following:

That the parents of your puppy have been cleared of the following diseases:

Hip dysplasia - a certificate from the OVC (Ontario Veterinary College), the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) or PENNHip (U. of Pennsylvania's Hip Evaluation Program). This need only be done once in the dog's lifetime.

Eye disorders - a certificate from CERF or a copy of the eye exam sheet stating that the eyes were found to be normal by a Board certified canine opthalmologist - this should be done no more than one year prior to the breeding. It is an annual certification.

We also strongly recommend that the parents be OFA cardiac cleared by a Board certified canine cardiologist as well. Again, the breeder should be able to prove this with a certificate. Once, after the age of a year old, is sufficient for this test.

Dayblindness (CD) - while less common can be tested for with a DNA test which will tell you if the dog is a carrier which allows for more responsible breeding. While this is an expensive test it is one that can help the future of the breed a lot and is another test which you should keep an eye out for. It demonstrates a commitment to health on the part of the breeder and ensures that there is no possibility that your puppy will be dayblind.

Although these test do not guarantee that the parents are not carrying the genes for the diseases mentioned, they do reduce the risk of your purchasing a puppy that will develop an unfortunate problem down the road. There are currently no tests for epilepsy and the mode of inheritance is unknown at this time.

No pet should be purchased without doing some research first. Please take the time to follow some of the links on our link page to sources for more information on GSPs; including health issues, temperament, energy level, etc.

Email us at nuthatch@aztec-net.com

Click on the dog you would like to see:

Charlie - Mexican, FCI International, Latin American, Can. Ch. Nuthatch's Presumed Innocent

Delceg - Am, Can., Jr World, Luxembourg, Hungarian, Can. Ch Malomkozi Delceg

Bug - Can. Ch. Nuthatch's Truly, Madly, Deeply

Becca - Am. Can. Ch. Shomberg N Partridge Run Tribecca

Lyra - Nuthatch's La Vie En Rose

Jeannie - Nuthatch's Simply Irresistible

Shiraz - Nuthatch's Unchained Melody

True - Can. Ch. Nuthatch's The Princess Bride

Macallan - Am. Can. Ch. Nuthatch's Chase The Sun

Dalwhinnie - Nuthatch's Q.E.D.