Background

Lodon Kennels prides itself on quality GSPs.  We breed for excellent temperament, ability to hunt, point and to retrieve a variety of game on both land and water.  A GSP is a joy to watch, whether it be in the field performing tasks tirelessly, with great desire and style, or at home with the family.  At the end of the day, the GSP should be an agreeable and sociable companion able to live in your home as a family member.

Our first priority from birth is to get the puppy socialised in a calm and quiet atmosphere.  The first 12 weeks of a puppies life is critical to the development of the dogs temperament in later life.  We provide care and attention during these important early days.  We have built a considerable reputation for producing high quality dogs that will work and provide company and pleasure to any family environment.
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History

As the name implies, the country of origin of this breed of dog was Germany.  German Shorthaired Pointers have been known to be a distinct and separate breed probably since the 17th century.  However, the dog that we identify as a GSP today was developed by a group made up of dedicated noblemen and sportsmen towards the end of the 19th century.  It is important to note that these people had a very specific purpose in developing this breed.  They wanted a personal gun dog, that could "sense, find, point, mark, and return game in the field and out of the water."  They also wanted a companion and family dog.  They wanted it all, a dog that could do anything.  Prior to this time, noblemen would keep large kennels with a variety of dogs depending on what he wanted to hunt that day.  Each dog would have a speciality, earth dogs, field dogs, water spaniels, etc.  The philosophy of the developers of the GSP was "Those that have many dogs do not have any dogs."  It is believed that these developers selectively bred to the German Pointer, the Spanish Pointer, the English Pointer, and various scent hounds until they arrived at what we know today as the German Shorthaired Pointer.  Hunting privileges had been given to the middle classes in the 18th to 19th century, hunting to this date had been almost exclusively for the nobility.  The middle class needed to have a dog that could help hunt dinner, be a companion to its master and be a protector of the family.  It had to get along with other animals, since this dog would mostly be found on farms. There would be no separate kennel for the dog - it lived with the family.
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Bloodline

Barleyarch Playboy

Barleyarch Playboy is out of the highly rated Barleyarch Kennel, based in Warrington, owned by Sue and Martin Harris. Playboy is affectionately known at home as Blue. He has an outstanding track record. Sue and Martin describe him as a "dog in a lifetime". Andrew considers Blue to be a very special dog and is a great admirer of Blue and what he has accomplished - so much so that he is looking to reproduce the personality and quality of Barleyarch style in the Lodon GSP pedigree. The Barleyarch style is epitomised by Blue. Some of his looks and style can be seen in his daughter Lodon Dilly Dally. It is recognised that he is the best ever GSP produced in the United Kingdom. In his career he has accomplished more than any other male GSP in the history of the breed in the UK. He has amassed an incredible 36 CCs, and has won the Dog CC at Crufts 3 times, twice with Best of Breed; he has won countless BIS at the Breed Shows and won BIS at National Gundog, the premier Gundog Championship Show and Reserve Best in Show at LKA, 2nd only in size to Crufts. There are far too many accolades attributed to him for us to mention them all suffice it to say that judges from around the world have recognised his qualities and have rewarded him accordingly. Blue is simply a fantastic dog!


Dolf Von Wittekind

Dolf Von Wittekind is owned by Mrs Ann Gill based in Gillingham in Dorset. Ann is a very experienced breeder and has the very established Birkenwald Kennel. Dolf, as he is affectionately, know was imported direct from Germany. He was highly acclaimed across the country of the origin of the German shorthaired Pointer breed. Dolf has a tremendous working pedigree which is recognised across the United Kingdom as he has sired a host of bitches who’s owners are looking to involve his bloodlines in the development of thier pedigree. The demand for the puppies he sire’s stretches across the globe. When Andrew was first introduced to Dolf he was very impressed with his strong personality and working experience. Birkenwald Ciska, Dolf’s daughter has proven to be strong personality and excellent working bitch, very much out of the mould of her father.


The Perfect Blend of Blood Lines

The formula for success of the Lodon GSP pedigree is highly influenced by both Dolf Von Wittekind and Barleyarch Playboy. Two fantastic dogs in there own right, but both with different qualities and personalities. Dolf with his established working background in Germany and Blue with his clam personality and phenomenal showing career. Both Lodon Cissie and Dilly Dally were bred with these qualities in mind. The results are clearly demonstrated in the quality of puppies that Ciska has produced and now both Cissie and Dilly Dally are set to continue the Lodon story.
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All about GSP's

This breed was designed with two main objects in mind: first and foremost to fulfill the role of a versatile gundog and, secondly, to make a pleasant companion dog for the family of the sportsman.  Selective breeding over many decades for sporting instincts means that most, if not all, GSPs have a strong hunting drive within them - demonstrated by the need to get out daily to use these urges to hunt for rabbits, pheasants, partridge, ducks and other game in the hedgerows, woods and countryside.  Because of this inbuilt desire, owners of GSPs need to make sure that they train their dogs to recall to the whistle, stop (drop) to the whistle (to stop chasing and hunting onwards), as well as the usual basic obedience commands.  With different lines of GSPs come variations in their hunting drive and methods.  Some are very fast running dogs with a big, wide natural quartering pattern - ideal for hunting on big plains or fields.  Others with a closer range and slower pace are happier in a wood or smaller fields/hedgerows.  However, this versatile breed will happily hunt for game in all terrains, woods, heaths, hedgerows, fields, and plains and, of course, marshes and wetlands for wildfowling.  GSPs also enjoy swimming and retrieving from water - whether it is a pond, stream, river or the ocean.


Hunting

The GSP is a hunter.  You will therefore enjoy going for country walks, in places where the GSP may fulfill his hunting instincts - without being a nuisance to the owner of the land.  Not everyone wants a GSP running along a hedge hunting rabbits and birds and, in woods, there may be deer (Roe particularly) whose strong scent and fast run attract the dog’s attention.  It is not considered good behavior to have a dog that chases deer.  Woods often contain pheasant pens and birds kept for shooting.  The dog will love these - lots of fun - but, again, the owner of the shoot and his Game Keeper may take an entirely different view.  So, you need to consider if you have suitable walks available for your dog and whether you want a dog that needs to be trained to keep it under control, harder with a keen hunter than a non-hunting breed.  An out of control GSP chasing a fox or deer can easily get run over or cause a road accident.  Not only can, but also do - many GSPs have been killed this way.

If you want to work your GSP, then you will have the motivation to train the dog and work with it hunting out game.  Training can be very interesting and enjoyable for both owner and dog.  And, the old adage is true, a trained dog is a happy dog!  The breed clubs and various gundog clubs all run training classes for gundogs and, while the GSP works in a different way from Retrievers and Spaniels, the basic commands are the same.  GSPs generally are happier living in the house, with people, and other dogs or cats, rather than in kennels, but many do spend their lives in kennels.  They enjoy company and can get noisy and/or destructive if left alone for long periods, so if you plan on being out at work all day, day after day, and have neighbours - think very carefully before buying a GSP.

The exercise requirement for this breed is as much as you want to do... When young, exercise should be balanced, on lead and some free running - to produce a strong, healthy adult - not a shelly one whose food has gone into too much running, rather than building a strong skeleton and muscle system. A GSP may be quite happy with an hour’s walk a day - provided most of this is free running with some hunting interest. When I was involved in GSP rescue and re-homing work, I used to get people ringing up who wanted to get rid of their dogs because they had just got them so fit, with hours of exercise every day, that they could not cope with the lifestyle. It's up to you - the owner - if you want to spend 6 hours every day walking your GSP, the dog will do it (in time, when it is fit) but is this what you want to do every day?

The breed is noted for enjoying the company of children and being a nice family dog.  However, the children need to be taught respect for the dog - when eating and sleeping, etc.. and vice versa!  The GSP is not primarily a child’s pet - I am always surprised at how many people say that is why they want one.  This dog is designed hunting... It therefore follows that it is not a suitable breed for a small child to take for walks, unaccompanied by an adult...

In other countries GSPs are used as sledge dogs, for example, in Norway - they take the sledges up to the hills and forests which are used to bring the game back from the shoot!  In America, teams of GSPs have been used for running in teams, pulling "sledges" and purpose built vehicles used for running races, like the Iditarod in Canada.  They are widely used in the UK, USA and Australia, for example, as sniffer dogs for drugs and explosives.  This role is where some of the GSPs end up who have very strong hunting instincts and a powerful drive for constant activity which has made them too demanding as "pets".


Grooming

Very little is required.  If you just have one or two, you could brush them daily.  They need a bath every now and again - particularly when they have rolled in their favourite fox excrement - very important to get that off as it may contain mites.  So, bath thoroughly occasionally when necessary using good quality dog shampoo.  Clean teeth regularly with dog tooth paste.  Clip claws if necessary, some wear down - some don't.  Keep ears clean with ear cleaner from the Vet.


Health

There are strong opinions out there - on what is genetic and what just happens..... No definitive answers.  However, the vast majority of GSPs are normal, healthy dogs who often live to 10-15 years in age.  There have been a few who have had hip dysplasia and osteocondritis dessicans, but, fortunately, one can x-ray potential parents under the BVA/KC Hip Scheme - GSP breed average score is 10.  Many people also check their dogs eyes under the eye scheme.  So, when looking for a dog of this breed, consider your requirements in relation to that of the dog.  When choosing a puppy - keep them in mind.  If you want a more placid, family dog, look for a puppy with corresponding temperament - the breeder should be able to help you, having reared the litter, and knowing each individual puppy.  If you want a real goer to hunt in the field - look for the bright, active puppy, constantly exploring and sniffing.  Don't buy your puppy just on the cute markings.  Markings change, anyway, as the white on liver and white or black and white dogs may fill in with roaming or ticking as the dog grows older - choose the right natured dog for you.  Check out whether it will retrieve or run towards a thrown toy, if you want a retriever.  Does the puppy like people - is it bold - or retiring?  Consider the whole dog, its nature, its conformation and type before you decide on a puppy.
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The Lodon Kennel complex

When Birkenwald Ciska arrived Andrew, a practical engineer, set about building a purpose built kennel to house his first GSP and future bitches to continue the Lodon bloodlines.  The kennels are insulated and are designed to be functional yet very comfortable.  The dogs love the place they have come to recognise as their home.  More recently Andrew has designed and fabricated a purpose build whelping kennel.  It has a large run area for when the puppies find their legs and want to explore and play.  It has an area that can be easily sectioned off to accommodate the demanding puppies and an area for the mother to be close by, but free to relax and have a well earned rest.


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