Sparse Gray Hackle
Geezer
@Sparse Gray Hackle
They are (at least supposed to be) the calmest dogs of all the German breeds.
The breeding standard specifically says that the dog has to be calm and balanced.
The breeding philosophy specifically states that the dog has be calm and then anything else such as only the dogs.
Breed Standard
The focus of DL-GNA is to promote and protect the integrity of the Deutsch Langhaar while improving the breed, its versatility, and performance as a North American hunting companion in accordance with the principles originated by our JGHV parent organization, the Deutsch Langhaar Verband. Thank...www.dl-gna.org
They do have high prey drive but their calm nature can override it. My dog never wines and never barks for no reason. (I have seen GWP and GSP barking for no reason)
She barks at deer and squirrels when the try to come to her food bawl, but I never seen her wine in the crate while waiting for me.
Two weeks ago I was training with Drathaar guys in NJ. They were surprised to see how quite she was.
Are all of the DL calm? No, but the majority is. The breeding is geared towards that way at least and has been since the 19th century.
If you see a DL it might have three letters next to the name such as Jimmy Bob V/SG/SG.
The first letter implies the type. What type of a dog is he is the question here. Calm? Active? Scary? Shy?
Breeding
The focus of DL-GNA is to promote and protect the integrity of the Deutsch Langhaar while improving the breed, its versatility, and performance as a North American hunting companion in accordance with the principles originated by our JGHV parent organization, the Deutsch Langhaar Verband. Thank...
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However there a few important points.
Calmness might translate into slow performance... their nickname is Slow Forester or Slow German.
If you are looking for a show in the field the GSP will give a better one. But this does not mean they lack beauty in the field, They gait and movement is way more flued and graceful than many breeds. They got it from Setters.
The second thing is that they are working type dog and they love having a job and doing it for you. You can not expect them being calm but have no desire to do things.
This means that for some, including my dog, drills and tasks are better than a 30 walking in the park. 4 times in a week I take her to places and we do drills (retrieve, heel, stay etc) for like 25-35 minutes and after that we do like 10 minutes of a walk. She is happy and sleeps by my legs next whole day.
If this is something unachievable for you you might need to rethink it.
The downside of the breed is that they will have trouble in heat... not much different from GWP in that regard. And you will have to deal with the long hair which if you come from Setters (like I do) or brittinies it is not a big deal.
I forgot to mention that the kennel tends to produce dogs for grouse and woodcock hunting though he himself spends a fare amount of time in the Dakotas for pheasants and sharpies.
Thanks, I have ”ugly dogs”, and thinking out about 4 years when it will be time to consider retiring my boy. I’m also looking at Cesky Fouseks, as I believe they’re all business when it’s time, and relaxed when it’s not. I have an acquaintance who has 2 CFs, that he trusts around chickens.
Tip… field trial dogs aren’t always the best at calmness.
