German Shorthaired Pointer Re-Home

German Shorthaired Pointer Rescue

THE GERMAN SHORTHAIRED POINTER CLUB OF OREGON RE-HOME COMMITTEE  is comprised of club member volunteers who work to assist re-home purebred GSP’s that have been lost or placed in shelters.  We also assist purebred GSP owners who wish to avoid placing their GSP in a shelter by pre-screening adopter applicants on their behalf.

We would like to emphasize that we are not a placement source for GSPs returned to breeders – breeders must be responsible for their own litters.

We cannot assist in placement of aggressive or undesirable GSP’s.  We are able to assist GSP’s we believe have the potential to become a good family pet.  For those whose main focus is a hunting GSP, a breeder or trainer should be contacted.

Our rules for owner referral assistance are similar to most shelters: The GSP must have all of its shots and, if intact, must be spayed/neutered within 30 days. We usually have the adoptive family handle this (proof is required). If the GSP does not work out our Re-home Committee must be contacted.

Our ideal involvement is referring people who contact us to owners or shelters so that the relationship may be between the custodian and the adoptive home.

We believe that the GSP is a special breed with special needs and that we who own them can offer a service by screening prospective families. We want to work with you to see that there are no homeless GSP’s.

THE GERMAN SHORTHAIRED POINTER:

The GSP was developed in the last century in Germany as an all-around hunting dog and companion. Breed development continued into this century, combining characteristics from other breeds. The first known Shorthairs were imported into the U.S. between 1890 and 1920.

HOW YOU KNOW A GERMAN SHORTHAIRED POINTER:

COLOR: Ranges from solid liver to a bright white ticked body with a liver head. There are some purebred black/white ticked or solid black GSP’s in the U.S.

PATTERN: GSP’s may have blazes or may have solid colored heads; they can be ticked (small flecking with white background), ticked with large patches, or roan (such fine ticking they appear almost solid colored).

SIZE: Females range from as small as 35 lbs to as large as 70 lbs depending on height and condition. Males range from 45 lbs to more than 80 lbs. Extremes are less usual.

TAIL DOCKING: It is the rule to dock a GSP’s tail to 40% of original length a few days after birth. This is to prevent injury if the dog hunts or runs in underbrush. Not all GSP’s have docked tails. DEW CLAWS: The claw above the foot on the inside of the front legs (and if present on back legs) is removed at the same time the tail is docked. This prevents the “dewclaw” from becoming torn if the dog is moving through brush and rough terrain.

CHARACTER & DISPOSITION: In general GSP’s are energetic, athletic dogs. They need exercise and fenced yards. Older dogs are less active, and are ideal placements with families who want more calm.

They are generally very good with children, other dogs, cats and strangers, depending on their life experience. The ideal placement is with a family who will give the GSP attention. GSP’s are very devoted, often to the point of dependency. Most GSP’s bond well with families, no matter how old they are.

FENCING: Fences should be 5-6 ft high. Invisible fencing and leash running are suitable. Responsible dog ownership requires no free running dogs, regardless of breed.

AGGRESSION: Aggression is not a typical characteristic of the GSP, and is usually a product of poor socialization, abuse, or the occasional bad genetic combination. We cannot assist with placement of  GSP’s that have a history of irrational aggression, particularly biting.

CONSIDERATIONS: GSP’s in sheltered situations should not be adopted strictly for hunting use, but should be placed as a family pet, and its capability to hunt is not of importance. Obedience training is strongly recommended at any age.

In the shelter, lost or strayed GSP’s tend to mourn and sometimes suffer kennel stress  Please contact us if a GSP is experiencing kennel stress.

Euthanizing shelters should call us before considering euthanizing an adoptable GSP.

GSP Club of Oregon Re-home Committee volunteers are generally available to come and evaluate the animal, if you have questions.

VERY OLD DOGS: It has been our experience that some owners will surrender their long-lived pet GSP’s because they do not have the money or patience to deal with a sick and failing animal in old age.

Some GSP’s are terminally ill when they arrive at the shelter. They cannot and should not be placed. We request that shelters see these dogs to a dignified end of life.

Please contact Patti Goodding at OregonGSP@aol.com for a questionnaire/application.

GSP Club of Oregon

C/O P.O. Box 998
Sherwood, Oregon 97140
(503) 625-7150 (No text)
E-Mail:OregonGSP@aol.com

18 Responses

  • Elisa Morgan says:

    Hi, we worked together to place Bradley earlier this year. Thank you again. Now we have Riley a beautiful 7 year old male GSP we are in need of placement for. I’m hoping you have foster homes available. I am willing to transport him as needed. Thank you for your consideration, Elisa 541-963-0807 The Animal Shelter of La Grande, OR

    • Cary Sherrow says:

      I live in Hermiston Oregon. I’ve raised GSP’s during my life. I have a 4 year old GSP female that might like a play partner? She sleeps inside right now but when I get a partner/companion I’ll move them to the kennel, maybe? My kennel has 3 runs, a cinder block kennel with heat and air conditioning. Very good condition. Please email me a picture of your dog and contact info. Cary

      • pgoodding says:

        Hello Cary: I am sending you a questionnaire/application under separate cover.
        Thank you
        Patti

  • Terry Buzzard says:

    Hello,

    I live in the Vancouver, WA area and I’m looking for a Gsp rescue! If anyone knows of a Gsp rescue, please let me know.

    Thanks
    Terry
    360-213-7767

    • Karen says:

      Hi, I have a beautiful GSP who is about 8 years old, you would never guess it, she is well trained inside and very sweet. Problem is she likes to kill chickens and I have a little farm. I would love to find her a good home as soon as possible.
      thanks!

  • Liz Scott says:

    i have found a GSP at a grocery store in Vale Or.

  • Cara Murry says:

    Looking for a rescue dog to adopt, please let me know of any upcoming.

  • stcey says:

    i have a 11 year old female, spayed,up to date shots,full of energie. she was my dads girl, he is ill cant care for her,i can not keep her with my life style, an where i live , she doesnt get along with cats,should be placed as only pet, no kids,i live in newberg, oregon, please help me

    • Patti says:

      Please contact me privately.
      Thank you
      Patti
      GSP Club of Oregon
      Rescue Coordinator

  • Phil J says:

    I have been searching for a young as possible GSP for years with no luck. I did in fact find one on Craigs List in N Calif which is still listed with a picture.. I have sent the guy several emails complete with my phone number. He refuses to reply.. Then, I found a breeder in Eagle Point Or and they were just out of my financial price range. I have had GSP’s since the late 70’s and love the breed. I live on 8 acres, have a totally fenced in yard. Lots of room to run. I take daily long walks and would like a GSP companion to be by my side. As for hunting, no, I don’t hunt, but the dog will still have every opportunity to run and play, plus have the security of being inside by my side in the evenings.. Anyone with any idea where I can find a reasonable priced or even donate a GSP, i would surely be grateful and happy again. My last two GSP’s lived to 18 and 14years. They were Mother and daughter. Two beautiful Liver/Tick docked tails and a joy to have.. Please keep me in mind. I’m retired (60) but still very active and like I said, I have 8 acres in So Oregon (Grants Pass). Remember, the younger the dog, the better. I want it around for many years to come.. Thank you all..

  • Jon says:

    I really love the breed but have no intention of showing/hunting the dog. I’m a runner and would be a good owner as the dog would get a lot of exercise due to my active lifestyle. I was looking for a younger non-puppy but I’ve realized a puppy is also ok. I assume I’m going to have to train a puppy or a 2yr old regardless so either is fine. I’m just looking to see if there are ever any rescues or litters where I’m not having to pay $800-$1k for a dog. Any help/recommendations on this woud be awesome.

    Thanks.

    Jon

    • pgoodding says:

      Hi Jon: Please return the questionnaire I sent you so GSP Rescue can help you find a GSP.
      Patti

  • pgoodding says:

    Hello Amanda: Please send me an e-mail at OregonGSP@aol.com
    Thank you
    Patti

  • pgoodding says:

    Hi Carol: I am sending you an e-mail under separate cover.
    Thank you Patti Goodding

  • Bob Adams says:

    I am looking for a dog that I would like to hunt with. I am not perfect and neither does my dog need to be. I just lost my five year old Wired Hair and would like to get another pointer. Male Female young or old. Let me know if you come upon any!

    Thanks

    Bob

    • pgoodding says:

      Hello Bob: I sent you an application through separate e-mail.
      Thank you for your interest in a GSP through rescue.
      Patti