GWP vs HV - torn between the two! General Chat

I have always said my next gundog - with plans to work it or at least try was going to be a GWP. However I met a HV today (not my first meeting with the breed though) and she was lovely the ones I had seen before seemed very dainty and a little skittish, but this one today - she was really going for it..

So now I I'm torn between the two and the possibility that I get either is unlikely.. have to flood OH with both puppy pictures!

What is the difference between them personality wise?

Out of the two I'd still choose the gwp. I have a soft spot for them though because my uncle used to have one called tia while he was a gamekeeper. She loved to work and nothing phased her, total babe.

HV's are much more sensitive from what I've seen. GWP's tend to be more clownish. In training classes the HV's always gave off the impression of being more biddable and sensible than GWP's.

My uncles GWP was a right clown. She made me laugh every time I stayed with them. The dogs were always kennelled outside being working dogs, but Tia would always sneak into the house, used to find her say on the chair at the kitchen table waiting for something to eat

Just a sidenote but GWP are very VERY driven dogs mostly, moreso than the general drive of HRP breeds, everyone I've known as been very driven, hard as nails, longed to work, and been very hunt minded. Obviously people do keep them as just pets but in my experience they are dogs that need work, all the ones I know have superb temperaments but are just VERY driven dogs.

She did seem more sensible than the GWPx I know (Love you really Flynn! )

I found the GWP at the kennels I did a couple of jobs at was very cuddly and just wanted to be loved..

I would be attempting to work them - obviously I'll have to do a considerable amount of research into training groups etc.. I could always start with Louie.. but the difficulty there is that Louie isn't a HPR but the basics are still the same, hunt and retrieve... the point comes naturally though doesn't it?

If I can't work it in gun dog work, I would possibly do a bit of obedience or agility - or maybe a bit of S&R (Although there aren't many mountains around Notts...)

But as I said - I need to do my research but I had narrowed it down to a GWP (for my HPR gundog - I love all the gundog breeds!) but then I met this fire cracker of a HV! And I fell in love with her.. but then I know that all dogs are different.. I could end up getting a HV and no matter what I did - it could be a nervous wreck..

Dont know much about the GSP , but a few friends of mine have HV one has just had a bitch miss on a mating, looked like she had taken but never produced any pups, she will try for the last time with this bitch on he next season.

They vary a lot in temperament depending on the lines you buy from, and unfortunately with the popularity of a certion Crufts winning dog, the market is flooded with his lines..but many are working towards putting the balance back.

They are a breed that does not do well left to themselves, they are very sensitive, (some lines more than others) , and sadly some aggression has shown its head in some lines, , due to the rise in popularity and indiscriminate breeding , for a few years the range of types coming through was horrendous, it got to the stage of no two looking the same, but again it seems to be ironing itself out now, watched them at Stafford the other week, and consistency seems to be coming back.

Apart from the obvious they are a smaller lighter dog than the GSP, and I may be wrong on this, but the GSP is more likely to think for itself, the HV is not as independent, but they are a fabulous breed to own, (depending on breeding) they fit into any household well, but they do need exercise and plenty of it.. a good off lead walk each day will be OK, but keeping their minds occupied is also important, many work and show their dogs , and they will happily do both .


I have one friend with two, another couple who have 2 to 4, someone I know who breeds , works and shows his dogs, and they are fabulous, then I have a friend who has 8, (shes the one who has just has a miss mate) and her dogs are some of the best I know fabulous temperaments and good examples of the breed.

They are one of my fav breeds , LOVE THEM TO BITS.

Such a good post

HV's seem to be very popular with HPR folk and i've seen a fair few working/training. They seem to be a little on the ditzy side, especially the bitches. Dont forget Aimee that bitches tend to mature faster than dogs anyway and tend to be more level headed (Rory Major said Flynn was immature for his age and i'll agree with that!)
They are very sensitive dogs who seem to lose the plot a little if not trained correctly and for me personally, they dont have a 'hard' enough temperament, I would be worried i'd break the dogs spirit if I looked at it the wrong way!

You would think pointing would come naturally to a pointing dog but there is far more to it than that. Yes, the dog should point willingly but what is it pointing at? A blackbird? Residual scent? A dead bird? Is it sight pointing rather than scent pointing?
Getting the dog to point at the correct thing and also hold a point whilst at the same time not being sticky takes considerable training. You cant see most of the time what the dog is pointing at so you could easily praise it for pointing at nothing and inadvertently train the wrong thing.

I have some books for you Aimee if you want to borrow them - 2 are breed specific to GWP's, one is a HPR book written by Nigel Dear who breeds HV's.
.

Jackbox - thank you for that..

Thanks, I might have a look at them - but it'll be at least a year before it comes into effect (have to get Adie on my side!) I'll talk to you tonight about it.. and have a fuss of the HV pup..

I have no experience of HV but have known a few working GWPs. I really like the breed and the few I have met have been lovely dogs - but, as Luke said, very driven, very hard and very hunt minded. From my limited experience, I would say if you went for a GWP to choose your lines carefully as I have heard of a number who have killed other dogs and also been aggressive to people. I guess it is like anything - do your research extensively and carefully

There are a number of lowland search groups now that could be an option in your area, rather than mountain rescue. To be a MRT dog handler, you need to have been a member of the MRT for at least 2 years before you would be considered to be a dog handler. If, like me, you would be training just for fun and to give the dog a job to do, then it won't matter about all that

Thats a good point Kirsty, there is a known problem with aggression in GWP's (although some wont like to acknowledge it) and it's surprising, when the topic comes up on forums, how many people have had, or know of people who have had their GWP PTS due to aggression.

Their natural temperament is to be aloof with strangers and many descriptions of the breed state they need to be socialised with other dogs. Certainly from the GWP's I know, they would not take any nonsense from other dogs.

Hmm - I never knew that..surely picking from good lines and careful socialisation should be sufficient? As it would be with any breed of dog?

Of course, but I wouldnt expect a GWP to be as amenable as a HV.

I actually had to google amenable - how daft is that..

Back to research..

I agree, I have a friend who had to have her 18 mth old PTS, due to his unpredictable aggression, sadly its a breed that seems ot have some bad lines, (one in particular) so I would be very careful if getting one.

Sadly its not always the case, in many cases some breeders dont look further than the next champion, and temperament is the last thing on their mind.

The breeder of my friends is very successful, and when my friend asked for help and if she would take the dog back, she was told a very firm no thanks, its your problem, you sort it.

GWPs are tougher in my experience than HV and stronger than GSPs (and usually quieter).

HV are too "soft" for me, I prefer the outlook of a GWP.

My GWP bitch can be aggressive with other dogs if not introduced properly.
If I get another it will be a Mustwork one. Kimmax and Bareve are both very good dogs to. They breed for temperament and health. Epilepsy can be a problem with the GWP's. I just prefer the scruffier version. My little monster has Mustwork and 2 separate Kimmax dogs on her pedigree.
Lottie is a rescue and I got her at 22 months but, she was rehomed because of her prey drive. She is really obedient on the whole but, if she gets a scent the red mist comes down and shes gone.
I tend to walk her in a forest in the middle of nowhere very, very early so I can run her and train in peace. I have to train constantly. I kind of do it without thinking now though.
My pal has 2 labs and one of them is an ex drugs dog who was too aggressive. Lottie and him get on just fine. Probably because they are both a couple of idiots.
I like the vizla's but, as I like scruffy dogs I would go for the wirehaired one.

Is there a list somewhere on here that explains the ACRONYMS used?

GWP GSP HV??? I'm lost!

GWP is german wirehaired pointer
GSP is german shorthaired pointer
HV is hungarian vizsla