What Trainers say about
Top Gun Kennel German Shorthairs

I have trained several Top Gun dogs and can assure you that they excel in the field as well as being a cooperative, well mannered house/family member. This is what Steve has been striving for in his line for years because of what most people demand!

Is a GSP the breed that would best suit your needs from what you describe? Absolutely, in my opinion! There are of course, exceptional dogs of other breeds that would definately fit your needs. I just believe the odds of you getting what you desire in a GSP are higher from what I have personally seen in the field, at hunt tests, etc., than other breeds. The GSP is truly a complete, do all breed. Just look at what dominates field trials and hunt tests. This is no coincidence. Sure, their are specialty breeds that may outperform a GSP in a horseback trial (English Pointer or Setter) or certain water situations, (Lab) etc., but I would argue there is no better complete breed than the GSP-period!

As far as water goes, I would put a GSP up against any breed with the exception of exteme cold water situations. Labs are traditionally better at marking and have what is widely excepted as the best natural retrieve compared to pointers or the versitile breeds, but I will take the GSP's nose and search over a lab's any day. If I were predominately a waterfowl hunter, I would purchase a lab. Anything else and it's hard to beat a GSP.

As far as a reputable breeder there are quite a few that have exceptional dogs that I wouldn't hesitate to own for myself. What most do not have is Top Gun's customer service and true guarantee of satisfaction with the total experience. From the first inquiry of a new family member and purchase, through training your new dog as well as yourself to assure the best possible experience, you will not go wrong with Top Gun Kennel.

Most of Top Gun's dogs are best described as foot handing medium ranging dogs. Depending on the breeding, some can and are successful in field trials. The potential for a show or Dual dog is there. Steve does not canpaign his dogs for show, but conformation of all his dogs is near the top of his list to assure a structurally sound dog. Look how many times Hillhaven's Hustler (Hall of Fame), arguably the best Dual dog of all time shows up in the pedigree of Top Gun dogs.

Male or Female? That is a totally a personal decision. Females are typically 10-15lbs lighter. Females are generally a little more docile. But that isn't necessarily so!

Breeding. I had no intention of breeding my dog either! Her potential and what she has done for me changed all that!

Training. I can start your dog on the basics, finish him/her to the Master level and do tuneups and conditioning. See Top Gun website in Team Sport Trainers section. I would encourage you to have the dog for the 1st 6 months or so starting at 7 weeks and expose it and work on basic commands yourself to bond and imprint with the dog. We will help you with this including housebreaking and manners! The hunting desire is in the breeding, but we will help you bring out these natural traits to best serve you and your family.

At approximately 6 months the dog would come and stay at my home in the house to learn all the basic commands, bird and water exposure, field search, e-collar conditioning, and intro. to retrieving, etc for approxiomately 8 weeks. You can and I encourage you to come and visit every few weeks to see what he/she has learned and how you can maintain the training with minimal or no need for expensive tuneups. Then if you so desire, I can finish your dog to the Master Hunter level of total steadiness on birds, conditioned retrieve (I suggest this be completed on all dogs to assure retrieve to hand each and every time), and honoring another dog's point and retrieve. This typically will take another 8 weeks and suggest doing this at approximately 10-12 months of age depending on the dog's maturaty level and ability to take possible high pressure training situations.

I charge $150/week plus training expenses. Birds, gas to training grounds, ammo, etc.

Refresher courses are generally not needed unless the dog has learned some bad habits, or the owner doesn't have any time to maintain the training. I will help you to do this free of charge! It doesn't take that much time and effort and is really enjoyable if you are consistant and persistent!

Purchasing a started dog. Steve has a variety of started dogs from his kennel if you so desire. The price on these dogs is truly a bargain for those who don't care for the puppy time considering the time and effort put into them.

I hope this helps in this important decision for you and your family. Please call me with any questions that I may have left out.

Russ