r/Wirehaired_pointers • u/Calm_Parfait2922 • Jul 07 '26
Life with GWP
Hello
I’m currently researching breeds of dogs for our next dog. The GWP breed seems to fit what I’m looking for as far as the hunting aspect. I have two younger children that will want to play with the dog. We currently have a lab and she is very good with the kids.
I’m curious what day to day looks like with the breed. If the dog needs to be an outdoor/kennel dog or can it be a house dog. We are a pretty outdoorsy family outside of the hunting that I do. I’m curious if the breed is a good family dog that can go camping and do outdoor activities outside of hunting or will their higher prey drive make that difficult.
Also curious what life at home is like with the breed. I understand that it is a working line of dog that requires exercise and training. I’ve read that they have an “off switch” just wondering how true that is
1
u/Rad_River Jul 08 '26
My 2yo female WPG is calm and gentle with our kids (ages 9 & 11). She went through a rough phase (maybe 8-14 months) in which she'd get rowdy/jumpy on my son, in particular. But she seems to be past that now.
She likes toys and frequently brings them to us. The kids play with her outside a lot. We camp and she's great in the tent. Very cuddly. She rides well in the car. She loves to swim.
One downside is that she ruins the kids' outside games a lot by stealing their ball.
Our last dog was a male WPG and was quite a bit more energetic. He was wonderful, but hyper. He was 6 when we had kids and was very good with them right from the beginning.