On the 27th June 2010, the German Shorthaired Pointer Club held their AGM. There were two legitimate items on the Agenda, however in spite of strong arguments from the floor, Mr David Winser, spouse of the Health Co ordinator argued that no vote could take place with regard to the already GSPA agreed Health Committee, widely supported by the GSP world, insisting that in the absence of the Proposer and Seconder that no vote should be accepted. This should never have been left to an individual to push this forward as this ludicrous state of affairs affects everyone. I am afraid, as was always going to be the case whether accepted or not, my personal efforts will now cease. Good luck to you all............your bed, you lie in it!
Welcome to the site where you are encouraged as a GSP owner to actively take part in the future welfare of the breed in the United Kingdom.
Most owners go about their business enjoying their dogs oblivious to what may be changing around them, and remain totally unaware of any new legislation, local authority trends, or changes in Kennel Club rules and regulations. It is hoped that we might cut out the "gobbledygook" and tell it to you how it is, and how it might affect you personally. We also hope to give you the opportunity to contribute to the world of GSPs when opinions are sought or simply keep you upto date with current health issues or any of the GSP activites held around the country.  If you feel you could contribute to this site by either articles relevant to the German Shorthaired Pointer, or know of a forthcoming event featuring the breed, please email Sue Harris on: sue@barleyarch.fsnet.co.uk
 Please bear with us whilst we develop this site. As yet many of the subjects we hope to include are not yet available. However, in due course we will have lots of articles that might be of interest, so please keep popping back to check us out. | Stop Press! We are delighted to announce that as of 31st January 2010, The German Shorthaired Pointer Association have officially adopted their new health screening requirements set within the Association’s Code of Ethics. They will now read as follows: We recommend that all breeding stock is hip scored, and heart tested. We would also encourage Breeders to take advantage of the many other health schemes run by the Kennel Club and the BVA. I hope you will all agree, a thoroughly positive statement that can only further our breed. This now leaves just the GSP Club Management Committee standing alone in their Draconian view, that all breeding stock should be annually eye tested. Be aware, even this 8 strong committee, some of whom readily admit to little or no depth of knowledge of the breed or health issues, do not all share the view that annual eye testing should be included in their recommendations. Please continue with your support by helping us persuade this committee to adopt a common sense approach to Health Testing and vote to share the same Code of Ethics as the GSPA.  Attention all GSP Owners and BreedersTHE REAL FACTSIt is important for you all to be aware that Mrs Winser, our Health Representative has already put forward, on behalf of us all, recommendations to test for Hearts Hips and Eyes to the Kennel Club. Thankfully the Kennel Club decided it unreasonable to include Hearts and Eyes as there was no evidence of problems in the Breed. It is now evident following GSP Association’s recent decision not to adopt the same health requirements as the GSP Club, that Mrs Winsers stance on eye testing does not have the full backing of both Breed Clubs, and nor does it seem, the backing of most of the established GSP owners and breeders. Leading us to question exactly who might she be representing? It seems it might only be the interests of the GSP Club Management Committee, who are themselves divided on this matter.In the interests of fairness and democracy the main points of this issue are expanded upon, both for and against the inclusion of eyes. Please take the time to read them, and if you feel that Mrs Winser’s stance is flawed, please visit our guestbook (below) and register your objections.Mrs Winser has personally recommended a dog must hold a current eye certificate when mated, and states that you do not need to test every year. Quite different to the new GSP Club Code of Ethics, which states “holds a current eye certificate in accordance with the available schemes run by the Kennel Club and BVA “.Our Health Co-ordinator’s advice of only Eye testing when an animal is mated is misguided and unlikely to prove statistically useful. If we were to accept her view that “we do not know until we test”, we must approach the testing of GSPs as a speculative search as no conditions are noted within the breed; and therefore ALL conditions must be tested for. In order for this to be done, an annual test has be carried out, as some conditions appear in juvenile dogs, with symptoms fading as they reach adulthood, whilst other conditions appear much later in life. For example, using Mrs Winser’s theory, we might test a dog clear at 4 years of age, but who had previously suffered Retinal folds that have subsequently faded and at 5 years of age is yet to develop hereditary cataracts. If you hold with the idea that there may be an underlying condition yet to be discovered, this has to be considered a blatant misuse of the scheme and not at all in the interests of the breed; clearly demonstrating Mrs Winser’s poor understanding of the subject.Our GSP Club on the other hand is recommending that a dog holds a current eye certificate in accordance with the available schemes. This can only be interpreted as the dog ALWAYS needing to be in receipt of a current eye certificate, that being the case it must be tested annually in order to avoid having a lapsed certificate, which would then render them in breach of this recommendation.The new GSP Code of Ethics is to read: The German Shorthaired Pointer Club recommends that all breeding stock is hip scored, heart tested and holds a current eye certificate in accordance with the available schemes run by the Kennel Club and BVA. However, there is mention of the GSP Club not requiring an annual Eye Test on their Website; are we then to assume that the GSP Club are also advocating a misuse of the Eye Scheme too, or have they inadvertently worded their recommendations to suggest something they did not actually mean? It is an accepted fact that a recommendation is normally there for a reason, members do not generally wish to go against them, so whether you use the word MUST, REQUIRE, RECOMMEND, it will be interpreted as the same thing to members and the Public alike. Make no mistake you are being forced surreptitiously to test for something that has yet to trouble the GSP.Our argument, is supported by the GSP Association, part of the GSP Club Management Committee, and nearly every significant breeder of GSPs. The GSP has been in the UK for more than 50 years, and throughout this time many breeders have chosen to “spot check” eye test their dogs of their own volition, resulting in no apparent issues becoming evident. The British Veterinary Association do not consider there to be any hereditary eye conditions affecting GSPs at present. The Kennel Club refuse to include eye testing for GSPs in the Accredited Breeders Scheme. So why, should this particular test even be cited? It will surely lead people into thinking "there is no smoke without fire" and our lovely breed will be saddled with a reputation that will then be difficult to dispel.We wholly agree with the recommendation to Hip Score and Heart test, but it should be left for the individual to choose to eye test, along with all the other myriad of health tests available to Breeders and Owners.There is currently a calculated attempt to discredit any voice that does not blindly follow their misguided advice, using all the powers they have to hand. Stand steadfast, do not let them bully us out of our view that GSPs owners and breeders should be allowed the right to choose when they eye test for a hereditary condition that even the Ophthalmologists have found no evidence of.Please click here to visit our Guestbook and register your objection to what, at best, is badly worded and misguided health advice, or at worst, a veiled attempt to bring in unwarranted mandatory annual eye testing. Listed below are the subjects covered in this website, please click on the relevant topic at the top of the page for further details. Hip and Hearts:Hip Dysplasia - from a common sense point of view Heart Testing - a guide to the Grading system - UPDATED Vet list Thyroidism and Eyes:Eye and Thyroid Testing - how necessary is it? Vet list Autoimmune diseases:What are they and are they a problem? Not yet available Spondylosis and Tail Problems:The new phenomenon to GSPs - "Dead Tail" Temperament and Breeding:Poor temperament - what behaviour should you expect Breeding - should you? Should You Breed and Responsibilities:Responsibilites of a dog breeder Responsibilities of a Stud dog owner The Multi-talented GSPWorking your dog - useful advice and contacts Showing your dog - useful advice and contacts Contact a mentor for specific advice Events, Links and Rescue:Health Testing dates and GSP Activities Useful links Contact Rescue organisations
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