re: What do I need to know about a GSP?

Owning 3 myself, with a medium sized house and a small-medium sized back yard. Exercise is key. I take my dogs out to run off leash every day. A lot of people say they are too tired, or don't have enough time to do that, blah blah blah. Honestly, it may seem like work at first, but I find it more relaxing and enjoyable than just sitting at home the rest of the evening after getting home from work. Keeping your dog on a routine schedule will also help out a lot.

Because of this, all 3 of mine are couch potatoes during the day at the house. They start to get a little antsy around 4, and when I start getting them ready to go run, they get wild. And typically are passed out before 9:30 every night.

I wouldn't say that exercising the dog every day is an absolute must, but 4-5 days a week, and you will find your dog much more enjoyable in the house.

As far as being the same or different than a a lab, I would say that a GSP has a higher energy level than a lab, but temperaments are pretty close to the same.

Are you planning on training your GSP for any sort of hunting? This is where a major difference occurs between labs and GSP's. In my experience in working with GSP's and labs, you cannot break down a GSP in training like you can a lab; a GSP will shut down and quit working if you put too much pressure, much faster than a lab will. Training a GSP requires much more patience than a lab. My 3 GSP's taught me more about patience than I ever would have thought.


ETA: Are you in the Baton Rouge area? I'd love to help you work with your pup for hunting, and/or just obedience training you would be interested.