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

I've never owned a GSP, but I grew up owning English Pointers ever since I was a kid for quail and dove hunting.

Exercise is the most important thing with pointers, and really all working breeds. They have a ton of energy. Good obedience training and making them work will keep them from getting bored though and using that energy to wreck your house. I hate seeing people get hunting breeds and don't train them at all or give them tasks to do, then get pissed when they misbehave and tear stuff up. Like all dogs patience is key while they are young, but pointer breeds may take a little more of it haha.

GSPs are beautiful dogs and you should definitely get one if you are willing to take on the responsibility of it.

ETA: What JTM said about them shutting down is definitely true. We hunt ours in the brush country in south Texas, when they get tired out there and their pads tore up from the brush and cactus, barking orders at them does nothing but shut them down even more. We have 3 in our family so we keep them on a good rotation to not completely wear them down.