Gretchen & Banjo enjoying a nice sunny day.

From left to right: Gretchen @Germanshorthair, Phi @3Phibotticelli, Samantha @Samthewatcher, Sadie @SadieTime333

Not to say that Gretchen does not have her little quirks or doesn’t demand attention, she just does not demand as much attention as Daisy and Banjo.

Gretchen does have a little quirk that can absolutely drive you nuts at time. Gretchen is very food oriented; it is pretty much what she thinks about all the time. When waking in the morning she expects breakfast right away, and then throughout the day she expects multiple treats. She actually sits next to the treat drawer and whines at it. As soon as it hits 4 pm Gretchen has decided that it is time for dinner, and she will stand by the kitchen crying for dinner until you feed her. You would think that this would end her need for food for the day, but I have to say that it doesn’t. After dinner Gretchen will then let you know that she is in need of a bone of some sort until she finally receives it. Once Gretchen is satisfied that she has received all the food that she feels is needed for the day she will then finally relax. Want to talk about a major foodie.

Gretchen is also a little OCD, she gets obsessed over laser lights, flash lights, bubbles and bugs. Gretchen just loves to play laser, follow the flash light around and jump around for bubbles. We have to hide the Laser, flash light and bubbles on her, if she knows where they are she will sit and stare at the hiding spot and bark until you redirect her attention or pull it out and play again. If you redirect her attention she still remembers where you put the items and will go back to them and start barking again, even if this was days ago, she remembers.

Gretchen is such a loving little girl; she is a dog that wants to always please. She hates getting into trouble, it hurts her feelings and she pouts until you forgive her.

This is our Gretchen in a gist, not to say this is it, but this is what she is about.

]]> http://daisyandgretchen.com/index.php/2012/05/08/who-is-gretchen/feed/ 0 http://daisyandgretchen.com/index.php/2012/04/15/puppy-pictures/ http://daisyandgretchen.com/index.php/2012/04/15/puppy-pictures/#comments Mon, 16 Apr 2012 00:29:51 +0000 Heather http://daisyandgretchen.com/?p=550

When Daisy and Gretchen were puppies, they didn’t know how to keep their food in the bowl while eating. Here is a picture of the mess they would make while eating when we first brought them home. Look, we didn’t even have real bowls for them yet.

Daisy and Gretchen were born in July, so when we brought them home is was still warm, so they would go to the tile in front of the fire place to rest and keep cool.

We were gone the majority of the day on Friday, which left the dogs up to their own devices. They are in the garage and had access to the back yard while we were away. You would think between the three of them they could entertain themselves. Play in the back yard, chase bugs, watch the birds, sunbathe, run around…

Not sure what happens while were away, but when we get home, it’s like we made them sleep in the garage all day long. They come in jumping, barking and mouthing our hands and arms, along with a couple of little bites (bites using just the front teeth, causing instant bruises on human skin). And then everyone has to go pee real bad, like they have been holding it all day long.

After everyone is fed and has gone potty, the craziness does not end, they all continue to run around like crazy dogs for the next 3 hours.

So the question remains, what do three German Shorthair Pointers do while the humans are away????

“Most German Shorthair Pointers instinctively know that kids are more delicate than adults and will act accordingly.”

After reading this I realized that we have some very smart dogs.

Even more interesting, over the weekend Daisy and Gretchen were “helping” Scott manicure the front yard and heard the cries of a child.  The toddler was simply squabbling with a sibling as she apparently did not want to go back in the house.  Gretchen immediately perked up her ears and began watching the situation approximately 6-7 houses down the street.  With a worried look on her face, Gretchen began to go towards the child when the crying continued.  I called her back, but was struck by her sense of duty to help.

Now that Daisy has learned to open the screen door, it is a complete free for all.  For instance, apparently both Daisy and Gretchen decided to bring in some busy work. However, I thought everything was a bit to quiet…caught in the act.

I know for me, it was definitely the variety of colors and markings that automatically give this breed personality; from combinations of black, liver, white, and lemon with a mishmash of patching and/or ticking.  Yes, that’s right, as one can have multiple German shorthairs that look completely different, but all individuals seemingly sport an overabundance of energy.  However, looking at the positive such characteristics force owners to get out and about as insanity will surely set in if these canine companions are left indoors.

Well a bit more logical than my assessment as to their increase in popularity is that they are finally being recognized by the masses as prolific hunters, and great family pets.  Plus, a perfect size to fit in one’s bed (sense the sarcasm?), the German shorthaired pointer average 55 to 70 pounds and 23 to 25 inches tall at the shoulder.

Top 20 nationally is good, but Denver and Kansas City have taken an even greater liking to German shorthairs and have catapulted them to the top 10:

DENVER’S TOP DOGS 2008

1. Labrador Retriever

2. Golden Retriever

3. German Shepherd Dog

4. Bulldog

5. Boxer

6. Poodle

7. Yorkshire Terrier

8. Dachshund

9. German Shorthaired Pointer

10. Rottweiler

“Active, outdoorsy Denver residents appreciate the same sporty qualities in their dogs, so their Top 10 features manly Sporting and Working breeds such as the Lab, Boxer Rottweiler, and German Shorthaired Pointer,” said AKC Spokesperson Lisa Peterson. “These are great dogs to take on long walks or hikes – only the Yorkshire Terrier is meant solely for companionship.”

KANSAS CITY’S TOP DOGS 2008

1. Labrador Retriever

2. Boxer

3. German Shepherd Dog

4. Yorkshire Terrier

5. Bulldog

6. Golden Retriever

7. German Shorthaired Pointer

8. Belgian Malinois

9. Shih Tzu

10. Dachshund