Our Puppies

Producing puppies who can thrive, whether as hunting and performance partners or specialized working dogs, is our top priority. We want our dogs to grow into loving, long-lived, and cherished members of the family, while also being capable of contributing meaningfully in professional working roles. The versatile companions we raise are eager to fulfill the goals of their owners—whether that leads them into the field, a detection career, or the many dog sports we enjoy.

At Vickery we believe testing programs from organizations like the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association and the American Kennel Club are excellent tools to help evaluate each dog’s inherent potential. All of our dogs are evaluated through NAVHDA’s testing system, and we are very appreciative when puppy owners do the same. These test results give us invaluable information on what each breeding produces.

All of our Shorthairs have OFA Hips, OFA Elbows, OFA Thyroid, OFA Cardiac, and OFA Eye examinations performed before being bred. They are also screened for the genetic diseases that can occur in GSPs using Embark for Breeders or PawPrint Genetic’s Canine Health Check. These genetic panels test for a wide variety of diseases, including several breed specific tests recommended by the Canine Health Information Center: Cone Degeneration, Degenerative Myelopathy, and Von Willebrand Disease II. Our puppies are raised in our home using Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) and Puppy Culture protocols. We have found that this critical early socialization has a large part to play in creating stable and well adjusted adults. 

Click here to read about health issues that affect GSPs and the importance of health testing.

We place our puppies both in family homes and working roles. While many of our dogs become lifelong companions, we are equally committed to developing and placing dogs whose abilities make them strong candidates for professional detection work. Our priority is ensuring that every dog is matched with individuals or organizations who understand the needs of the breed and can provide the structure, purpose, and care they require. We remain a lifelong resource and support system for all of our placements.

We do strongly recommend that those who have not owned a Shorthair before take the time to research the breed. We will be the first to admit that GSPs are not the right dog for everyone. Unfortunately many Shorthairs end up in rescue labeled as destructive, hyperactive, and unmanageable. This is usually because the dog was not provided with the mental and physical stimulation that this breed needs. Well over a hundred years of selective breeding has gone into developing these dogs’ hunting instinct and drive. They almost always exhibit strong prey drive alongside the vigor to spend hours running in the field. They absolutely require that owners fulfill their needs for work and exercise. 

Click here to visit our Frequently Asked Questions page!

Before contacting us, take a look at this fabulous writeup on Puppy Buyer Etiquette!