GSP & Vizsla Blog | Bird Dog Training, Puppies & Hunting

🐾 German Shorthaired Pointer & Vizsla Blog

Welcome to the Nosam Kennels German Shorthaired Pointer and Vizsla blog, where we share practical information based on more than a decade of hands-on experience owning, training, hunting, breeding, and living with versatile bird dogs.

Explore articles about GSP and Vizsla puppies, training, health, breed characteristics, hunting and bird-dog development, dog sports, puppy raising, and everyday life with these active sporting breeds.

Whether you're researching your first GSP or Vizsla, raising a puppy, training a hunting dog, or looking for new ways to enjoy your dog, we aim to provide useful, straightforward information based on real experience.

Why puppy evaluations matter?

Everyone chooses to purchase a puppy or a certain breed for distinct reasons. Are you looking for your next hunting dog? Perhaps you decided you want to take up field trails or maybe you're an avid hiker/biker/etc. Perhaps you want a well-bred dog for your family. Being intentional about choosing the right breed for your lifestyle and home does not just end there. Once you have selected your desired breed for x,y, and z reasons and decided on a breeder you will need to choo

Sierra Combs

Feb 98 min read

How We Use Puppy Culture to Raise Our Puppies

Nosam Kennels is proud to offer such an exceptional program with our litters! As breeders, we strive to provide our litters with an enriched environment as this has been proven to develop a more confident and easily trained dog. Our goal is to set each puppy up for success! However, Puppy Culture takes that a step further! For us it was an obvious decision to add this invaluable tool to our program to further our puppies' development and well-being! As a dog trainer, I under

Sierra Combs

Feb 95 min read

Why Your Hunting Dog’s Breeder Matters Before Training Ever Begin

When hunters start looking for a new bird dog, much of the focus goes on what happens after the puppy comes home: bird introduction, gun conditioning, recall, steadiness, retrieving, and eventually getting that young dog into the field. But a good hunting dog starts long before the first training session. Genetics, temperament, natural ability, structure, early development, and the breeder's decisions all play a role in what you end up with at the end of your lead. At Nosam K

Sierra Combs

2 days ago7 min read

Hunting German Shorthaired Pointers: Why the GSP Is More Than a Bird Dog

Learn more about the German Shorthaired Pointer as a versatile hunting dog

Sierra Combs

3 days ago7 min read

From the Whelping Box to the Bird Field: How We Raise Future Hunting Dogs

From Whelping Box to Bird Field: How We Raise Future Hunting Dogs A hunting dog doesn't suddenly become a hunting dog the first time you put it on birds. Long before a German Shorthaired Pointer or Vizsla puppy sees its first field, we're laying a foundation that we hope will help it become a confident, independent, trainable dog. Some things can't be trained into a dog. Genetics matter. Natural pointing instinct, prey drive, search, cooperation, retrieving desire, and temper

Sierra Combs

Oct 17 min read

Understanding Exercise Needs for Vizslas: A Comprehensive Guide

Vizslas are athletic sporting dogs bred to spend time in the field. It’s no surprise that exercise is one of the first things prospective owners ask about. But how much exercise does a Vizsla actually need? You'll find plenty of answers online that give a specific number of minutes or miles per day. In reality, there's no single formula that works for every Vizsla. Factors such as age, maturity, conditioning, genetics, individual temperament, and the type of exercise all matt

Sierra Combs

Sep 277 min read

Vizsla Temperament: What Are Vizslas Really Like to Live With?

Vizslas are often described as affectionate, energetic, sensitive, and devoted, and all of that is true. But those words alone don't really explain what it's like to share your life with one. The Vizsla was developed as a versatile hunting dog that worked closely with its handler. That history still influences the breed today. They tend to form incredibly strong relationships with their people, want to be involved in whatever you're doing, and combine athleticism and hunting

Sierra Combs

Sep 277 min read

How to Find a Reputable German Shorthaired Pointer Breeder

Searching for the best German Shorthaired Pointer breeder can quickly become overwhelming. Countless GSP breeders, puppy listings, social media pages, and websites claim to produce healthy, well-bred German Shorthaired Pointer puppies. So how do you actually tell the difference? The best GSP breeder for your family should be able to show you more than attractive puppies and impressive pedigrees. A responsible breeding program should have a clear purpose, appropriate health te

Sierra Combs

Sep 217 min read

Why Responsible Dog Breeders Shouldn’t Use AI-Generated Photos to Advertise Puppies

Artificial intelligence is everywhere. It can help businesses brainstorm ideas, improve writing, create graphics, organize information, and save time. AI can be a useful tool for dog breeders in many ways. But there is one place I believe AI does not belong: creating fake dogs and puppies to advertise a real breeding program. If you are selling a real puppy, show people the real puppy. When families research breeders, photographs and videos aren't just marketing materials. Th

Sierra Combs

Sep 1811 min read

German Shorthaired Pointer Puppies: What to Know Before Bringing Home a GSP

Sierra Combs

Sep 137 min read

Are German Shorthaired Pointers Good Family Dogs

Quick easy article to determine if a German Shorthair pointer is right for you

Sierra Combs

Sep 118 min read

The Versatile Vizsla: More Than a Hunting Dog

What does Versitle mean when it comes to Vizslas?

Sierra Combs

Sep 75 min read

Intro to Dog Shows: A Beginner’s Guide

What to Expect at a Dog Show: A Beginner’s Guide Dog shows can look a little intimidating from the outside, with gleaming coats, precise movement, and handlers who seem to know an unspoken language with their dogs. But at their core, dog shows are simply events that evaluate how closely a dog matches its breed standard, while celebrating training, structure, and temperament. Whether you’re attending your first show or thinking about entering your dog, here’s a simple breakdow

Sierra Combs

Jul 24 min read

What to Expect When Bringing Home a Vizsla Puppy

Bringing home a Vizsla puppy is an exciting milestone, but it’s also the beginning of a long-term commitment to a highly intelligent, athletic, and emotionally connected sporting dog. Understanding what to expect helps set both you and your puppy up for success from day one. At Nosam Kennels, we believe that a strong start begins long before a puppy ever leaves our care. Responsible, reputable breeding and early development play a major role in shaping temperament, confidence

Sierra Combs

Jun 284 min read

A Comparative Look at AKC Hunt Tests and NAVHDA Hunt Tests: Which is Right for You?

Sierra and her first AKC Junior Hunter Jager Hunting with dogs is not only a thrilling sport but also a deep-rooted tradition for many enthusiasts. For those looking to put their four-legged companions to the test, AKC (American Kennel Club) Hunt Tests and NAVHDA (North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association) Hunt Tests are two of the prominent avenues to showcase your dog's hunting skills. Let's delve into a comparative analysis of these two evaluation systems to help yo

Sierra Combs

Mar 18 min read

The Myth of the Pick of the Litter

Pick of the litter in purebred dogs. Let's uncover this myth,

Sierra Combs

Feb 214 min read

How to Verify Dog OFA Results and Spot AI-Generated Fakes

When you’re looking to learn about a dog’s health, especially regarding genetic and orthopedic conditions, the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) results are a key resource. These results help breeders, owners, and veterinarians understand a dog’s risk for certain inherited diseases. But with the rise of AI technology, some people have started creating fake OFA results, which can mislead buyers and harm breeding programs. This post explains how to find authentic OFA resu

Sierra Combs

Feb 196 min read

Understanding Gun Broke vs Noise Tolerant: Your Guide to Training Bird Dogs

A simple and straightforward guide to introducing hunting dogs to firearms correctly, and addressing whether dogs are inherently gun-shy.

Sierra Combs

Feb 176 min read

Understanding Dog Titles: Decoding Letters before or after a dog's name.

Dog titles can often seem like a confusing language of their own, filled with abbreviations and classifications that might baffle even seasoned dog lovers. However, grasping these titles is essential for dog owners, breeders, and enthusiasts alike. In this post, we'll clarify some of the most common dog titles, including JH (Junior Hunter), SH (Senior Hunter), NAVHDA titles, and the differences between UKC (United Kennel Club) Champion and AKC (American Kennel Club) Champion

Sierra Combs

Sep 6, 20258 min read

Titles Tell the Truth: Why They Matter to Your Dog’s Breed

Nosam's Sharp Shootin Spyro with her SH Ribbon Why Titling Your Dog Helps the Breed—and Your Breeder As breeders, we put a lot of thought into every pairing—temperament, health, structure, drive, and purpose. But our efforts don’t end when the puppies go home. The legacy of each litter continues through you, the owner. One of the most impactful ways you can contribute to your dog’s breed—and to the breeder who entrusted you with that pup—is by earning titles with your dog. Ti

Sierra Combs

Jul 12, 20252 min read