Breeding and training German Shorthaired Pointers for over 40 years. Specializing in old-style walking dogs on quail, pheasants, grouse, and woodcock, with an emphasis on hunting ability and temperment.

Dewclaws:  After intense consideration, we have decided to stop removing dewclaws from puppies. We feel that this unnecessary amputation has no benefit, and at worst increases the dogs chances of developing carpal arthritis. The dewclaw is a functional part of the dogs foot, connected to tendons and muscles that aid in the dogs agility while working. For more in-depth reading, please see http://www.secrethavenkennel.com/resources/DewClawExplanation.pdf

Neutering:  We highly recommend neutering occur after two heat cycles in females, and is almost unnecessary in males. Neutering dogs at six months or earlier deprives their bodies of essential hormones which aid in proper skeletal growth. Females should be left intact and neutered after they’ve gone through two complete heat cycles. Leaving them longer increases the risk of mammary tumors. Males do very well in the house intact, and unless there’s a medical necessity, can live a happy and healthier life unaltered.

For additional reading on neutering pets, and when neutering is necessary, please see