Claire Wisch Abraham | Mountain View

 

Interview with Claire Wisch Abraham – Mountain View

 

Where do I live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder?

Claire Wisch Abraham: I have been involved in dogs for 31 years; 25 years for German Wirehaired Pointers, four years involvement with Spinoni Italiano, and I will be breeding this year.

 

What is my kennel name? How many dogs do I currently keep?

Claire Wisch Abraham: My kennel name is Mountain View. I currently keep 11 dogs.

 

Which show dogs from the past have been my noteworthy winners?

My noteworthy winners are:

• GCHG NBISS BISS MBIS Collina D’Oro Solo Un Bacio, “Josie” (Top-Winning Spinone in AKC History, No. 3 Sporting Dog, 12 All-Breed BIS, Winner AKC National Championship Sporting Group 2022),
• Brazilian & US CH MNBISS BISS MBIS View & Ripsnorter Silver Charm (No. 1 GWP All-Breeds 2012, 102 All-Breed BIS, Westminster Group 1 2013, 3x National Specialty Winner, Top-Winning GWP in AKC History).

 

Which have been my most influential sires and dams?

My most influential dams have been:

• CH Ripsnorters Lightning Strike, “Annie” (bred by Helen George), she was my foundation,
• CH Mountain View’s Next Strike, “Mallory,” she produced “Oakley” and “Scout,” two of the Top Winners in GWPs.

 

Can I talk a bit about my facilities? Where are my puppies whelped? How are they raised?

Claire Wisch Abraham: I have 75 acres in Northern Virginia. I have a small building with indoor/outdoor covered runs beside my house. It has epoxy floors in the insulated portion and tree floor runs with chain link. The space is completely roofed. In my home, I have a dog/mud room with metal crate and wash stall, and a Dutch door into my kitchen.

Puppies are whelped in a guest room of my house that is converted for the big event! It’s close to my patio for easy in and out. When the weather is pleasant, pups are outside for supervised playtime. I have birds on my property, and the puppies are exposed to birds and walking in a group in large fields before they leave.

 

What is my “process” for selecting Show Puppies? Performance Puppies? Field Puppies?

Claire Wisch Abraham: Puppies are evaluated as they grow; my daughter, Kelly Shupp, helps evaluate puppies. All GWP/Pointer and Spinoni Italiani pups are allowed playtime with feathers, and dead and live birds. We look for intensity and general interest in the activity.

 

Do I compete in Companion Events? Performance Events?

Claire Wisch Abraham: No, I do not compete in these events.

 

Are Field Trials or parent club Hunt Tests important to me?

Claire Wisch Abraham: Yes. German Wirehaired Pointers and Spinoni Italiani are versatile breeds that point, retrieve, and track. I also participate in the North American Versatile Hunting Dog (NAVHDA) program.

 

How would I define “conditioning” as it relates to my breed?

Claire Wisch Abraham: My dogs get a lot of free-time to run. I usually don’t need any additional conditioning.

 

Are there any health-related concerns in my breed? Any special nutritional needs?

Claire Wisch Abraham: The GWP and Spinone are definitely seeing an increase of cancers.

 

Do I think my breed is supported by a sufficient number of preservation breeders?

Claire Wisch Abraham: Yes, I do.

 

Is my breed well suited to be a family dog?

Claire Wisch Abraham: Spinoni Italiani are great family dogs. The German Wirehaired Pointer in the right situation can be great as well. The German Wirehaired Pointer is a real working breed. They need activities to keep them mentally stimulated and out of trouble.

 

If I could share a comment or two with judges of my breed, what would I like to say to them?

Claire Wisch Abraham: German Wirehaired Pointers should have a slightly sloping topline. They should not have a rounded croup and tailset like a Vizsla. The coat should be hard and wiry, never soft/fuzzy. Balance and type are most important.

 

Do I have any words of wisdom to pass along to newer breeders?

Claire Wisch Abraham: Go to your National every year! Find the best foundation bitch you can and be honest about her faults. (No dog is perfect.) Hopefully, you can find a mentor!

 

For a bit of fun, what’s the most amusing thing I’ve ever experienced with a Sporting Dog?

Claire Wisch Abraham: Hunt Tests and Field Trials with horses and dogs are some of the best times!

 

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Are you looking for a German Shorthaired Pointer puppy?

The best way to ensure a long and happy relationship with a purebred dog is to purchase one from a responsible breeder. Not sure where to begin finding a breeder?

Contact the National Parent Club’s Breeder Referral person, which you can find on the AKC Breeder Referral Contacts page.

 

Want to help rescue and re-home a German Shorthaired Pointer dog?

Did you know nearly every recognized AKC purebred has a dedicated rescue group? Find your new best friend on the AKC Rescue Network Listing.

 

German Shorthaired Pointer Breed Magazine

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