Home of the Versatile German Wirehaired Pointer

Excellent health, temperament and hunting ability are the essence of our German Wirehaired Pointers, and our primary considerations. We believe that these three essential qualities, bred carefully and with the consideration they truly deserve, also make the GWP an exceptional household pet that excels in any job given to them. Conformation, intelligence, work ethic and other attributes that complement our primary aims are equally important to our breeding program. Health Testing is a MUST for this breed!! We test for everything this breed is inflicted with, and will not breed any dogs with health issues!! We test hips, elbows, thyroid, eyes, and vWD (bleeding disease).

Health Considerations

The GWP in the United States today is plagued with various health issues, and we feel that testing our breeding dogs' health is important to produce healthy puppies that will live long and function into old age as a hunting partner and pet. Our dogs are hip and elbow x-rayed and submitted to OFA for evaluation. We also run full thyroid panels, von Willebrand (vWD) test, and CERF eye test our dogs. We pedigree research in order to take extra precautions to avoid the multitude of inherited diseases and conditions, such as epilepsy, and take care to avoid producing and propagating genetic disorders into the gene pool.

Temperament Considerations

Quality of mind is very important as is a certain level of "toughness" (never aggression) and resiliency. GWP's with the correct temperament are easily trainable for any job and also makes them exceptional pets and house dogs. Our dogs compete in the obedience ring, as well as agility, and rally.

Hunting Ability

Our dogs are working hunting dogs, but they also competed in various venues such as conformation dog shows, field trials, hunt tests and NAVHDA testing to help us assess our breeding stock. We do not, however, discount the differences in competitive events and real hunting, and most of all, we hope to produce dogs that will serve as hunting companions. Exceptional drive, strong pointing and retrieving instincts, water love, willingness to please and intelligence are all characteristics we value in our dogs.

Conformation Considerations

We breed to the GWP standard, "The functional wiry coat is the breed's most distinctive feature. A dog must have a correct coat to be of correct type. " Balanced and moderate type is strongly preferred, and extremes are avoided. "The German Wirehaired Pointer is a versatile hunter built for agility and endurance in the field. Correct size and balance are essential to high performance."

German Wirehaired Pointer

Hunting, Training, Stud Services, Boarding, Birds for sale

William and Courtney Bastian
Horicon, Wisconsin 53032

Breeding quality gun dogs for over 10 years.

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I have been involved with purebred dogs for at least 15 years. I have had bird dogs for a bit over five (5) years now and actively participate in AKC Hunt Tests, AKC and American Field Trials, AKC Conformation Shows and Upland Bird Hunting (pheasant, quail, grouse and woodcock) with my dogs. When the time came to add a German Wirehaired Pointer puppy to my household, I researched dozens of different breeders over a period of 18 months or so. In the end I got a GWP puppy from Courtney and William Bastian of Claddagh Kennels in Wisconsin and I’m very satisfied and happy with my interactions with them.

My whole experience with Claddagh Kennels has been 100% positive. My puppy is now about 5 months old and I am very pleased with him. From the day I picked him up at 9 weeks old, he has been bold and confident, yet eager to please. He’s also very smart. The sire and dam of the litter had both been proven as quality individuals through actual hunting experience, AKC Hunt Tests, NAVDHA Tests and AKC Conformation. Courtney and William are knowledgeable about the breed and forthright about each of their dog’s strengths and weaknesses and were helpful in guiding me towards a breeding and a puppy that would fit my goals.

In every interaction with Courtney and William, they demonstrated their joint dedication to producing healthy dogs with great temperaments that are true to the German Wirehaired Pointer original breed type. My puppy has a great coat, a good nose for birds even at 5 months old and a wonderful personality.

During my puppy buying process, I had a few opportunities to watch William train and work dogs. Each work session was tailored to that dog’s specific need and every session was a POSITIVE learning experience. William was patient with the dogs and I saw improvement in the dog as a result of the training session. I would not hesitate to send one of my own dogs to William for training. Courtney and William work together to make sure that each client dog’s complete needs are being tended to while the dog is staying with them for training.

All in all, I can say without reservation that I would recommend Courtney and William Bastian of Claddagh Kennels to anyone seeking a well bred German Wirehaired Pointer or a positive method gundog trainer.

Amber Duff

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In 2010 we started a search for our third German Wirehaired Pointer. That search took us to Claddagh German Wirehaired Pointers. Their commitment to breeding physically, mentally and genetically sound dogs drew us to them. We could not be happier with the pup we acquired from one of their breedings. William and Courtney have always been available to help with any questions we had while raising and training our pup and with the beginning of their new venture into gun dog training they have even more to offer.
We were especially pleased when William Bastian started his own training business. We had seen him work with dogs and knew just how well they responded to him and his training techniques. So when it came time to train our wire to be a finished gun dog we sent him to William. In three months he had trained and tested our dog to his Master Hunter title, got him ready to enter the NAVHDA UT test and given us a steady, solid gundog for hunting. He was a joy to hunt pheasants over in North Dakota this season.
If you are looking for a quality German Wirehaired Pointer or hunting dog training then we would highly recommend you check with Claddagh Kennel.

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I have been breeding, raising and showing dogs for over 35 years. My husband and I were looking for a versatile hunting breed to add to our dog family that he could hunt with and that I could show in conformation. We met Courtney and Bill and their Wirehair clan at the Wisconsin Dog Fair and soon feel in love with the German Wirehaired Pointer. We acquired a female puppy from Claddagh Kennel last summer. Not only do we have an outstanding hunting dog, she is a beautiful conformationally sound dog as well. We are new to hunt tests and NAVHDA and Courtney and Bill have provided excellent guidance and support in all aspects of training. Their extensive pedigree knowledge of their dogs, hunting expertise and veterinary science training broadens their base for selection of breed type and genetic stability and predictability. It has been both a privilege and a pleasure to get to know them over the recent years and I would highly recommend them as breeders.
Kristin & Paul Wehking

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I've been into German wirehaired pointers for over 30 years. I participate in confirmation, hunt tests, field trials, and various pheasant and chucker challenges. I think the female puppy I purchased from Claddagh Kennels is potentially one of the best dogs I've seen in my 30 years of experience. Her coat, confirmation, and disposition are right at the top of the breed. I am extremely excited about her potential. She is a Timo puppy, and I believe she has inherited all of his excellent traits. If you have any questions, call me at 651-480-1454.

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After getting to know William & Courtney & their GWPs over the last couple years, I have to say that they're a class act with excellent dogs. I can honestly say that they have a truly balanced approach to developing dogs that hunt well, are well-built & have great dispositions. In particular, they have done a great job with Timo in getting his NAVHDA Utility Prize I & in setting a great foundation for Camus for the future. I'm really looking forward to seeing how Timo & Camus continue to develop over time. For GWP breeders who are dedicated to doing things right, I'd definitely recommend Claddagh!

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I am a novice gun dog owner. Bill and Courtney have helped tremendously. They have given my family a dog that is great around the house and is a definite hunter in the field. They have answered all of my questions along the way. I believe that they truly care that we are happy with the dog, for both our's and the dog's sake. I would highly recommend them.

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I purchased a puppy from Courtney and Bill about a
year ago. In addition to getting a wonderful, happy, heathy puppy, I gained a breeder who has been extremely responsive to all of my questions. This is despite the fact that we live in different states.

I am extemely happy with my puppy
and would highly recommend them!

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