I have a 9 mo old GSP. He's a handful! He only has 2 speeds...fast and dead asleep! He'll point just about anything, retrieves pretty well, and can go all day. He does shed a LOT especially when it starts to warm up in the spring. I've raised Gustov in the house since I brought him home and even took him to the office with me. As a result of spending so much time with me, he doesn't hunt too far in front of me, maybe 25 yrds or so. Get the GSP, spend lots of time training him, and have fun with your new hunting partner.