I think I saw my first Drahthaar about 20 years ago +/-. But, it took me a few more years before I actually bought a puppy. Here's what I have learned about them:
1. They ain't for everyone. If you just duck hunt, you might like one of the pure retrieving breeds better. If you just hunt upland birds, one of the pure pointing breeds are fine. But, if you hunt waterfowl, quail/chukkar/etc. hunt, deer hunt, etc. one of the versatile breeds is a good idea and DD's are one of the best breeds among the versatiles.
2. If the German breeders haven't done anything else, they have bred intelligence and trainablilty into the breed.
3. While one of the healthier breeds out there, they are somewhat "needy" in that they absolutely required companionship with their owner and do not thrive if left in the kennel all the time.
4. The JGHV testing system requires time-consuming training and a real commitment but pays dividends for years afterward while hunting.
5. Becoming a DD breeder is a lot different than other breeds in that the hassle-factor is much more and dogs cannot be bred unless they are "certified" by your peers in the testing system. Of course, when a puppy's pedigree for the past five decades has only dogs that: retrieved waterfowl, pointed upland game, and tracked wounded game your odds of getting a good puppy are increased geometrically. Also, due to strict breeding regs, you are not gonna make any money in the DD "business".
6. The breed organization in North America (www.vdd-gna.org) is vibrant and offers much to owners.
7. DD's need to go into homes of hard hunters as opposed to suburban yuppie-types.
8. If trained, they can make wonderful hunting partners and companions that you can take anywhere in the world and enjoy afield.
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