Philosophy
Pictured is EMY, her first hunting season where we shot birds over her.
It’s all about producing hunting dogs, getting our dogs out on wild birds as much as possible. Autumn brings the opportunity to watch our dogs in the field and woods hunting or just running. Seeing everything that we have worked on the previous winter and summer come together. Winter is for retrieving work; spring brings the migration of woodcock back to Michigan, and another chance to run our dogs on wild birds, before the nesting begins. Summer is water and field work. Each season revolves around the joy we get watching our dogs.
We believe the only true test to a hunting dog is wild birds; they must have the desire to search and find birds in all conditions. They must have the heart to keep searching when the birds are not easily found. Not planted birds or preserve birds WILD BIRDS. When we use planted birds in training they are for introduction work, building desire, gun introduction and then in formal training steady to wing, shot and fall.
Our training program is based on the development of our own personal hunting dogs first. It is our plan to balance all of our training around this goal. As the dog develops we incorporate the training needed to participate in an evaluation test or other competitions. We do not allow time restrictions to dictate our training.
For this reason we have chosen VHDF as our primary evaluation venue. This program allows us a more flexible time frame and incorporates more natural ability and less trained subjects through the 2nd level. Versatility has never been at the top of our list, we do train for all aspects of the VHDF and NAVHDA tests, it is important to us that our dogs master the retrieve from water. However, it is the development of the field search that is most important for us.
Until our dog has had at least 2 seasons; combination of spring/fall or fall/spring to run and hunt WILD birds, when we are completely confident in their desire and search, formal training will not begin. Our program is not built around testing or competing, however, when the individual dog is ready we will.
This is not to diminish any accomplishments of other breeders and trainers, this is our program. We feel our philosophy helps in the development of quality upland Grouse and Woodcock dogs.
We have worked hard to obtain the highest quality dogs and expect them to perform at an exceptional level; we do not accept mediocrity. Nor, will we breed mediocre dogs. We do not breed with the intent to reproduce what we have, but to increase the odds to produce better than what we have.
What we expect from our dogs:
1.) Strong natural search, natural desire to hunt and find wild birds
2.) Natural desire to point
3.) Conformation
4.) Fluent Gait
5.) Co-Operation
6.) Balanced temperament with a desire to please
We believe that by following this list, you will have an exceptional hunting companion
