December 9, 2010
Charity Upchurch
Bird Dog Training, Hunting Tales, Puppy Update, Wirehaired Pointing Griffons
Bird Hunting, Chukkar Hunting, Dog Training, Glendo Wyoming, Gun Dog, Hunting Dogs, Hunting Wyoming, Puppies, Richard Wolters, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, Wirehaired Pointing Griffons
Trying to get back into the groove with being a stay-at-home mom again and hope to get on a better schedule with posting on the blog. I have so many things that I want to write about, but the time gets away from me!
Here’s what Sean has to say about Gauge a.k.a Male 2.1 from the 2010 litter ( I’ll post a picture to go with it as soon as I receive one):
“I have been training Gauge with Wolters training methods, and it has been absolutely wonderful and incredibly fun! After getting the basic commands down, retrieving and pointing commands went very well. This is the first dog I have personally trained for bird hunting, so I was a little nervous with how things would go, but Gauge made the process great! I was shocked at how much of a “natural” he was in training! The first true test came three weeks ago. We have a local bird farm outside of town that many hunters use for dog training purposes. After contacting the owner, we scheduled our first “hunt” with the idea of focusing on training purposes for Gauge. Starting with Chukkars because of their smaller stature, Gauge did great in tracking down all three birds, holding three beautiful points, and flushing the bird on command. Retrieves didn’t quite go as planned, but I think that was more a product of actually dealing with a live bird. Gauge would actually release for the retrieve and then point the dead bird. Pretty funny actually! All in all, it was a GREAT day that I couldn’t have been more excited about.
Gauge’s first real hunt came the first Sunday of November in Glendo, WY. Every Sunday in November they host a free youth hunt in the area, and I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to work with Gauge exclusively while my 16 year-old brother-in-law did the shooting. Gauge did wonderful. He tracked down and pointed several pheasants on the day, and even retrieved well. This past Sunday, we participated in the 2nd youth hunt, and Gauge was even better than the week before! He pointed and flushed 7 birds (due to an “off” shooting day by my bro-in-law), and actually chased down and caught a pheasant after a flush and chase that lasted roughly 20-30 seconds. He was an absolute stud this past Sunday, and I’m greatly looking forward to 2 more youth hunts this month, as well as 3 scheduled hunts of my own in the next few months. Most hunters in this area use retrievers, so for them to see a pointer in action has been not only neat for them, but has made me very proud. I was very skeptical when reading Wolters’ take on hunting a dog as soon as 6 months of age, but have no doubt in my mind that with consistent, constructive training, it is not as farfetched as it may sound!”
Thanks, Sean!!
December 1, 2010
Charity Upchurch
Bird Dog Training, Hunting Tales, Puppy Update, Wirehaired Pointing Griffons
Bird Hunting, Dog Training, Ducks, Gun Dog, Hunting Dogs, Hunting Nevada, Korthals Griffon, Pheasant Haven, Pheasant Hunting, Water Retrieve, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, Wirehaired Pointing Griffons
Pete, Whiskey and some Nevada ducks
Looks like Pete and Whiskey (Alpha Male 2010 litter) had another great hunt!! According to Pete, “We are wet and cold but Whiskey put the hurt on the ducks today several water retrieves in nasty conditions and even dove after a cripple (I need to shoot better).”
November 21, 2010
Charity Upchurch
Bird Dog Training, Puppy Update, Wirehaired Pointing Griffons
Sorry for the blog neglect, I’ve been fighting off the seasonal illnesses. I did receive a great update from Stephen in Rhode Island about the pup he called “Griffen”, known as Male 2.2 of my 2010 litter. Here’s what he had to say:
“Griffen is doing great. He is a very happy and active 6 month old. I have been training him all summer for hunting season, he is very smart and catches on quickly. I take him in the woods as much as possible he loves it. Only been out hunting a couple of times so far this season, he did well for a young dog. Here are a few pictures of him. I will send you more during hunting season .”
Griffen (Male 2.2 2010 litter) at 6 months
Griffen in the forests of Rhode Island
For the breeding being a complete outcross, I am very happy with the uniformity of the three pups that I have seen recent photographs of. There are photos forthcoming from Sean and Amber in Wyoming that I am also very excited to see. I hope that the owners keep the updates coming!
Charles did get a nice buck out in the Sandhills and went out for deer again here in Eastern Nebraska this weekend, but didn’t see anything that met his liking. He was more excited to flush up a woodcock on his hunt yesterday than anything else. Our freezer is near capacity anyway, so I was not upset. He was going to head out for birds today, but decided to stick around the house for a change.
Give thanks for our hunting heritage!
November 4, 2010
Charity Upchurch
Kennel Update, Puppy Update
Korthals Griffon, Minnesota, Puppies, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, Wirehaired Pointing Griffons
Winston aka Male 3 of 2010 Litter
I finally broke down last night and e-mailed my owners looking for six-month photos of the pups (except for Pete and Whiskey, naturally). Nancy and Kelvin in Minnesota were nice enough to provide an updated picture of Winston. They just finish obedience class and I think he is looking quite handsome! Thanks Nancy and Kelvin!
Sounds like Charles is heading back down south in search of more birds this weekend. He was nice enough to invite me, but I feel like I need to stay home and catch up around here.
October 24, 2010
Charity Upchurch
Bird Dog Training, Puppy Update
Bird Hunting, Dog Training, Gun Dog, Hunting Dogs, Hunting Nevada, Korthals Griffon, Nevada Hungarian Partridge, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, Wirehaired Pointing Griffons
The dog news just keeps pouring in tonight! Just got a great shot of 2010 litter alpha male “Whiskey” and Pete out in Nevada who got into some Hungarian Partridge over the weekend. Great job guys!
Pete and Whiskey with their Hungarian Partridge
We’ll be out visiting my grandparents near Yosemite, California the summer of 2011 and I hope we get a chance to swing by to visit Pete. I really want to have a good look at Whiskey. It excites me to see the rough sagebrush country that he has to work in and his coat doesn’t show any signs of wear and tear. Weak coated dogs would have balding or bare patches on the shins of their front legs, but I see no sign of that here. His head furnishings are beautiful. I am very excited for what Sue and Sam have produced and absolutely ecstatic about the great job Pete is doing with the dog.
October 20, 2010
Charity Upchurch
Bird Dog Training, Hunting Tales, Puppy Update, Wirehaired Pointing Griffons
Bird Hunting, Dog Training, Duck Hunting, Ducks, Gun Dog, Hunting Dogs, Korthals Griffon, Puppies, Water Retrieve, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, Wirehaired Pointing Griffons
The pups will be six months old on the 30th and our good buddy, Pete, out in Nevada gave us an update on Spring 2010 litter’s alpha male without us even asking. I will be getting e-mails out to my other owners over the weekend to try and get other pictures and updates, but this is enough to make a dog mama proud! Thanks, Pete!
Whiskey’s first water retrieve at 6 months
“A little update on Whiskey. Chukar opener was on the 9th and was one of the most disappointing in years. I only harvested 9 birds in three days. Whiskey was outstanding. It rained all week and birds were scattered and if it weren’t for the dog I would have come out of that hunt with no Chukar. We retrieved every bird that I shot and a half dozen for one of my hunting partners that didn’t have a dog. All birds that Whiskey recovered for my hunting partner where done on scent alone. We got into the Quail on Sunday and Whiskey was hunting with two older very accomplished dogs and my 6 month old pup performed like it was his 5th season.
Last weekend was Nevada waterfowl opener and since the Chukar hunting was so bad I decided to give the Ducks a try. I have had Whiskey in the water several times retrieving dummies but he has never even seen a duck before Saturday. After only hunting for a few minutes Saturday morning I dumped a pair of huge mallards at first Whiskey was not crazy about retrieving something that almost outweighed him but after dragging the first pair of ducks back to me by the wing he was hooked on Duck hunting. Sorry for the lack of pictures, like a big dummy I left my camera at home for the chukar opener and only had my blackberry for duck. I promise better pics in the future. Whiskey is doing great on all of his verbal and e collar commands and is picking up hand signals very fast. We are still working on holding point, he is creeping on birds but for 6 months old I am amazed on how well he is doing. On the home front Whiskey is a terrific companion and one of the funniest personalities I have ever seen in a dog.
Whiskey is making me look like a genius. Just get these dogs on birds, teach them commands, and socialize them properly and 90% of the battle is won. There is so much potential with these dogs, I was kinda dreading this hunting season, breaking in a new dog but I can’t wait until Friday when I throw all of my stuff in my truck and get him hunting again (5 weeks in a row now). Pheasant season opens in November.”
Whiskey’s first duck hunt — he looks like Sam Jr. to me!
August 16, 2010
Charity Upchurch
Puppy Update
While I was on sabbatical from the blog, Pete sent me an exciting update on Whiskey’s (Alpha Male of our 2010 litter) development as a hunting dog:
“Just a little update on Whiskey. At 13 or so weeks Whiskey is really becoming an exceptional bird dog. Bird work started about 4 weeks ago, gun work started about 2 weeks ago. Since then I have never seen a more enthusiastic dog, he is bird crazy. I shoot planted birds over him almost every night and he just keeps getting better and better. I thought my older Griff had an excellent nose but Whiskey is taking my older dog to school on tracking and recovery. He swims like an otter and loves the water. We water train every weekend and I can’t wait till October 15th (Nevada Waterfowl opener). I was kind of dreading this hunting season breaking in a new pup but after seeing how fast Whiskey is coming along I can’t wait. This dog absolutely LOVES to hunt. His first real hunting trip will be the Oregon Chukar opener for a tune up then October 9th the Nevada Chukar opener. I took the week off for that. I should have over 100 birds shot over him by then. Training on Pigeons and Pen raised chukar right now can’t wait to get him on wild birds. More important than that he is a great family dog and the funniest dog that I have ever owned (I hope he grows into his feet) Thanks for the great pup. Everybody that sees him loves him. You might have a few customers from Northern Nevada next year. sorry about the pics it is hard to train and shoot pictures but I will keep working on it.”
Whiskey and his older "brother" Basco (also a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon) on the dunes of Nevada.
Whiskey and Basco in the water
Whiskey and Basco on the bank
So exciting!!! Thanks Pete! I look forward to more updates from my owners come fall hunting season!
July 25, 2010
Charity Upchurch
Puppy Update
Korthals Griffon, Puppies, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
I received a cute picture of Winston from Nancy and Kelvin in Minnesota that I couldn’t resist sharing!
Winston at 3 months
July 20, 2010
Charity Upchurch
Puppy Update
Alexander Valley Vineyards, Gun Dog, Hunting Dogs, Korthals Griffon, Puppies, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
I received some great photos of Female 2.2 (our 2010 litter) yesterday from Hank and Linda. The pup is almost 3 months old, now known as Cali and registered with the AKC as California Fortune Sweetgrass.
Cali, Linda, a great potato crop, and the yellow lab
Having a rest
Cali and Harry relaxing at the vineyard
If you ever desire a vineyard experience in Sonoma wine country in California, the Wetzel family has the beautiful Alexander Valley Vineyards to accommodate your needs. You can find them on the web at http://www.avvwine.com/ ( Which reminds me, I need to order some wine from them). We plan on paying them a visit ourselves next summer.
July 13, 2010
Charity Upchurch
Puppy Update
Bird Hunting, Dog Training, Gun Dog, Hunting Dogs, Korthals Griffon, Puppies, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
Pete and Deborah in Nevada have been sending me some cute pictures of Whiskey (Alpha Male) that I had to share!
Basco, a fellow Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, Yogi the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Whiskey with Andrea, and Dewey the Golden Retriever
Say what?
Growing up fast
Chilling out after ice cream on a hot day
Chewing up a pine cone
Two griffs on a bed after a day of chukar training
Thanks to Pete and Deborah for the great pics!
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