Month: March 2023

After partnering for over forty years Bob and Dick should be allowed a moment to look back and reflect on some of the fine dogs we have been fortunate enough to have produced and campaigned. As the date for the 2023 Grouse and Woodcock Invitational approaches we wondered out loud what dogs of ours had received an invitation based on their performances over the previous year?

We owned, at one point, champions Body Guard, Northern Anndee, Pennstar, Full Tilt, Full Blast, Straight Forward, Blast Zone (in Thor Kain’s name) and in 2023, Full Breeze. Each of these grouse dog champions earned an invitation based on their wins during the previous year. The top fourteen dogs each year, based on their winning record, receive the honor of an invitation to compete in the Grand National Grouse and Woodcock Championship event.

We regard it as an honor to the dog and to all the hard work and talent that went into developing these dogs to be invited. Of course credit goes to Hall-of-Fame Pro Dave Hughes for training and campaigning these dogs so successfully. Thor Kain had a big role in the successes of Blast Zone after we transferred ownership to him.

Winning the Invitational is a challenge for any dog. All the invitees compete two consecutive days for an hour. Then the judges select any dogs they want to see for the third consecutive day of hunting before determining a champion. We will be on hand April 4, 2023 at Black Moshannon State Game Lands when our latest champion Full Breeze is taken to the line for her shot at this coveted championship.

20 dogs vied for the National Amateur Championship held at the Flaherty Field Trial Area, Windsor, CT, March 25-26, 2023. The respected, experienced pair of John Stolgitis, from RI and Dave McKay, PA, were the judicial panel.

Hunting began in quest of the national amateur title in the early morning of March 25, 2023 with Super Storm handled by his owner and trainer Thor Kain striking out boldly in search of game. “Fed” (think GOAT tennis star), charged to the front and kept his focus on the search throughout the 60 minutes he was allotted to show his hunting skills. From start to finish “Fed’s” efforts took him to appropriate objectives no matter how nearby or far. Fast over the ground, “Fed” is true to the line of high class dogs from which he descends. He’s quick and light on his feet but still powerful when that is needed. At several points through the hunt there are edges that call to be hunted and they go on for hundreds of yards. “Fed” reached in these places showing his drive, determination and power. At other places there are woody thickets that invite exploration and “Fed” maturely adjusted to hunt these objectives as well. His smart hunting was rewarded 4 times with finds. On each find (including the first find where his bracemate ran in front of him while he was pointing) “Fed” demonstrated the intense style and high-headed pointing style that is a trademark which earlier helped bring him the recognition of US Complete National Amateur Dog of the Year twice.

Going down the stretch “Fed” showed he had plenty of fuel left in his tank and at pickup he was well ahead, going strong and requiring a few minutes to round him up.

Little Miss Margaret delivered a very special performance to be named Champion for owner/handler TIm Cavanaugh. There were several impressive performances among the eighteen other bird dogs featuring multiple finds in this competitive championship. We were especially happy with our Super Storm Cliff who had a four-find performance with Thor handling.

Full Breeze, our now 7-year-old female owned by Bob and Dick, has received an invitation to compete against the top 13 other cover dogs at the Grand National Grouse and Woodcock Invitational. Held April 3-5, 2023 at the Black Moshannon State Park, near Phillipsburg, PA, she will run a one hour hunt on the first day of the event and another hour on the second day under the watch of judges Bruce Mueller and Mark Forman. On day three the judges will determine what dogs they want to see on the final day of running.

In order to gain access to the Invitational, “Bree” scored a big win when she was named Champion at the Ontario Grouse Championship in the spring of 2022. Other highlight wins for her were RU Champion at the PA Grouse Championship and 1st in the PA Grouse Open All-Age.

“Bree” is sired by Grand National Grouse Champion Full Blast ex Ch. Straight Forward (she with 9 wins in grouse championships). Both of “Bree’s” parents qualified to run in the Invitational. Straight Forward won the Invitational in her first appearance when the event was held in Michigan.

Known as an extraordinary bird finder throughout her life, “Bree” will be handled by Dave Hughes who has guided “Bree” throughout her career and was at the controls for her championship wins.