The puppies out of Northwoods Grits

Northwoods Grits (Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chablis, 2011)

It’s one thing to breed dogs that are outstanding both in the field and in the hunting cabin at night. It’s quite another when that dog passes on those traits to a preponderance of its offspring, no matter the pairing.

So no wonder Jerry and I are extremely proud of Northwoods Grits, a seven-year-old tricolor setter male out of Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chablis, owned by our long-time client Bob Senkler.

Cade (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Nickel, 2017), owned by Jim Malecha, Minnesota

Over the past five years, Grits has sired several litters and given us time to evaluate the results. We’ve used different dams—from stellar Houston’s Belle’s Choice (2014) and grouse champion I’m Blue Gert (2014) to our own Carly Simon (2015), Nickel (2017), Bismuth (2017), Carbon (2017) and Minerva (2018).

Oslo (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Carbon, 2017), owned by Ryan Gould, Minnesota

A majority of his puppies inherit his calm, confident personality and yet also have the fire and extreme drive to find birds in the field. They do this naturally, easily and with a minimum of training. An intense desire to please is evident as is a natural inclination to point, back and retrieve.

The accompanying photos are young dogs from litters sired by Grits in 2017 litters. Similarities in posture, carriage and composure are evident as well as, in some dogs, lots of spots.

Quinny (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Bismuth, 2017), owned by Karyn Dietz, Wisconsin

Jet (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Nickel, 2017), owned by Greg Johnson, Wisconsin

Edinburgh (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Carbon, 2017), owned by Charlie Schulz, Wisconsin

Titan (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Nickel, 2017), owned by Paul Matson, Michigan

Dixie Mae (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Bismuth, 2017), owned by Mitch Kowalski, Montana