Northwoods Homer named Runner-Up Champion in spring trial

Runner-Up Champion Northwoods Homer, on right, is posed by his owner Mitch Anderson while Tim Kaufman and his Champion Lake Effect Ali are on the left. In the back are judges Chris Bye and Alex Anderson.

Northwoods Homer (CH Snyder’s Pioneer Scout x CH Northwoods Cedar, 2022) was named Runner-Up Champion in a field of 42 dogs at the 2026 North Country Shooting Dog Championship held in April. The trial was hosted by the Chippewa Valley Grouse Dog Association and held in Wisconsin’s Eau Claire County Forest where grouse and woodcock were the quarry. The championship was judged by Chris Bye and Alex Anderson.

Homer is owned and handled by Mitch Anderson of Grand Rapids, Minn.

Homer pointed a woodcock and a grouse in his hour and finished strong. The judges were carrying Homer as champion until the final minutes of the final brace. In an exciting finish, Lake Effect Ali, owned and handled by Tim Kaufman, had a solid race with an impeccable find on a group of grouse. Ali was named Champion and Homer was named Runner-Up Champion.

Homer is Mitch’s first pointing dog—and what a pair they are. Three-year-old Homer has a powerful, stylish way of going, excellent composure around game and a penchant for finding and pinning ruffed grouse. 

Congratulation to Mitch and Homer!

A special note:  Betsy and I are extremely proud that Homer is the 33rd dog out of our Northwoods breeding to win a championship placement. Further, those 33 dogs have placed in more than 70 championships.