2X CH/4X RU-CH Houston’s Belle (2001 – 2011). Photo by Chris Mathan.
In October 2011 Jerry was interviewed by Chris Mathan of The Sportsman’s Cabinet and Strideaway. It’s a really good interview on the importance of females in a breeding program.
Chris asks, “What is the most important part of a breeding program?” and Jerry answers, “The female is the key.” For our English setter line, he says that Houston’s Belle and Blue Streak were the foundation dams. Both Belle and Streak were multiple grouse champions but “daughters of champions were better producers” for us. Belle produced Houston’s Belle’s Choice and Blue Silk is out of Streak.
Chris recently re-posted it on Strideaway. The values remain vital and it’s definitely worth a listen.
(Too, if you want a good laugh, you have to check out Jerry’s hat. Why did we ever think that goofy, seed-corn style was attractive?)
Meg (Elhew G Force x Northwoods Vixen, 2013) points with exceptional poise in mixed cover at Arrowhead Farms.
Wet from morning dew, Chardonnay (Blue Shaquille x Houston’s Belle’s Choice, 2009) nails a covey in heavy cover on the Miami Plantation.
Grace (Northwoods Blue Ox x Houston’s Belle Choice, 2010) and Grits (Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chablis, 2011), in front, and Franny (Northwoods Blue Ox x Houston’s Belle, 2010) and Ox (Peace Dale Duke x Blue Silk, 2007) are tired, wet and happy after a conditioning run on a pine-needle-strewn road.
In his fluffy puppy coat, Jack (Houston’s Blackjack x Northwoods Highclass Kate, 2013) points with composure and high head.
The pointer Pesto (Elhew G Force x Northwoods Vixen, 2013) and the horse Willow take a break in tall broom sedge on the Miami Plantation.
On an exciting late afternoon training session, Gert (I’m Houston’s Image x Blue Silk, 2006) is backed by Ox (Peace Dale Dule x Blue Silk, 2007) on a field edge where Jerry and I have found quail countless times.
Ben McKean flushes for his setter Franny (Northwoods Blue Ox x Houston’s Belle, 2010) on the Miami Plantation.
In thick, nasty cover on the Miami Plantation, Sean (Northwoods Blue Ox x Houston’s Belle Choice, 2010) backs the pointer Joe.
Earnestly and intensely, Kiah (Elhew G Force x Northwoods Vixen, 2013) points a single quail in broom sedge on Arrowhead Farms.
On the Disston Plantation, young Axel (Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chablis, 2012) backs an experienced pointer.
With one front leg lifted and poker straight tail, pointer Buddy points a single quail on an open hillside of Arrowhead Farms.
Northwoods Grits (Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chablis, 2011) points a covey in beautiful cover on the Miami Plantation.
Tripp (Houston x Northwoods Blue Babe, 2009) backs another setter during a late afternoon hunt on the Trinity Place Plantation.
During staunchness training, Dusty (Blue Shaquille x Snyder’s Liz, 2012) holds for the flush on Arrowhead Farms.
Near the base of a large live oak on Arrowhead Farms, Buddy (Elhew G Force x Northwoods Vixen, 2013) locates a covey.
Meanwhile back in Michigan, “Scout (Elhew G Force x Northwoods Vixen, 2013) knows where to spend this brutally cold winter,” writes her owner Jeremy.
CH Dance Smartly (CH Northern Dancer x CH Vanidestine’s Rail Lady, 1991 – 1999) was our first grouse champion and the beginning of our line of pointers.
Perhaps no other breed of bird dog has had more selective breeding based solely on their performance in the field than pointers. Even so, pointers are also excellent hunting companions and house pets.
In addition to our English setters, Jerry and I always have owned pointers. We’ve bred, trained, competed and lived with them for more than 20 years and are now producing our fifth generation.
Eight of the nine puppies Northwoods Vixen whelped on April 21, 2013, by CH Elhew G Force at seven weeks of age.
Pointer bias
In the southern part of the country and in particular where bobwhite quail are sought, pointers far outnumber setters and other bird dogs. But in the north, there is much misinformation and bias against them. New clients, friends and others invariably ask two questions: Don’t they run too big? Do they make good pets?
Don’t they run too big?
This bad rap likely comes from field trial competitions where pointers dominate. Even though setter Shadow Oak Bo won the three-hour National Championship in 2013 and 2014, pointers hugely outnumber setters at the high end of horseback shooting dog and all age competition and have since the early 1900s.
Representing the third generation of pointers, Northwoods Prancer (Dashaway x Fallset Fate, whelped March 22, 2008) points with high head and confidence. Jeff Hintz moves in for the shot. Photo by Chris Mathan.
But our pointers—whether male or female—hunt the cover at the proper distance. On the prairie, they open up but in the grouse woods or southern piney woods, they hunker down. Most importantly, our dogs handle easily and want to go with the hunter.
Do they make good pets?
Absolutely! Our pointers have two speeds—one for the field and one for the house—and they are smart enough to know the difference. Again, whether male or female, they are wonderful pets. Some traits are intangible, some tangible and others are just plain interesting.
Northwoods Vixen (CH Westfall’s Black Ice x Northwoods Prancer, whelped April 17, 2011) is a sweet, calm dog in the house and loves to lay in the warmth of the sun.
Intangible traits
• sweet natured
• even tempered
• gentle
• intelligent
• intuitive
• independent but never aloof
Tangible traits
• very easy to house-break
• rarely bark (except to guard the house)
• natural tendency to retrieve
Interesting traits
• love to lay in the sun, even on a hot summer day
• can seemingly “hold it” for hours on cold, blustery days
• short, stiff hair is shed twice per year and can be difficult to remove from furniture and clothing
Dashaway (CH Brooks Elhew Ranger x CH Dance Smartly, 1997 – 2010) had extraordinary strength, grace, ability and personality. He represents our second generation.
Beautiful, powerful, graceful, cool.
Besides endearing personalities, our pointers have all shared appearance and performance traits in the field and on point.
Our pointers are beautiful with nicely shaped heads and sharp eyes that don’t miss anything. Most are evenly masked. Some have clean white bodies while others are ticked and have body spots.
Their conformation is beautiful, too, and they move with power, strength, flair, grace and agility. On point, they are breath-taking. Posture is lofty, intense, cool and composed. Jerry and I once found Dancer, ankle-deep in snow, 20 minutes after time at a championship in Gladwin, Michigan. Even though shivering, she stood tall and staunch and had that grouse pinned.
Flies have landed on fourth-generation Northwoods Vixen (CH Westfall’s Black Ice x Northwoods Prancer, whelped April 17, 2011) but they don’t bother her composure and posture on point.
Our line of pointers.
Jerry and I strive to breed dogs that have it all—talent, brains, personality, conformation and looks. Even though our final decisions are joint and mutually agreed on, Jerry deserves credit for masterminding our breeding program. Through travels for training and field trial competition, he has a vast network of friends in the bird dog world and talks to them often. He studies canine genetics, anatomy and personality and his stack of reading materials always includes bird dog magazines. Plus, he has a photographic memory for pedigrees.
The foundation of our pointers is the Elhew line which was conceived by the late Bob Wehle and practiced for more than 50 years. His goal was to breed a dog that not only performed well in the field but also trained easily, had pleasing conformation and the personality to be good companions. Bob usually stayed within his line but continually looked for outcrosses that “nicked” with his dogs to improve what he had.
We also use Bob’s approach. We stay in our line with its strong Elhew background but constantly look for outside pointers that successfully nick with ours.
Pesto (CH Elhew G Force x Northwoods Vixen, whelped April 21, 2013) is the fifth generation of pointers bred by Northwoods Bird Dogs. She exhibits all the best traits–style, confidence, conformation, intelligence, talent, temperament and looks.
On a misty morning in heavy cover of broom sedge and brambles, Jerry discovers Tripp on point. But Tripp’s find wasn’t a covey of quail. Instead, a lone woodcock flushes from the spot.
Veteran grouse dog Blue Shaquille (Houston x Blue Silk, 2004) backs Northwoods Rum Rickey, his daughter by Snyders’s Liz, 2012.
Just off a mowed strip and very near a field edge, Northwoods Guns N’ Roses (Houston’s Blackjack x Northwoods Chardonnay, 2011) is backed by attractive, all-black-headed, aptly named Coal.
The weather in southwest Georgia is usually perfect for bird dog training but this winter brought two brief chilly spells when night temperatures dipped below freezing. Ice forms on a beautiful fountain outside the Brooks County Courthouse.
Jerry and I never tire of this site: lofty native pines on a southwestern Georgia quail plantation.
Northwoods Rolls Royce (Blue Shaquille x Houston’s Belle’s Choice, 2013) points and holds a wild covey of bobwhite quail.
In addition to time in the field, young dogs are trained in the yard. Pesto (Elhew G Force x Northwoods Vixen, 2013), who resembles her dam but also exhibits Elhew characteristics inherited from both sides, shows remarkable composure in a training session.
Jerry was fortunate to be invited to several quail plantations to hunt and train. A canopy of venerable live oaks draped with Spanish moss is the quintessential entrance.
One morning Jerry loaded Willow, a nice horse he’s been working, into a small trailer and several young dogs, including pointer male Buddy, and headed to a local plantation to train.
Jerry has also traveled to quail plantations for hunts with Sam Gary. Sam moves into position after a find by his black-and-white pointer female Hannah, who’s backed by a plantation dog.
A favorite training session for Jerry and me is to take some dogs out at the end of the day. The temperatures have cooled, birds are plentiful and scenery is outstanding. Basil (Elhew G Force x Northwoods Vixen, 2013) and our Labrador retriever May pose with Jerry as the sun sets.
Jerry and I are equal opportunity dog owners and usually have three “house” dogs. Shaq, a setter, is descended from our first setter Charlie; Vixen is a great-granddaughter of Dancer, our first pointer. Labrador retrievers are represented, too, by May.
According to Doug: “It’s filled with stories and essays from numerous authors and experts on grouse biology, dogs, guns, hunting strategies and tactics, as well as some classic pieces by legendary authors long gone, including Gordon MacQuarrie. The book also is jammed with spectacular color photos, and even includes grouse recipes.”
The book is big (8½ x 11 inches), long (550 pages) and expensive ($100).
Even though I can’t vouch for the book’s content, I do like one of the photographs Pero includes. It’s a favorite of mine—a Dale C. Spartas shot of Jerry and his first setter Spring Garden Tollway (aka Charlie, 1986 – 2001) taken sometime in the mid 1990s.
Jerry’s copy will be under the tree next week. Go to wildriverpress.com or call 425-486-3638.
Northwoods Roquefort, on left, and Northwoods Parmigiano (Northwoods Blue Ox x Houston’s Belle’s Choice, 2010). Photo by Chris Mathan.
The overall goal of any dog breeder should be to produce healthy, happy, well-adjusted puppies.
The further objective for a breeder of bird dogs that will be in the field as hunters or field trial competitors should be to produce dogs that travel well, handle stress and pressure, take training well and perform with confidence and style.
At Northwoods Bird Dogs, a final, crucial goal is to breed pointers and setters that are as good in the home as in the field. Jerry and I strive for puppies that have it all—including intelligence and temperament.
But more than good genes are needed; early development of puppies is essential.
We’ve found that there are five factors vital to early development of puppies. Some of these practices help foster a good attitude that will make them a better dog in general. Others actually begin the very earliest stages of training—even before the puppy is aware it’s being trained.
And it all starts when the puppies are at their very tiniest.
Health of the dam.
This is so important! Jerry and I believe the dam is key. Not only is her stamina and demeanor integral for whelping, but puppies are completely dependent on her from birth to at least three weeks.
Special attention should start as soon as she’s bred. Nutrition is essential and only premium quality food should be fed. We gradually increase her daily ration with a watchful eye on her weight. Her caloric intake will peak when she is nursing and will need about twice her normal amount.
The dam should be in excellent physical condition prior to whelping. She should have daily exercise with obvious care as she gains weight.
More subtle, perhaps, but equally influential is the dam’s temperament. Even before birth, puppies are influenced by her and they continue to interact with her until completely weaned at about six weeks. For example, puppies will key off her attitude toward people.
Buddy (Elhew G Force x Northwoods Vixen, 2013).
Super Puppy.
Several years ago Jerry discovered a program that was developed by the U.S. military to improve performance of their canine units. They named it Bio Senser which later became known as Super Dog. We call it Super Puppy.
According to Dr. Carmen L. Battaglia, author and researcher, the military’s study showed that “early neurological stimulation exercises could have important and lasting effects” on the dog’s brain in terms of ability to cope, adjust and adapt to situations. The study discovered that Day 3 until Day 16 “is a period of rapid neurological growth and development.”
The benefits are numerous:
• improved heart rate
• stronger heart beats
• stronger adrenal glands
• more calm and less disturbed when stressed
• greater resistance to disease
• mature faster
• better problem solving
• more active
• more exploratory
Super Puppy is a series of five exercises. For every litter, Jerry or Dan pick up each puppy individually and perform the exercises.
Bella (Peace Dale Duke x Blue Silk, 2007).
Environment.
We whelp and raise litters in runs adjacent to our own and other dogs. From the moment our puppies are born, they are subjected to various noises of differing intensities—whether melodious voices on National Public Radio or near-deafening cacophony of 20 hungry dogs at feeding time.
Ours is a working kennel with lots of daily training activity and barking. Daily chores also result in commotion and noise.
A radio is always playing softly in the kennel. We vary the stations from NPR and rock stations to country music and, during baseball season, the Minnesota Twins station.
Socialization.
This is surely one of the easiest and yet most fulfilling parts of our job. Jerry, Dan and I spend time each day with our litters. Whether it’s Super Puppy exercises or just cuddling, we pick them up, touch them and hold them. We also inspect them, look in their mouths and clip their tiny toenails.
When they’re about five weeks old, I introduce soft chew toys and sit in their run with them. They climb all over me and play with each other and the toys.
Walks in the field.
When puppies are about eight weeks old, we begin taking them for walks with an older dog. May, our Labrador retriever, is the perfect, gentle leader. The walks are short at first but gradually lengthen as the puppies mature. May isn’t a big-running dog but always stays in front—and so do the puppies. May responds to voice and whistle commands—and so do the puppies. May loves to stop at ponds to drink and swim—and the puppies learn those valuable lessons.
These walks aren’t in a manicured city park but rather are in real bird habitat of fields and woods. Puppies learn different smells and become skilled at scrambling over fallen logs and through shallow swamps and tall, grassy pastures.
Of perhaps even more value, Jerry and I let the puppies learn on their own—without help from us—on these walks. They learn the consequences of their choices and actions.
If we come upon a fence, we don’t help them but instead let them figure how to get through on their own. Sometimes one will get on the opposite side of a little creek and must gather courage to cross it. If one does get behind, we keep walking forward.
This post is adapted from a piece I wrote for Chris Mathan on the Strideaway website (http://strideaway.com/early-development-of-bird-dogs/).
“Roy (Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chablis, 2012) is doing extremely well…He has been hunting every weekend of the season. Although the grouse are down compared to last year, we are still seeing our share…I have noticed the experienced dogs (Piper, Rosie, Sage and Kally) are finding significantly more birds than the younger dogs. As the grouse population declines, the good/experienced grouse dogs really separate themselves from the others.” ~ Chris
By November, the grouse woods have changed. Leaves have fallen from deciduous aspens and maples. And besides the occasional green of conifers, colors have faded to soft shades of tan, brown and gray.
“Willow (Ridge Creek Cody x Northwoods Chardonnay, 2013) continues to shine and excel every time we get out. She is still the sweetest around the house, but turn her loose in the woods and she transforms into a very focused, bird finding and hunting machine….Has been just a wonderful fall so far despite limited grouse…I think 18 days in the field so far.” ~ Gregg
Izzie (Westfall’s Black Ice x Northwoods Prancer, 2011).
Many clients took to the fields in November. Some hunted pheasant in Minnesota and the Dakotas; others had their setters on Montana sharp-tailed grouse.
“Just got back from a quick 2-day hunt in SD. Stoeger (Ridge Creek Cody x Northwoods Chardonnay, 2013) did great, even with the chilly weather. Rock solid points and tireless enthusiasm.” ~ Drew
Kiki (English setter female).
Simon, on left, and Biscuit (Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chablis, 2011).
Buddy (Elhew G Force x Northwoods Vixen, 2013).
Nemo (Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chablis, 2011), on left, and Midas (Houston’s Blackjack x Northwoods Chablis, 2013).
Zada (Ridge Creek Cody x Northwoods Chardonnay, 2013).
Jerry and I had a small group of puppies in for our November Quail training program. With the exception of Josie, a German short-haired pointer, all were puppies we bred this year. Jerry was able to work them every day—even after a three-inch snowfall.
Shelby (Houston’s Blackjack x Northwoods Highclass Kate, 2013).
Dixie (Houston’s Blackjack x Northwoods Highclass Kate, 2013).
Mac (Blue Shaquille x Houston’s Belle’s Choice, 2013), on left, and Beemer (Houston’s Blackjack x Northwoods Chablis, 2013).
Mercy (Houston’s Blackjack x Northwoods Chablis, 2013).
Scout (Houston’s Blackjack x Northwoods Highclass Kate, 2013).
The piney woods of southwestern Georgia are gorgeous…especially in early morning.
A big contingent of Northwoods Bird Dogs will hit the road soon for the long drive to the southwest corner of Georgia. Jerry and I will bring a select number of client-owned dogs and, with the exception of two, all of our own dogs.
We’re excited to get back to our southern training grounds just outside Thomasville, Georgia. The location is ideal in so many regards. Not only is it smack dab in the middle of bobwhite quail plantation country but there are many field trials held in Georgia and nearby Florida and Alabama. Thomasville is a charming small town. The weather is ideal. The piney woods are beautiful. And the Gulf Coast is a short 80-mile drive.
Back in Minnesota, the kennel will be in the very capable hands of Dan Stadin, the guy who works with us throughout the year. He’ll be busy with Northwoods Chardonnay, who is scheduled to whelp her litter by Blue Chief (frozen semen) in late December. Since Northwoods Chablis is due to be bred to Northwoods Blue Ox early winter 2013, he needs to be in Minnesota.
Jerry and I will make a quick trip back to Minnesota in mid January to pick up a fresh group of client-owned dogs.
Zada (Ridge Creek Cody x Northwoods Chardonnay, 2013) with chukar in Montana.
No matter whether the grouse numbers were up or down; no matter whether the early days were more summer-ish than autumnal; no matter what state one hunted in or for what bird, it seems that our friends and clients and their dogs spent more time in the woods and fields than at the workplace during October.
Tony, owner of Lucy (Westfall’s Black Ice x Northwoods Prancer, 2011) with grouse in Minnesota.
Jerry and I have received dozens of photos and enthusiastic phone calls, texts and emails. Dogs of all ages—many just puppies, some one- to two-year olds and others with years of experience—have been on the ground and hailing from as far east as Pennsylvania, across the upper Midwest, through the Dakotas and into Montana and Idaho.
Mac (Blue Shaquille x Houston’s Belle’s Choice, 2013) and a friend with pheasants in Minnesota.
Nothing…nothing…give us more satisfaction than knowing that dogs we’ve bred and/or trained are now fulfilling their potential with their owners in the woods and fields. Thanks to all who shared.
“And BTW Jerry, I have taken your advice. I keep my mouth shut while in the woods with her. As you well know, that’s the best thing I could have ever done.”
“Just got back from a few days in the grouse woods with Tia (Sweet Tea). The boys are in 8th and 10th grades this year. I still believe it was a good move to buy her from you when we did, even if the grouse count is headed down. The boys are in their formative years and they’ll remember a good dog such as Tia in good years and bad. We couldn’t be happier. She’s such a sweetheart. We all love her!”
Scout (Elhew G Force x Northwoods Vixen, 2013) with grouse in Michigan.
“The most fun I’ve had has been watching her drive, focus and intensity grow with every grouse and woodcock touch.”
Joe, owner of Buddy (Elhew G Force x Northwoods Vixen, 2013) with pheasants in South Dakota.
“Never took a shot all day last. Last 45 minutes, took Buddy out just trying to see if I can get him to move with me and respond to the collar Shot 4 birds over him. He looked at me with “Hey, I was born for this.” I was shooting a 72-year-old LC Smith 20-ga. I rescued.”
Kids, a Labrador and Tana (Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chablis, 2012) on a picnic lunch break in Minnesota.
“My kids accompanied me and we had a “picnic” in the middle of the hunt. The picture…epitomizes my feelings of why October is the most perfect month of the year for anything outdoors.”
Piper (Ridge Creek Cody x Northwoods Chardonnay, 2013) with a woodcock in Minnesota.
“Piper pointed at least 12 woodcock and 2 grouse over 90 minutes. I limited on woodcock. This dog loves to hunt already and absolutely will not quit. Only 34 pounds but nothing slows her down.”
Bart, owner of Snicker (Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chablis, 2012) with woodcock in Minnesota.
“Snicker was wonderful today…it was a thrilling point and this time I didn’t miss!”
Scout (Blue Shaquille x Houston’s Belle’s Choice, 2013) on woodcock in Minnesota.
“First solo actually able to be killed for him! See if you can spot the woodcock in front of his nose! He’s been pointing, backing and hunting hard! Awesome dogs you’re producing!”
Ian, owner of horses and Cold Creek Pearl (Blue Shaquille x Houston’s Belle, 2007) with sharp-tailed grouse in North Dakota.
Wayne, owner of Northwoods Magic (Dashaway x Goodgoing Moxie, 2006) with a double on woodcock with his Purdey in Minnesota.
Northwoods Fuzzy Navel (Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chardonnay, 2012) on grouse in Michigan.
Rainy (Magic’s Rocky Belleboa x Banshee, 2009) with grouse in Minnesota.
Midas (Houston’s Blackjack x Northwoods Chablis, 2013) on point in Montana.
Northwoods White Russian (Blue Shaquille x Snyder’s Liz, 2012) with grouse in Minnesota.
Chet (Can’t Go Wrong x Cold Creek Pearl, 2011) on a covey of Huns in North Dakota.
Ken, owner of Northwoods Aerosmith (Blue Shaquille x Houston’s Belle’s Choice, 2011) on a grouse hunt in Minnesota.
Drew, owner of Stoeger (Ridge Creek Cody x Northwoods Chardonnay, 2013) with a pheasant in Minnesota.
Stormy with grouse in Minnesota.
Bob, owner of three generations of grouse dogs: Choice (Gusty Blue x Houston’s Belle, 2005), Grits (Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chablis, 2011) and Chablis (Blue Shaquille x Houston’s Belle’s Choice, 2009). Is there a better way to end a day of hunting?
Maybe I’ll be fast as you Maybe I’ll break hearts too ~ Dwight Yoakam, Fast As You
Even though Dwight Yoakam probably had something else on his mind when he wrote those lyrics, they seem apropos to bird dogs at a horseback field trial championship.
So it’s fitting that this song by Yoakam, who’s usually outfitted in a big hat, very tight jeans and high-heeled cowboy boots, is the background music to Dennis Lutynkski‘s video of the Region 19 Amateur Shooting Dog Championship. Chris Mathan posted a short piece on her Strideaway website that includes a link to the youtube video.
It is a very well-edited, fun, foot-stomping video and Jerry and I were thrilled to see footage of two dogs we bred.
Northwoods Nirvana (Pete) is featured throughout the opening sequences. He is a big, fast, powerful tri-color setter that flies over the ground. Truly, at one point, he is airborne as he gracefully leaps over a scrubby oak. Co-owned by Frank and Jean LaNasa, Pete is handled by Frank and scouted by Jean. Pete is a 2011 dog out of CH Houston’s Blackjack (owned by Frank and Leroy Peterson) x Northwoods Chardonnay.
Towards the end of the video, CH JTH Izzie, a black and white pointer female works like a missile through the cover. She is owned and handled by Jeff Hintz and is out of CH Westfall’s Black Ice x Northwoods Prancer. Amazingly, like Pete, she is only a two-year-old dog.
Even though Pete and Izzie didn’t place, congratulations to Frank and Jean because Blackjack (CH Can’t Go Wrong x CH Houston’s Belle) was named runner-up champion.
Maybe I’ll break hearts And be as fast as you, ahh ~ Dwight Yoacam
