Northwoods Rob Roy (Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chablis, 2012)
Our good friend and client Chris Bye recently completed a whirlwind, monumental effort for the future of bird dogs. He made a very quick, round trip, solo drive from his home in Wisconsin to Georgia for the express purpose to breed his Northwoods Rob Roy to our Northwoods Minerva.
But while in this Red Hills region of venerable quail plantations, Chris and I took some time to train dogs from horseback on Pinehaven Plantation in north Florida. Chris captured this classic covey rise in slow motion during a workout with pointer Northwoods Audi and setter Northwoods Hercules.
Joy (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Minerva, 2018), hunting with Steve Wilds, Minnesota
Whether the dogs Jerry and I sell are puppies or older dogs, setters or pointers, they are family pets for most of the year. Come autumn, though, and owners head to woods and fields with their dogs, sometimes traveling a thousand miles or more, in pursuit of ruffed grouse, sharp-tailed grouse, woodcock, pheasants and Hungarian partridge.
Judging by big smiles and tired dogs, all couldn’t be happier!
Murphy (CH Elhew G Force x Northwoods Vixen, 2016), hunting with Tony Follen, Montana
Ellie (Northwoods Grits x CH I’m Blue Gert, 2014), hunting with Tom Beauchamp, Michigan
Cooper (CH Rock Acre Blackhawk x Northwoods Vixen, 2015), hunting with Jeff Hintz, Wisconsin
Oz (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Carbon, 2017), on left, dog Simon in the middle and Biscuit (Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chablis. 2011), on right, hunting with Ryan Gould (on right) and a friend, South Dakota
Eddy (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Carbon, 2017), hunting with Charlie Schulz, Montana
Hunters, guides and dogs at Bowen Lodge, located on the shores of Lake Winnibigoshish in northern Minnesota.
Bowen Lodge, located about 40 miles northwest of Grand Rapids, Minn., was featured in a Duluth News Tribune story last week by outdoor writer John Myers. The piece was titled “Pointing dog enthusiasts take ruffed grouse hunting to the next level.”
Bill and Gail Heig, owners of Bowen Lodge, transform their resort into a premier grouse hunting and guiding operation each autumn so it was entirely natural that Myers spent a couple days with their guides and clients.
What is more unusual is that Myers understood and clearly articulated the unique experience of hunting grouse and woodcock over pointing dogs.
“And so goes upland bird hunting in the traditional pointing dog style, where only birds flushed from under a solid point are considered fair game. If there’s no shot, so be it. The dog work, the pointer’s steadiness and style, are honored as much as any bird in the game pocket of the Orvis hunting coat.
“Every point is a memory, every grouse a trophy. It’s about carrying ancient side-by-side double barrels considered functional works of art. It’s about the camaraderie of Scotch in front of a fireplace after the hunt and the laughter over who missed what and why.
“It’s the process, not the success, that matters most to these guys.”
Jerry and I have known Bill and Gail for about 23 years. We have a deep friendship based on shared interests and a business relationship formed through grouse guiding and pointing dogs. Bill has owned many setters and pointers out of our kennel.
Consequently, many hunters have bought our dogs after watching Jerry and Bill guide over them.
Featured in the story are hunters Ken Taylor and Jim DePolo of Pennsylvania; guides Cubby Skelly, Jens Heig and Bill Heig; and setter male Tyler (Blue Shaquille x Houston’s Belle’s Choice, 2011), pointer female Gee (CH Elhew G Force x Northwoods Vixen, 2013) and pointer female Macey.
Northwoods Sir Gordon (RU-CH Erin’s Prometheus x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2016)
The month of August and into early September has always signified that it’s time to start training on wild birds. The foundation has been laid and reinforced during summer sessions and the dogs have been conditioned so they’re all in great shape.
It’s with pleasure that I get up early, load eight dogs into the trailer and arrive at the sharp-tailed grouse training grounds by sunrise.
In addition to taking photographs, I’ve captured some of the training runs on video. I always run the dogs in braces—usually pairing an older dog with a derby. For young dogs, I often run in groups of three or more.
The first video features our own Northwoods Carly Simon (Blue Shaquille x Houston’s Belle’s Choice, 2011) and her 19-month-old son Northwoods Sir Gordon (RU-CH Erin’s Prometheus x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2016), owned by Ben McKean.
Northwoods Aphrodite (RU-CH Erin’s Three Leaf Shamrock x Southern Grace, 2016)
The next two videos star Northwoods Rolls Royce (Blue Shaquille x Houston’s Belle’s Choice, 2013), owned by Bob Senkler, and 20-month-old Northwoods Aphrodite (RU-CH Erin’s Three Leaf Shamrock x Southern Grace, 2017), owned by Betsy and me.
Against a background of golden maples and basswoods, hunters, guides and dogs are a colorful group.
How to describe the camaraderie and hunting experiences that bring guests, guides and dogs back to a northern Minnesota lodge for 10, 20, 30 years?
Bill Heig, who with his wife Gail own Bowen Lodge on the shores of Lake Winnibigoshish, explains it this way:
“Sportsmen and women from all over the country gather at Bowen Lodge to spend their days in some of the nation’s finest ruffed grouse and woodcock covers. The evenings around the stone fireplace are filled with testimonials of the day’s adventures, topped off with Gail’s world-famous table.”
As for the dogs and guns, Bill says:
“A dog must be at the top of its game to be considered a true ‘grouse dog.’ To bag a pointed bird over a stylish bird dog with a lovely, lightweight, well-balanced gun really adds icing to the cake.”
Even better than reading about a guided grouse hunt, though, is to see one. Kurt Walbeck of Outdoor Bound TV, a Midwest-based hunting and fishing show, visited Bowen Lodge for several days last fall. He just released “Bowen Lodge Minnesota Grouse and Woodcock Hunting.”
Filming in woods so thick with aspens and other woody plants that it’s almost impossible to see dogs or birds can be problematic. So, too, it can be difficult to capture the special ambiance and close connection between guides, hunters and dogs.
But Kurt nailed it all. He catches Bill giving his safety lecture before a hunt. He films spectacular dog work and exciting, screech-to-a-halt points. He captures the beauty of the woods in autumn. Perhaps most importantly, Kurt gets the relaxed friendships, the ribbing, the laughter and the wonderful evenings in the lodge for dinner and story-telling.
Brian Simmons, Dick Taylor and Jon Hirtle are featured hunters. Guides include Bill and Jens Heig, Cubby Skelly, Mike Powers, Tony Follen and Jerry. Stars of the film, or “pro athletes” as Brian describes them, are the dogs—Bobbi and Gee (owned by Bill, bred by Jerry and me), and Oscar, Carly and Vixen (bred and owned by Jerry and me).
In response to a bit of stress from the camera, the puppy on the left yawns and squints its eyes.
Dogs can’t talk yet they constantly communicate using their body. From nature’s perspective, it can be vital. Dogs convey their moods and intentions to others in their pack to avoid conflict but also for communication and cooperation.
Turid Rugaas is a Norwegian dog trainer who called these body expressions “calming signals.” In her fascinating book, On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals, she identified more than 30 calming signals.
Many of these signals are used singly or in a combination and with both people and other dogs. While dogs understand and interpret their meaning, the signals can be misunderstood by people.
Here are some of the more frequent signals Betsy and I see.
Shake off
Dogs shake for various reasons but a shake off is done shortly after the dog has felt stress. For instance, two dogs meet and stand stiff legged, sniffing each other. Once they figure out their relationship, they turn away and shake.
It also happens when puppies are playing and it gets too rough. One puppy yelps and moves away, followed by a shake off.
We also see it during training sessions. Dogs shake off after being released from a command or after the lesson is over. It can be stressful for dogs to learn a new command but once they’re confident in the behavior, they will no longer need to do a shake off.
Yawning
This signal is easily seen when picking up tiny puppies from the whelping nest. Betsy and I had thought we simply woke them up but now we know better!
Ground sniffing and sitting
When dogs are being WHOA trained, they often feel stress and exhibit these two common signals that are extremely undesirable. Knowing the reason for that stress, we now to respond in a more suitable and helpful manner. We shorten the length of time we ask the dogs to stand and then release them before these signals are expressed. (Timing is everything!) Gradually, as the dogs gain confidence, we ask them to stand for longer and longer periods of time.
Laying down with belly against the ground
While submissive dogs often lie with belly up, dogs that lay down on their bellies are exhibiting a calming signal.
Paying attention to what your dog is communicating via body language will lead to a better relationship and will help both in the day–to-day routine and when training and hunting.
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
JTH Scion (CH Rock Acre Blackhawk x Northwoods Vixen, 2015)
I’m thinking of taking up duck hunting with pointers. ~ Jeff
Our friend/neighbor/training helper, Jeff Hintz, is a passionate bird hunter. He divides his time between the grouse woods of east central Minnesota and southern Arizona desert quail country.
CH JTH Izzie (CH Westfall’s Black Ice x Northwoods Prancer, 2011)
Jeff has always been partial to pointers and has owned many in the past, sometimes four at a time. Now he has two—female Izzie and male Scion, call name Cooper. I’m not sure there’s a more in-tune, man-and-his-dogs group than these three.
On hot summer afternoons, Jeff loads Izzie and Cooper into his pickup and drives to a local lake. With Jeff’s training, both pointers rival some of the best Labradors I’ve known.
I threw the dummy and the three young mallards just stayed put! Cooper forgot about the dummy and, when released, went for the real retrieve. ~ Jeff
Erin’s Three Leaf Shamrock (CH Erin’s Hidden Shamrock x Northwoods Chardonnay, 2016), on right, was named Runner-Up in the National Derby Championship.
The spring field trial season is now history. Reports have come in from all over the country—from the northwest to the southeast, from wooded venues to open—about performances and winners. Whether handled from horseback or foot, whether setter or pointer, dogs from our kennel have the talent to win at the highest levels. Even though Jerry and I don’t compete anymore, it is both thrilling and humbling to see such success.
Congratulations to owners, handlers and dogs!
Erin’s Three Leaf Shamrock (CH Erin’s Hidden Shamrock x Northwoods Chardonnay, 2016), owned and handled by Sean Derrig, won Runner-Up in the prestigious National Derby Championship. This is an all age, horseback stake of 90-minute braces (for derbies!). Another cool aspect about Shamrock’s placement? He was the only setter in the stake. Conducted on the Panther Creek Field Trial Grounds near Fitzpatrick, Ala., the venue offers big fields with long edges which showcase a dog with independence and desire.
RU-CH Erin’s Prometheus (CH Ridge Creek Cody x Erin’s Skydancer), owned by John Mathys and handled by pro Doug Ray, won Runner-Up in The Masters Open Shooting Dog Championship. This is another esteemed horseback trial run on three private wild quail plantations near Albany, Ga. The grounds are classically groomed piney woods where a dog has to handle to win. Eighty-one dogs competed in one-hour braces.
The sire of both Hidden Shamrock and Prometheus is CH Ridge Creek Cody, who was co-bred by Paul Hauge and Jerry and me. Cody died in a tragic accident at a young age but has become a prominent sire of high caliber setters that can win in pointer-dominated competition.
Northwoods Sir Gordon (RU-CH Erin’s Prometheus x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2016), in middle, placed second in the National Bird Hunters Association Northeast Regional Derby.
Northwoods Sir Gordon (RU-CH Erin’s Prometheus x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2016), owned and handled by Ben McKean, won second place at the National Bird Hunters Association Northeast Regional Derby, held at the Pine Island grounds near Portage, Wis. Gordon also placed first in the Moose River Grouse Dog Club Open Derby held near Moose Junction, Wis. In both trials, the dogs were handled from foot. Pine Island consists of open fields with some mixed woodlands while the Moose Junction grounds are heavily wooded, typical grouse habitat. Gordon did extremely well especially considering he is such a young derby.
Northwoods Rolls Royce (Blue Shaquille x Houston’s Belle’s Choice, 2013), in middle, placed second in the Red Hills Field Trial.
Northwoods Rolls Royce (Blue Shaquille x Houston’s Belle’s Choice, 2013), owned by Bob Senkler and handled by Jerry, placed second in the Red Hills Field Trial held on the Osceola Plantation near Thomasville, Ga. The grounds are the quintessential bobwhite habitat of piney woods. The goal of this trial is to choose winners that are the ideal plantation horseback hunting dog. The stake is limited to one dog per handler so the 24 handlers brought their best to compete for bragging rights.
The trial is held in the spring after the winter quail hunting season so the birds present quite a challenge. Royce was perfect, though, and beautifully pointed three coveys during his 30-minute brace.
Tian Elhew Verbena (CH Elhew G Force X Northwoods Vixen, 2013) had a winning spring. This beautiful pointer won the Pacific Coast Open Shooting Dog Championship and Runner-Up in the National Chukar Open Shooting Dog Championship. Bena was produced out of our first breeding of Vixen to G Force. She is owned by Angela Schillereff and handled by husband Tim to both wins. These trials were held on the Anderson Ranch near Sunnyside, Wash. The terrain is vast and expansive with very little ground cover and the dogs can be seen for great distances.
CH Northwoods Charles (CH Ridge Creek Cody x Northwoods Chardonnay, 2013) won Runner Up in the 2018 Region 11 Amateur All Age Championship held in Reno Nev. Bridget Ledington handled Charles to this win with 31 starters. Charles is a 2X CH and 4X RU-CH for his owner Bill Owen.
Northwoods Manhattan ((Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chardonnay, 2012), on right, placed third in the AG Preserve Field Trial.
Northwoods Manhattan (Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chardonnay, 2012) won third in the AG Preserve Field Trial held near Glenwood, Ga. He was handled by Daryl Thomas, Jr., for owner James Edenfield. This was a one-course trial held under the auspices of the National Bird Hunters Association.
Finally, the Minnesota Grouse Dog Association held a trial at the Four Brooks Wildlife Management Area north of Milaca, Minn., in mid June. Four Brooks consists of open fields mixed with small woodlots. In one of two open derby stakes, High Prairie Gypsy (CH Erin’s Hidden Shamrock x Northwoods Chardonnay, 2016), owned and handled by Chad Hanson, won first place. In the same stake, Northwoods Blitzen (CH Elhew G Force X Northwoods Vixen, 2016), handled by Ben McKean for Jerry and me, placed third.
Nick Larson could hardly wait to get his puppy Hartley (Northwoods Grits x Houston’s Belle’s Choice, 2014) into the woods to check out early season grouse.
Project Upland (https://www.projectupland.com/) is a website and initiative dedicated to “the cultures and traditions of upland bird hunting” across the country. There are things to watch, listen to and read—and even stuff to buy.
We’ve known Nick for several years. He and his wife Lacey bought a male setter puppy out of Northwoods Grits x Houston’s Belle’s Choice from us in 2014. We’ve bumped into him occasionally since then and stayed in touch. Even though Nick has a real job, he is a passionate hunter, dog owner and outdoorsman and gives back generously to the sport.
Molly (RU-CH Northwoods Atlas x Houston’s Nelly Bly, 2023) backs Charlie (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Carbon, 2017) ~ Ken and Caroline Taylor, Jim and Flo DePolo, respectively, Pennsylvania
Filly (May’s Pond Hank x Northwoods Stardust, 2024) ~ Tom and Lauren Strand Family, Minnesota
Rae (CH Ridge Creek Cody x Northwoods Chardonnay, 2013) ~ David Larson, Minnesota
Junie (HOF CH True Confidence x Northwoods Comet, 2021) ~ Joey Paxman and Amanda Allpress, Montana
Normanie (RU-CH Northwoods Nirvana x Northwoods Carbon, 2017) and her pal ~ Walter Manley, Florida
Archie (CH Miller’s Upgraded Version x Northwoods Comet, 2024) ~ Blake and Solveig Nelson, Minnesota
Molly (RU-CH Northwoods Atlas x Houston’s Nelly Bly, 2023) ~ Ken and Caroline Taylor, Pennsylvania
Caddie (CH Southern Confidence x Northwoods Comet, 2023) ~ Brian Smith, Pennsylvania
Frisco (Blue Riptide x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2014), on left, and Zion (CH Snyder’s Pioneer Scout x Northwoods Cedar, 2022) ~ Rick and Jodi Buchholz, North Dakota
Rip (CH Woodville’s Yukon Cornelius x Northwoods Redbreast, 2024) ~ Greg and Michelle Johnson, Wisconsin
Miles (RU-CH Northwoods Atlas x Northwoods Madrid, 2024) ~ Lars Totton, New Jersey
Rip (Northwoods Louis Vuitton x Houston’s Dancing Queen, 2022) ~ Mark Fitchett, Kansas
Vida (RU-CH Erin’s Prometheus x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2019) ~ Tom Condon, Montana
Suki (May’s Pond Hank x Northwoods Stardust, 2024) ~ Eric Beauregard, Massachusetts
Winnie (CH Miller’s Upgraded Version x Northwoods Comet, 2024) ~ Joe and Jess Nelson Family, Minnesota
Tally (May’s Pond Hank x Northwoods Stardust, 2024), on left, and Georgia (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2015) ~ Joe and Deb Wech, Minnesota
Cosmos (RU-CH Erin’s Prometheus x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2019), on right, and his pal ~ The Collins Family, Georgia
Stanley (May's Pond Hank x Northwoods Stardust, 2024) ~ Johansson Family, Minnesota
Tyler (CH Miller’s Upgraded Version x Northwoods Comet, 2024) ~ Josh and Des Matel, Minnesota
Filly (May’s Pond Hank x Northwoods Stardust, 2024) ~ Tom and Lauren Strand Family, Minnesota
Sage (CH Miller’s Upgraded Version x Northwoods Comet, 2024), top, and Louis (CH Erin's Hidden Shamrock x Northwoods Nickel, 2018) ~ Joey Paxman and Amanda Allpress, Montana
Racer (CH Miller’s Upgraded Version x Northwoods Comet, 2024), right, and his very special pal JTH Cooper (HOF CH Rock Acre Blackhawk x Northwoods Vixen, 2015) ~ Doug and Nicole Miller, Oregon
Russell (CH Woodville’s Yukon Cornelius x Northwoods Redbreast, 2024) ~ Gregg Pike and Family, Montana
Abby (CH Woodville’s Yukon Cornelius x Northwoods Redbreast, 2024), on top of her new pal ~ Ben and Penelope Pierce, Montana
Annie (RU-CH Northwoods Nirvana x Northwoods Carbon, 2017) on her 7th birthday ~ Lynn and Kathy Olson, Iowa
Maisy (RU-CH Northwoods Atlas x Houston’s Nelly Bly, 2023) ~ Zenas and Susanne Hutcheson, Minnesota
Molly (RU-CH Northwoods Atlas x Houston’s Nelly Bly, 2023) ~ Ken and Caroline Taylor, Pennsylvania
Jordy (CH Elhew G Force x Northwoods Prancer, 2014). Look closely! ~ Mark and Janie Fouts, Wisconsin
Speck (RU-CH Erin’s Prometheus x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2018) ~ Mike Watson, Pennsylvania
RU-CH Northwoods Atlas (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Nickel, 2017) ~ Greg and Michelle Johnson, Wisconsin
Zion (CH Snyder’s Pioneer Scout x Northwoods Cedar, 2022) ~ Rick and Jodi Buchholz, North Dakota
Harper (CH Snyder’s Pioneer Scout x Northwoods Cedar, 2022) ~ Tom Dosen-Windorski, Minnesota
Attie (Southern Confidence x Northwoods Comet, 2023) ~ Jeff and Carol Hintz, Arizona
Cedar (RU-CH Erin’s Prometheus x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2019) ~ Eric and Lindsey Saetre, Minnesota
Chester (RU-CH Northwoods Atlas x Northwoods Stardust, 2023) ~ The Milles Family, Minnesota
Millie (RU-CH Northwoods Nirvana x Northwoods Carbon, 2017) ~ Mercer Clark, Georgia
Belle (CH Southern Confidence x Northwoods Comet, 2023) ~ Kevin Sipple, Wisconsin
Piper (CH Northwoods Sir Gordon x Houston’s Nelly Bly, 2021) ~ Tom and Ashton McPherson, Pennsylvania
Ginny (Northwoods Louis Vuitton x Houston’s Dancing Queen, 2022) ~ Pat Kane, Montana
Valencia (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Carbon, 2017), on left, and Tasha (Blue Shaquille x Snyder’s Liz, 2012) ~ Tim Esse, Minnesota
Macquina (CH Northwoods Sir Gordon x Houston’s Nelly Bly, 2021) ~ Jeremy Moore Family, Wisconsin
Caddie (CH Southern Confidence x Northwoods Comet, 2023) ~ Brian Smith, Pennsylvania
Madji (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Stardust, 2021) ~ Ron and Lora Nielsen, Minnesota
Russell (CH Southern Confidence x Northwoods Comet, 2023) ~ Nathan and Gretchen Johnson Family, Minnesota
Willie (Northwoods Rolls Royce x Northwoods Minerva, 2021) ~ Chris Smith, Wisconsin
Junie (CH True Confidence x Northwoods Comet, 2021) ~ Joey Paxman and Amanda Allpress, Montana
Enni (CH Snyder’s Pioneer Scout x Northwoods Cedar 2022) ~ Eric and Lindsey Saetre, Minnesota
Layla (RU-CH Northwoods Atlas x Houston’s Nelly Bly, 2023) ~ Skyler and Jen Gary, Colorado
Frisco (Blue Riptide x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2014), on left, and Zion (CH Snyder’s Pioneer Scout x Northwoods Cedar, 2022) ~ Rick and Jodi Buchholz, North Dakota
RU-CH Northwoods Atlas (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Nickel, 2017) ~ Greg and Michelle Johnson, Wisconsin
Watson (CH Houston’s Blackjack x Northwoods Highclass Kate, 2013), on left, and Walker (RU-CH Northwoods Atlas x Houston’s Nelly Bly, 2023) ~ The Long Family, Ontario, Canada
Northwoods Highclass Kate (Northwoods Blue Ox x Houston’s Belle’s Choice, 2010) ~ Barry and Jill Frieler, Minnesota
Pep (RU-CH Northwoods Atlas x Houston’s Nelly Bly, 2023) ~ The McCrary Family, Michigan
Maple (CH Snyder’s Pioneer Scout x Northwoods Cedar, 2022), on left, and her pal ~ The Watson Family, Montana
Rip (Northwoods Atlas x Northwoods Stardust, 2023), on left, and Flint (Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chablis, 2015) ~ Ben and Adrian Kurtz, Colorado
Attie (CH Southern Confidence x Northwoods Comet, 2023) ~ Jeff and Carol Hintz, Minnesota
Luna (RU-CH Northwoods Nirvana x Northwoods Carbon 2017) ~ The McCrary Family, Michigan
Stoeger (CH Ridge Creek Cody x Northwoods Chardonnay, 2013), on right, and Chester (RU-CH Northwoods Atlas x Northwoods Stardust, 2023) ~ The Milles Family, Minnesota
CH Northwoods Sir Gordon (RU-CH Erin’s Prometheus x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2016), on left, and Eddie (CH Northwoods Sir Gordon x Northwoods Valencia, 2023) ~ Ben and Maureen McKean, Minnesota
Griffin (CH Northwoods Sir Gordon x Northwoods Valencia, 2023) ~ The Johnson Family, Minnesota
Annie (CH Rufus del Fuego x Northwoods Valencia, 2021) ~ The Sligh Family, Georgia
Chrissy (CH Snyder’s Pioneer Scout x Northwoods Cedar, 2022), on left, and Carly (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2015) ~ Bob and Carol Berry, Wyoming
Sage (CH Northwoods Sir Gordon x Northwoods Valencia, 2022) ~ The Orstad Family, Minnesota
Dottie (CH Northwoods Sir Gordon x Betty, 2020) ~ Tom (on left) and Lauren Strand, Minnesota
Lacey (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Minerva, 2020) ~ Zenas and Susanne Hutcheson, Massachusetts
Smooch (CH Elhew G Force x Northwoods Vixen, 2013) ~ Wayne and Julie Grayson, Mississippi
Biscuit (Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chablis, 2011), litter sister to our beloved Grits ~ Ryan and Monica Gould, Minnesota
Rayna (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Nickel, 2017) ~ Jeff Bird, Oregon
Carly Simon (Blue Shaquille x Houston’s Belle’s Choice, 2011) ~ Jessica Kramer, Wisconsin
Jenny (CH Shadow Oak Bo x Northwoods Carbon, 2016) ~ John and Jeri Cleverdon, Michigan
Lacey (CH Elhew G Force x Northwoods Vixen, 2016) ~ Brian Smith, Pennsylvania
Jade (CH Rock Acre Blackhawk x Northwoods Vixen, 2015) ~ Frank Ilijanic, Michigan
Jones, on left, and Nellie (both out of CH Northwoods Sir Gordon x Northwoods Valencia, 2022) ~ Chris and Laura Miller, Illinois ~ Gregg and Sherrie Knapp, Wisconsin
Tippy (Northwoods Louis Vuitton x Houston’s Dancing Queen, 2022) ~ Bill and Gail Heig, Minnesota
Dexter (CH Snyder’s Pioneer Scout x Northwoods Cedar, 2022) ~ Mike Rosario, Wisconsin
Jones (CH Northwoods Sir Gordon x Northwoods Valencia, 2022), on left, Stella (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2015), center, Rose (Blue Riptide x Blue Ghost, 2010), on right ~ Chris and Laura Miller, Illinois
Rip (Northwoods Louis Vuitton x Houston’s Dancing Queen, 2022) ~ Mark and Jana Fitchett, Kansas
Willow (Northwoods Louis Vuitton x Houston’s Dancing Queen, 2022) ~ Rhon and Lori Tranberg, Indiana
Madison (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Nickel, 2018) ~ Barry and Jill Frieler, Minnesota
Lady P (RU-CH Erin's Prometheus x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2018) ~ DeWolf Emery, Maine
Nellie (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Bismuth, 2017) ~ Dick and Melanie Taylor, Michigan
Elmer (Northwoods Grits x Houston’s Belle’s Choice, 2014), Annie (RU-CH Northwoods Nirvana x Northwoods Carbon, 2017), Sig (Northwoods Rob Roy x Northwoods Minerva, 2019), front to back ~ The Olson Family, Illinois ~ Kathy and Lynn Olson, Iowa ~ Chris Bye, Wisconsin
Winston (CH Rufus Del Fuego x Northwoods Valencia, 2021) ~ The Short Family, Oregon
Cosmos (RU-CH Erin’s Prometheus x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2019) ~ The Collins Family, Georgia
Northwoods Diana (RU-CH Northwoods Nirvana x Northwoods Carbon, 2017) ~ Lynn and Kathy Olson, Iowa
