Blue Shaquille (Houston x Blue Silk, 2004) was the best grouse dog I’ve owned. He had size, strength, power, gait, grit, composure, instinct, nose, tenacity, temperament and brains. Photo by Chris Mathan.
I’ve been fortunate to own many outstanding dogs. For most, I witnessed their first breath; with all, their last. I gave each a piece of me. But Shaq was different. When he died, it was a huge chunk.
Blue Shaquille was out of a 2004 frozen semen litter by Houston, Paul Hauge’s favorite setter, and our Blue Silk. He was the leftover pup in the litter. Betsy and I passed on him. So did Paul. In the end, without a buyer, he stayed. Luckily.
AS A YOUNG DOG
How many times does this happen? Shaq was the leftover puppy from his litter. Everyone else passed on him so Betsy and I kept him.
It didn’t take me long to see something special. His first scent point at 10 weeks of age was spectacular—exhibiting loftiness and composure that he would display on every point of his life. He knew how to use his nose and his instincts around game were incredible. But, like his sire’s line, he was slow to mature in application. Even during his first summer on the North Dakota prairie, Shaq didn’t light it up. Visitors to our camp questioned my enthusiasm for him and I could only reply, “I just like him.”
We never entered Shaq in 2005 fall trials because of that immaturity in drive and range. But after a winter training on the rolling plains of west Texas, he blossomed. Working bobwhite quail, Shaq grew from a close-working hunting dog to a hard-driving, far-ranging, focused, extraordinary bird finder. By the 2006 spring grouse trial season, Shaq was ready and won both derby and shooting dog stakes.
AS A MATURE DOG
For me, there has been no more chiseled, blocky, handsome head than Shaq’s.
Shaq was all boy—55 lbs. of strong, powerful bird dog. He had a square, chiseled head and dark, gentle eyes. He carried his sire’s traits: majestic and lofty on point and in motion, long, effortless gait, natural backing instincts and staunchness from the get-go. From Silk, he inherited stamina, focus, tenacity and a sweet disposition. He broke out easily and rarely made a mistake around game.
Above all, Shaq’s nose and brain set him apart. He could read grouse cover like few dogs I’ve witnessed and his search was relentless. When Shaq was hunting grouse, he had to be handled. He was going where the birds were and you better turn him or follow him. I learned that it was usually better to follow.
Shaq’s disposition was a 10. He was calm, confident, charismatic, poised and most of all, gentle. Shaq ruled without contact. Visitors to the kennel, invariably, ended up at his run. He leaned his body and head against the kennel wire so he could be petted and scratched. When loose, Shaq sat as close as possible, his eyes catching anyone that looked his way. He was impossible to resist.
AS A WINNER
Shaq stands tall and composed when I found him on point, deep in the grouse woods.
In the fall of his first shooting dog season, Betsy and I entered him in the 2006 Grand National Grouse Championship held in Marienville, Penn. He was just two years old but he put on a tremendous ground performance with a great grouse find, noteworthy enough for reporter John Yates to write in the American Field:
“Shaq, as he is called, has an exceptionally smooth and ground-eating stride. His powerful casts were far reaching and forward throughout and more often than not he was at the very edge of his bell… He was found standing beautifully at 31 facing a log pile at the edge of an older cut. Kolter flushed a grouse about 30 feet in front of his dog and shot and three more grouse lifted from about 10 feet in front of him. The young dog showed perfect composure in the face of the temptation.”
Harold Ray, hall of fame trainer and breeder of the well-known Smith Setters, was one of the judges. Yates wrote: “Ray said he would love to have several of the grouse dogs he saw in his horseback shooting dog string,” and that Shaq “would have great potential in any stake.”
In his short field trial career, Shaq won horseback trials on sharp-tailed grouse, liberated quail stakes and grouse trials. Unfortunately, his opportunities were few as Betsy and I transitioned our business away from competition toward training, breeding and guiding.
AS A GUIDE DOG
Shaq was famous on guided hunts at Bowen Lodge in northern Minnesota where serious grouse hunters from all over the country gather every fall.
By late fall of 2006, Shaq was already unbelievable on ruffed grouse. Among the grouse hunters at Bowen Lodge on Lake Winnibigoshish, his reputation was growing. I remember one hunt when, in addition to two gunners, two others came along just to watch.
A young boy pets Shaq after a grouse hunt in northern Minnesota.
Shaq would point any woodcock he came across but he was always searching for grouse, wherever they might be. Sometimes the finds were close but, more often, you better be ready to walk. Often, my GPS indicated point at 300 yards. I’d turn in his direction and casually say to the hunters, “Let’s go this way for a bit.” When we arrived within 100 yards, I’d say, “Shaq just went on point!”
AS A PRODUCER
Shaq was a producer, especially when bred to Houston’s Belle’s Choice, and Northwoods Chardonnay (2009) was their exceptional daughter. Not only did she inherit the talent and prepotency of her parents but she just might be the most beautiful setter Betsy and I have owned. Photo by Chris Mathan.
Betsy and I bred Shaq seven times and produced many exceptional dogs. The best nick was with Houston’s Belle’s Choice, a daughter of 2X CH/2X RU-CH Houston’s Belle, who was owned by Paul Hauge. It was a breeding we repeated three times, with unusually high litter quality. Notable males in those litters included Northwoods Jeter, Northwoods Rolls Royce, Northwoods Lager, Northwoods Creek, Northwoods Aerosmith and Prairie Lakes Royal Flush.
No sons have been bred but his daughters clearly carry on his traits. Northwoods Chardonnay was the most celebrated and produced winners and champions, no matter the sire.
• RU-CH Northwoods Nirvana (CH Houston’s Blackjack, 2011)
• Northwoods Manhattan (Northwoods Blue Ox, 2012)
• CH Northwoods Charles (CH Ridge Creek Cody, 2013)
• FC/AFC Ridge Creek Piper (CH Ridge Creek Cody, 2013)
• NSTRA CH Ludy’s Northwoods Jack Pot (CH Shadow Oak Bo, 2014)
• MN/WI Derby of the Year Northwoods Gucci (CH Erin’s Hidden Shamrock, 2015)
• RU-CH Erin’s Three Leaf Shamrock (CH Erin’s Hidden Shamrock, 2016)
A litter sister to Chardonnay, Northwoods Chablis, was famous in her own right through her five breedings to Northwoods Blue Ox. Among many talented dogs produced, Northwoods Grits, is now a producer.
Northwoods Carly Simon, younger sister of Chardonnay and Chablis, is still producing tremendous dogs, including Northwoods Sir Gordon, Northwoods Minerva, Northwoods Carbon, Northwoods Bizmuth and Northwoods Louis Vuitton.
Shaq’s litter with Houston’s Belle produced FC/AFC Cold Creek Pearl, who in turn produced a generation of winners for owner Ian MacTavish.
When bred to Steve Snyder’s RU-CH Magic’s Climb Kaytoo, Northwoods Blackeyed Susan was produced. Susan is owned by Charles DeCasteja and trained by Tony Bly. Tony calls her a “special dog” and “a bird-finding machine.”
A final testament to his prepotency and significance is in our setter breeding program. Every setter sold today and in our kennel today has Shaq in their pedigree.
IN RETIREMENT
In 2011, Blue Silk is backed by her sons Northwoods Blue Ox (by CH Peace Dale Duke, 2007) and Blue Shaquille (by Houston, 2004).
After nine years of guided grouse hunts, Betsy and I retired Shaq in 2014. Even though it was a tough year for grouse, he pointed plenty. The following two winters he was the star of our Georgia liberated quail hunts –a walk in the park compared to grouse hunts. In late summers, he also tutored young pups in finding woodcock and backing in the cutover aspen behind the kennel.
But mostly, Shaq was my bud. During the day, he had run of the kennel and slept on a bed in the office. He pursued pets as fervently as he had ruffed grouse. He followed me everywhere and trotted happily wherever my chores took me. He always looked for an opportunity to get some attention, especially when I sat down to put on my boots.
So, how do you say goodbye to such a dog?
For me, it’s every day. It’s every day when a blocky head doesn’t appear in the kennel door window as I approach and when there’s quiet instead of tail thumping. It’s every day in the empty spot on the floor next to my chair and and in the silence when there should be comforting, deep snores.
Rest in peace, Shaq…aka Bud, Thumper, Scruffy, Scootcher, Tacker. You moved the bar to new heights.
“To Break or Not To Break, That is the Question” is the intriguing title of a piece Tom Keer wrote for Ruffed Grouse Society magazine’s Spring 2018 issue.
Keer interviewed seven men with various backgrounds in training, trialing, guiding and handling bird dogs. Among them is Matt Soberg, RGS Director of Communications and editor of Ruffed Grouse Society magazine and Jerry. Included also are photographs of two English setters we bred, Northwoods Carly Simon and Northwoods Guns N’ Roses, and long-time client Jim DePolo.
Our bird dog background is wild bird field trial competition where dogs must be steady to wing and shot. Major differences exist between dogs trained for those championship-level performances and hunting dogs. For our guiding work now, we allow our dogs to release after the shot.
Keer lets Jerry explain our philosophy and some of the differences.
“As a hunting guide, I want my dogs to consistently do three things: find birds, point them right and at a distance close enough to present as good an opportunity as possible for a kill shot.
“I like dogs to be bold and savvy to follow the bird until it is pinned…I allow my dogs to reposition until they have the grouse pinned. My clientele is comprised of serious grouse hunters who spent a tremendous amount of time in the woods. I can’t think of one owner of our dogs that fully breaks his setter or pointer. My dogs all release after the shot.
“I think field trailers prefer fully broke dogs for one reason. Their dogs can’t make errors around game. What counts is the find, so birds must be pointed correctly. If the bird is pointed but flushes wild, it’s still counted as a find. But to a hunter, pointed birds that flush may be out of range and not provide a good shot. Grouse trial dogs aren’t required to retrieve dead birds, but in hunting, getting to a crippled bird fast can make the difference between finding it or not. That is where breaking at shot can give the dog an advantage.”
Northwoods Rolls Royce (Blue Shaquille x Houston’s Belle’s Choice, 2013), owned by Bob Senkler. Photo by Chris Mathan.
A common belief about judging the strength of a bird dog’s nose is how far the birds flush in front of a point. The farther away the dog points the bird supposedly indicates better scenting ability and, conversely, pointing closer indicates a weaker nose.
I think the dog with the best nose does just the opposite.
First of all, the time-tested indicator of a dog’s nose is how many birds it finds. Period. It doesn’t matter, in this evaluation, whether the dog points far or close or simply flushes the birds.
Secondly, a dog can smell birds from far distances but not point them until well located. Many times I have watched a dog throw up its head, stiffen its tail and march 75 yards—or more—before stopping.
A good nose finds a lot of birds but the best nose finds a lot of birds and points them accurately. Further, the most accurate point is as close to the bird as possible without causing it to flush. Distance from dog to bird varies from inches to many yards depending on the species, age of the bird, habitat and time of the year. Often it’s a combination of several.
A dog must have the right genetics and development to accurately point its birds. From genetics, the dog should have boldness towards game with a keen interest to engage the bird. It should not be afraid to jump in on the birds and try to catch them. Also, the dog needs the right amount of the pointing instinct—too much point and the dog stops on the first scent it smells while not enough point and the dog won’t stop at all.
Next, development is crucial. The young dog should be allowed to find, bump and chase birds to learn how close is too close.
A dog with the best nose pays big dividends during the hunting season. Why? The shooting opportunities are better with an accurate point. Walking past the dog’s nose and having birds flush where you expect them is a tremendous advantage in killing birds.
For other posts on nose and bird finding, please visit:
Betsy and I are fortunate to train our dogs on a premier 6,000-acre plantation in north Florida. It is managed exclusively for wild bobwhite quail which provides exceptional training opportunities.
I have been taking videos of training sessions. Here are three.
Northwoods Nirvana (CH Houston’s Blackjack x Northwoods Chardonnay, 2011) has made the transition to plantation quail dog and does a great job. Here he is with Ridge Creek Pepper, owned by Larry Brutger.
One-year-old Northwoods Aphrodite (RU-CH Erin’s Three Leaf Shamrock x Southern Grace, 2017) is a young female we are excited about. Here she displays her natural staunchness and exceptional pointing posture.
Northwoods Sir Gordon (RU-CH Erin’s Prometheus x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2016), owned by Ben McKean, is an outstanding one-year-old male that makes finding and pointing wild quail look easy.
Parting with puppies is always a bittersweet time for Jerry and me. Even if we’re keeping a puppy or two for development and future breeding possibilities, we usually have our favorites and want to keep them all.
But we do know that a large part of our business is breeding and selling puppies…and so we brace ourselves. And we do know that our puppy buyers will provide loving homes and ample opportunities to do what the puppies were bred to do. Too, there is just no greater satisfaction than seeing the pleasure, happiness and joy that is felt when families welcome the new puppies home.
Our heartfelt thanks to puppy buyers of our Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Carbon litter.
Charlie is a joy!
~ Jim, Pennylvania
Willow has adjusted to her new life wonderfully. She is a very happy, confident and inquisitive puppy. Again thanks so much.
~ Mike, Minnesota
Alder is a confident, active puppy. He’s adjusted nicely to his new home and fits in well with his new family. He has no problems with snow, as if he’s known it his whole life! It’s evident you and Jerry put a lot of time and heart into the early development of your puppies.
~ Cliff, Minnesota
He’s doing really well. Lot of personality!
~ Bryan, Montana
Bree is picking up everything on our walks, leaves, sticks, oyster shells, etc. The other item of note is that she is very calm and confident around new people, dogs, noises, etc. All in all we want to thank you both for this beautiful, friendly, puppy that wants to please.
~ Ed, South Carolina
Tark is doing well – fitting right in to the family. Thanks for everything.
~ Matt, Minnesota
CH Erin’s Hidden Shamrock (CH Ridge Creek Cody x Erin’s Skydancer)
Puppies and young dogs bred by Northwoods Bird Dogs are sold to various types of owners scattered across the country. The vast majority are serious upland bird hunters who spend many days and weeks in the woods and fields. Some owners are professional guides who need to put on a top-notch show for their clients. Still other owners have the field trial bug and compete their dogs at different venues.
No matter the buyer, Betsy and I are dedicated to breeding outstanding dogs that have the physical and mental ability to do whatever the owner chooses.
Though we don’t compete in field trials any longer, we are extremely proud to have dogs with Northwoods blood campaigned. Congratulations to these owners for their time, effort and expense to showcase their dogs in public competition.
Merimac’s Westerly Gail (Blue Shaquille x Houston’s Belle’s Choice, 2009)
Merimac’s Westerly Gail (Blue Shaquille x Houston’s Belle’s Choice, 2009) placed first for owner/handler Don McKean in the Grand Valley Field Trial walking stake held at Ionia, Mich. Not only is Don a retired Michigan veterinarian, grouse hunter and avid bird dog connoisseur but he’s also the father of our good friend and client, Ben McKean.
CH Northwoods Charles (CH Ridge Creek Cody x Northwoods Chardonnay, 2013) is posed by handler Travis Gelhaus for owner Bill Owen in green hat.
CH Northwoods Charles (CH Ridge Creek Cody x Northwoods Chardonnay, 2013) continues his winning ways for owner Bill Owen of California. Charles was named RU-CH at the Pacific Northwest Open Shooting Dog Championship in Condon, Ore. This placement, along with other wins, qualified him to run in the National Shooting Dog Championship (the foremost field trial for shooting dogs) held this spring on the Sedgefield plantation near Midway, Ala.
Sean Derrig of Illinois is a successful trainer and handler on the horseback all age field trial circuit with many championships. He primarily breeds and competes with his pointers but currently has two setters in his string. The eldest is CH Erin’s Hidden Shamrock (photo at top), a male sired by CH Ridge Creek Cody, a dog we co-bred with Paul Hauge, out of Erin’s Skydancer.
Shamrock racked up impressive wins last fall. He won the United States Open Championship held in Alabama and was named RU-CH in the International Pheasant Championship held in Ohio. These wins re-qualified him for the 2018 National Championship (he also qualified and ran in 2017) on the Ames Plantation in Grand Junction, Tenn. This is the foremost all age field trial in the country and requires entrants to compete in three-hour braces.
Sean Derrig, on left, poses his derby winner Erin’s Three Leaf Shamrock (CH Erin’s Hidden Shamrock x Northwoods Chardonnay).
Sean also campaigns Shamrock’s son by Northwoods Chardonnay, Erin’s Three Leaf Shamrock. Three Leaf placed first in the Arlin Nolen Open Derby Classic, held in Booneville, Ark., a one-hour stake judged by all age standards.
CH Ludy’s Northwoods Jack Pot (CH Shadow Oak Bo x Northwoods Chardonnay, 2014)
Chuck Ludolph of Minnesota competes his setters in National Shoot to Retrieve (NSTRA) trials. CH Ludy’s Northwoods Jack Pot (CH Shadow Oak Bo x Northwoods Chardonnay, 2014) placed sixth in a field of 192 dogs at the 2017 NSTRA Dog of the Year trial. In addition, Jack Pot recently earned his first NSTRA champion title.
Spring in Georgia just wouldn’t seem right without a bunch of puppies romping in the sunshine on warm grass.
The current litter was whelped out Northwoods Carbon by Northwoods Grits in late December. At 35 lbs., Carbon isn’t a big dog but she carried and whelped nine—three females and six males—and has since cared for them all in spectacular fashion.
Jerry and I are keeping a couple of the puppies but the rest will soon be off to their excited buyers. Three will be shipped to Minnesota and another is flying to his new home in Great Falls, Montana. Puppy buyers are also driving from Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, and Falls, Pennsylvania.
For the past 11 years, there’s been an orange and white setter in our kennel full of tricolors. But not anymore.
Last week, Betsy and I made the painful but merciful decision for our beloved Northwoods Blue Ox, whom we affectionately called Oscar. What began as a seemingly innocuous skin condition quickly spread and became ferocious and incurable. Even the region’s best specialists in canine pathology and dermatology couldn’t help.
In every sense of the word, Betsy and I are bereft.
Oscar was whelped in the middle of the winter by Blue Silk, the spitting image of her famous dam, 4X CH/4X RU-CH Blue Streak. On the top side was another champion, Peace Dale Duke.
Northwoods Blue Ox (CH Peace Dale Duke x Blue Silk, 2007) Photo by Chris Mathan
Oscar was handsome with an evenly masked, blocky head. As a young dog, his coloration was deep orange that slowly faded. He was powerfully built and always ran with a happy tail.
Even though Oscar was known mainly for his prowess in the woods, we loved him for his temperament and personality. He did everything with gusto but had an extremely calm center and a head full of sense. Oscar was sweet natured and had an incredible desire to please.
As a young dog
Oscar was a precocious pup. He hunted hard and pointed many grouse his first fall. One memorable grouse he pointed—and I flushed—five different times. I finally connected on the last try and he naturally retrieved the bird.
Oscar’s first grouse trial was the West Branch Puppy Stake held near State College, PA. In a field of about 40 starters, he won third. He also placed in several derbies. In one Oklahoma derby stake, he convincingly won with five stone-cold-broke finds in the 30 minutes.
With his verve, speed, flash and bird-finding, Oscar would have been an outstanding field trial dog but the timing was off. Betsy and I didn’t compete at the championship level anymore as our business turned to training and breeding.
While grouse hunting in November, I braced Oscar with his son Northwoods Rob Roy (by Northwoods Chablis, 2012) owned by Chris Bye. We didn’t know at the time how bittersweet that hunt would be. It was Oscar’s last.
As a bird dog
Oscar always hunted hard and fast but adapted to the cover. He was accurate and intense on point and was a strong bird finder with an exceptional nose. It didn’t matter the state or terrain, Oscar found and pointed, sharp-tailed grouse, pheasants, Mearns quail and bobwhite quail, in addition to ruffed grouse and woodcock.
Oscar probably ranged farther than most grouse hunters would like but you couldn’t lose him. If he didn’t check in after a cast, I better start looking because he was on point. And when he was on point, he had the grouse pinned. With no training or expectations from me, Oscar naturally, and softly, retrieved birds to hand — no matter where they fell.
Oscar was a Houdini. He climbed out of exercise pens, our kennel perimeter fence and the kennels at Bowen Lodge… where he also liked to sit on top his dog house. Others in our guiding string are, from left, Vixen, Chardonnay and Shaquille.
As a guide dog
I started guiding grouse hunts over Oscar when he was two and for the next eight seasons he was one of our best and most reliable. Day after day, year after year, hot or cold, wet or dry, he could be counted on to produce grouse for clients at Bowen Lodge. Oscar was strong and durable, too. Most of the grouse hunts were all morning or all afternoon affairs—which he easily managed.
My guiding clients and I have some great memories of Oscar’s finds and some spectacular retrieves from impenetrable thickets.
A real nick for Betsy and me was pairing Oscar and Northwoods Chablis—a breeding we repeated four times. In the summer of 2011, we had six puppies with us for our foundation program: Tia, Grits, Biscuit, Beasley, Tesla and Ice.
As a sire
As good as Oscar was at bird finding, he was even better as a producer. And it didn’t matter which dam—grouse champion Houston’s Belle, her daughter Choice or Chardonnay. But it was a fortuitous match to Northwoods Chablis that was so successful that Betsy and I repeated it four times.
Some of his offspring had opportunities in field trials. Northwoods Highclass Kate (Barry Frieler) was named MN/WI Derby of the Year. Northwoods Axel (Ryan Flair) and Northwoods Rob Roy (Chris Bye) placed in several grouse derby stakes. Northwoods Parmigiano (Paul Hauge) and Northwoods Grits (Bob Senkler) competed and placed in both walking and horseback trials. Beasley (Mike Donovan) and Tesla (Tim and Monica Cunningham) won puppy stakes for their owners who had never even been to a field trial.
Other dogs, including Northwoods Camembert and Northwoods Brie, have been used by professional guides Bill Heig and Scott Berry, respectively. But most of his pups are owned by serious hunters—Knickerbocker (Bart Salisbury), Biscuit (Ryan Gould), Sweet Tea (Ken Balfanz) and Tana (Brad Gudenkauf) to name a few. Merimac’s Blu Monday (Ben McKean) was a stellar south Georgia quail dog.
What Oscar really cared about
While Oscar excelled at whatever he did, he never really cared about all that. What Oscar cared about was Betsy and me—especially when we called his name and he spent Sundays in the house with us. He looked right at us with those warm brown eyes and it was clear what he was telling us: “Pet me. Just keep petting me.”
At the time he died last week, we heard an evocative song on the radio.
You’re in the arms of the angel. ~ Sarah McLachlan
During a frigid cold snap, one-week-old puppies out of Northwoods Carbon by Northwoods Grits stay warm on the 100-degree nest and under the red glow of a heat lamp.
As a late Christmas present, Northwoods Carbon whelped a litter of three females and six males on December 26. All nine puppies are tricolor.
This litter’s sire, Northwoods Grits, is out of one of our favorite nicks—Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chablis. Grits inherited the best of both parents. From Ox, Grits got gusto, drive, speed and his sweet, calm nature while Chablis passed on her bird-finding, class and poise around game.
As previous litters have proven, puppies out of Grits inherit his talents and temperament.
Due to the lopsided gender distribution of this litter, some males are available.
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
