Caroline gives Tyler (Blue Shaquille x Houston’s Belle’s Choice, 2011) a big hug. According to Ken, “As you can see, we are getting along just fine. Tyler is a lover.”
There’s something special about kids and puppies. Minnie (Houston’s Blackjack x Northwoods Chablis, 2013) recently flew off to her new home in Pennsylvania and settled right in for a nap on the lap of James’ daughter.
Mike’s son Jay with their puppy Orb (Blue Shaquille x Houston’s Belle’s Choice, 2013). “We love the pup! He is so calm and socialized.”
Even if the child is a teenager and the puppy is five months old, the bond remains strong. Kate gives Willow (Ridge Creek Cody x Northwoods Chardonnay, 2013) a hug before she leaves town.
Who says pointers aren’t wonderful house dogs? Our own Vixen (Westfall’s Black Ice x Northwoods Prancer, 2011) comes from a long line of pointers—Dancer, Dasher and Prancer—that have lived in the house with Jerry and me.
Always-cool Roy (Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chablis, 2012) relaxes in his favorite spot. Chris wrote, “If we don’t make it to the river or lake, this is where he wants to be—in the shade of the deck in the water.”
Life is puppies! Barry is already working his new puppy Jack (Houston’s Blackjack x Northwoods Highclass Kate, 2013) in the field each day. “We keep heading into longer grass. A little whistle and a call of Jack and he comes right to you.”
Northwoods Luna (Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chardonnay) Age: 6 months Lives: Twin Cities
From her owner: “Luna absolutely loves the snow and exploring her new territory!! Her transition to our home has been very smooth and we adore her. We can’t tell you how lucky we are to have her.”
More than anything else about our business, what gives Jerry and me the most pleasure and the most gratification is good news from clients. We love seeing our dogs with their new families and in all their new situations—whether running joyfully through the snow, posing after a successful hunt, showing puppy pointing posture or just lounging in a warm house.
Some of our owners are excellent photographers as well. Enjoy!
Northwoods Santana (Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chablis) Age: 7 months Lives: Twin Cities and cabin “up north”
From her owner: “Here’s a sight point on one of the 100s of gray squirrels we have this year. I snapped the picture most because of how beautiful she has become. Everyone loves her mask but I think her feathering is pretty cool looking.”
Roxie (CH Terhaar’s Rocko x CH A Rolling Stone) Age: 8 Lives: Pennsylvania
From her owner: “Roxie is resting and licking her wounds from a tough season. She has slimmed down and I’m now increasing her food a little for the winter.”
Rosie (Blue Riptide x Blue Ghost) Age: 2½ Lives: Illinois
From her owner’s friend: “On a Montana hunting trip, Rosie is looking across the field thinking, ‘Why am I in your lap when there are birds over there?'”
Female (Blue Shaquille x Snyder’s Liz) Age: 6 months Lives: New York and cabin in New Hampshire
From her owner: “She is developing nicely and within the last month has really matured and figured out what is expected. She handling quail great, listens well, handles to the front naturally and with little care, and backs some of the time. She is nice and calm in the house.”
Bess (Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chardonnay) Age: 6 months Lives: Ohio
From her owner: “Bess is doing fine. She is learning quick and made her first trip to the woods last week.”
Lucy (Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chablis) Age: 7 months Lives: Twin Cities
From her owner: “She had some beautiful solo points on single quail from some coveys we were following up after the initial flush, and she had one beautiful solo point on a large covey she found on her own.”
Chris’ lap is the perfect spot for Piper after a good day in the woods.
October must be every grouse hunter’s favorite month. With careful planning and hopefully without endangering any careers, many spend more days in the woods than in the office. Despite some rather discouraging spring drumming counts and early season predictions, friends and clients of ours are enjoying excellent hunting. Grouse dogs seem pretty happy, too!
From Chris Piper, Setter Female, whelped May 15, 2010, Blue Riptide x Blue Ghost Roy, Setter Male, whelped March 12, 2012, Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chablis
Perfect day. Limit of grouse and woodcock by 3:30, and that is with a 2-hour lunch. Roy is having lots of fun. Two beautiful solo woodcock points this morning…He is extremely stylish and tall on his points. He was also able to hunt dead on 4-5 birds and had fun with a wing flapping grouse. I think he might be in puppy heaven.
Roy is tired but stares devotedly at Chris.
Piper is hunting extremely well and finding birds at an amazing rate, despite her tendency to range more than I would like. She has become very proficient at pointing birds in trees, which is fun and entertaining even though I don’t shoot birds out of trees.
…three pairs of hunters had a combined 36 grouse flushes in 2 hours last evening. In the light rain this morning, I had 11 flushes in two hours before heading home.
Ryan is proud of Biscuit on her second season in the woods.
From Ryan Biscuit, Setter Female, whelped January 1, 2011, Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chablis
It gave me great pleasure being able to tell people that I had limited or nearly limited most days. I would agree that the count was down in the area but for someone with pointing dogs and the willingness to walk there were birds to be had.
From Mike Sue, Setter Female, whelped June 18, 2011, Blue Shaquille x Houston’s Belle’s Choice
Had Sue out several times this weekend and she might be the smartest dog I’ve ever owned….I hope her range extends a little. About 75 yards right now but the way my legs feel this morning that might be good.
Ken and his son with a nice day’s work by Tia, at rest in the background.
From Ken Tia, Setter Female, whelped January 1, 2011, Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chablis
Last weekend between grouse and woodcock I bet I saw 40 birds in six hours of walking. This weekend maybe 20 or 25. There were good shots on about half or a third of them. Tia has been doing great. She’ll hold some woodcock three feet off the end of her nose (and bump others). She might point a grouse from 30-40 feet away or more if the wind is right.
From Mel Jake, a French Brittany we had in for puppy foundation training
Thought you might be interested in an update on Jake’s maiden trip for grouse & woodcock yesterday. He pointed or flushed over a dozen birds, found 3 downed birds including one point a second time before it tried to crawl under a log, when he grabbed it by the tail feathers. He had no problem holding the points and responded well to whoa commands. He had enthusiasm and energy to hunt all day so I am quite pleased for his first time out.
For a seven-month-old puppy, Snicker shows remarkable maturity and beautiful style on a woodcock.
From Bart Snicker, Setter Male, whelped March 12, 2012, Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chablis
Yesterday was the pheasant tournament that I sponsor through our company…..I couldn’t believe what a fantastic job he did. He quartered in front of all of us (most of the time) like he had been doing it for years and if I needed him to come back in closer he responded to my whistle commands with very little repeats. It was windy and the birds were moving around a bit and it was thrilling for me to watch him as he very carefully worked into the bird. He never bumped a one.
I was also amazed at how well he marks downed birds . . . even those that were out 35-40 yards he was at the fall quickly and it was a thrill I will never forget to see him deliver, to my hand, 11 big roosters.
From Brad Tana, Setter Female, whelped March 12, 2012, Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chablis
Tana and I went on a long hunt. 21 grouse contacts and 2 woodcock. I thought she did great! Saturday we hunted about 5 hours and covered 6 miles and even though we took breaks, I gave her Sunday off….though I’m sure she would have rather gone out again.
She ranged well and checked in with me to stay in contact. I was also impressed with how she already seems to know birdy cover. When we would cross through some open maple stands she would beeline for an alder thicket or edge created with fir trees, etc. ,and ignore the open areas.
When Jerry and I sell a started or trained dog, two questions are always asked.
• How do they adapt to living in a family environment?
• How well do they bond with new owners?
The answer: very easily. Judge for yourself.
Northwoods Led Zeppelin, call name Gus
Gus is a setter male by Blue Shaquille and Houston’s Belle’s Choice whelped June 18, 2011. He was one of several from last year’s breedings that we kept to start and train. Gus was taken for group walks in pastures and in the grouse woods. He was worked on bobwhite quail in Minnesota and Tennessee as well as local grouse and woodcock. He had birds shot over his points. We introduced him to all kinds of other experiences such as being in a dog crate, being on a stake-out chain, riding in dog trailers and pickups and interacting with other dogs and people.
David and Pam recently bought Gus and have sent two messages—one after Gus’s first night and, about 10 days later, the next message.
We made it home with no problems. He didn’t make a sound the whole way home and no fuss during the night. We are spending most of our time letting him explore and adjust to the house. The picture was after getting back from a thirty minute run.
Thanks for all the time you spent with us. It was sincerely appreciated.
————————–
Gus is doing very well. He is adjusting to the sights and sounds of the house, he sleeps through the night, he has learned to ask to go outside, we have not had an accident in the house, and we did not hear him bark until this weekend. I am very pleased with the way he is responding to his name in the field and his rapid response to “here”.
Thank you again for our opportunity to purchase Gus. We could not be happier.
Win-win-win
Jerry and I say we couldn’t be happier.
This is a win-win-win situation. David and Pam bought an older puppy whose size, personality and strengths are readily apparent. Gus will have a wonderful life in a loving family situation and will have ample hunting opportunities. Jerry and I are able to breed good dogs, train them and move them on to good homes.
A great aspect of our business is the people we meet. Jack and Linda are a wonderful couple who are fortunate enough to live on Maui (by way of Michigan). Last year they were in the market for a started English setter and came to us through a referral.
The rewarding part of our business is matching clients with the right dog. Zipper is a handsome, talented tri-color male out of Northwoods Blue Babe and frozen-semen Houston and bred by Paul Hauge. Jack and Linda bought him early last summer and then left him with us for further training.
Now Zipper, too, is lucky enough to live on Maui where he’s hunted on ringnecked pheasants, francolin and chukars.
We’re really enjoying Zippy. Jack thinks he is the perfect dog for us…
"Scout is doing well since we brought him home. He’s all paws, legs, and ears at this age, but he has a nose for birds as well. I attached two pictures of him pointing liberated Chukars at 10 weeks old and this morning at 13 weeks. He also loves to retrieve.
"I forgot how much work puppies are at 8 -12 weeks old. Luckily he’s very patient and quiet in his crate, staked out in the yard, and in the outdoor kennel so we get some relief from the mischief. He and our eight year old setter have pretty well sorted things out between themselves already, so that concern is over.
"So overall he’s adjusted quickly and is progressing nicely with his training."
"We hope you are staying cool amidst the muggy, tropical assault August has unleashed on us. Although you are probably not losing any sleep worrying about Piper, we thought an update was in order..
"In short, she is doing extremely well. She loves her kennel and riding in the car. We have taken her to multiple places, including visiting emotionally disturbed children at a therapy center, Game Fair, the beach, dog parks and many visits with my niece and nephew (7 and 5 years old). She has gone swimming in the Mississippi, Kinnikinnic, Willow and St.Croix rivers, and loves wading along the shore.
"She makes eye contact and wants to be w us – her temperament is sweet and well-balanced and bomb-proof. As Roberta proclaims on a regular basis "she is basically and unequivocally and undisputedly the very best dog in the entire world and she couldn’t be more loved."
"When she is not sleeping in her crate or eating, her days are spent playing with the other dogs and going for multiple walks. Each 20-30 minute walk usually begins heading up the driveway, with much time spent chasing and pointing butterflies in the adjacent pasture."
Bill Nettles is a field trialer I met several years ago at the Grand National Grouse and Woodcock Invitational. This summer Bill and his wife have been traveling and working dogs and I invited him to spend a few days training with us while he was in Minnesota.
Bill posted the following message on the Cover Dog Message Board about his visit.
“I benefited a lot from a recent visit to Jerry Kolter’s. Jerry did me a kindness as bracemate in the 2001 Invitational, by letting me know that there was ground water around the bend, thus saving me and my dog some time. This was the first chance I have had to look him up.
"Jerry seems to enjoy tutoring even the most minute details about best practices in bird dog training. He showed me how many seemingly trivial and unrelated aspects all fit together to bring out the best in a bird dog. Each day my thoughts ranged from ‘why didn’t I think of that’ to ‘I never knew that’ to ‘I had forgotten that.’ I just hope to remember most of his teaching. There was quite a lot of detail and he is very soft-spoken, the exact opposite of what I need as a slow learner, but I still learned a lot.
"Earl Crangle wrote something about how the better a trainer is the more organized you will find his gear. I could never maintain the obsessive neatness of Jerry’s operation, it is beyond my skills, but I do admire it. I think Jerry handled the last of Earl’s dogs which ran in competition, maybe it was Earl’s influence.
"We did not get to meet Betsy, but for a place to be that organized and clean, I suspected there must be a strong female supervisor involved there.
"This is all said by way of thanking Northwoods Bird Dogs and to state my observations. If anyone gets up there, note his kennel, which has expanded since the website. There is a grouse feather over his logo that is hard to believe. Minnesota must have some huge grouse, and that feather must have come from the granddaddy of them all.”
The puppies from our Blue Riptide x Blue Ghost litter were eight weeks old last weekend and Jerry and I had a steady stream of families here to pick out their puppy.
This was the second Northwoods Bird Dog puppy for two of the buyers. As we all know, it’s a small world. In 2006, Kevin Sipple first bought a wonderful tri-color female that is a littermate to this litter’s dam, Blue Ghost. This year he picked a matching, even-marked, tri-color female. Dwayne Splan is also back. His first puppy was a male out of Magic’s Rocky Belleboa x Old Glory Bluebelle in 2008 and, again, he was on the list for another male.
Splan clan
Other buyers included Chris Bye and Roberta Scherf from Wisconsin and the Nielsen and Head families from Minnesota.
It’s a sad day for me when the puppies go…but we’re grateful to the new owners and happy for the puppies.
"Great to see you guys…Again, we really appreciate all your care and attention to these pups for their first 8 wks. They are so very much better socialized, confident and relaxed among people as a result.
"Our pup took about a half hour to get acquainted with her new surroundings, and then she acted like she’d been living here for her entire life. My wirehair treated her gently, and they have been getting along fine. I’m happy to report that she didn’t make a noticeable sound last night–to our great surprise and delight. She regaled us most of the way home when she wasn’t sleeping, but I put her kennel right next to our guy Chance last evening, and that may have made all the difference."
"We hope you are staying cool amidst the muggy, tropical assault August has unleashed on us. Although you are probably not losing any sleep worrying about Piper, we thought an update was in order..
