MN/WI Pro Plan Cover Dog Derby of the Year: Northwoods Chardonnay

Northwoods Chardonnay edged out her litter sister, Northwoods Chablis, by two points to win the 2011 award. Another littermate, Northwoods Lager, was in the top four. That these dogs were so competitive is no accident. Grandmothers on top and bottom—Blue Silk and CH Houston’s Belle—won this award previously.

Chardonnay has had four field trial placements in as many starts. As a puppy in 2009 she placed second in the very competitive O-Kan puppy stake held in Oklahoma. (Lager placed first.) Later that spring she placed second in the MGDA derby. This spring she placed third in the MGDA Open Derby (beaten by littermates Lager and Chablis) and won first place in the Moose River Grouse Dog Club Open Derby. She pointed grouse in both of this spring’s wins.

Chardonnay is out of a litter bred by Paul Hauge in 2009. The sire is Blue Shaquille and the dam is our current producing female, Houston’s Belle’s Choice. We started four from this litter and each is a strong grouse dog.

Chardonnay did a fine job in our grouse guiding string last fall, especially for a 1½ year old. She has the classic Houston-line trademarks:  easy, attractive gait; lofty style on point; outstanding ability to find and point grouse.

Northwoods Bird Dogs have won or been in close contention for this award several times before.  

2003:  CH Houston’s Belle, owner Paul Hauge, won

2001:  Blue Silk, owner Paul Hauge, won

1998:  Spun Gold, second in points

1997:  CH Blue Streak, second in points

1995:  That’s Afact Jack, second in points

In addition, dogs sired by our studs have won the award.   

2009:  Goodgoing Hannah Montana, owner Brett Edstrom/Good Going Kennel, was sired by Dashaway

1999:  Milk Run Jessie, owner Brian Miller, was sired by CH Blue Smoke

This accolade was started in 1994 and has subsequently been awarded 17 times. It has been won by pointers on 10 occasions. It is sponsored by Pro Plan who generously purchased the rotating trophy and supplies dog food to each year’s winner.   

National Championship

Start of afternoon course.

While training in Tennessee this winter, I took a day to ride a brace of the National Championship held on the Ames Plantation near Grand Junction, Tennessee.

This field trial was been run since 1896 making it one of the oldest in the US.  It is steeped in tradition and formalities.  Only dogs that have met stringent qualifying criteria can compete and they must re-qualify each year. The entries are dominated by pointers but one or two English setters also make the running. The dogs are handled from horseback. The professionalism and capability of the handlers and scouts to show their dogs in the best manner was impressive.

More than 100 riders gathered at the starting point to watch the dogs. The field trial chairman used a loudspeaker to announce the dogs, handlers, scouts and owners of the brace. Representatives from the trial sponsors such as Pro Plan, Eukanuba and Garmin were in attendance and were thanked for their contributions. Rules and conduct for the gallery were reviewed and, finally, the brace was off.

Point!

These dogs are amazing–

•    They are bigger dogs, generally in the 50-lb. range. They have long, powerful strides that carry them easily and efficiently cover the ground.

•    The handlers have put hours and hours into conditioning the dogs specifically for this trial and they are in superb condition.

•    In the course of the 3-hour heat, the dogs will average about 12 miles per hour and cover around 36 miles!

Most people think all-age venues are in big, wide-open terrain. At Ames, though, it’s quite different. There are some open spaces and long edges where a dog can reach but most of the cover is more dense and vast than I imagined. There are many places where a dog can get lost on point, or just plain lost.

I have followed the running of the Nationals for years and it was truly thrilling to finally see the trial for myself.  

Gallery following the trial.

Loblolly pines with lespedeza understory.