Do we ever get past it?

I'm sure we've all read the stories about that "one dog"... The one that teaches us to hunt, touches our heart and just seems to do everything right!
The dog the we know we'll never be able to replace, and leaves us all too soon. So, we try to make it better... we have to with a new pup. We're still going to hunt!
Can the young pup ever meet the expectations? Ever match the perfection of the "once in a lifetime dog?" Caqn the newcomer measure up to such lofty ideals?
Unfortunately, often not! And just as often, probably not the pup's fault!
I've seen it time and time again.. A hunter with a beloved dog. The two operate in the field as one... Poetry in motion. The efficiency of two predators at the top of their game.
I've also seen those same hunters hang up their shotguns for good after the loss of the partner, not really giving the new pup an honest chance. Not realizing that it takes time and experience... Perhaps forgetting the not-so-great days early in the brag dog's life.
If there's an answer to all this, the only oner I can think of is to keep pressing on.. Realizing the dogs are individuals just as humans are.. Some more talented... some less. All prone to the good and bad days that the best of us experience. All just one piece of the puzzle shy of a Grand Master.

I'm ready for a new puppy. Maybe my last high powered dog... Only God knows. But, I'll keep an open mind and give the pup the chance it deserves, and as many opportunities as the "gettin' older" body can provide.. It will also have love, and the experience to realize that greatness comes in small doses, and just maybe progresses by baby steps..

So, here's to looking forward to a new puppy. Nothing is cast in stone as of yet, but whatever happens, and whatever path I take, and the pup and I take together, there just might be a few surprises in store..

Stay tuned!

Melrose Gordon Setters

Melrose Kennels, at long last has their own place on the web, other than the old BDARN area.
It's pretty nice, and those into Gordons should have a look.

Add it to your list of favorites..

Melrose Gordon Setters

For the Dogman who has everything...

And that would be a beautiful bronze from Stan Bentall... Master gundog sculptor.
I've read that he has done a bronze of the great Gordon, Melrose Tad, but I can't confirm if one of the dogs on his website is Tad..
For those that would like to see the work of Stan Bentall how it relates to Gordons, please click here.

To see more of Stan Bentall's work, ond for other breeds, go to Stan Bentall's website..

Gordons are THIEVES!

Is this the face of a criminal??

Was enjoying a nice dinner a few nights ago. I made a big pot of chili, and my wife had bought a block of aged provalone to go along with it..
The cheese was on a cutting board on the table. My wife and I, and the dogs of course, all cheese lovers BTW, consumed about half the block. I was looking forward to a slice here and there as a snack for days to come, but it was not to be..
The cheese was inadvertentely left on the table after dinner.. I passed through the kitchen a couple of times, and noticed the cutting board empty, but I thought my wife had returned it to the refrigerator..
After a while, my wife asked if I had put the cheese away.. Since I sometimes have trouble with my ears, or selective hearing difficulties, I ignored the query until a few minutes when she asked if I had finished the cheese. I knew that didn't happen, so the search was on for the missing "half block" of nice aged provalone.. The piece I was looking so forward to savoring in bits and pieces over the next couple of days. It was becoming painfully obvious what happened to it!
Sandy, the English Setter, is far too much of a little lady to steal off the table... Holly, the Gordon, on the other hand, sees things in a completely different light! Like all her Gordon predecessors, she feels that any food left on the table must have been left for her personal enjoyment.. and subsequent consumption! The humans just forgot to offer it to her in person..
It must be a genetic thing, as all of our Gordons go back ultimatly to similar places on the family tree... Or, they all went to the same school!

Either way, the cheese I was so counting on ended up "in the belly of the beast!"

Out on The Rock

I was pleasantly surprised to receive a comment the other day from my old friend Dan, a Newfoundlander and fellow Gordon lover. I always enjoyed Dan's pictures and accounts of his wild adventures, mostly solitary as I recall, on "The Rock," as he affectionately refers to his homeland of Newfoundland.
Dan has started his own blog called "Out on The Rock". The views and accounts of the exploits of Dan and his dogs is stunning, and gives an inside look at one of the world's truly wild places.
You're doing yourself an extreme disservice if you don't visit Dan's blog and witness for yourself what he has to offer.
I'm glad my old friend found us, and we'll once again be treated to his exploits and view from the wilds of Newfoundland..

Visit Dan's blog here, watch the videos and read the posts.. It's time well spent!

Dan's blog will sit at the top of the blogroll for a spell, until everyone is aware of it and visits to see what it's all about.. Congratulations to Dan on I blog I'll visit often!

What's new?

No, I'm not talking about the old Linda Ronstadt torch song, but a new blog devoted to the Field Gordon Setter by my old friends the Thomasons of Montana. I recently received an e-mail from Dan with the announcement.
The new blog is called Gordon Setter Crossing. It will be very informative because there are not many folks as well versed in the Field Gordon as Dan and Karen Thomason. Many will remember their great old Gordon Peat, who was written up in so many National magazines.
So, check the new blog out, and as is my custom, it will get top billing for a time in the blog roll...

Now, go listen to some old Linda Ronstadt!

The Dual Dog dilemma

Many breeds have agonized over the question of which path they, and influential breeders, have wanted to proceed along.
All the Setter breeds have had their share of difficulties along these lines.. But, are they always truly difficulties?
I see many "Show" only breeders competing in the ubiquitous AKC hunt tests in hope of putting a "field title" on what is basically a show dog, to increase the value of their puppies and attempt to pass them off as "duals"... But, that's not what we're really talking about here... With thye qualifications necessary to achieve an AKC JH title basically the dog's ability to fog a mirror placed beneath it's nose, that question is a moot point.
What I am more interested in is the attempt by field breeders to hit the "sweet spot," where the designations between true field dogs and larger show dogs overlap. As far as the Gordon goes, the breed I'm most familiar with, I'd be in favor od splitting the breed, having the Field side conform to the 1939 standard, and giving the show side full reign to increase their standard, which continually calls for a bigger and bigger dog, to whatever degree they feel necessary.. Why give up any field performance for pure eye appeal, if that is the appearance that one likes?
Now, we've discussed this before on these pages, and I won't speak to the English Setter where the situation is a bit different, or the Red... again a bit different, but has taken a road pretty similar to the demise of the Gordon, but was thankfully saved by forward thinking individuals.

Which way would you take a breed? Are folks taking the right path seeking unification of the two factions??

Everyone is entitled to run the dog of their choice, but field performance should be "Job 1" as in the old Ford commercial...

Extreme Makeover... Canine Edition

Well, it's that time once again to trim the excess hair from black dogs that suffer in the sun. The weather has been warming up, and Gordon's seek shade at the first hint of warm weather.
Further, many Gordons develop a "top knot" that often makes them appear more like a cockatiel than a gundog, so for their own self esteem, I give them a more sleek appearance for summer activities.
As an added benefit, the hair clippings provide the birds with much material to build super-strong nests..

Duncan's Pedigree

Here is a piece of paper that means more to me than an honorary degree from Harvard Law School..

The pedigree of Springset Gale Warning, Duncan as we called him, is here to peruse by those that have an interest in such things, as I clearly do..
I'm sure those into Gordons will recognize many names here, in spite of the fact that this document goes back more than twenty years.. when Men were Men, and Field Gordons were Field Gordons. Obviously, times long past.

Click on the image to enlarge..

The Cover Girl

The cover of the October, 1986 issue of Sports Afield.

The pictured bitch is "Springset Not Tonight", Molly, the dam of my beloved Duncan, and other great Gordons that went on to do great things... for their lucky owners, and the Field side of the Gordon Setter breed in general..
At the time, these litters were known as Super Gordons, and Super they were..
The family resemblance is striking, as I have pictures of Duncan that are the spitting image of this cover shot.

Duncan was my first "Field Gordon." Back in the mid 1980's and before, we were fooling around with the best stock we could find, which admittedly, left something to be desired.. But these dogs with the old reliable pedigrees containing Sun-Yak, Loch-Adair, and Windy Hills were the foundations of the best the breed had to offer, and even show up in the pedigrees of the once famed Super Gordons.. The dogs that continue to confound and mesmerize todays field breeders with their abilities.
Duncan was a truly great dog in spite of all the mistakes I made bringing him along.. We learned together.. I can still see him as a months old pup who wouldn't get out from under my feet.. I remember thinking to myself that this dog was never gonna' make it... Not bold enough.. Didn't have what it takes! He went on to show me how little I really knew! And for ten years, he made me eat my words.. And I was only too glad to do so.
I did alot of gunning over him.. Often alone, sometimes with a friend, and occasionally guiding for others. That little Gordon never failed to produce birds for the gun! He'd always manage to dig out a bird to save myself or a guest from getting skunked.. I still sometimes come across people that knew him in the field and ask about him, he seemed to make an impression on everyone.
But, he was much more than a gundog to me. He was a constant companion, and best friend. I knew his every movement, and what it meant. I could read his mind, and he mine!
I remember when we were first building the camp in the Adirondacks. He and I would go up for a little hunting, and a little work on the camp.. He usually hung around camp until I was ready to go... unusual for a very birdy gundog. But he was keenly aware that there would be no birds on the ground without myself and the gun tagging along behind him..
We were up for maybe two weeks... the inside of the camp was unfinished. I had a sleeping bag, and he had a bed.. A ladder to get up into the loft..
My wife came up with her family a couple of days before we left, and remarked on how dirty and tired we both looked.. but we didn't feel it. We were both in our element, and we were together, and that's all that mattered!
It's been a long time since I lost my friend to grand mal cluster siezures, and his ashes are buried near the camp under the shade of a tree... the dream that he helped bring to fruition now completed.. and him never to feel the comforts of it.
But, we gave 'em hell while he was alive!
I always opined that God played a cruel joke on man by giving the gunner 60 to 70 years to chase birds, and the friend and companion he needs the most in his endeavors, only ten.. I'll never figure that logic as long as I live, because I would have been perfectly content to finish out my gunning days with that one little dog...
I'll never forget him, and I hope that when we meet up again, he hasn't forgotten me.. I still think of him every day of my life. My only hope is that the premise on which Corey Ford's Road to Tinkhamtown, is based, is correct, and that when I reach that old bridge by the apple tree, Duncan will be on the other side, frozen on point with a wily old grouse pinned...

"Steady Boy, I'm coming...."

A Momentus Achievement?

For those interested, the Eukanuba National Championship is airing tonight on The Discovery Channel at 8 P.M....This is an AKC dog show, and the dog that won BOB in Gordon Setters is the state of the art in "dual dogs".. I suppose a dog that performs well at both polar extremes??
Unfortunately, the Gordon is once again slipping from Field Performance and becoming the darling of the bench folks, pumphandle tails and all..
It's sad to see all the progress that was made since the '70's slip away so easily and completely..

'Nuff said!

I will not be watching...

Money Can't Buy Me Love??

It just might be able to buy love, or an obscure form of it, but the one thing it cannot buy is knowledge. And there's only one thing that truly can.. Experience in the good ole' School of Hard Knox!
The Japanese tend to love everything American, and Field Trialing and FT dogs are no different. It's been pretty big since about the early 1980's, and true to form, the Japanese enter everything in an analytical way looking for ways to improve upon the wheel.
Many top field dogs of varying breeds from top kennels have been shipped to Japan, but they don't stop there.
Teams of Japanese trialers paid some heavy coin to learn the rudiments, and hopefully the secrets of top American Pro Trainers
One of the top Shooting Dog trainer/handlers on the East Coast hosted some of the Japanese handlers eager to buy knowledge from the best.. And teach them he and his son did, but they also were made to do chores around the kennels and stables... That's also part of what it's all about!
The Pros fullfilled their part of the bargain, teaching the basics, and the advanced basics while working clients dogs.. But, when it came time to work a dog with some of the invaluable "tricks of the trade", the Japanese interns were sent off to do chores.. Shovelling manure behind the barn or some such. These tricks were not part of the bargain, and not for sale for any price!
Seems like a fair bargain to me... The Japanese got what they paid for... No more and no less..

The above scan is the cover from a 1983 issue of "Hunting World" from Japan.. The photo shows Norm Sorby gunning over the legendary Gordon, Danny Boy O'Boy...
click the pic to enlarge..

Scottish Gordon Setters

One may give pause to think... How silly.. All Gordons are Scottish!

Well, Yes... and no.
The Scottish Gordon, and European Gordons in general, are a bit different from their American counterparts, at least cosmetically..
But, other than tail set, these Scottish Gordons show some high style, and intense capabilities of Grouse on the Moors..

Please peruse the site Working Gordon Setters.com for info on Gordon Field Trials in Scotland. And don't forget to click the box all the way to the right which often shows a photo of the named dog..

Enjoy!

Holly's Diagnosis

There once was a girl,
with a cute little curl,
right in the middle of her forhead...

When she was good,
she was very, very good,
but when she was bad she was horrid....


Origin unknown.. at least to me. A little ditty that my dear Mother used to recite quite often.. I thought it applied to holly the puppy quite well.





Holly, the young Gordon, has been limping a bit upon rising for a few weeks.. Two successive snap tests showed no tick borne illnesses to treat..
This morning, my wife took Holly to work with her at the Vet Hospital, for a more comprehensive check-up.
X-rays of right shoulder and elbow show some arthritis creeping in already. Damn!! This little dog is only 5 1/2 years old, and just coming into her own.. These genetic diseases are taking their toll on our dogs earlier and earlier.. Yes, I suppose she's middle aged for a Gordon, but still too young for arthritis..
She can certainly still motor once she works the kinks out, which doesn't take long, but it's the beginning, and I don't like it!

So, this will enter into decision on when the newest, and maybe last puppy will be arriving at the BnT home..

Stay tuned for future developments..

Update!

My wife just called from work..

The little Gordon came back negative for Lyme.. Maybe just pulled a muscle, as she's a strong runner..

Good news for us!

Holly on the farm

We'll be kicked off the farm between Thanksgiving and Christmas as the farmer tries to maximize profits by offering hay rides on a cart being pulled by the tractor, with hot cider afterwards. All the folks from NYC come out with the kiddies to cut a Christmas tree and get a taste of the country.
Obviously, shotgun blasts and birds dropping out of the air would offend their sensebilities, not to mention the landowner's pocketbook when the irate cityfolk never return with the kiddies.. I don't blame him, he needs to maximize profits from every acre he tills, and leaves alone.
There is alot of pressure for acreage down here..
There are RC airplane flyers..
Bowhunting groups who like to shoot targets during the summer...
The local hunt club, ride to the hounds and foxes dontcha know, in full regalia, and trample everyone's property, leased or not..
ATV riders, another group that tramples the rights of others...

The list goes on and on, so we're lucky to have a place to stretch our legs, in spite of some restrictions.
I've got a few other places to duck into in the meantime, but there's more pressure..

Once deer season closes in the Adirondacks, we'll be hittin' the birds up there... provided the creek don't rise and there's not too much snow on the ground.
This season we might just get lucky...

Happy Thanksgiving to all...

Pretty Missy

A description of Pretty Missy, in Dr. Morris' own words..

Belmor's Pretty missy was an outstanding performer and producer. She had over 30 placements in setter, continental breed and American Field trials, competing in Georgia, New Jersey, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut.

In 1975 she was GSCA Puppy of the Year and placed second for Derby of the Year. The following year, she won the GSCA Derby award. She had 22 puppy and derby placements during 1975-76. From all indications, it was anticipated that she would set records in senior stakes. However, her career as a gundog and shooting dog was cut short due to a crippling knee injury sustained on a hunting trip in 1977. Three operations over the next three years failed to correct the problem. As a result, she was only run in a limited number of adult stakes. Nevertheless, she was able to earn second place in the 1980 Gun Dog of the Year award.

She produced outstanding field dogs; the most notable of these is FC/AFC Belmor's Pretty Belle. Missy's field application was characterized by excellent ground cover and animated run with a cracking tail. Her snappy way of going and style on point captured the judges and the galleries' eyes.

_____________________________________________

Imagine the mark that Missy could have made on the FT community, and the Gordon setter world in general, if not for a severe injury... In any case, her class has been passed on to numerous get, and the name of Belmor's Pretty Missy is found in many a Field Gordon's pedigree today.

The dam of one of the all-time great Gordon setters, Missy has undoubtedly made her mark on the Gordon Setter world...

Another Star in our Midst

This one made the Tri-Cities Quail Forever 2009 Bird Dog Calendar, and he's on the page for November, in the top right corner, with a covey of quail pinned dead to rights..
It's Whitelail's Smokey Blu, an exceedingly fine Field Gordon owned by one of our own members, Ted Croushorn of Kentucky, also known around the internet as Grousehunter12...
Affectionately known as Blu to Ted, they are constant companions, as Blu always rides shotgun on the front seat of Ted's truck.
Blu was bred by Whitelail Kennels, also in Kentucky, and a finer specimen of the field side of the breed is hard to come by! Ted reports that Blu is a natural on birds, and needed little training, and by the pictures I've seen of Blu, I certainly can believe it!
Blu is also a one man dog, as many Field Gordons seem to be. Also one of the traits that make the Gordon less than popular as kennel dogs, as we've discussed in the past..

I hope, with Ted's permission, to feature more posts about Blu in the future. He's very photogenic, and one of the best looking small Gordons I've seen...

So congratulations to Ted, and Whitelail's Smokey Blu, for some well deserved recognition..

And don't forget to click on the pic to enlarge.. And BTW, this is an honest to goodness hunting picture, not set up or stroked up in any way... Enjoy!

Murphy's Law

strikes again!!
Holly came into season on Saturday.. pretty much true to form. I'll run her anyway since I hunt alone and there are no other dogs about. The hormonal changes messes with her head a bit, and she will not show her true form, but she'll be good enough for the early season,
Now, for the true gist of this post. Holly lives in the luxury kennel with us, so, we have little hotpants for her that take regular feminine napkins. On Saturday when she came in heat, we were all out. My wife was at work and I had to stock up myself.
Now, I doubt that many of the male readers have had to shop for these things in some time. I know that I haven't!
The selection these days can be bewildering! Minis, Regulars, Maxis... labeled in English and Spanish (what's up with that?), with "wings", without wings, with a tongue (there's one I still can't figure), and without.. Extra thick, you get the picture..
And the price... all exactly the same! What about unit pricing??

In any case, I seem to have gotten the wrong kind, but usable nonetheless... I'll have my wife stock up for six months hence...

Maybe a male is in my future again??

More from Norm...

Sorby that is. The man who taught many folks how to operate a Field Gordon Setter.

In Norm's words...

For those that are looking for a hunting companion, the Gordon is the finest possible upland game bird dog. They have tremendous stamina and endurance. Gordons will continue to hunt all day.

and...

The Gordon will not work for, or respond to, anyone he does not know. This particular breed characteristic originally contributed to the decline of the Gordon as a popular hunting dog. A Gordon cannot be lent to a stranger, so they are not kept by large hunting preserve kennels to rent out by the day. Also contributing to their decline is their need for human companionship, which precludes their use as a so-called "kennel" dog.

I know the latter to be true beyond doubt...

I had a friend that I hunted with for many years. When he moved to the Carolinas many years back, I became a solitary hunter, fullfilling what is truly in my soul... One man, one dog, one gun...

But, I digress. My Gordon at the time never once went to my hunting partner for a pat, or even acknowledged his presence with us in the field. He was all business. He'd allow this gentleman to kill birds over his points, but nothing more, and he knew this man since he was a small puppy.
With me, of course, it was different... We were soulmates, and the world was just between us...