Latest Achievements / Coming Soon

Treasure (with me) and her son Bolt (with owner Dan)

NEW AKC JUNIOR HUNTER - J&A's Dreams Come True of Acton JH "Treasure"

Sire: Pride & Joy's White Smoke ~ Dam: Birch Springs Wish Upon A Star

QUALIFYING SCORE: - J&A's Double Barrel Bliss "Boltie"

Sire: CH J&A's High Caliber Harris Special SH ~ Dam: J&A's Dreams Come True of Acton JH

Every time you do something fun and special with your dog it's rewarding for both of you. I'm blessed to have had many days like that.

I always wanted to give Treasure a chance to try an AKC Junior Hunt Test. I also wanted to be the one to handle her in it. So last fall John and I entered her for two weekends of tests.  In both weekends she earned 3 of 4 qualifying scores. We took turns handling her.  I knew that I would not be in the woods too much last fall as my knee had reached the point of no return regarding mobility. In fact while I was on the hunt test course I ended up falling down and my kind judge helped me to my feet.  (I was recently deeply saddened to learn this same judge who I highly respected lost his battle with cancer.) But Treasure and I did it. I went out with her twice and we earned her first qualifying ribbon together. She also went out with John and won two more.  She was left only needing 1 ! (For a recap of 2013 fall hunt tests which included an ATB reunion check out  "SUCCESS AT HUNT TESTS".)  This past Sunday, John successfully handled Treasure to her final qualifying score and pending AKC certification - she has won the title of JUNIOR HUNTER! 

I was also pleasantly surprised when the brace sheets were released to see the name of one of Treasure's sons listed! Dan did a great job of handling Bolt who is now very close to finishing his JH title too - so proud of them both.  Congratulations to you!!

Additional Acknowledgment: 

Parker is pictured here with his "Rocky". First time out at a hunt test and they went home
with 2 qualifying scores towards their AKC Junior Hunter title!!! Congratulations!!
Sire: J&A's Apple Jack of Acton JH  ~ Dam: Merrymeeting's Brandy JH ~ Breeders: Walter & Christine Longley

Here's Tom with "Ranger" who is testing at the AKC Senior Hunter level and doing quite well!
  Congrats Tom, Kim, and Cindy!
Belknaps Secret Weapon JH "Rocky"
Sire: J&A's Apple Jack of Acton JH ~ Dam: Belknaps Reason to Believe JH ~ Breeders: Tom & Kim Zuk, Cynthia Wright

Coming Soon!

We're very excited to share that our daughter is having a good time learning to train her new puppy "Zuko" as a bird dog.  This picture was taken at Marshview Farm in York, Maine in John's sisters field.  Zuko is pointing a quail and holding nicely.  Just turning 6 months old, Maryann has plans to test him for his AKC Junior Hunter title this fall!! Zuko is Pippin and Jack's grandson. 

J&A's Blue Lightening Bolt "ZUKO"

Sire: CH J&A's High Caliber Harris Special SH "Bullet"

Dam: GCH Sisters of the Heart JH "Thistle"

Breeders: Julie Harris & Ann Short

John has been working with Holly Beth and getting her ready for the upcoming bird hunting season.  With the first year of training a puppy focused primarily on having fun she's been in the field with him since July and we are very pleased with what we see. Having talked about joining the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association (NAVHDA) for years we finally did along with registering Holly.  She will soon be testing for her Natural Ability title.  This was something I'd hoped very much to be able to do myself this fall but since I can't, John will be handling her.  We have Kira Lajeunesse and Peter Sipperly and several others to thank for encouraging us to take this direction. There are several Brittanys from our program who have won their NA prizes and done very, very well.  Including soon to be sire of Pippin's litter, Wilson! Holly is Pippin's granddaughter. 

J&A's Carry the Dream of Acton "Holly Beth"

Sire: CH J&A's Magnificent Obsession of Acton JH "Hemi"

Dam: J&A's Dreams Come True of Acton JH "Treasure"

Breeders/Owners: John & Ann Short

The future continues to look BRIGHT for J&A's BRITTANYS close working gundog program!

AND SPEAKING OF PIPPIN:

As Pippin enters her 6th week of pregnancy we thought she may enjoy an outing with the other dogs for training at the Maine Bird Dog Club grounds in Brownfield, Maine.  She didn't skip a beat as she quickly took to the field, quartering with style and purpose.  Pippin easily detected the outer parameters of the scent cone and slammed into a beautiful and stylish point shortly afterwards wasting no time or energy.  John approached her and she didn't flinch as he sought to flush the bird she was so perfectly pointing for him.   When the bird took to flight, John raised his shotgun and fired, bringing the bird down.  He turned to find Pippin still holding steady so he released her to go and retrieve the bird which she proudly carried while walking at John's side. Shall we consider this to be pre-natal early bird dog training by osmosis?!?!

CH J&A's Heartfelt Legend of Acton - "Pippin"

Sire: CH Hills Blazen' Jac JH

Dam: KJ Requets Bouncin' Crysta

Breeders/owners: John & Ann Short

As always thanks for your interest in our canine crew.  Take care and God bless you and yours always, John, Ann, and All Things Brittany.