ATB: Holly - New Junior Hunter & Other Accomplishments

J&A's Carry The Dream of Acton JH, NA 110 Prize 1
Sire: CH J&A's Magnificent Obsession of Acton JH
Dam: J&A's Dreams Come True of Acton JH

Holly finished her AKC Junior Hunter title this weekend at the Hudson Valley Brittany Club (HVBC) in Greenwich, NY. I had the honor of handling her on Saturday when she finished and John took her out the next day. Holly slammed into a stylish point when picking up Chukar scent but the silly bird walked in a half circle around her. She didn't budge.  It was amazing and resulted in applause from the gallery!  I'm so proud of this girl who has been a hot shot since the day she was born!

CH J&A's High Caliber Harris Special SH
Sire: J&A's Apple Jack of Acton JH
Dam: KJ Requet's Bouncin' Crysta

Bullet, a finished AKC Senior Hunter and bench champion is working towards his Masters.  He knows what is required and there are times he goes through each sequence perfectly.  That was not to be the case in New York however.  He did everything right but just not at the level that is demanded for the Master Hunting title.  That's okay Bullet Man, we know you can do it ! It was pretty cool though, his son and grandaughters were all there too.

J&A's Bella (11 months old)
Sire:  CH J&A's Quiet Courage JH, NA  110 Prize 1
Dam: CH J&A's Heartfelt Legend of Acton JH

J&A's Ruff Play (11 months old)
Sire:  CH J&A's Quiet Courage JH, NA  110 Prize 1
Dam: CH J&A's Heartfelt Legend of Acton JH 

J&A's Birch Spring Breaking New Ground
Sire: CH J&A's Magnificent Obsession of Acton JH
Dam: CH Birch Spring PC Lunar Eclipse JH, NA Prize II

11 month old Miss Bella has been here for a few weeks for bird work as her first hunting season draws near. Her owners said we could bring her with us to the HVBC hunt tests, have some fun in the field and show her to our friends who own her sire. Receiving qualifying scores on each day of the two tests so she is now halfway to finishing her JH title! She's a sweet little bird dog with strong natural retrieving instincts.

Miss Brooke, Bellas littermate, came to stay with us for a little while as her owners wanted to make sure her introduction to gundog training was done correctly. They also let us bring her to NY where, like her sister Bella she too earned her first two legs towards an AKC Junior Hunter title.  She'll be here for just awhile longer as her family is preparing not only for bird hunting but for moose hunting as well! Brooke, like her sister is a sweetheart.

Toph is our daughter's 6 month old pup and not only did she go to to NY with us but she's also in training for her NAVHDA Natural Ability test. Keeping it all in the family, she is niece to Bella and Brooke and half sister to Holly Beth.  Toph did very well at the HVBC hunting tests earning her first two legs towards her title. Maryann hopes to finish her JH title this fall and begin to show her too!

(No picture here but I do want to give another SHOUT OUT and appropriately so regarding Toph's littermates.  Her full sister ZIVA just won Best Opposite Sex at for her first show point at her debut in Union Maine.  Other littermates have already tested for their NAVHDA NA title with one of them (Tyson?) earning a PERFECT SCORE and the other was not too shabby either with another Prize 1. Toph is testing soon as well as two additional littermates and if all goes well, our friends and breeders of this litter (Phil & Sherri Thayer) will receive the NAVHDA Breeder Award.)

CH J&A's Quiet Courage JH, NA 107, Prize 1
Sire: CH J&A's High Caliber Harris Special SH
Dam: J&A's Dreams Come True of Acton JH 

In New York John and I enjoyed the opportunity to see Wilson (Bullet & Treasure's son) earn his first leg towards his AKC Senior Hunting title. An AKC bench champion and already a NAVHDA NA Prize 1 working towards his UT,  Kira has enjoyed training Wilson and seeking the guidance of professionals to bring out the best in him.  We were the guests at their beautiful new home and stayed a few days. Thanks to Julie H., John and I were able to get away from together for the first time in 10 years and we had a great time.

We had a wonderful time in NY and I so enjoyed making some new friends as well as visiting with those who I don't usually get a chance to.  Mostly of course, there was the pride factor of looking at the fruit and evidence of being true to our goals as breeders.  I enjoyed the opportunity also to share with others about our breeding program and was happy to meet those who share similar philosophies.

J&A's Heart of Seumas "Quincy" - Best of Breed
Sire: CH J&A's High Caliber Harris Special SH
Dam: GCH J&A's Sisters of the Heart JH

Pictured here is young Quincy who has been shown in a total of 4 show venues beginning in March 2015. That's not very much! Winning a 5 point major (Specialty) in June, he just won another 4 single points in Union, Maine. This handsome son of Bullet & Thistle is, as they say "knocking on the door" of his AKC Bench Championship with limited showing.  Way to show, Julie!

One thing I appreciate is when owners recognize the true potential of their Brittany puppy and give them every opportunity to shine. There are times people will tell us they'll train or do this or that and there is no follow through which is just plain disappointing to me personally.  It's fun to work on a focused training goal with your dog!  Although a Brittany dog does make an outstanding house pet our experience has been that they simply excel when given the opportunity to participate in not only upland hunting but hunt tests, trials, agility, flyball, etc.  It's not fair to have a puppy grow up to be an adult dog who has not been given the chance to 'work' or 'perform' at something fun and enjoyable with their owner. Whatever it may be. We also appreciate those who may recognize they just don't really have the time or experience to do the necessary training correctly and turn to us. It's what we are here for.  John is such an outstanding bird dog trainer and he's very generous with this "gift".  We work not only with dogs from our own program but with those from others and also with other pointing breeds. It's a commitment that needs to be fulfilled and it's a benefit to your dog, to yourself, and in some ways also to us.

In the meantime, countdown is on for Maine's Bird Hunting Season opener as well as my next total knee replacement. Let's see if the owner of the BBW is paying attention as I say "thank you for the continual use of your recumbent bike as I head towards this second surgery".   Now everyone who has gotten this far - take care and God bless and thanks so much for your interest in All Things Brittany.  Stay tuned - we have two more weeks of events coming up!  John, Ann, and our canine crew