News

Congratulations to owner/handler Tim Kaufman of WI as his Hartland Maisy Mae was RU CH at the MN Grouse Championship. Maisy is from our 2010 litter by CH Long Gone Nixon X Darktown Strutter. Maisy made quite the impression, as this was her first shooting dog stake! Maisy is a maternal half-sister to our D J’s Watchher Strut.

Congratulations to Dave Hawk – Owner, & Scott Chaffee – Handler of Quail Trap Sadie. Sadie won the North Country Shooting Dog CH, bringing her CH total to 3, along with 2 RU CH. Sadie is the dam of our D J’s Runninon Faith.

Whenever we breed one of our females, we always put a lot of study & thought into the selection of the potential sires. We wanted to breed D J’s Latest Flame (aka “Kelli”), who is a daughter of GNG CH/GNG Invitational CH TerHaar’s Elvis, to a special dog. We were fortunate enough to obtain some frozen semen from GNG CH/GNG Invitational CH/6X CH Stillmeadow’s Jim. Jim & Elvis are two of our all-time favorite grouse CH’s, so this breeding seemed like a natural. Jim was a solid bird dog, with lots of style, and those running in the woods today know that Elvis is. We had owned 2 Jim daughters over the years, and they were solid bird dogs as well, and great mothers!

“Kelli” whelped 2 males and 2 females on May 9, and they are all that we hoped for at this point. All tricolors, fat, healthy and full of themselves. All are surely destined to be outstanding bird dogs. All have new homes, but at some point we will likely repeat this breeding.

The most gratifying reward for us as breeders is having happy customers who enjoy their dogs. Tim with Maisy, and Scott with Hank have rewarded us well. 2 years ago we bred the fireball Darktown Strutter (aka Minnie) to CH Long Gone Nixon, and Tim contacted us about the litter. Adamant about having pups from this litter, Tim & Scott made the long drive from northern WI to select a female for Tim, a male for Scott.  Excited & enthusiastic, the guys were an instant hit with us, and left with their choices of pups. They put the pups into birds early, and both have become proficient hunters with experience on sharptails, pheasants, woodcock & ruffed grouse. Venturing into Cover Dog field trials, Maisy (top pic) had her first Derby win last fall, & has been on a roll since. And, now Hank recently entered the winners circle with a very nice win as well.

In a recent E-mail, Tim stated “We are so proud of these dogs, it’s hard to put into words.”  Thanks Guys, we’re proud of them also, and very proud & pleased for you!

DJ’s Latest Flame (GNG CH TerHaar’s Elvis X DJ’s Domino) spent some time in MI with trainers Scott Chaffee & Rich Hollister, learning the ways of Grouse & Woodcock.  While there, Rich entered her in her first trial at the famed Gladwin Field Trial grounds.  “Kelli” didn’t disappoint, and placed 2nd in the Derby stake.  Our thanks to Scott & Rich

Prickley Ash Patch had a very successful and exciting 09′-10′ field trial season. Competing in various venues as a true puppy, she garnered several placements in puppy & derby stakes, including a very close second at the prestigious Sixty-Third Grand National Grouse Futurity Puppy Classic. 25 Grouse Futurity nominated pups from numerous states competed, and Patch’s placement came a month before her first birthday! Bred by Richard & Jennifer Wyatt of Heartland English Setters, Patch is sired by RU CH TerHaar’s Elvis, out of Blue Sapphire (CH First Rate X CH Blue Streak). Congratulations to her owners Kaylee and father Sam Purvis (pictured), and to grandpa Kenny Purvis for their hard work and great success

Dun Roven’s Explorer, aka “Dora” was named RU Champion at the National Amateur Grouse Championship held in Meredith, MI this week. She competed against several Champions and top quality grouse dogs from MI, OH, KY, PA, NY, NH & WI, including last year’s Champion and RU.  A total of 49 dogs competed. Dora was bred by Richard & Jennifer Wyatt, and was sired by Dun Roven’s Sidney, out of B’s Midnight Heartbreak.  Bred to be a grouse dog, Dora’s Dam (also bred by the Wyatt’s), was sired by their cover dog competitor After Midnight, and out of a daughter of CH Stillmeadow’s Jim X CH Skyline Patty. 

Pictured with us are co-owners Sean McKellip (who ran Dora), and owner of Dun Roven Kennels, Rich Hollister.