ctrout
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« on: July 31, 2009, 06:59:41 AM » |
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Well, as my trusty ESS Dexter approaches retirement, I'm left with a problem. Being active duty AF and having been stationed in the same location for over seven years, I am probably quickly approaching the top of the list for a set of orders. Do I start a new dog or wait? I have four years left until I retire. One of my club's members and good friend and hunting partner Kevin, had a large litter recently and is having a hard time finding buyers so he's lowered the price on his dogs. Kevin is an active trialer and brought the original dogs in his kennel back with him from England when he was stationed there in the late 90s. He culls dogs for the smallest flaws and I have known him to be an extreme perfectionist since the day we met seven years ago. He alluded to me the other day that if I'm interested he would make it very easy for me to acquire one of these pups so it looks like I'll be getting another dog started this year! I'm excited and scared. This is a big undertaking and a lot of work, time, and cash lost if I should get orders to somewhere like Italy or something but I don't want to risk having an old bird dog that's too old or crippled to hunt while I wait to retire before starting a new one and having to sit out three or four seasons as a result. Wish me luck!  Dexter |
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« Last Edit: July 31, 2009, 07:00:32 AM by ctrout »
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338-06 A&B, 114U stock, Burris double dovetails, Sig. rings, Burris FF2 3-9x40
338 Edge, 28" Shilen large shank, SSS LVT stock, Farrel base, Seekins rings, Elite 4200 6-24x50
270Win EGW base, Burris Sig. Zees, Burris FF2, Tupperware stock
12FV 223, Nikon Bmaster 4.5-14x40 SF, Dnz mount, SSS trigg
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Rooster 50
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« Reply #1 on: July 31, 2009, 08:12:27 AM » |
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What's an ESS
I just sat out a year without a dog after 10 yrs with my old girl. Get the new dog. I bet your friend would keep it for a year or two if you get sent overseas.
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jethro
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The Old North State
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« Reply #2 on: July 31, 2009, 08:48:48 AM » |
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ESS
English Springer Spaniel
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Eric in NC
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« Reply #3 on: July 31, 2009, 09:10:58 AM » |
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I always try to have two on hand - a young one to learn "the wisdom" passed down from the older one. The pup keeps the older one active and the older one won't let the pup get too out of hand.
Have middle aged, calm Setter right now (my avatar) and a 1 year old GSP that is just starting to act like he has a brain (after being put on his back about a million times by the Setter).
My vote - get the dog now!
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ctrout
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« Reply #4 on: July 31, 2009, 05:09:40 PM » |
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This is ridiculous! I just had him email me the pedigrees and the lines are insane! 13 of the dam's 30 ancestors are English field champions including her sire. That's right, my puppy's grampa came over on the boat from the old country. 19 titles total out of 30 on dam's side. The sire has no English blood in his pedigree but has 12 of 30 with titles. All this for $300 and he's letting me make payments because it's getting to be the beginning of school and I have 4 kids so he knows that money's a little tight right now. I love having connections!
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338-06 A&B, 114U stock, Burris double dovetails, Sig. rings, Burris FF2 3-9x40
338 Edge, 28" Shilen large shank, SSS LVT stock, Farrel base, Seekins rings, Elite 4200 6-24x50
270Win EGW base, Burris Sig. Zees, Burris FF2, Tupperware stock
12FV 223, Nikon Bmaster 4.5-14x40 SF, Dnz mount, SSS trigg
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Rooster 50
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« Reply #5 on: July 31, 2009, 08:21:34 PM » |
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This is ridiculous! I just had him email me the pedigrees and the lines are insane! 13 of the dam's 30 ancestors are English field champions including her sire. That's right, my puppy's grampa came over on the boat from the old country. 19 titles total out of 30 on dam's side. The sire has no English blood in his pedigree but has 12 of 30 with titles. All this for $300 and he's letting me make payments because it's getting to be the beginning of school and I have 4 kids so he knows that money's a little tight right now. I love having connections!
I take that back. If you get shipped overseas I will keep the dog for you. I'm already in trouble for the last one I brought home from SD last fall one more won't matter. I assume you ARE getting the dog then. |
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ctrout
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« Reply #6 on: July 31, 2009, 08:58:06 PM » |
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338-06 A&B, 114U stock, Burris double dovetails, Sig. rings, Burris FF2 3-9x40
338 Edge, 28" Shilen large shank, SSS LVT stock, Farrel base, Seekins rings, Elite 4200 6-24x50
270Win EGW base, Burris Sig. Zees, Burris FF2, Tupperware stock
12FV 223, Nikon Bmaster 4.5-14x40 SF, Dnz mount, SSS trigg
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ctrout
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« Reply #7 on: July 31, 2009, 10:32:48 PM » |
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Well, I got her home and she is great. 8 weeks old and she already carries a full size bumper all over the yard! It was a very tough choice because all of the pups we saw tonight were VERY high quality. All of them carried the bumper and they all had tons of energy and are very healthy. No one dog stood out much above any other, they all look very promising. I picked based on which dog took to me the best and it even took 20 minutes to figure out which one wanted to spend the most time with me. Now the hard part begins. I've got to think of a name for her, get her house trained, leash trained, and obedience trained. I also have to get her and Dexter used to each other and then after bird season this year, I have to start getting her field trained. It's been 5 years since I have started the training process with a new dog so I'll also have to re-train myself. In fact, Dexter was a year old when I got him so I haven't actually trained a puppy in 15 years! Lots to do and learn for the whole family. Here's a pic of her from the breeder. I haven't gotten a chance to take any yet myself.  And here's her grandfather. http://www.essfta.org/2003NationalAmateur/sundart_solar_by_jeff_miller.htm |
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« Last Edit: August 01, 2009, 01:06:30 AM by ctrout »
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338-06 A&B, 114U stock, Burris double dovetails, Sig. rings, Burris FF2 3-9x40
338 Edge, 28" Shilen large shank, SSS LVT stock, Farrel base, Seekins rings, Elite 4200 6-24x50
270Win EGW base, Burris Sig. Zees, Burris FF2, Tupperware stock
12FV 223, Nikon Bmaster 4.5-14x40 SF, Dnz mount, SSS trigg
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viper9696
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« Reply #8 on: August 01, 2009, 01:01:38 AM » |
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congrates on the new addition ,man I love a good bird dog  |
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112,223,choate uv,nikon 6-18
lrpv,204,hs stock,sightron S3 6-24x50
12 target,McGowen 6mmbr,SSS hbr,Sightron S3 8-32
Mark II,22lr,thumbhole,Tasco 6-24x40
11 youth,243,Simmons 2.5-10x50
12fv,204,VX-3 4.5-14x50
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