First Airedales Participate in Spaniel Hunt Test

[frankyme]

Found this looking for a schedule of upcoming events.
www.akc.org/events/hunting_tests/spaniels/northeast_wi/2009/

[phil]

Thanks Frank,
Though the hunt test season is in full swing, This coming weekend in Wisconsin, next week in Missouri, and early October in Pa. with tests back to back weekends. One of which is the first ATCA Spaniel test held in conjunction with Mongomery County.
The Retriever world has the focus of Gangster and Madonna, Maugh and I will be Southeast Georgia picking up Maugh's new Retriever trial pup.
Flushing dog titles will have to wait until we get the HRC titles out of the way.
Quite possible Maugh's new Dale pup, out of Christie's Cate will be the next Flushing dog propect.
With the test schedule as it is Mark Werners and Deanna Lubik's Dales are in a race to be the first AKC titled dogs I certainly trust they will follow through and achieve that goal. It would go a long way's to solidfy the Airedales position with the AKC as a hunting breed.
Cheers

Hal
aka "Phil"

[jackie]

Great news, thanks for the update Phil. Jackie

[wayne]

Just came across another one. Scott, Anita and "Bob" earned their/his JH in a akc sanctioned event. These dogs have what it takes for whatever you train them for.

www.akc.org/events/hunting_tests/spaniels/articles/airedale_titles.cfm

Wayne

[phil]

Wayne very true, thanks for posting Tommy Meyers article.
However JH is an entry level test a great place to start. Real fun begins at the senior level and beyond. Literally any breed of dog if properly intro could jH work. Years ago at the H/W workshop, I intro a Bedlinger Terrier in the morning and was doing JH work in the afternoon,
the real strength in the spaniel testing program gives one a chance to learn about the culture of the flushing bird dog and because of the social nature of the training process Scott and BoB and other Daler's have joined spaniel training groups and are learning how to prepare their dogs for hunting fun and test fun. It's all about haveing a better prepared dog for the field.

Cheers
Hal

[phil]

Just as a side note
The Hunt test season for 2010 is already underway with 4 tests being held in California already this month.
2009 saw over 100 test dates... a record year due to the number of clubs holding event weekends and record number of dogs being entered.
For results and dates go to www.essft.com
Cheers
Hal

[wayne]

Phil,
I'm new to the airedale world and the formal retriever world. The reason that I was interested in this, is that it is a sactioned event and it is the FIRST JH, anywhere that I know of in the USA.
I am training my girl right now in the basic commands with the eventual aim to use her for retrieving, ducks, geese and upland game birds. I am introducing her to a lot of different things as we progress in our training. We will l be starting the other training late spring/mid summer, with a local Gun Club - I hope.
Wayne

[phil]

Wayne, that's great!
Not sure how you define the "basics commands" with your girl,
But remember with out a solid retrieve, one that you do not even have to think about when your dog is out bringing something back to you, is the most important behavior. Without a trained retrieved your dog will never be considered trained. So get er done.
If you do that you will have a Dale that is in the top 5% of the breed.

Cheers

Hal