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Big Sky Chapter - NAVHDA - Fall Test, 2004
It just doesn't get much better than this . . .
Sunday, September 5, we ran 3 dogs in the NAVHDA Natural Ability Test at Ninepipes, just south of Ronan, MT. The weather couldn't have been any better - the fields were about the best I've ever seen and the dogs truly enjoyed themselves.
TAN TopperLyn Upland Jagermeister started the day out with a solid performance in the water (4) and then exploded in the field. It was almost more than he could stand to have that great field all to himself. He finally got ahold of himself and settled in to the business at hand and had two really nice points. The track was a bit of a challenge but he managed to pull it off and finished the day with a Prize II. Yea Jag
TopperLyn's United Lady Liberty (AKA "Daisy" - littermate of the incomparable "Kooter") ran next. True to form she aced the water with another 4 (the judges checked behind her ears to see if she had gills). The judges nickname for her after her field work became "Daisy Dynamo." There were times the cover was taller than she is but it never slowed her down. Her search was described as "She just went zip zip zip throughout the field." She definitely is not lacking in desire. She had a tricky bird for her track (silly thing hopped 3 times) but she managed to produce a credible performance and walked away with a Prize II (so close to a Prize I, darn it - up to that point she had perfect 4's in everything). Whoo Hoo Daisy-Doodle-Dog
Saving the best for last - TopperLyn Upland Winchester 101 (Chesty) had the opportunity to display his affinity for water with a very "Chesty-like" flying entry and racked up another 4. (Whoever said these dog's don't do water????) Everything fell into place in his field and track. He had a very nice solid go and an outstanding point and was even steady to wing. His tracking bird cooperated and gave him a good track which he handled with ease. You could have heard me 5 miles away when the judges awarded him a PRIZE I. "Chesty - Chesty - Chesty" You're the MAN (or DOG)
Monday September 6, we took advantage of the rare opportunity to run an older dog "for evaluation." Typically the tests fill up so fast there are never slots available to do that. We really wanted to give CH TAN Beau de l'Hospitalier a shot at it since he was already over 16 months when he arrived from Belgium. Beau did the water but was hard pressed to rival the "kids" from the day before. Beau in the field however (once again) is something to behold. That possibly could have been the longest 20 minutes of my life. My judge turned to the Senior Judge and asked "How are we doing on time?" (After we had looped the field at least twice.) The Sr. Judge said "You have 2 1/2 minutes left." Allen hung his head and replied. "Two and a half minutes with Beau could mean A LOT of walking." Suffice it to say, not much of the 80+ acre field was left uncovered. However, the most amazing thing to see is how Beau can completely shift gears when it comes to the track. I think the judges were equally surprised to see this dog "with the big wheels" shut it down into 4-Low and perform a stellar "Beau-like" track, completely methodical and determined for a perfect 4. At the end of the day we happily accepted a Prize III overall, knowing if he could have pulled off a better score in the water he would have been a Prize I. He definitely is a Prize I to us. Go Beau
TopperLyn's United Beauregard (owned and handled by Will McDowell) had his debut as well. The water proved to be a bit of a challenge for him, but his field and track (another 4) were outstanding. Were it not for the water, "Little Beau" would have also achieved a Prize III. Natural Ability to the core.
In the meantime - CH TAN TopperLyn's United Front (AKA "Kooter") was busy at a series of UKC shows in Iowa where he won 3 Champion Classes, 3 Best of Breeds, and a Gun Dog Group 4th. Not a bad weekend for Kurt and Kooter as well. Kooter "DID IT AGAIN" and we are very proud of him (and Kurt too). GOOD JOB GUYS!
UKC Open [All Breed] Field Trial.
The first sanctioned Open [All breed] UKC Field Trial was held at Pray [Chico Hot Springs] Montana on June 19, 2004. 5 Open Class dogs competed as well as 17 Novice Class dogs. Eleven (11) T.A.N. dogs were tested on June 20, 2004.
CH T.A.N. Benit Trinite du Topper-Lyn is the first dog to receive a "Pass" in the Open Class at a UKC Field Trial in 2004. We are so proud of Trin. He continues to show that his abilities in the field are every bit as strong as his performance in the show ring. Trin represents the epitome of the Total Dog concept.
Both Beau de l'Hospitalier and TopperLyn Upland Jagermeister passed the T.A.N. with flying colors on Sunday. Beau wow'd the crowd with a stellar find clear from the far side of the field. He rocketed across the field to lock solidly on point in true Breton style. Beau is truly "Poetry in Motion." Jag did his best to rival his buddy "Kooter's" performance in South Dakota with a find and point in less than one minute. He lacked Kooter's style however, by not burying his head in a hole. We had to settle for a standard point, flush and retrieve. Good job boys.
A TRULY MEMORABLE WEEKEND
The Memorial Day weekend proved to be truly MEMORABLE for TLK. The trip to Salt Lake City, Utah produced FOUR CHAMPIONS: CH T.A.N. Benit Trinite du Topper-Lyn; CH T.A.N. Sapphyre Noir du Topper-Lyn; CH Topper's Sierra de l'Escarbot; and the incomparable CH T.A.N. Topper-Lyn's United Front (AKA: "Kooter"). Kurt Stepaniak (Kooter's owner) flew all the way from Iowa to show his pup and participate in this 5 show phenomenon. TLK can't thank Kurt enough for his assistance handling the other TLK dogs. We couldn't have done it without his competent assistance.
The second day of the shows proved to be a tremendous challenge as the second ring was located next to a pond — complete with wild ducks. This proved to be almost more than Kooter could tolerate. The judge decided that instead of using the normal squeaky toy or other temptation to get "expression," she would take advantage of the situation and asked the handlers to stack the dogs at the end of the ring nearest to the ducks. The ducks were extremely cooperative and presented themselves, almost on cue, at the perfect moment to achieve the ultimate in expression — a very convincing point. The spectators responded accordingly with amazement at the incomparable little dogs with an overwhelming instinct on birds.
2004 Epagneul Breton National Specialty
The show got off to a great start with TopperLyn's United Front, AKA "Kooter" [T.A.N. Benit Trinite du Topper-Lyn X T.A.N. Sapphyre Noir du Topper-Lyn] winning his class and then moving on to Best of Variety [Other Colors], Male. Hot on his heels was newly imported Beau de l'Hospitalier who also took Best of Variety [Orange & White], Male. Looking around it was apparent that this was a "win-win" situation as two TLK dogs went head to head for Best Male. It was a close decision but no one was disappointed when "Kooter" took the title. Hearts were pounding as Koot proceeded to compete against the Best Female. It was definitely "HIS DAY" and Kurt, his new owner, couldn't have been happier when his little dog took BEST OF WINNERS. Not bad for a six month old.
On Sunday Koot participated in the T.A.N. No pressure. Passing the T.A.N. would qualify him for the UKC Total Dog Award. As Kurt and Koot waited their turn, I noticed a quail take flight and land about 50 yards in front of Koot. Oops - no missing that one. When they were called forward by the judges I could tell Koot knew exactly where that bird was. When Kurt released him, sure enough, he took off like a shot in a straight line. Uh oh! Almost on the bird he got a nose full of scent from the bird box located just off the edge of the field. He whipped a 90 and headed straight for the box. Darn it! Kurt managed to peel him off the bird box and returned to the judges. They moved him forward a bit, hopefully to get him past the scent. (Chris and I looked at each other in dismay - we know this dog has an incredible memory and he's NOT going to forget where those birds were.) Koot was leaping around like a fish out of water as they repositioned. Kurt tried his best to settle him down and tentatively released the snap on his lead. Koot took off like a shot again. This time he whipped around BEHIND THE JUDGES. Oh no - he's headed for the bird box again. Wait! No! He slams on pointnot 10 feet behind the judges. What the heck? His whole head is stuck in a hole. Oh good grief! Kurt walked over to him to see what's going on, Koot pulled his head out of the hole and out popped a quail. They had walked right past it. The judges fired the shot. I grinned at Chris, that was the same first bird he had seen before the run. The judges shrugged and said to Kurt "You're done!"! Koot had found the bird, pointed, and was not gunshy. This could have been the shortest T.A.N. in history. What can I say.
Perhaps it was the most unorthodox performance but — Koot was later awarded the UKC Total Dog award. He could very possibly be the youngest dog to have achieved this award. He did it at 6 months - 3 weeks of age.
HIGH PLAINS KENNEL CLUB SHOWS
2004 has started out to be a really good year for TLK. In March we traveled to Denver, CO to the High Plains Kennel Club, 3 show weekend. The first show proved to be a great success when Trinite was put up for Best of Breed by judge Richard "Rowdy" Yates. The second show Trin was put up Best of Winners. Nikki also had a good weekend by going Best Female in all three shows. Each of the dogs that we showed that weekend took home a prize.
TLK Imports our first dog from Belgium
In February we were most fortunate to have the opportunity to import Beau de l'Hospitalier from renowned breeder Georgine Weber-Dierick. Beau's incredible background will undoubtedly compliment our breeding program. The first breeding [to Topper's Sierra de l'Escarbot] will take place in late April with the litter due in mid June.
Beau's dam, CH Tramontane de l'Hospitalier is an International Beauty Champion; twice European Winner; twice Belgian Winner; and World Winner. His "uncle" CH Tchao de l'Hospitalier at Brittyhill was twice Best of Breed at the prestigious Crufts Dog Show at Windsor. He also carries the distinction of being Britain's first FULL CHAMPION in the breed. Georgine Weber-Dierick was awarded the "Silver Medal by the Belgian National Kennel Club "K.K.U.S.H." for 10 years of excellent achievements and great merit in the Belgian Dog Game." For more information on Hospitalier's accomplishments visit their website at http://www.epagneul-breton.be.
Needless to say, we are extremely proud to have a Hospitalier dog in our kennel.
For more information on "Beau" please visit his page. Click here Also check out the "Upcoming Litters"page.