Flaming Star, 6 1/2-year-old white and orange setter dog owned by Mrs. G. Gunby Jordan of Columbus, Ga., handled by Herman Smith, turned in a sterling performance in 95 degree heat to capture the revived Saskatchewan Chicken Championship. Star rendered an hour of distinction, delivered in oven-like heat, just two degrees shy of the all-time high for September 4 in the Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan area. Star had two great finds in a ground devouring effort.

The revival of the Saskatchewan Open Chicken Championship was on a high note and despite almost record-breaking temperatures, well conditioned contenders made stout bids for the prized crown. Flaming Star’s triumph will be hailed by setter fans everywhere. Many have been awaiting such a victory by the stylish longhair and to have him achieve the distinction under weather that would seem to wilt even the stoutest of heart brings an extra measure of gratification.

As has been said, the thermometer showed 95 degrees and what little breeze there was seemed only to worsen matters. But the gritty setter paid no attention to the heat and ran without a letup for the full hour, just as hard driving at the finish as when he started. He negotiated his country well, his casts were huge and directed intelligently to promising cover. He used the wind advantageously when he neared objectives.

Flaming Star’s first find was outstanding. It came as a result of a swing from a barren rise where he had completed a huge forward cast. Star, slanted across the gallery, well forward and headed for a pocket of bluffs; he did not show and a scout was dispatched to find the lofty setter on an inspirational point. The work was flawless. Sent on towards another series of bluffs perhaps an eighth of a mile ahead, he rounded the upwind edge and pointed again, handling more chickens perfectly. Star, for the remainder of the hour, ran to the limits of the course, finishing strongly over a far rise.

Runner-Up: Homerun Johnny. Flaming Star’s superlative first find provided the wee margin he needed to take the title.

Judges: Delmar Smith, Edmond, OK and John Criswell, Ada, OK

Reporter: David A. Fletcher. Courtesy of The American Field Publishing

Date: Thursday, March 25th to conclusion
Place: Allegheny National Forest, Marienville, PA
Judges: Frank LaNasa, Minnesota,
Dave Hawk, Athens, Ohio
Reporter: Chris Mathan
Entry fee: $125
Purse: $1,500 ($2,000 if 26+ entries) split 70/30 if R-U is named.

Companion Stake: Armstrong-Umbel Amateur Derby
Date: Saturday, March 27th
Place: Allegheny National Forest, Marienville, PA
Judges: Craig Peters, one to be announced

2010_Armstrong-Umbel_Classic.pdf

Please come join us for great trial...as competitor or spectator, you'll really enjoy watching our grouse dogs go the distance!

Anyone who would like to lend their support to The Armstrong-Umbel Endurance Classic through advertising opportunities on this page, please contact us.

Armstrong-Umbel cap art

Armstrong-Umbel caps were so popular last year, we are offering them for sale this year. If you would like a 2010 cap, please let us know by March 1. They are available for $15. All profits will go to support the trial.

The Amesian Standard

The dog under consideration must have and display great bird sense. He must show perfect work on both coveys and singles. He must be able quickly to determine between foot and body scent. He must use his brains, eyes, and nose to the fullest advantage and hunt the likely places on the course. He must possess speed, range, style, character, courage, and stamina—and good manners, always. He must hunt the birds, and not the handler hunt the dog. No line or path runner is acceptable. He must be well broken, and the better his manners the more clearly he proves his sound training. Should he lose a little in class, as expressed in extreme speed and range, he can make up for this, under fair judgment, in a single piece of superior bird work, or in sustained demonstration of general behavior. He must be bold, snappy, and spirited. His range must be to the front or to either side, but never behind. He must be regularly and habitually pleasingly governable (tractable) and must know when to turn and keeps his handler’s course in view, and at all times keep uppermost in his mind the finding and pointing of birds for his handler.

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The American Field, March 4, 1961

Up until now...

The National Championship and its arduous test of three hours hard hunting is a rigid examination of a bird dog’s qualifications. There is little wonder that a dog which emerges with honor in this grueling grind deserves the highest accolade, and it is notable that winners of the National have wielded important influence on their breeds.

The stake is not yet half completed. Twenty dogs made their bids in the first five days of the running, for Monday had been rained out. It is too early to anticipate the outcome of the stake. However, a few remarks pertaining to the performances thus far might be of interest. It can be said that it has been a mighty interesting feature thus far, with birds plentiful, huge galleries and some highly creditable exhibitions. True, those perfectionists who expect everything ideal might find little things to criticize, yet the enthusiasm of the large followings reflect the sustained interest in what has been witnessed.

The conversation dog up to this point is Riggins White Knight, the almost totally white pointer belonging to R.W. Riggins of Knoxville, Tenn., and handled by Hoyle Eaton. The dog was credited with eighteen contacts. Perhaps he did not satisfy the judges owing to inexperience and lack of polish in some circumstances, yet it cannot be said that he did not appeal to them for no observer who admires the essential virtues of a top hunting dog could fail to have his pulse stirred by “Bud’s” sterling performance. He may not be the eventual winner, but at least up to now he has created the most conversation among owners, handlers, and spectators generally.

Of the first ten dogs to make an appearance, four or five commanded attention with good searching, fine handling races and sufficient game contacts. Seairup, Spacemaster, Briardale Pensive, Rocky Creek Ben, and War Storm, to name them in order of appearance and not any preference for the excellence of their heats, all had vociferous admirers.

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The American Field, March 18, 1961

Spacemaster, sturdy stylist and rugged performer, is the 1961 king of the nation’s bird dogs. The seven-year-old white and liver pointer dog, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Ralph E. Daniel of Durham, N.C. handled by Paul Walker, captured the crown in the 63rd running of the National Championship which attracted 48 starters. Spacemaster won the title on his three-hour appearance, which was made on Tuesday afternoon, February 21, the first day of the running, during which the Daniel pointer was credited with fourteen game contacts. It was not a brilliantly rendered performance, but a workmanlike exhibition, thus, as frequently happens in the classic event held annually over the Ames Plantation at Grand Junction, Tenn., the outcome was in doubt right up to the very moment of the announcement of the winner. There were nearly half-a-dozen aspirants to the crown whose owners, handlers and admirers felt they were in the thick of contention, which is an enlightening commentary on the keenness of the competition that developed in the stake.

__________________________________

The American Field, March 9, 1968

Riggins White Knight, Dr. N. E. Palumbo’s Pointer, Was National Crown in a Close Decision for the 1968 Classic

Riggins White Knight, white and orange pointer dog, whelped February 8, 1959, owned by Dr. Nicholas E. Palumbo of Baltimore, MD, handled by Dexter Hoyle Eaton, who has had him throughout his career, was awarded the title of the 1968 renewal of the National Field Trial Association’s event at Grand Junction, Tenn. “Bud” ran on Thursday, February 22, Washington’s Birthday, under arduous conditions and chalked up nine finds. The nine-year-old pointer was a tired dog after the rigorous trek and finished on nerve alone, consequently he was not an unanimous choice. One had to admire his fortitude, his indomitable will, and sympathize with the conditions under which he ran. Many do not like a second series, but the controversial verdict could have been avoided by a direct confrontation, running White Knight and Paladin’s Royal Flush, the other top contender, until, as the saying goes, the hair slips.

The irony of fate, Riggins White Knight was a veritable sensation when he ran over the Ames Plantation in 1961 as a Derby and had he been given the title then, it would have been wonderfully popular. Now there will always be an argument. For Paladin’s Royal Flush, when he ran the second week, had decidedly more favorable conditions, but his exhibition for three hours was certainly more impressive. It is the responsibility of the judges to take all factors into consideration and White Knight’s tough assignment indubitably entered into the analysis, but it is speculation that had he had similar conditions to those Flush ran under, that he could have surpassed the powerful race the Roger M. Kyes pointer delivered for John Rex Gates.

Maybe it is a good thing when there is a difference of opinion. It certainly adds spice. All conceded the expertness of the judges even if not concurring in the final verdict.

Paladin’s Royal Flush

The American Field Christmas Edition 1977

“...John Donaldson has something extra going for him compared to many gifted artists—he is a bird dog man, a breeder and owner, knowledgeable about field trials and field trial dogs, hence the authenticity of all his paintings. One thing that impresses the bird dog devotee is John Donaldson’s mastery not only of the technical aspects of depicting a dog in oil on canvas, but his ability to capture the character—the personality, if you will—of the individual canine. Those who own dogs that John Donaldson has painted offer that as they look at the picture, the pointing dog seems so lifelike that many vivid memories of experiences afield are triggered when they view the painting. As one owner said, ‘The portrait is so vivid, ol’ John seems alive and I find myself almost talking to him.’

That is the supreme accolade to be paid any portrait artist—that he has captured his subject completely, endowed his subject with lifelike qualities, and it is such praise that is invariably bestowed on John Donaldson’s art.”

Champion Buckboad

The American Field Christmas Edition 1988

Readers of the American Field have been favored over the past twelve years to see several reproductions of the paintings of John Donaldson appearing in The Field.

Owners of the first place winners in the American Field Pheasant and Quail Futurities have been even more favored for they have been the recipients of original oil paintings of their dogs by the noted artist from Germantown, Maryland. Owners whose dogs have won the Purina and Norden Awards also receive a Donaldson painting of their winners.

John Donaldson was born in Springfield, Massachusetts. At age thirteen, after he and his family had moved to White Plains, New York, John received an Irish Setter puppy from his parents. That started his involvement with bird dogs.

John received his formal art training at the Art Student’s League in New York and the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. Subsequent to his graduation from Pratt, he entered the business world as a commercial artist, eventually coming to Washington, D.C. where he joined a private firm.

Watercolor was his favorite medium and he soon gained considerable attention for his work. Despite his success and the security of the commercial art field, he looked for something else.

In 1959, John gave up commercial art and began to freelance. Slowly and steadily, his client list grew.

In the late 60s, a friend familiar with John’s ability with watercolors, asked him to do an oil painting of his champion bird dog. At first John resisted, then relented. What was there to lose? A few tubes of paint?

Those who own a Donaldson painting can attest that decision was a successful one.

John Donaldson is familiar with bird dogs, and his association with field trials finds him having connections with the Association of Virginia Field Trial Clubs, the Maryland Association and National Capital Field Trial Club.

The Purina and Norden Awards programs have commissioned John to paint the winners of those annual competitions.

John Donaldson served in the Army Air Corps during the war, with the 8th Air Force in England and France, and then moved to the Washington area in 1944. From 1944 to 1950, he worked for the Naval Gun Factory, for Reed Research, as art director, and for Ted Christenson Associates, also as art director. From 1950 to 1960, he was a partner in Design Directors before launching his career as a self-employed commercial artist. He also taught art at Montgomery College in Rockville.

John Donaldson died on June 25, 2005 at the age of 86. Work, not in private collections, is featured in the Bird Dog Museum, Grand Junction, Tennessee and The Museum of the Dog, St. Louis, Missouri.

Champion Bobby Joe

Champion Bases Loaded

For more many more John Donaldson paintings, please visit Photo Gallery, album:10

Text courtesy of The American Field, paintings courtesy of The Bird Dog Foundation

Grouse Ridge Smokey

Reading through some issues of the American Field from 1959 (see pdfs located at the end of this article), it is clear that the original foundation of the trial system was a strong contingent of grass roots events of mainly half hour heats. Competitors, both novice and veteran, could compete weekly, building their skills and readying their dogs for the grand goal at the major stake events (the hour stakes, classics, and championships). Paying particular attention to trials in the Mid-Atlantic and the areas that now hold grouse trials such as New England, it is of particular notice that 50 years ago in every corner of the state of Pennsylvania, numerous small towns hosted weekend trials such as that at Bradford. Most of these small clubs no longer exist. The Bradford trial report states the club had been running trials for over three decades presumably starting in the 1920s. This club and likewise, for comparison in Maine, the Westbrook club and trial no longer exist.

Note the community efforts evidenced in these two events that the trials commandeered. At Bradford the community fire company hosted lunches/dinners and the local banker was the publicity director and provided a report of the trial to the local newspaper. The Westbrook event held a social dinner event with dancing. Things have changed in so many ways.

The two trials noted here were horseback stakes run on planted or pre-release birds with a bird field. Pheasants are mentioned, utilized for the Westbrook trials. What’s most noteworthy about these trials, however, is that the participants were the same who patronized the grouse trials of the time and who would soon become synonymous with grouse trials in New England. (Note: There were no American Field recognized grouse championships in New England in 1959. The New England Championship was run with the possibility of pointing quail, pheasant, grouse or woodcock. It later split to form the New England Open Shooting Dog Championship (horseback) and the New England Grouse Championship.) The Bradford trial participants included Robert Habgood, Richard Shear, Dr. Jim Flannigan, and Carl Beattie. In Westbrook, participants included notables: Eddie Frisella, Phil Fogg, and Mike Seminatore and others who would be the original stalwarts from the grouse trials of New England. It is interesting, that at the time, people participated in both ‘grouse’ trials and ‘horseback’ trials with the same dogs (Grouse Ridge Smokey, for example) and expected them to be competitive in either. Also note that they ran ‘all-age’ and ‘shooting dog’ as part of the full slate of events and often entered the stakes with the same dogs.

As a side historical note, according to the American Field; in the beginning “all major stake field trials were run as ‘all-age’ stakes. That term meaning for the “finished, high class bird dog”. It was not until “after WW II that the shooting dog stake was introduced, and in the early 1950s was recognized and hence we had two distinct designations — ‘all-age’ and ‘shooting dog’.” At no time was the designation of all-age, whether on the major circuit or in the original grouse trials across the country such as Marienville, PA, intended to designate stakes open to ‘all ages’ of pointing dog contenders. All-age was and continued to mean competitions for the ‘finished, high class bird dog’. The designation ‘shooting dog’, was originally put forth and intended to highlight stakes representative of the gentleman’s shooting dog versus the wide ranging, high class field trial bird dog at the time that stretched the country as far as it would allow. The same most likely translated to the grouse woods, a gentleman’s foot shooting or gun dog versus the high class field trial bird (grouse) dog. Those conducting the early grouse trials chose to keep the all-age designation to emphasize the promotion of the high class field trial bird (grouse) dog and this designation resulted in the Grand National Grouse Championship at one time counting as a qualifying stake for the National Field Trial Championship at the Ames Plantation in Tennessee. The PA stakes today are still classified as all-age.

Obviously by the time of these two events in Bradford and Westbrook, a differentiation had been made in many or most American Field trials as to performance standards of horseback shooting dog or all-age. Note in the Westbrook report the statement about the grounds having “running room for real all-age contenders and some interesting wooded country over which to test the merits of northeastern shooting dogs.” Though there was a differentiation made between an all-age and a shooting dog stake by 1959, competitors in the Middle Atlantic and North East ran the same animals sometimes in all three stakes — grouse woods, horseback shooting dog and all-age (again note Grouse Ridge Smokey).

BradfordTrial_Aug261959.pdf     WestbrookTrial_Aug151959.pdf

Reports reproduced courtesy of The American Field

For all those who have ordered Bill Allen's book 'The Unforgettables':

The books are back from the bindery! I will receive a book with a test dust jacket on Monday. After making size adjustments to the dust jacket, it will be printed, trimmed and the book then wrapped. The book will shipped at the end of the week.

Thanks for your patience!

The Black Ash Grouse Dog Club is proud to announce the second running of the Armstrong-Umbel Endurance Classic in March 2010. Heats will be of two-hour duration.

We are proud to have attained the following two judges:

Frank LaNasa has been breeding, training and successfully campaigning his dogs in amateur and open grouse, horseback shooting dog and all-age stakes for over 20 years. His dogs have won wild bird championships including the National Amateur Grouse Championship, the National Amateur and National Open Prairie Chicken Shooting Dog Championships, and the National Amateur Chicken Championship. He has judged all three circuits from the mid west and prairies to Nevada and south to Mississippi, most recently judging the prestigious all-age endurance championship, The Southern, for the second time. In the grouse woods, he has judged the Minnesota Grouse Dog Championship and the Lakes States Grouse Championship. Frank’s home state is Minnesota.

Dave Hawk hails from Southeastern Ohio and has been training and campaigning grouse dogs for the past seven years. He is a life long grouse hunter and has hunted with his own pointing dogs for the past 27 years. He has won with his dogs in horseback, cover dog and other walking shooting dog stakes and amateur championships. His dogs have also won open championships, including the 2007 Wisconsin Cover Dog Championship and R-U in the 2008 Grouse and Woodcock Invitational. He has judged walking and horseback stakes throughout the region, most prominent being the Region 4 Walking Shooting Dog Championship and the National Walking Shooting Dog Futurity.

Last spring’s inaugaral running of the the Armstrong as a two hour classic drew 22 dogs (21 ran). Judges Roger Hoover and Mazie Davis commented on the entry of strong bird dogs — most running well past the hour and a half mark and several finishing the two hours. The Winner and Runner-Up were extremely well-received by all who witnessed their performances. Both were outstanding in their ability to go the distance with strength and purpose. Though birds were at a premium during the running, both dogs hunted objectives, holding the judges and gallery’s excitement for the entire two hours.

Endurance is the ability or strength to continue and maintain a high quality of work despite fatigue, stress, or other adverse conditions; stamina.

Stamina: physical or moral strength to resist or withstand fatigue or hardship; endurance.

Club members and other supporters of the Armstrong-Umbel feel strongly that endurance is a quality we should seek in all field trial bird dogs. By definition, an endurance event evaluates many of the subjective preferences we seek in our dogs today. Does the gait we think attractive also prove to be efficient and sustainable? Do the dogs we find exciting have the mental fortitude to respond well to additional stress? Both these qualities are necessary to keep dogs focused on the task of hunting for and handling birds with class past the hour mark.

Please see archived postings (Category: Endurance Trials) of excerpts from reports of several of the more exciting early Grand National Grouse Championships which ran as one hour first series, followed by two hour second series.

Report and other details from last years running are archived under Category: Armstrong-Umbel

For anyone wishing to support the Armstrong-Umbel Endurance Classic, please scroll down to the information on the right side bar on this page.

The Armstrong will be accompanied by the Black Ash Amateur Derby.

Additional details to follow in the American Field ad. Thanks to all who supported the Classic last spring. We look forward to seeing you in March!

Bill Allen’s wonderful book 'The Unforgettables' is at the bindery and the dust jacket is at the printer so we are on schedule to ship the book at the end of the month or close to it!

A brisk northwesterly wind swept across the yucca and cholla-choked plains of Southeastern Colorado as my hunting partner’s cherished pointer searched for aromatic affirmation that there were birds in the neighboring environs. The pointer gracefully hurdled and bounded over the greasewood and sand-sage common in Colorado scaled quail country in search of any evidence of birds. Suddenly, a jackrabbit shot up and loped across the plains sending the pointer on a dead run after the impish creature. Frantically, my friend cussed and bawled for his pointer to “Whoa Dimmitt Whoa!” Shamefully, the pointer broke chase and returned to us 3-legged lame on the right pelvic limb.

The above paragraph is a very common scenario of how athletic dogs rupture or damage their cranial cruciate ligament (This is a common injury in people and is referred to as a torn or ruptured ACL). ACL rupture is a relatively common injury in athletic dogs and is the most common cause of degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis in the stifle (knee joint). The role or function of the cranial cruciate ligament in the stifle joint is to limit internal rotation and forward or cranial displacement of the tibia in relationship to the lower femur bone. The ligament also plays a role in preventing the stifle from hyperextension during strenuous exercise.   

Injury to the ACL occurs when excessive internal rotation and hyperextension are added to forces greater than the ligament’s inherent strength, ultimately leading to damage of the fibers of the ligament. Diagnosis of the injury is made based on history of the injury, clinical signs associated with the dog, and radiographs of the stifle joint. 

Most dogs with an ACL strain or tear will be non-weight bearing for the first couple of weeks due to the amount of swelling and intense pain associated with the injury. The most common clinical sign veterinarians look for is the failure of the dog to sit normally. They fail the sit test when they swing the affected leg away from the body as the patient tries to move into the sit position. Radiographs of the stifle are also an effective tool to aid in the diagnosis because they help highlight the swelling in the joint that is commonly associated with a strain or tear of the ACL. Finally, palpation of the joint for pain and swelling and a forward motion of the femur relative to the tibia or Drawer’s Motion can aid in the proper non-invasive diagnosis of an ACL rupture. Partial or incomplete ruptures can be diagnosed by arthroscopic examination of the joint prior to surgical repair on dogs where ACL damage is strongly suspected.

There are numerous other environmental and genetic factors that can lead to damage of the ACL in dogs that generally do not apply to our well-conditioned and athletic bird dogs, so I will not address them in much detail.  These conditions can include such things as inadequate conditioning, obesity, hypothyroidism, and poor conformation, luxating or slipping kneecaps and chronic inflammation or arthritis in the stifle joint.

Once your dog has been properly diagnosed with pathology of the ACL, treatment options should be considered and initiated to get your bird dog back to top hunting performance. The goal of treatment should be to return your bird dog to the level of performance it was at prior to injury. The sooner surgical repair and stabilization are initiated, the better the outcome that can be expected. If left untreated, the unstable joint leads to damage of the articular cartilage and eventually osteoarthritis that can be performance limiting or stopping.

The two most common surgical techniques offered for ACL repair are Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) and the new Tightrope CCL Technique. I will briefly describe both procedures in the following paragraphs.

The tibial plateau (the top of the tibia which is the bottom bone beneath the femur—both bones articulate to form the stifle joint) of the canine stifle is sloped and when the ACL is torn the femur slides down the tibia.  Some people have used the analogy of a car on a hillside tied to a rope. When the rope breaks, the car starts to roll down hill. However, when the car is placed on a level surface, it stays in the same spot and does not need to be tied in place. This is the simplified concept of the TPLO surgery.

Rupture of the ACL, and the sloping of the canine tibial plateau create what is termed as tibial thrust along with the forces exerted by the muscles of the calf and quadriceps. This tibial thrust creates excessive wear and tear on the joint causing damage to the cartilage and swelling which ultimately causes severe pain. A TPLO essentially levels the playing field and eliminates the tibial thrust, thus creating a dynamically stable and pain free gait.

TPLO surgery involves arthroscopic examination of the stifle joint to clean up the damaged ends of the ligament and to inspect the medial and lateral meniscus to see if they were damaged as well. Then the tibial plateau of the tibia is cut and the plateau is rotated to level the slope to about 2 to 14 degrees. The tibia is then secured back into place with a surgical plate and multiple screws.

The healing process after TPLO surgery requires 8 to 12 weeks of serious commitment. In my experience, patients are usually touching their toes on the ground a few days post-op. Patients need to be confined to leash walking and cage rest for a minimum of 8 weeks. Follow-up radiographs are recommended at 6 weeks, 8 weeks and 12 weeks to insure that the bone is healing properly without any complication of infection or broken hardware. At 8 weeks, patients are allowed to go on longer leash walks and after about 4 months post-op, most exercise restrictions have been lifted. Patients can usually be hunting or performing by 6 months post-op.

With TPLO surgery, it is estimated that 90% of the patients will return to the level of performance they were pre-injury while about 10% develop osteoarthritis that may limit or even stop their athletic ability. Many surgeons recommend that the patient be radiographed annually to determine the amount of degeneration in the joint. All bird dogs that have suffered an ACL injury that required surgery should be on glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate, omega-3 Fatty Acids (fish oils), niacinamide or Vitamin B-6, and joint supportive diets (Please see other Strideaway articles on Canine Osteoarthritis).

Radiograph showing severe swelling or joint effusion due to rupture of the ACL.

Radiograph of the same dog after TPLO surgery.  Note the cut in the tibial plateau and the plate/screws.

Dr. James Cook, a veterinarian from the University of Missouri, recently developed the Tightrope CCL Technique to address some of the shortcomings of other ACL repair techniques including the aforementioned TPLO surgery. Dr. Cook fashioned this technique on a procedure used in humans with ankle surgery because human ankle injuries are very similar to canine ACL disease. The Tightrope  (TR) procedure was developed to stabilize the stifle without the invasive process of cutting the tibial plateau as takes place with the TPLO surgery.

The TR technique also includes arthroscopic visualization of the structures within the stifle to remove the damaged ligament and inspect the medial and lateral meniscus. Then small tunneling holes are drilled through the femur and tibia bones so that the TR (which is made of Kevlar) can be passed through and anchored to stabilize the stifle joint.

Tightrope Procedure/Technique showing anchor points (drawing courtesy of James L. Cook, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVS, Director, Comparative Orthopaedic Laboratory, University of Missouri)

Opening of the stifle joint to clean out the torn ligament and remove the damaged medial meniscus prior to Tightrope Procedure.

Drilled holes in the tibia and femur for the Tightrope to be placed.

Tightrope being placed.

There is still a required 10 to 12 week recovery period to insure that there is adequate healing time with this surgical procedure. One of the most common complications that I have heard from surgeons in the Denver area is infection associated with the Tightrope. TR surgical technique appears to have similar return to function rates as the TPLO surgery.

ACL damage is by far the most common orthopedic disease that we see as veterinarians. Dogs that rupture one ligament are very likely to rupture the other at some point in time. On a positive note, I see it more commonly with obese patients and that rarely includes our hunting and field trialing dogs. Traumatic rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament accounts for only about 20% of all the ACL disease in the canine population. Having a basic knowledge of what occurs with ACL disease will help us as bird dog owners to get our 3-legged lame partners to the veterinarian sooner to aid in a healthier recovery. One final note, it’s never a bad idea to get more than one opinion before you commit to any surgical procedure for your hunting partner.

Shawn will be happy to answer questions. We will be adding a logo link to his site shortly. You can find Shawn at Bird Dog Doc’s Chronicles

We thought it would be interesting and a valuable asset to create maps showing where Major Circuit Open Championships are held and what type of game birds they are held on. The three maps showing Open All-Age, Open Shooting Dog, and Open Cover Dog Championships are based on 2009 locations and dates.

We do not distinguish whether or not some species of birds are native, liberated or part of a release program.

We have done our best to research this information. Please let us know if you detect any errors in location or bird species listed.

We are working on a map showing Amateur Championships for the same three circuits.

To download the maps, please click on the pdf directly below the images. You will need a current version of Adobe Acrobat. Scroll down to view the championship listing:

Open_AA_Championships.pdf

Open_SD_Championships.pdf

Open_CD_ChampionshipsClassics.pdf

The PDFs will also be available in the pdf section in the right column of this page.

Wishing all our field trial and bird dog friends a Merry Christmas and a wonderful holiday with their families and friends.

Order your limited first edition copy of Bill Allen’s richly-illustrated, hardbound book today! You must order your copy by December 31. The book will ship in January. You can order The Unforgettables by mail, filling out our Orderform (click here: Unforgettables_OrderForm.pdf) or using our secure online PayPal Shopping Cart (scroll down to The Unforgettables banner). If you are ordering several copies and need shipping costs or if you have any questions, please call 207-892-4201.

$24.95 plus $4.95 (Priority shipping)

Pointing

Where birds are not plentiful, the element of luck enters largely into the question of the dog’s bird-finding ability, more so than it does on a course where birds are abundant. It is not wise, therefore, to rate dogs under this head by the number of birds found and pointed. The character and excellence of the finds and the points made should be considered, the dog being preferred that goes boldly to point on the body scent, over one that dwells on foot scent. A difficult find that results from intelligent searching is to be valued more highly than one that did not require such wisdom, bird sense, or industry.

Locating Birds
Dogs that refuse to maintain a staunch point on foot scent, but move on so that they will always have the body scent in their nose, are to be rewarded for locating their birds accurately. They are preferred to a dog that holds fast to his original point on foot scent, even if the birds move beyond the reach of his nose. Here, particularly, does a dog demonstrate his ability to match wits with the bird. Accurate location of game is highly desirable. Quickness is a plus. The astute handler permits his dog to certify exact location without undue coaching.

First published in 1934, William Brown’s Field Trials: History, Management and Judging Standards has been revised over the years but is still in print and available from the American Field. Highly recommended, it belongs in the library of every field trial participant — competitor and judge alike.

If you have read the previous article (scroll down for November 18th posting “Of Great Grouse Dogs, There Shall Be No End”) from the August 29, 1959 American Field you will thusly find the following of interest. Appearing in the September 19, 1959 issue of the American Field was an open letter response to Herb Cahoon’s August article lamenting the withholding of the 1958 PA Grouse Championship. It leaves much to think about in the judging of field trials in general, and the high regard that was and should be bestowed upon the act of naming a champion and what it meant to the sport and the dogs. The open letter was written by one of the judges of the 1958 renewal, someone most of us know by name.

Rebuttal_Cahoon_Article_1958_PA_CH.pdf

While other American game birds may well demand the respect of the confirmed grouse hunter, the present day ruffed grouse is far more of a problem for a dog to handle than any other. He is the craftiest of all our game birds with the possible exception of the turkey that hardly figures in the bird dog picture. In covers of ordinary size, a grouse appears to know when the gunner and his dog enter it, unless the wind is heavy. Hearing and knowing the point of intrusion, the bird appears to take stock of the situation immediately and lays a plan for escape should the intruders prove possible enemies. He may decide to run out to some convenient edge whence he can take wing should the pursuit turn his way. He may risk the chance of lying tight, trusting that he will be passed by undetected. Again he may wait until he is sure he is being sought and then run well ahead and flush while concealed by a protecting rise of land or a mass of cover. Yet again, should he be caught unawares, as he sometimes is, he will run ahead, not daring to show himself in the air, turn suddenly to one side or the other and then lie close where, likely enough, he will escape the nose of any but the most alert and experienced dogs. Careless dogs follow the trail easily enough but do not detect the sudden tangent until both they and the hunter have passed on. Then the grouse will either slip away afoot, or in a bold dash on wing that usually takes both dog and hunter off guard. There seems to be no end to the strategy of the grouse as he executes his masterly retreats. By comparison the quail’s tactics are simple and prescribed while the woodcock’s are little short of pitiful. It is only after a long experience in grouse hunting that those who follow the ways of this wise bird come to realize the problems of the grouse dog that is suppose to locate, point and hold him. It is only after long experience, also, that the dog itself comes anywhere near mastering the situation and becomes an exalted figure in the bird dog world.

This preeminent, highly recommended book for anyone who wants to further their understanding of grouse dogs, first published in 1942, can still be found at used book sellers like Alibris and Amazon.