Four years ago, his griffon, breed’s distinctive unkempt appear- wealth of experience with all types Callie, produced a large litter of ance. The harsh texture provides of hunting , but for him the Pheasant puppies, seven of which found protection in rough cover, but the griffon stands out. homes locally. One, named real bonus of the coat, and the trait “It is rare to see ‘non-perform- Max, even landed a job at Lost that knocks those Labs right off the ers’ or griffs with temperament Hunting River Outfitters on Ketchum’s furniture, is that it barely sheds. issues, and even rarer to see ones (SK;EWL>˜`%RMQEP%VX Main Street. However, Max Beyond saving the sofa from a that hunt for themselves rather may be more renowned for his decade of hair, the griffon is than for the handler,” said Hull. casual inventory of the midnight liaison with a German also an ideal companion for the “I’m sold on this breed as being criss-crossing trails and lush shorthaired (a breed valley’s hunters. Often referred to perfectly suited to what I do in the tale backyards throughout the as the “supreme ,” the grif- field and to our home environment. The wirehaired pointing A closely related to the griffon). Wood River Valley poses an The unscheduled coupling pro- fon has a quick, intelligent mind It’s hard to think of something I intriguing question. Are Labrador Tews Ranch griffon, known as the duced a litter of seven pups that and is easily trained. A meticulous would want to improve.” taking over the world? Southern Idaho’s Original look remarkably like full- hunting companion, bred to use its The breed’s popularity in the Probe a little deeper, however, “ugliest” purebred, is Hunting Ranch blooded griffons. Five of those mind as well as its nose to hunt, the Wood River Valley is in part due to and there is a glimmer of hope for Sun Valley creations now reside griffon can be used as a an infiltration from the south. Grif- less popular puppies. Yes, that Sun Pheasant season is from mounting a challenge for in the backyards of Bellevue, and excels in work that requires fons are prevalent in southern Valley staple is facing a challenge, September to April Hailey and Ketchum. concentration, tracking ability or a Idaho, thanks to a handful of from the little known—yet precise way of working. Their tem- professional breeders and a chap- the position of the Wood G No out of state license required Ritzau is somewhat oblivi- uniquely suited to this valley— G Special shooting preserve license $12.75 ous to the trend he is in part perament is more like that of a ter of NAVHDA. Tews Ranch, just River Valley’s favorite wirehaired pointing griffon. G Or use your Idaho hunting license retriever than a pointer, and a north of Shoshone, operates a hire- G responsible for, but his praise “Pointing what?” people Memberships available griffon shows a tremendous will- a-hunting-dog outfit that works G Day hunts available to non-members for the breed is effervescent. exclaim when presented with one 7)0*7)6:-')SV0)%:)-88397 canine. A proud griffon G www.tewsranch.com “They can do everything. They ingness to please. Hence the happy almost exclusively with griffons. of these intriguing looking canines. 50 miles south of Sun Valley point (an intense, stylized housedog moniker. “I like ’em because owner, Jennifer Tuohy “That’s one of the ugliest dogs I’ve *VIRGLQER·W4PEGIMRXLIEPPI]FILMRH+VYQT]·W 40 miles north of Twin Falls stance taken to indicate the The origins of the they’re a mellow ever seen,” is also a common Shoshone, Idaho XL7XVIIX)EWXMR/IXGLYQ position of game), but they can wirehaired pointing “They’re an dog,” explained sheds some light refrain. With a face only a mother Rusty & Carla Tews also retrieve waterfowl, so griffon date back to ranch owner Rusty 3TIR8YIWHE]XLVSYKL7YRHE] could love, these mischievously Reservations Required they’re a versatile dog for nineteenth-century interesting looking Tews. “They’re not  on this characterful breed. delightful canines are carving out a [[[]SYVHMVX]HSKRIX 208-886-2100 sportsmen. They have a great Photo by David N. Seelig Holland. In 1873, breed, and they’re bred to be an niche in this Labrador-loving val- Callie, top left, looks on while her owner, Lee Ritzau, feeds personality and are great family Eduard Karel aggressive dog. Photos by Chris Pilaro. ley. And, with only 410 registered four of her seven locally based offspring. dogs. I think they’re mellower Korthals set out to funny. They seem They’re an interest- with the American Kennel Club than other pointing breeds, and create the ultimate also to have ing-looking breed, last year—compared to 137,867 their thick coat means the win- walking hunter’s and they’re funny. Labs—griffons have something something of a Stay in ters don’t get to them the way gun dog. Over the They seem also to else many Wood River Valley “It’s rare to find they do to pointers and (Ger- next 10 years, he cult following.” have something of residents appreciate: originality. Ely, Nevada man) shorthairs.” meshed various a cult following.” a dog that can Over the past few years, a grif- Rusty Tews These attributes make grif- bloodlines to create In fact, Tews, who OUTFITTERS fon coup d’état has been slowly hunt effectively fons perfect companions for the the modern-day has worked with brewing in the valley (its ranks THE LOCALS’ FLYSHOP typical year-round Wood River griffon, including German short- many hunting dogs throughout his in rough cover and now boast a champion: Longshots Valley family that loves to haired pointer, Braque Français, career, finds it hard to say a bad Duchess, owned by Teena Hill, was snow at 10 below explore the outdoors and occa- , otterhound, French word about the griffon, but when named Best of Breed at Portland sionally supplement their (a water retriever) and a . It is pushed he relents. “Well, if you zero or at 70 degrees Rose City Dog Show last January). dinner table with some hard- generally agreed that he succeeded wanted a serious dog,” he begins, as The root of this slow usurpation 61 Room Hotel/Casino in the near-constant earned upland gamebirds. in his quest. one of his five griffons begins to can be traced to one man, Lee • 1 Restaurant: The unique appearance of “It’s rare to find a dog that can writhe on the grass in front of him, sun of early August, Ritzau. Prospector's Coffee Shop the griffon is another reason hunt effectively in rough cover and “they ain’t serious. This is about grif- Ritzau, a Ketchum lawyer, is • Lounge retrieve ducks in behind its growing popularity. snow at 10 below zero, or at 70 fon for you,” he said laughingly. responsible for at least 13 griffons • Convention Facilities Their scruffy look singles them degrees in the near-constant sun of “They sure like to roll. And, they’ll ice-fringed lakes, in the valley. The subsequent expo- • Enclosed Heated Pool & Spa out among the predominantly early August, retrieve ducks in ice- hunt anything. My dogs get bored, sure of the breed has led to their • Exercise Room and still behave • 22 Space R.V. Park with glamorous class of purebreds fringed lakes, and still behave they’ll start hunting mice.” becoming an increasingly common full hook-ups. and also appeals to the laid- themselves in the house around So, there it is, so versatile they themselves in the sight along the streets and trails of GUIDED TROUT TRIPS IN • Ample Parking back atmosphere of valley life. family, strangers and other dogs,” can give the household cat a run for LOCAL WATERS AND the Wood River Valley. Ritzau house ...” A medium-sized breed (adults said Roger Hull, president of the her money in the vermin race, the YELLOWSTONE PARK, SPRING STEELHEAD & UPLAND BIRD TRIPS A griffon’s grew up with griffons, so when he Roger Hull 1501 East Aultman weigh 45 to 55 pounds) with a Greatland Chapter of the North griffon is a breed apart. The pure- set out on his own he felt a natu- (Hwy 50, Hwy 93 alternate) noble, square-shaped head, the American Versatile bred tag is countered by a Lady and FINE OUTDOOR GEAR, ral need for a bearded companion. Ely, Nevada Association. the Tramp-like appearance. Throw APPAREL & GIFTS griffon’s wirehaired coat is a FEATURING PATAGONIA 775-289-8900 distinguishing feature. Hard NAVHDA promotes dogs bred in their intense desire to please and and coarse with a thick under- and trained to hunt and point game it’s easy to see how the griffon has 171 N. Main St., Ketchum 800-750-0557 Photo by Roger Hull (208) 726-1706 coat of fine hair for insulation, A griffon stands on point, highlighting the presence of a on land and water. In his role with captured the hearts of so many in V www.lostriveroutfitters.com the coat is responsible for the chukar for its owner. NAVHDA, Hull has amassed a our valley. s g

51 52 fall 2006 • sun valley guide www.sunvalleycentral.com 53