VERSATILE HUNTING DOG A Publication of The North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association • Volume L • No. 5 • May 2019 SPECIAL PUPPY ISSUE! VERSATILE IF SOMEONE HUNTING DOG NAVHDA International Volume L • No. 5 • May 2019 TOLD YOU THAT Officers & Directors David A. Trahan President Bob Hauser Vice President Angie Coenen Secretary Richard Holt Treasurer Chip Bonde Director of Judge Development Andy Doak Director of Promotions FEATURES Tim Clark Director of Testing Tim Otto Director of Publications Steve Brodeur Registrar 4 Puppy Photos! • Submitted by NAVHDA Members Tracey Nelson Invitational Director Steve Greger Director of Information Services Marilyn Vetter Past President 8 To Swim Or Not To Swim • by Tracy Harmeyer Versatile Hunting Dog Publication Staff 10 Training A Bird Dog: It Takes A Village • by Bill Watt Mary K. Burpee Editor/Publisher Erin Kossan Copy Editor 14 All The Right Reasons • by Rod Debias Sandra Downey Copy Editor Rachael McAden Copy Editor A Photo Essay by Philippe Roca Patti Carter Contributing Editor 18 Pups & Ducks • Dr. Lisa Boyer Contributing Editor Nancy Anisfield Contributing Editor/Photographer 20 My Adventures With Merlin • by Ben Baldridge OF THE TOP 100 Philippe Roca Contributing Editor/Photographer Wight Greger Women’s Editor Marion Hoyer Social Media Editor 22 History Of The Minnesota Chapter • by Pete Aplikowski Mike Neiduski Social Media Editor 91 Maria Bondi Advertising Coordinator SPORTING * Advertising Information Copy deadline: 45 days prior to the month of 18 DOGS EAT THE SAME publication. Commercial rates available upon request. All inquiries or requests for advertising DEPARTMENTS should be addressed to: President’s Message • 2 NAVHDA BRAND OF FOOD PO Box 520 About The Cover • 4 Arlington Heights, IL 60006 Voice 847/253/6488 • Fax 847/255/5987 On The Right Track • 8 Email [email protected] Versatile Chef • 28 Would you ask Web www.navhda.org The Forum • 30 what it is? See our web site or call for current rates. Kennel Registrations • 30 Please submit all articles for and questions pertaining to the Classifieds • 31 VHD (other than advertising) to [email protected], with ATTN VHD Editor in the subject line or by mail via the postal ser- Tips From Purina • 33 vice to NAVHDA, PO Box 520, Arlington Heights, IL 60006. Test Results • 34 ROCA © 2019 © 2019 The North American Versatile Calendar Of Events • 36 Hunting Dog Association, Inc.• All Rights Reserved. Printed in the USA The North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association does not discrim- inate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, sexual orientation or age in its programs, activities, or in its hiring and employment practices. The Versatile Hunting Dog is published monthly and is the official publication of The North Amercian Versatile Hunting Dog Association (NAVHDA), a nonprofit, educational organization dedicated to fostering, improving, promoting and protecting the versatile hunting dog in North America and to the conservation of all game. The basic annual membership dues are $60 (US Funds.) Membership benefits include a monthly subscription to the Versatile Hunting Dog magazine, decal, participation in all NAVHDA events (at membership HELPS OPTIMIZE 30% PROTEIN / discount rates) and full voting privileges. All contributions are tax-de- SUPPORTS ductible. OXYGEN METABOLISM 20% FAT A copy of NAVHDA’s most recent financial report can be obtained by IMMUNE SYSTEM contacting: NAVHDA, 120 W. Eastman St, Arlington Heights, IL 60006-5950. FOR INCREASED HELPS MAINTAIN The Versatile Hunting Dog reserves the right to reasonably edit or refuse HEALTH all material (including advertising) submitted for publication. Articles or ENDURANCE LEAN MUSCLE opinions herein expressed are not necessarily those of the publication staff or of The North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association, Inc., its officers or Directors. The material contained in this publication is intended to provide ac- curate and authoritative information on the subject covered. By their proplansport.com nature, the articles and columns contained herein cannot provide the complete and detailed guidance required by every individual in every 8 EXCLUSIVELY AT PET SPECIALTY AND ONLINE RETAILERS situation. The material is thereby offered with the proviso that it is not the PATTI CARTER © 2019 intent of the publisher, the editors, or the authors to render professional counsel on the matter covered and said person(s) cannot be held liable *Based on 2017 National, World & Invitational Champions and Purina Award Winners. for any use thereof. If specific assistance is required, the services of an expert authority should be sought. The handler or owner of these champions may have received Pro Plan dog food as Purina ambassadors. The Versatile Dog denotes that this feature or story is an original article by a NAVHDA member. Purina trademarks are owned by Société des Produits Nestlé S.A. Printed in USA. The Versatile Hunting Dog magazine (USPS number 016-491, ISSN: 1099- 0577) is published monthly for $60.00 per year by the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association, 120 W. Eastman #302, Arlington Hts, IL 60004-5950. Periodical postage paid at Arlington Hts, IL and additional Visit the Versatile Hunting Dog magazine online at entry offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to NAVHDA, PO Box 520,May Arlington 2019 Hts, IL 60006-0520. Versatile Hunting Dog • www.navhda.orgwww.navhda.org 1 CheckMark Communication Versatile Hunting Dog 1111 Chouteau Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63102 JOB# 086060 OK WITH DATE PRINTING CMYK August 2018 APPROVALS REVISION PROCESS BRAND Director Design OFFSET Ad code: NPPL16FFTBSB1-REV3 Breeder Art Director PROJECT Copywriter FLEXO Ad size: 8-1/4”W x 10-1/2”D + Bleed Versatile Hunting Dog Prod. Designer ROTO SIZE Proofreader 8.25 x 10.5 Acct. Director OTHER LAST MODIFIED Acct. Coordinator 07 03 18 Client NUMBER FILE CREATED BY FINAL OK OF COLORS J Camp NOTE: Although this artwork has been checked for accuracy, 4 MODIFIED BY final approval is the client's responsibility. Please double check before signing o. President’s Message By Dave Trahan Deerfield, New Hampshire My Trip HUNT FOR BIRDS, NOT BUTTONS. to Germany y trip to Germany started with a long day. I I explained to him what it takes to become a judge—it’s left the Boston airport at 5:30 p.m. Wednes- at least a two-year commitment. Our organization under- Mday and, after landing at 6 a.m. Thursday stands the difference between NAVHDA and the JGHV morning in Frankfurt, Germany, I then traveled to Bre- rules, and that only FCI registered dogs are allowed to men. I met up with a few members of the NADKC and test under JGHV rules, not NAVHDA dogs. The meeting we traveled along with Rob Engelking to Jens Stahl’s ended with small talk in regard to hunting in Germany as house, where I had my first meal of many. We still had compared to in the US. He was very impressed by what to drive several hours to Fulda, Germany where several our organization does. different breed clubs were to meet. To my amazement, Saturday morning I attended the DKV meeting, and it not being able to speak German, many of the people I was just like every other meeting of any hunting breed met spoke English. organization—they had the typical presentation of infor- On Friday we had some time to kill so we drove to mation. I could see the tradition that was formed by each pick up a friend of Jens’. He took us to a local butcher breed club. Each meeting started with the blowing of the and smoke shop where I had the opportunity to taste German horns. All the breed clubs held their meetings on some of the meats that they prepared. I must say, tasting Saturday to discuss typical issues. fresh smoked meats was a treat. Awards were being given out by the president, Michael On our way back to the hotel, we visited a small city Hammer, to those members who showed dedication to which had very old buildings dating back to the 1500s. DK. To my surprise I was given the Golden Eagle Award. To see the craftsmanship that was done was amazing. It was presented to me for my commitment to the DK club Friday night was the first of many meetings I would and for promoting the versatile breed through NAVHDA. attend. I met with the president of the JGHV (Jagdge- Sunday morning I attended the JGHV meeting in Ful- brauchshundverein) Karl Walch. I sat with him to dis- da. Again, the meeting starting off with a ceremony of cuss the matrix of NAVHDA—explaining to him how blowing the hunter’s horn. This is where every breed that the foundation was formed. Telling him that the club has hunts in Germany comes together to discuss all the testing existed for 50 years with the promotion of training the programs for these breeds, along with awards given to versatile breeds. I talked about how we conduct training members for their accomplishment in the JGHV system. clinics and the testing program which is based off the During my final days there, I had an opportunity to see German system. I explained that our system is open to other sights in Germany—and I would like to thank Rob most continental pointing breeds and helps owners to Engelking and Jens Stahl for taking me under their wings test and train their dogs to hunt. and showing me their beautiful country. PRO 550 PLUS Build a dog worth hunting over with training levels you can adjust and tracking that shows which direction your dog is heading. 2 Versatile Hunting Dog • www.navhda.org May 2019 May©2018 2019 Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries. Versatile Hunting Dog • www.navhda.org 3 18-MCJT12124 Pro 550 Plus Ad_UPLAND-8.25x10.5-NAVHDA.indd 1 8/20/18 3:42 PM PUPPIES! We asked for puppy pics..