A few months ago, Theresa moved in with her boyfriend, Ken. Crusoe comes and visits us on occasion. Right now, he's curled up next to me on the sofa as I type this. He will be staying with us for a few weeks. He's enjoying his time here going on walks, meeting people on trips to downtown, and playing with Ken's dog, Allie.

Today, Nina and Theresa went duck hunting with their favorite gunner, Ken.  This was both Theresa and Nina's first real duck hunting experience even though we have loads field training and hunt test experience.

For those of you who hunt (and those who don't), there is something special about watching a dog do what it is bred to do -- art in its own way.  Flat-Coated Retrievers were bred to retrieve birds and small game.  As breeders, we think it is important, and we are proud that our dogs have a natural ability to work as retrievers.  We train using positive reinforcement and then work side-by-side with our dogs as partners.  For us, field work and taking our dogs to the line is a privilege.  Seeing them "do their job" with happy flat-coat enthusiasm is beyond poetry in motion.
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Our Nina meets and, in her own way, exceeds expectations as a hunting retriever; she is a eager worker who loves being out in the field.  At hunt tests, judges always comment that they "love her style."  While this was her first real hunting experience, she easily used her natural ability, her skills from training and her experience at hunt tests to have a great day.  All that and she's so easy to live with -- such a sweet, sweet girl!

Today's adventure provided a spectacular sunrise, the joy of seeing Nina work in a real hunting situation, and extra kisses when the day was done!  We are thrilled to keep working with Nina for more advanced hunt and field experiences...Can't wait to see what comes next!

Shorter days and cooler nights are reminding us that Summer will be coming to a close before too long. We had so many great photos of Harmony and Fishercreek pups (young and old) that we had to share them! Enjoy!

Hi frens

I did show 2day. I won moor points today and yesterday. I has lots of fun. Now I am close to my "title" (wutever dat means). I gotted lots of snacks. I lik snacks.

My muma Nina also gots ribbons too, but I dun't know wut they mean.

Did I mention dat I gets snacks? And sometimes, the judges even pets me. Its fun.
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~Crusoe

Two days, four shows, two new titles at the UKC in Massachusetts this weekend...

Day 1, A great day at UKC!
Nina starts off the day with a 95 and a third place! At the afternoon show, she earns a 96 for a first place!
Crusoe takes Best of Breed and then a Gundog Group 4 in a very competitive group!

UKC Day 2 in the books!
After spending this weekend at Westfield with the pups. Primarily we went for experience and the ability to work the dogs in a new environment, but also to see great friends and have a great time. However...
Crusoe showed at both shows today and finished his UKC championship!
Nina showed at 2 rally trials today to finish her RO1 title and then showed in conformation to win Best of Breed and then a Group 2 in a very competitive Gundog Group!

We had so much fun with friends and all kinds of dogs. Maybe we'll see you there next time!!

In addition to the two Junior Hunter legs that she earned last weekend (see our previous post), Nina switched gears a few times over the last few days and earned:

• New UKC Championship
  
• New AKC Rally Advanced Title
  
• New AKC Canine Good Citizen Title
  
• UKC Gundog Group 2
  

This past weekend, at the NorthEast Flat-Coated Retriever Club's annual meeting, Nina and King were recognized with special Versatility Awards. In 2018, they both earned multiple titles in different performance venues including conformation, field, obedience and rally. Combined, they have received this award at least six times now.

Our breed standard defines the Flat-Coated Retriever as "versatile".  We love our dogs, really enjoy training and competing with them in different venues, and are proud that they are "versatile."

Can't wait for the fun to continue!! 

Over 90 amazing acres makes lots of room for fun! Today brought blue skies and flying flatties.

Today, Crusoe won his Bred By class, then Winner's Dog for his first major championship points. He finished by winning Best of Winners, Best of Breed Bred By Exhibitor, and a nice placement in a strong Bred By Ehibitor Sporting Group. Nice start for this 6-month old pup. Momma Nina cheered him on both days and added some Grand Champion points too. Best of all, we ll had fun!

It's AKC official! Earlier this month, Nina finished her Rally Intermediate title with style!!

In a very competitive class, Nina finished 1st with a High Score that was more than 10 points above the second place dog. This was her final qualifying test for Rally Intermediate. The judge complimented her heeling, her attention and her happy attitude! This went one, two, three with all Q's. This girl is so fun and easy to train...can't wait to see what she does next!

Both Crusoe and Pearl went to Springfield for their first baby puppy competitions (for puppies 4 to 6 months old). Between them, they won Best of Breed Puppy, and earned Sporting Group Puppy Placements all four days.
​What good babies! ​