Cruz x Heidi
Anticipated Breeding December 2024
We are so excited to announce this planned breeding. This litter is going to possess all of Heidi’s sugar and spice with Cruz’s grit and fire mixed in. We are striving for the epitome in versatile hunting dog with this litter: a high drive dog that possesses a willingness to apply its special talents to any terrain and any species of bird. Not only do we want a dog that is talented in the wild bird field and a joy to hunt behind, but a dog that is just as eager to snuggle on the couch at night, obedient to train in any venue, and at the end of the day truly just desires to be a part of the family. All of these attributes become quantitatively assessed through a pedigree such as this stacked with Versatile Champions, UT Prize 1’s, Master Hunters, Dual Champions, and Field Champions. A melding of some of the most spectacular bloodlines known to the Versatile Shorthair comprise the genetic package seen in this breeding.
SUNDANCE CRUIZIN FOR CHICKS UTII
NAVHDA
Utility Prize II 184 2yr 11 mo
Natural Ability Prize I 112 8 mo
Cruz is from a NAVHDA Natural Ability and utility Breeder Award Litter
Whelped 9/4/17
Liver Roan Ticked & Patched
Height 24.5 inches
Weight 55.5 lbs
PennHIP LH.42/RH.39
Coat Dense, Medium Harsh
Bite Normal
Eyes Normal
DNA Clear
His name truly sums up about everything there is to know about this young dog. Cruz has one mission in life: cruising through the field in the pursuit of chicks. From his first exposure to chukar at 8 weeks, there has been an intensity that has been thrilling to watch as he is growing into a talented hunting dog. Cruz is all business in the field. One of the most remarkable assets is his desire to be a team player. Cruz has such an innate desire to work with you in the field that he will often be seen stopping at a distance looking for a head nod as to which direction you would like to hunt next without a word ever being uttered. He works a field with so much passion that he puts on quite a show for anyone to watch.
Cruz has shown boldness and unshakeable confidence on waterfowl from an incredibly young age. At 11 weeks, Cruz carried around a mallard that was larger than he was. He attacks the duck search water with gusto and determination. His desire to swim down mallards that he kicks out of the reeds leaves no hesitation that he will be the successor of his pursuit.
Cruz has an incredible tracking instinct that lends to a very gritty successful style finding wild birds in thickets and dense brush. Anyone hunting behind Cruz learns in a hurry that if his tail gets going and he acts birdy, you better make sure that your gun is loaded because the birds are not far away. There is no quit to this dog. He is all go from the minute you pull up to the field until the very last glimpses of sunlight and you can be assured that he will be ready at first light the next day.
SUREFIRE'S RIPPLE EFFECT NAI
NAVHDA
Natural Ability Prize I 110 8 mo
Whelped 12/16/2021
Liver & White Patched & Ticked
Height 24.5 inches
Weight 48 lbs
Coat Medium Dense, Medium Harsh
Hips OFA Excellent/Pennhip R.33/L.22
Elbows Normal
Heart Normal
Eyes Normal
DNA Clear
Bite Normal
CHIC #192039
Eyes Normal
Sometimes you can capture a dog’s essence in one word. Heidi is one of those dogs. The word? Firecracker.
And she is just that: a hard charging, wow you at every turn, ride the line of chaos wild bird dog with the perfect level of sleep with you on the couch sprinkled in. Now, there are many that would see our description of this little powerhouse and instantly shy away from further introduction. Heidi is breathtaking to watch in a field. Swift and nimble is how she sets about her field search and her points are always hard hitting and intense. Running roosters do not stand a chance against this little lady. Her determination and laser focus to work a track is a pleasure to witness. You are never taken by surprise when she’s working a bird; if you keep an eye on her tail it will narrate the whole story. Complement all of her desire and go with incredible cooperation makes watching her back other dogs with a gritty style having no formal introduction to the task is breathtaking. She is a wild bird hunter’s dream….a true unicorn.
When Heidi discovered that water was just a different frontier for her to explore, as she does with everything else in life, she was all in. Regardless of how many bumpers one would toss, each entry into the water was dramatic and thrilling to watch. As a puppy, Heidi would watch the older Utility and Invitational level dogs swim for ducks and perform higher level water work. There was no keeping her from the fun and she spent the latter part of her first summer participating in duck chases of her own. To say we are excited about duck searching this little lady in the upcoming year, is the understatement of the century. She is guaranteed to put on a show.
If we can take one thing from Heidi’s philosophy on life it is to pack every moment of the day with as much fun as possible. Most often hard charging, intensely passionate bird dogs have a large down fall in that they don’t settle well. Heidi defies all the odds in that department. In a lap, snuggling on a bed or as you affectionately rub her head every fiber of her being melts as you become the recipient of sweet gentle kisses and adoring eyes.