Cruz x Solo
We are so excited to announce this planned breeding. This litter is going to possess all of Solo’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.
FLAT WATERS KESSEL RUN UTi
NAVHDA Utility Prize 1 201 4 yr 1 MO
Natural Ability Prize I 112 15 mo
Solo is from a NAVHDA Natural Ability Breeder Award Litter
Whelped 4/23/2019
White & Liver Patched & Ticked
Height 23.5 inches
Weight 50 lbs
OFA Good
Coat medium Dense, Medium Harsh
Bite Normal
Eyes Normal
Solo is a well-tuned sports car in the field. At 7 months old, she was independently searching, pointing and retrieving pheasants, Hungarian partridges and prairie chickens in Montana. During the season, Solo spends almost every weekend hunting across Nebraska, South Dakota and New Mexico in pursuit of wild birds.
From the first moment she arrived at Surefire Kennels, Solo’s easygoing temperament allowed her to settled in to the routine and rhythm around the kennel effortlessly. Solo’s owner, Matt Wagner, had been preparing her for the NAVHDA Utility test but due to an intense work schedule that causes him to travel, Solo needed some consistency to finish working on the tasks required. We were so honored when Matt asked us if we would be willing to help. Solo is so loved at home, a complete snuggle bug and loves every moment of being with her people. Knowing how loved she is at home, the trust in our training program to help Solo achieve the greatness she possesses on the testing front was truly humbling. Solo met each day of work with enthusiasm and excitement. Solo is smart, quick-paced and high desire to please. Every NAVHDA judge that’s seen her has complimented her field work and duck drag. Solo earned her NAVHDA Utility Prize 1 in June of 2023 and will be running the NAVHDA Invitational in 2024 in Iowa!
The combination of these two “natural retrieving” machines is going to be hands down a thrilling experience for any hunter. In the field, there is no holding these two back…as they both view the “hunt ’em up” command as a personal mission to put every and all birds in the bag. This pairing encompasses all of the things we love in a wild bird dog….grit, stamina, determination, adaptability to cover and a desire to work day after day. This is a breeding that will produce fun, quick, compact, all-day versatile wild bird hunting and testing dogs.
To ask questions or learn more about the breeding, please contact Solo’s owner, Matt Wagner at (303) 929-2822 or mwagner5280@gmail.com.