The biggest moment of pride as a breeder and trainer is to experience  your children with their “first” dog.  Every dog in our home is loved by all unconditionally but the dog that we each individually run in their NAVHDA tests tends to become known as “so and so’s” dog even though the whole family helps train and hunt all of our dogs.  Our oldest daughter, Makenzie, began to show that she was ready for her own dog after being so successful with the boys, Ruger and Cruz, in 4-H and AKC.  With Elsa’s first litter producing only one girl, we knew the minute Faith came into this world that she was meant for Makenzie.

To say that Makenzie and Faith were truly meant for each other from the very start doesn’t even scratch the surface.  The bond that formed so quickly between these two young ladies is unmistakable and will melt the heart of any observer.  It is the epitome of the unspoken cooperative teamwork that is every dog owner’s ultimate goal.

As a “dog trainer’s kid,” it’s understandable to hear comments by innocent bystanders such as, “oh, their mom and dad did the work for them.” Of course, that sometimes is the case but with THIS youth and THIS dog…it couldn’t be farther from the truth.  It has been the most enjoyable experience coaching, encouraging, supporting and guiding Makenzie through the process of training her first NAVHDA dog. 

Faith’s sheer love to work is a beautiful attribute in a young dog.  She has been so teachable and that has afforded Makenzie to accomplish so much with her at a young age.  They qualified for the State 4-H dog show in Rally Obedience when Faith was 7 months old.  The level of distraction and stimulation at a large dog show challenges all ages of dogs and requires tremendous mental focus and cooperation to navigate the pattern.  Right after State 4-H as a 9 month old puppy, Makenzie took Faith through our Steadiness Progression and Faith was completely steady to the fall before her first hunting season.  After an incredible first hunting season in Montana and South Dakota, Makenzie took Faith through Trained Retrieve (we did lend a hand in the beginning) and Duck Search foundation work.  When Faith went back out into the training field to work birds for the first time, she was as steady as when Makenzie finished her foundation.  The honesty in this dog is remarkable! At 1 year 10 months Faith ran her first Utility Test with Makenzie (in her first Utility test at the age of 13!).  At 2 years and 8 months, Faith and Makenzie ran their second Utility test and earned a Prize 1 -202 and their qualification to the NAVHDA Invitational in Iowa for 2024 ! Faith’s littermate, Laz, will also be running the Invitational in 2024.  They have gone on to be the High Point Team Overall at County Fair where they won their Showmanship and Obedience classes and placed in the top 5 at State 4-H two years in a row.  Their accomplishments in the show ring aren’t done yet!  Makenzie has large goals for Faith (one of them being a NAVHDA Versatile Champion) and there is no doubt in our minds that we won’t see them accomplish everything they set out to do!

All of the accolades and accomplishments that Faith has achieved so young make us so proud as breeders for two reasons.  One: to produce a highly driven hunting dog that can be placed in the hands of any owner, especially a youth, and be successful is our ultimate goal as breeders.  Faith, along with her littermates and Elsa’s other litters, have been validation of that breeding philosophy. Two: a dog that can compete well young and be viewed as a true veteran in the wild bird field her second hunting season is special.  Faith attacks cover with so much determination and in a manner that shows maturity only gained by successful experiences.  Whether it is the wide open prairie of Montana, grouse mountains of Colorado or cattail sloughs in South Dakota, Faith is adaptable to every environment we hunt her in.  She exemplifies our goal of a versatile hunting dog and to do that with a youth owner is the largest blessing we could every hope for.

There is no shortage of quality in Faith’s pedigree with influences from DC Hillhaven’s Hustler, VC Jacob vd Westwind MH and Int CH VC Shooting Starrs Sharp Shooter MH; three dogs that have shaped the modern GSP. She comes from 5 generations of Versatile Champions: 10 total different VC’s and 11 other dogs that have achieved Utility Prize 1’s, Master Hunters and Field Champion titles.  The versatility and talent in Faith’s pedigree truly shines through…no wonder she is a special girl!