Lily   (Grace X 4xGMPR HRCH Rooster Smasher MH QAA, Fall 2013)

April 21, 2015     Hi Gina, I haven’t updated you on lily for awhile. She is doing great. Already 18 months old, seems like yesterday. She is 65 lbs, perfect size. She has been everything I could have asked for, a consummate professional in all her task whether it’s finding birds, chasing rabbits or retrieving. Her drive is crazy fun. She loves retrieving so much that sometimes it takes a bit to get her to settle down and focus. Although I’ve done some antler training with her my mission to find sheds this spring was stalled by a big injury I sustained. The girl is an amazing athlete and just plain so much fun. Well behaved with a perfect on/off switch. I have entered her in her first dock jumping competition for june. She has the skills now I just need to figure out how to get some more height out of her. She so talented I wish I had the time to get into search & rescue with her. As a volunteer fireman this enhances the appeal for me but at this point in my life I haven’t a clue how I’d find that extra time. If keeping her for breeding doesn’t work out I will Definitely be back for my next in about 5 years. That’s my plan anyway. Thanks again and hope everything is great there. Appears you are building quite a pedigree up in the arctic. Erik Kurth

9-12-2014       Lily’s behavior was excellent for her first hunt. She hates the doggy blind. Probably my fault I didn’t start her on that very early on. We didn’t get any geese, but a few teal. Her enthusiasm & desire is second to none.  Overall she is a joy to have around & is doing fantastic as a whole. She seems to be a very unique special dog. She loves guns too. She’s very well rounded, an extremely strong swimmer, very teachable & intelligent. Crazy athletic. She equally at home in the field, at the campground or watching a movie. She has the perfect on/ off switch. At this point I couldn’t be happier with how this worked out. Erik Kurth

January 19, 2014    (16 weeks old)
“Hi Gina,  I wanted to give you an update on Lily and I am willing and wanted to give you a nice reference post for your website if you would? Let me know and how to do it. Thanks.
Lily is doing very well, came totally as advertised. She is smart, (funny sidebar here.) I took her for first vet visit and I didn’t really brag her up or anything and about 3/4 of the way through the appointment he looks at me and says; look at that dog, she follows your every move with curiosity, looks you directly in the eye, and seems genuinely interested in you and what’s going on. There’s something different about her. I couldn’t help but smile.
      She is very athletic (jumps like a kangaroo) a very natural and willing retriever. She is always using her nose, needs to trust herself with it yet though, but that will come. She is a near perfect citizen as a pet and family member. Perfect in the house and amazing with all kids not just her (brother & sister). Travels like a veteran, hesitant getting in vehicle. I am not sure why yet. I am sure it is just a caution phase. In a nearly tragic way I found out she loves water too, really cold water besides. Basic commands are nearly always adhered too. If she refuses, she probably was too distracted to start where I shouldn’t have even bothered with a command. Although the weather had been ridiculous, training has been going well. Not a fan of subzero weather but who is? Anyway we moved right past the short retrieves and the wings and right on to bumpers, dead & frozen pigeon, grouse & pheasant, as well as dead fowl trainers and antlers. Struggles with mouth being a little small for bigger items but tries like heck and finds a way. Real birds didn’t faze her although yesterday wanted to chew them a little. I just moved on to another item. Yesterday I set her up and fired the 22. from about 20 yards away, didn’t bother her. So today I used the 22. blank dummy launcher right next to her, never flinched eyes on the prize the whole time. Good start there. Then just for fun I thought I would try a multiple bird drill so I started with 2, no problem. I then moved on to 3 items. Went well other than a little “what one should I get”. I guess the only flaw so far is she can be a little sensitive. It might be a good thing she doesn’t need much correction because I am not sure will handle it, but I just quickly move on to next task she seems to forget all about it.
       I am not sure I could be more pleased at this point. So in closing I would just like to say thank you for your honesty and straightforward no nonsense sales pitch and eased my hesitation about traveling hundreds of miles each way to buy the “passed over” last dog of the litter. A dog sight unseen besides.”

Erik Kurth
Wisconsin