The Official Publication of the German Shorthaired Pointer Club of Minnesota, Inc. Editor s Half Page Well, here I am back behind the keyboard as newsletter editor. I enjoyed the few previous issues that I had done and figured I d offer up my services again for awhile in this capacity. What a busy spring dog season already. I started with a walking field trial in Nebraska in Mid- February. Good time and productive trip but I will rethink the idea of making that journey at the time again. I spent a busy weekend at our Walking Field Trial that was held April 14-15. We ran 75, mostly broke dogs, over two days of great weather. Somewhat cool overnight for people sleeping at the grounds. The following weekend of April 21-22 a new team of Pete Forsberg/Ed Hanson and crew held our Spring Hunt Test. I was out there gunning on Saturday and was very impressed with how things went and how many people stepped up to help out. Great lunches too! Coming up soon is the 4 day Spring Field Trial being held May 25-28 back at Crow Hassan near Rogers, MN. Dave Benson, Dan Erickson and committee do a very nice job with this large event. New Membership Applicants To Be Voted on at the July 10th Meeting. Rebecca Collins Big Fork, MN Mel and Marcy Johnson Ramsey, MN Tina LeVoir - Jones and Bryan Jones Oak Grove, MN Bob and Kelly Newlin Crystal, MN Mark Simonet Scandia, MN New Field Champion FC Moe Cadens Cyd Ruge Molly Bred and Owned by Gary Moe Finished her FC at the Twin Cities Vizsla Club Field Trial on April 21, 2007. This was accomplished a few days past her third birthday. On June 8th Mary Morris will be heading up the Specialty Show and Obedience Trial. This year the club is offering a Rally Trial also. A lot of people work hard to make all these events possible each year for us to enjoy and participate in. To insure the future of these events please contact the chairperson of these events and volunteer your efforts. Nobody will ask you to do more than your comfortable with and it will give you a better look at what makes all these events work and get to meet lots of new people.
2007 Officers: President: Joe Engel (763)262-1033 evolutiongundogs@connections-etc.net Vice President: Chad Hines (320)745-2331 willowcreekkennels@hotmail.com Treasurer: Chris Benskin (612)396-8502 gspcmntreasurer@earthlink.net Secretary: Janelle Elfstrand (651)583-3138 GspcmnSecretary@Yahoo.com SCHEDULE OF GSPCMN EVENTS May 25-28, Spring Horseback Field Trial, Crow Hassan Park Reserve, Rogers, MN Dan Erickson (763)473-6821 June 8, Specialty Show, Scott County Fairgrounds, Jordan, MN Mary Morris (701)642-4832 July 7, Club Picnic, Sturges Park, Buffalo, MN Jodi Hines (320) July 10, General Membership Meeting, Board Meeting to Follow 7:00 PM Kelly s, 63rd and Boone Ave Brooklyn Park, MN Board of Directors: Clark Linn (763)428-8917 Ed Hanson (763) 754-9929 Jodi Hines (320)745-2331 Pete Forsberg (763)784-6814 Todd Piechowski (763)682-9157 July 28-29, GSPCA Water Retrieving Test, Glyndon, MN Mary Morris (701)642-4832 August 10-12, August 17-19 Game Fair Armstrong Kennels, Ramsey, MN Joni Liljedahl (651)462-0219 September 8-9, Fall Hunt Test, Location TBD * Game Fair The club will again have a booth at this years Game Fair at Armstrong Ranch in Ramsey, MN. We are looking for people to staff the booth. Admission is FREE for volunteers. Please contact Joni Liljedahl if interested. (651)462-0219 or joni.liljedahl@netzero.com September 11, General Membership Meeting, Board Meeting to Follow Details the same as July 10th Meeting September 21-23, Fall Horseback Field Trial, Douglas County Bird Sanctuary, Solon Springs, WI * Jill Piechowski (763)682-9157 FOUR BROOKS TRAINING PERMITS Required passes to train at the Four Brooks WMA, north of Milaca, are now available. Passes are good through December 31, 2007. To purchase, send a check payable to GSPCMN in the amount of $20.00, to Chris Benskin, 22020 Jivaro St NW, Oak Grove, MN 55303-8625. November 13, General Membership Meeting/Open Nominations, Board Meeting to Follow Details the same as July 10th Meeting January 8, 2008 General Membership Meeting/Elections, Board meeting to follow. Details the same as July 10th Meeting * Pending AKC Approval
Upcoming Area Events AKC FIELD TRIALS June 2-3, St. Croix Valley Brittany Club (Walking FT) Four Brooks, WMA Milaca, MN Denise Koslowski (612)247-311 September 8-9, MN Brittany Club * Douglas County Bird Sanctuary, Solon Springs, WI September 15-16, St. Croix Valley Brittany Club (Walking FT) * Location TBA September 15-16, Lake Superior PDC * Douglas County Bird Sanctuary, Solon Springs, WI September 29-30, North Country Gordon Setter Club * Douglas County Bird Sanctuary, Solon Springs, WI AKC HUNT TESTS June 2-3, Central Minnesota PDC Willow Creek Kennels & Hunting Little Falls, MN Jill Piechowski (763)682-9157 June 9-10, Twin Cities German Wirehaired Pointer Club Kelly Farms, Marine on St. Croix, MN Deb Finstad (651) 405-9308 June 16-17, St. Croix Valley Brittany Club Four Brooks WMA, Milaca MN Wes Harden (952)944-3124 September 29-30, Northstar Weimaraner Club* September 29-30, St. Croix Valley Brittany Club * * Pending AKC Approval Specialty Show Update Just a reminder that the Club Specialty Show ill be held on June 8th in Jordan, MN. One of the highlights is always the raffle that the club holds. The committee is asking for your help in donations. If you have any items or services you would like to donate please contact Karin Greeman at (612)790-9192 NAVHDA TESTS June 2-3, MN NAVHDA Chapter Kelly Farms, Marine on St. Croix, MN NA, UPT, UT Denise Kossan (320)358-0183 June 9-10, St.Croix Valley NAVHDA Chapter Major Avenue, Glencoe, MN NA, UPT, UT Lynn Erickson (763)444-0253 August 18-19, MN NAVHDA Chapter Iron Range Retriever Club, Virginia, MN NA, UPT, UT Jan Paavola (218)225-2284 September 1-2, MN NAVHDA Chapter Kelley Farms, Marine on St. Croix, MN UPT, UT Chad Simmer (651)245-1978 September 1-2, MN NAVHDA Chapter Four Brooks WMA, Milaca, MN NA Etta Bernu (763)389-2146 September 15-16, St.Croix Valley NAVHDA Chapter Kelley Farms, Marine on St. Croix, MN NA, UPT, UT Carey McMillan (715)234-3044 Rescue Committee Update The GSPC of MN Rescue Program/Committee being headed up by Todd and Jill Piechowski needs your help. Because of the success and growth of the program the work load is starting to pile up for Todd and Jill. Jill is looking to have a meeting coming up to discuss program ideas, limitations, and to come up with a list of tasks that might be filled by interested club members. Please contact Jill to find out more details (763)682-9157 jill@abbielake.com
Field Trial Vs. Hunting Dogs By Charlie Rose Since the first organized pointing dog field trial in the US well over a hundred years ago it seems hunters and field trialers have found ways to be at odds with one another. Frequent online BBS discussions end up in typographical fist fights with field trial zealots telling lowly hunters that they don t know the first thing about a quality dog, and conversely it ends up with Hunters telling the field trialers they don t know what a real birddog is. Unfortunately this is perpetuated by the simple fact that many trialers do little if any actual bird hunting, and very few hunters have ever attended even a single field trial. In my many years of guiding, hunting, and training dogs I ve had the opportunity to spend time with some of the best of both worlds, great dogs from no name blood lines, bred from six generations of Jo Bob s good hunting dog, bred to Dad s best female, as well as dogs with pedigrees so studded with FC/HOF/NFC MH and UT1 titles that it will make your eyes glaze over. I ve been in the business of producing hunting dogs from the best lines of German Shorthairs I could get my hands on for a very long time. In the late eighties I came across the FC Dixieland s Rusty HOF line, recognized them for the truly great, complete hunting and family dogs they can be and began to build a kennel. Rusty has since been acknowledged by many as one of the three or four sires in the last 20 years to completely revolutionize not only what is thought of as The premier Trial dog, but the Ultimate Versatile Family Gun Dog as well. I ve always had a bit of a problem figuring out why trialers and hunters should be at odds because where did I and where do I still go for the best hunting dogs I can breed? Well right to the top of the best producing trial lines of German Shorthaired Pointers I can find! Of course being a GSP breeder I talk about them primarily but the same holds true for the other pointing and versatile breeds as well, the best in both worlds, hunting and trialing add a lot to each other s pedigrees. Hunters for the most part care mainly about how many birds they can put in the bag, and require a dog to work more closely, and cooperatively than the trial dog. The average hunter is less concerned with speed, style, and grace as they are about the dog willingly work for them no matter what the birds sought, the conditions of the day, and in the end does he produce birds for the gun in a manner which allows the gunner to put them in the bag. The average pointing dog hunter is quite content if his dog will simply find the birds, establish point, hold that point until the hunter flushes or even simply long enough for the hunter to get into gun range, and then to of course do a good job of locating and maybe retrieving the downed bird. In simple terms We hunters are mostly about how much we enjoy hunting behind our dogs and putting birds in the bag. Continued next page
Trial dogs are primarily evaluated on their speed, style, grace, and most importantly their manners on birds. We field trialers are more about HOW the dog gets from find to find and how well they handle themselves and the birds on those finds. If a dog is not steady through the shot once you get to the broke dog stakes you might as well stay home. After many years of being jokingly goaded by some of the highest achieving trial trainers and breeders in the business such as Lou Gleber (American Field All Age Pointer and Setter Fame) Bryan Long, and Dennis Brath (Breeders, Trainers, and Handlers of a long list of Nationally and regionally titled Hunt Test and Field Trail Champions) and my old friend Terry Chandler of Rugerheim Kennels in NM who has probably bred and trained as many or more Dual Champion GSP s as anyone in the business; I decided to explore the field trial world a little myself. The first horse back trial I ever witnessed of any sort was at the Ozark GSP Club spring trial in March of last year (2004). I d bought a dog from Randy and Nancy Coffelt (Owners of NFC/FC NRC s Magnum s Touch of Gold 2003 GSPCA National Field Champion) bred to Magnum and went there to pick her up. I also ran into my long time Friend Bryan Long and rode some braces with him. Bryan is a great guy and has been training GSP s at least as long as I have, but with his primary focus on field trials and hunt tests, whereas mine has always been on hunting dogs. Bryan has leapt into national prominence as a premier trainer the last few years with multiple placements and wins in National and Regional Championship events. He and I have always had very similar bloodlines, which is how we became friends years ago, through phone and email correspondence. He pointed out to me in no uncertain terms that a great hunting dog, is truly a work of art, and the biggest difference between them and their field trial counterparts has nothing to do with anything other than how they are trained. After the trial was over he kindly offered to allow me to run one of my dogs braced with one of his client dogs and set about teaching me as much as possible in a few hours about what I needed to do to have Moose ready to make the next step from hunting dog to trial dog. Bryan pointed out that Moose s best attributes as a hunter, along with his stride, gait, and style would make him a very competitive field trial dog with the right training and handling. Much time and many miles have passed since that afternoon with Bryan. I thought long and hard about it through my busy season guiding and set a goal to have Moose ready to run in that very same trial the next year. I also set about trying to figure out how to get a few young pups ready to run in derby and puppy stakes. Continued in July Newsletter.
Rescue Dog Profile 1st Annual GSPC of MN Chukar Challenge Rocky The inaugural GSPC of MN Chukar Challenge was held on Saturday April 7th at Willow Creek Kennels and Hunting. The event attracted nearly 30 participants despite cold weather and snow on the ground. When the days running was done the winning teams were announced. 1st Place - Russ Killian and Cash GSP 2nd Place - Joe Engel and Boogey GSP 3rd Place - Randal McDowell and Dodger GWP Thanks to Chad and Jodi Hines for hosting the event and providing the birds. Next years event should be even bigger and better. 3rd Place Dog - Dodger NGSPA Nat l Ch FC Willow s On The Spot was named RU Ch at the NGSPA Region 9 Championships in Marsing, ID on April 25, 2007. Posing Spot is Hienz Ahlman. Standing L to R, Randy Berry (Judge), Eldon Hongo (Handler), Frank Muterspaw (Judge), and John Lunseth (Breeder/ Owner) Rocky is a smaller, slim young male German Shorthair with lots of energy. He prances when he moves with a nice high head and tail. He was surrendered to the Animal Humane Society by owners who stated they could no longer afford to treat his allergies and were planning to put him down. They did send him out for beginning training both in obedience and hunting. The Humane Society did not feel he was adoptable due to his skin condition and asked GSP rescue if we might be able to help. He was put on antibiotics for a skin infection and switched to a high quality dog food. This seems to be all that was needed - at his recent vet visit he was deemed healthy and ready to be adopted. Rocky is very friendly to people and good with other dogs. His adoption fee is $200, and all proceeds will be forwarded to the GSP Club of Minnesota Rescue Fund. Please contact Jill Piechowski (763)682-9157 jill@abbielake.com New Junior Hunter Wildbachgypsyroseausdemnorden Gypsy owned by Karin Greeman and handled by Dale Meier finished her JH title at the Rice Creek Hunting Club Hunt Test on May 5, 2007
IN MEMORY OF GSPC of MN LIFE MEMBER George J. Degidio, Sr. BORN September 8, 1920 Cumberland, WI DIED May 8, 2007 At the age of 86 years DeGidio, George J. Sr. 86, of Bloomington, died May 8th. Preceeded in death by son, Vincent; Daughterin-law, Kathy. Survived by loving wife of 65 years, Fern; sons, George Jr. (Val), Michael (Diane) and Steven (Connie); daughter, Mary (Randy) Koening; 16 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; brothers, Joseph and Thomas. Memorial Mass 11 AM Saturday, May 19th at St. Bonaventure Catholic Chuch, 901 E. 90th St., Bloomington, with visitation one hour prior. Private interment. Cremation Society of MN Edina Chapel 952-924-4100 Published in the Star Tribune on 5/13/2007.
GSPCA Membership Application Membership Includes A Subscription to SHORTHAIR JOURNAL (published 10 times a year) To the Board of Directors: GERMAN SHORTHAIRED POINTER CLUB OF AMERICA (AKC Parent Club) Print Name: Print Complete Home Address: Phone # Email Address: *Sponsor (if any) I hereby apply for membership in the German Shorthaired Pointer Club of America, and enclose INDIVIDUAL: [ ] $37 (1 year) or [ ] $74 (2 years) FAMILY: [ ] $42 (1 year) or [ ] $84 (2 years) FOREIGN INDIVIDUAL: [ ] $50 (1 year) or [ ] $100 (2 years) Foreign includes Canada FOREIGN FAMILY: [ ] $55 (1 year) or [ ] $110 (2 years) Year is from January 1 thru December 31. All payments must be in U.S. dollars. I certify that I am 18 years of age or over. If accepted as a member, I agree to abide by the Constitution and By-Laws of the German Shorthaired Pointer Club of America and the rules and regulations of the American Kennel Club, of which the German Shorthaired Pointer Club is a member Parent Club. $30.00 of dues goes toward a subscription to Shorthair Journal. [ ] Check enclosed or bill my [ ] Visa or [ ] Mastercard # Expiration Date Date Applicant s Signature Mail Completed form with dues (payable to GSPCA in U.S. Funds) to: Chellney Newhouse 2730 Durham Avenue State Center, IA 50247 (641) 483-4207 * Sponsor s name is for our records only, and is not a requirement for membership. Newsletter Information Advertising and Submission deadline is the 20th of the month for next month s edition. Advertising Rates: Business Card $2.50 per month 1/4 Page $5.00 per month 1/2 Page $10.00 per month GSPC of MN 1 st Annual Summer Picnic We are planning to have a picnic July 7 th, at Sturges Park in Buffalo, MN. We are currently looking for some general interest in the available activities. Please circle the activities you would like to be involved in and mail this form to Jodi Hines, 22545 195 th Ave, Little Falls, MN 56345. If you would like to check the park out you can go to their website at http://www.ci.buffalo.mn.us/ ParksRec/SturgesPark.htm Morning Game of Golf Basketball Water Balloon Toss Volley Ball Softball/Baseball Thursday Training Days Every Thursday from now until June 14th Chad and Jodi Hines of Willow Creek Kennels will be hosting training days at the Four Brooks WMA, north of Milaca. It is open to anyone with a Four Brooks Training Pass. All dogs from puppies to finished dogs are welcome. There will be birds, launchers, check cords, blank pistols, etc available for use. The times are from noon until dark each Thursday. Come on Out!
BRAGS AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF CLUB MEMBERS AND THEIR DOGS 2007 GSPCA Hall of Fame Inductees March 30 - April 1 Heart of America GSPC FT, Osborn, MO Open Limited Gun Dog (OLGD) 27 Starters 3rd FC Visions Spring Storm, English Setter, Owners: Mike Rodeghiero, Matt Eder April 21-22 Twin Cities Vizlsa Club FT, Rogers, MN Amateur Gun Dog (AGD) 13 Starters 1st Moe Cadens Cyd Ruge Molly, GSP (3 Points) Owner: Gary Moe 2nd Shirley s Gift, Pointer (1 Point) Owners: Kevin & Vicki Jahr 3rd FC Visions Spring Storm, English Setter, Owners: Mike Rodeghiero, Matt Eder FC Heide - Ho Pinehurst Open Gun Dog (OGD) 16 Starters 1st Oak Hollow s Extreme Jake, GSP ( 3 Points) Owner: Wayne Wiener Open Limited Gun Dog (OLGD) 1st FC Visions Spring Storm, English Setter, Owners: Mike Rodeghiero, Matt Eder April 28 Twin Cities Vizsla Club HT, Little Falls, MN Junior Hunt Qualifying Score Wildbachgypsyroseausdemnorden, GSP Owner: Karin Greeman Master Hunt Qualifying Score Bailey Voskamp Vom Hesser SH, GSP, Owners: John & Katy Voskamp Bluehill Hunting Rainmaker SH, GSP, Owners: Dan & Melissa Tang Breezy Point s Shooting The Breeze, GSP, Owner: Chad Hines Willow Creeks Rodeo Drive, GSP, Owner: Chad Hines April 28 North Country Gordon Setter HT, Kelley Farms Senior Hunt Qualifying Score River Valley s Hi Maitenance, GSP, Owner: Pete Forsberg Master Hunt Qualifying Score Sharp Shooters Hot Rod, GSP, Owners: Clyde & Marilyn Vetter Sharp Shooters Man in Black, GSP, Owners: Clyde & Marilyn Vetter April 29 Twin Cities Vizsla Club HT, Little Falls, MN Junior Hunt Qualifying Score Wildbachgypsyroseausdemnorden, GSP Owner: Karin Greeman Senior Hunt Qualifying Score Star Fires Oak Hollow Mystery JH, GSP, Owner: Cal Harms Master Hunt Qualifying Score Bluehill Hunting Rainmaker SH, GSP, Owners: Dan & Melissa Tang Breezy Point s Shooting The Breeze, GSP, Owner: Chad Hines Willow Creeks Rodeo Drive, GSP, Owner: Chad Hines April 29 North Country Gordon Setter HT, Kelley Farms Master Hunt Qualifying Score Sharp Shooters Hot Rod, GSP, Owners: Clyde & Marilyn Vetter Sharp Shooters Man in Black, GSP, Owners: Clyde & Marilyn Vetter NFC/FC Heide s Mighty City Slicker DC/AFC Trekker v Grunbaum MH,MX/ AJX,UDX, TDX, VCD3 CH Huntabird For All Reasons No Picture Available CH OTCH Wynfield's Mischief spirit VCD1, UDX2 MH CGC VCX
Individual Membership $25.00 Family Membership $30.00 German Shorthaired Pointer Club of Minnesota 2007 Membership Application Name: Spouse Name: Address: City: State: Zip Code: Home Phone: Work Phone: Email: Information: How many dogs do you currently own? What Breeds? Do you breed dogs? (Yes/No) If yes, how many litters do you have per year? If yes, what health clearances do you run on your dogs prior to breeding? Are you a member of any other breed club? ( Yes/No) Have you ever been suspended or expelled from another breed club? ( Yes/No) If you answered yes to the last question, explain the circumstances using an additional sheet of paper. Have you ever been suspended or fined by the American Kennel Club, Inc.? ( Yes/No) If you answered yes to the last question, explain the circumstances using an additional sheet of paper. What activities do you participate with your dog (s) in, circle all that apply. Hunting AKC Hunt Tests Field Trials Conformation Obedience Agility Would you be interested in helping at any club sponsored events? Circle all the apply. Specialty Show Hunt Tests Field Trials Awards Banquet Fun Days Novelties Newsletter Game Fair I agree to abide by all Club by-laws and breeding guidelines. I also certify that I/we are in good standing with the AKC. If either of these conditions are violated you may be suspended of removed from The German Shorthaired Pointer Club of Minnesota, Inc. Signature Date Please fill out and return with dues to: Chris Benskin Treasurer GSPC of MN 22020 Jivaro St Oak Grove, MN 55303-8625
German Shorthaired Pointer Club of MN Newsletter Editor Chris Benskin 22020 Jivaro St NW Oak Grove, MN 55303-8625 E-Mail: gspcmntreasurer@earthlink.net Be sure to check our website for more information at www.gspcmn.netkennel.com Dealership Opportunities Available Chris Benskin Benskin Inc. Independent Dealer ZO# 1357900 Phone: 612-396-8502 Fax: 763-753-5924 Email: amsoilguy@earthlink.net www.tritronics.com Dealer 10% off MSRP Wild Rose German Shorthaired Pointers and Outfitters German Shorthaired Pointers, Training, Fully guided hunts for Quail, Duck, Dove, Wild Boar, Deer and Turkey Hunting. Chris Benskin Benskin Inc. Phone: (612)396-8502 Fax (763)753-5924 rollingthunderkennels@earthlink.net Charlie Rose 456 Farr Road Seymour, TX 76380 Phone: (940)889-4646 Fax: (940) 889-4647 Email: wildrose@texasquail.com