|
The 'perfect dog'! That's what Barney
was to us. From his naturally docked tail, to a perfect size of 19", to
being a little dynamo both in the field & show ring.
After placing in the field as a puppy & derby,
he went to Jim Hoyers for training. Jim ran him a number of years for us
putting on his first open points & seven wins. At the same time I was
running him in the amateur stakes & then proceeded running him to complete
his field championships. He amassed a total of thirty five AKC
placements. He was always so much fun to run as he just loved
competing. He gave the type of performance that made you sit up and take
note - always running hard & pointing with intensity & style. We
developed a real bond - one completely trusting the
other.
Barney finished his show title fairly easily
especially when you consider the fact that he was smaller than most males
competing. He went on to a number of Breed wins - usually won from the
field trial class in field condition. He was the Minnesota Brittany Club
Dual Dog of the Year every year from 1989 through 1996 (except 90 when Shooter
won). He also won the Missouri Brittany Club Dual Award in 1993. His
crowning glory in the ring was winning Best Male in the Dual Champion
Sweepstakes at the 1997 Nationals (we later found out that he was extremely ill
while there - but still gave his best for me).
Barney produced some excellent birddogs
consistently passing on his bird finding ability & style on point.
However, what stood out above all else was his 'dual temperament'. At home
he possessed a calm, easy going manner - the perfect companion; in the field he
was a fireball of determination in searching out game - the perfect
birddog. What more could one ask for!
|
