dogtracks

Bud von Turner, NA Prize II

just plain 'Bud'

Born September 2, 1998; Passed October 2002

We miss him dearly. His strong prey drive and ability to get out of most any enclosure proved to be his end.

Bud was the fourth born of the six Small Munsterlander puppies. Bud was the calmest of the three females and three males. He always liked people and at five weeks would stare into your eyes. This he still does. Of course, he loved to be held. The three males were larger than the females. He weighed 12 ounces at birth. At eight weeks Bud weighed 14 pounds, six ounces and at 10 weeks weighed 18 pounds, two ounces. At 8 and 1/2 months he was 21 1/2 inches and 52 pounds (a little pudgy).

Bud showed early promise. He had a very strong pointing instinct. He never flash pointed and learned early that the bird will fly if he doesn't hold. I hope he turns into a pointing machine like my old wire Kate. She started like this and never quit.

Bud was white with ticking and brown spots. He was the only one from his litter that was marked this way, as all others are white with brown spots. All are very beautiful dogs. How we came to get Bud is kind of interesting. I often tell people that if they want a Small Munsterlander, or any rare breed, that it may take a a year or more to get a puppy. Actually, I had been looking for just the right German wirehair for over a year, and its not a rare breed. Anyway, I did not intend to get a pup from this litter. I happened to be working in Omaha and staying with my family when the pups were five to eight weeks old. Of course, I watched the litter closely every night.

All of the puppies were sold early, however, one of the buyers had to back out because extensive travel didn't fit well with a new puppy traveling back and forth to Germany. He planned to test the dog in Germany which would have been interesting, and to hunt in Maine and Germany. Perhaps he will get one in the future when his schedule would be less demanding. The first two males chosen were the two liver and white pups, Baron and Baxter. They were very nice, but in my opinion, the best male was left. I feel two things separated Bud from the other males. His personality and love of people at an early age, and his strong rear end. He moves with much drive of his well angulated rear. His legs are also very straight looking from the rear. Much like his smaller sister Bailey, who I think was pick of the litter, primarily because of her boldness and conformation. However, that is saying something, as they were all very nice.

Bud at 10 weeks

-- Bud at 10 weeks and solid. A wing is off to the right --

Bud used his nose very well, and at 10 weeks acknowledged a scented-wing track and followed it until he air scented the wing I was holding, stopped and pointed. Unfortunately, his first acquaintance with water was less than enthusiastic as it was near freezing and too cold for a young puppy. Since then, Bud took to water very well. Unfortunately, I think his first real water work was during an unsupervised outing

-- Bud in Field at 13 weeks --

Bud in field at 13 weeks when the two moonsters (Angel and Bud) had a bad case of spring fever. Bud loved the water. Although he was not quite as good a good swimmer as Angel, he had more desire in the water. At 10 months he had no trouble with 40 yard water retreives. He just liked the water and loved to retreive.

Like all Small Munsterlanders, he was very intelligent. Of course, you say all dog owners say that about their dogs. I guess you just have to own one of this fine breed to see the difference. And when I say intelligent, I mean more than just learning tricks. Bud doing 50 yard retrieve at 11 mos.

-- Bud doing 50 yard retrieve at 11 months --

He learned fast and wanted to please everyone in the family. We condition our puppies early, as opposed to training them. In my mind, conditioning is all positive. Its letting them know a command and offering rewards, either love and affection or food. Training is more serious. It occurs during a special time allotment and involves repetition, reward, and correction. Conditioning just happens every day as you do things with your dog. Anyway, Bud kenneled in the house, the outside kennel or the car. When you opened the door for him he waited to go outside until you say "out". He liked the training table and understood what "whoa" means, although he sometimes doesn't want to stand still. He would sit like no body's business, although we never do this when on a lead, and never push on his hips or pull up on his collar to make him sit. This can create problems with whoa training. Bud pointing Some will say any sitting before whoa training is bad. I don't believe this as long as pulling on the collar is not involved and never letting them sit when on a lead.

-- Another point, getting ready for the NA test--

Bud was the first of the litter to recognize his name at less than 6 weeks, and would come when called at 7 weeks. Bud did his first solo field search at 11 weeks. He went right out through the 3 to 4 foot high grass, quartering some. He wasn't afraid and liked exploring this new world. At 12 weeks, we "hunted" Bud in some good quail cover, but unfortunately didn't find any. He quartered very nicely but didn't range more than a few yards ahead; too many smells. At 12 weeks he was really trying to figure out how to use his nose. He was pretty bold for such a little guy, although he weighed 26 pounds! He was very comfortable shooting a .22 blank over him and did very well with a 20 gauge. He didn't mind the outside kennel, although he would rather be on the bed. He got a lot of kennel time when Angel was in season. Bud had enough hormones that he knew he was supposed to do something, but he luckily didn't seem to know what until a few years later. Oops! Bud and Wilma had a date that led to our Barney.

-- Bud practicing tracking pheasant at 10 months --

Bud was a handful between eight and nine months when his hormones were really kicking in. Actually, we are lucky to still have him given his three escapes. He and his half sister Angel were apprehended by the police of the neighboring city when they were out cruizing. Four miles from home in about two hours. The second and third time he stayed out overnight and then for two days before returning home on his own. Needless to say, the dogs are getting some serious fence training, and are doing hard time until such time as I can again trust them in our fenced yard. They are getting better with the fence. Modern technology really helps. By the way, I was having some problem with the Innotek invisible fence collar shocking the Bud retrieving pheasant dogs when they were in the kitchen. A major problem that I caught right away. The cable TV was leaking a signal that the collar would pick up. Invisible fence users should be careful with this and check all TV cables by holding the collar and seeing if it goes off. Incidently, e-mails to Innotek went without response.

-- Bud retrieving pheasant --

-- Bud after his NA Prize II, September 1999 --

Bud after Sept. Test: NA Prize II Bud was tested in Natural Ability. He earned a Prize II 107 points in September. He got a four in everything but a 3 in search. This kept him from a Prize I. His track was great. Now its on to Utility. Bud is now really birdy and is pointing very nicely, but loves to take the bird if he can. I got some Tibetan quail from a game farm in Oklahoma. These are strong flying quail and makes it harder for a young dog to take them out.

Bud did very well on grouse and woodcock. He worked rather close and much slower than Angel. His search is more typical of the breed. Angel has always had a bigger range. Bud had one of the best dispositions we have seen. He was a wonderful dog in the home and with the family. After moving to Missouri, Bud met with an untimely death. We were lucky to not lose Angel. We miss him deeply, and are very thankful we have Barney from Bud and Wilma. The litter was only one month old when Bud left us. Our son, John, picked Barney right away for his dog. It must have been extremely hard for John. It was a difficult time for all, let alone an 11-year old. John prepared and handled Barney to earn an NA Prize I with 110 points. The first in our family to get a Prize I. Barney and 13-year old John won the 2004 SMCNA Quail Championship. Bud is definately in Barney and in our hearts.

Below are pictures of his sisters. Bianca von Turner "Blaze" lives in Idaho, Bella is in Florida, and Bailey is in Wisconsin.

-- The beautiful Bella von Turner --

Bianca von Turner "Blaze" Bella von Turner