Russell Irish Setters

So here is a good update on what I've been up to lately and on the accompllishment of Russell dogs here and elsewhere:

I travelled to Arkansas in late October to run dogs at the Irish Setter Club of America's National Field Trial and to ride and watch the braces of the NFT.  Russell dogs Jack, Meg, Sister and John competed.  John, Sister and Meg ran in the Derby Classic and all did a good job for Pro Trena Cardwell.  Trena elected to pick Meg up despite a decent run as she began to slow slightly and with no bird contact it was decided that "it was not about today" and that Meg would bet benefit by ending her day early.  Sister and John each ran well, and had a nice point in the call backs to end up third and fourth - not bad for their first ever derby stake; they turned a year old during the NFT. 

Jack was not himself during the Open Championship and I gave Trena the thumbs up during a water break: thumbs up meaning put a rope on him.  He was feeling much better later in the week and ran REALLY well for me in the Amateur Championship, but was unfortunately birdless.  He did a nice job though, especially for his first hour stake.  He never quit and I felt quite proud of him - not so much me, as I had a few handling lessons from both my scout and my judge at the end of the brace!  Live and Learn, at least my dog did a good enough job that both of them felt obligated to let me know how I had not helped the dog out much!  LOL!

I rode all the braces of the NFT and have to recommend attending to anyone who can.  It is a really fun trial, very positive, lots of fun, and great to see the red dogs for an entire week! 

Jack then travelled out to California with Trena where he won his first Open Gun Dog Stake and placed in an Open Limited Gun Dog Stake.  YIPEEEE! 

Hope delivered her pups on  the 26th of November and all of them are doing very well.

Carie called ot say that Rumour - Can Ch Russell's Grapevine finished her Can Companion Dog title with three High in Class and a third in Class!!!!  Way to go team.

I have recieved many emails from the owners of the Tate X Rumour litter that their first hunting season has gone really well with some of the pups showing finished bird work in their first season - WOW! and that retrieves are going well too.  Pretty cool!!! 

Russell and Raisin both received clear ratings on their PRA Rod cone 4 tests which has made those who have their pups here and in Europe very happy.  Their son Eli in Germany has continued to do well in the show ring and in the field - including versatile tests - and has been used at stud there a number of times.   Their daughter Kiera has a litter just over a year old who are performing well too, and of course we have Hope pups here.   Donna in BC has a son who has already gotten an obedience title, and I am sure we will be hearing more about Keeper as time goes on.  Kiss in Norway is doing well too.  It is a nice litter. 

That's it for now phewf!