If you think a pup of ours would be a good fit with you, please give us a call at 304-377-3086 (sorry we don't text). Then, if we agree that your home may be a great forever home for one of our special pups, please fill out the form below. This page also contains interesting home and hunting stories as well as a recipe or two.
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A Few Important Points
1) While we do our best from conception to their nourishment to their training and conditioning, we cannot guarantee their hunting prowess and athletic ability in the future. While we are sort of like a family from "Prairie Home Companion's: Lake Whoa - Be - Gone" because all our pups will be wonderful, however not all will be "above average," unlike the children who live in that mythical town in MN. No matter if your pup shows promise as a "Hall of Fame" dog or just a fine friend and loyal hunting buddy, our expectations are you will love and care for them as a member of your family. 2) As part of all our sales agreements we include a "right to first refusal" clause in case you decide to sell or give away your pup at anytime in its life. We believe since we took the actions that brought them into this world, we have an obligation to ensure as best we can that they are always well loved and cared for. There are too many horror stories on the internet about abandoned or neglected dogs. 3) As a policy we never sell two pups from the same litter to the same family at the same time. One pup at a time is enough for any family because they will need your focus to thrive. Also, while some good breeder/trainer/handlers have a string of dogs in a kennel, we breed our litters to be "Home and Hunters." Which means we will not sell to anyone whose housing and training arrangements are such that the dog will spend the majority its life in a kennel when not training. We understand the need for some kennel time while possibly away for training or for a short stay while a family travels. But a life in a kennel is not what our dogs were bred to live. 4) We reserve the right to not sell a pup to anyone for any reason. 5) We will gladly provide references from families who have pups from our past litters.
When a pup goes to its forever home, a little bit of us is torn out. This is why we have these policies.
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Good Stories
For those
who love reading the types of stories found in "Gray's Sporting
Journal" or remember those short stories from "Hill Country" by Gene Hill you may enjoy some of the stories found here. I am in the process
of journaling the misadventures of Tempest and here pups over the years and will have excerpts of these here posted for
your feed-back.
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“Puppies Everywhere” By Anthony E. Baker, PhD
When feeding the pups
today I did what I did as a squad leader in the Infantry for many years;
counted heads so I knew I had everyone. When one was missing I panicked, then
realized one of our pups was off to her new home. This not so sudden
realization brought me to tears again, though I knew she was with a great
family who knew and loved the breed. I remembered how well she took to her new
people.
Running to their “Hey,
Hey, Hey” she smiled her puppy smile and wagged her puppy tail with the
exuberance of youth. She let them pick her up and she licked and nuzzled them
as she had me and my wife for these many weeks. I was heartbroken and felt
almost cheated on. I was happy that she was happy, but I was sad knowing that I
would never experience those nuzzles again. I would not see her eyes go fully
from blue to brown. I would never again see her having her puppy dreams at
night. She would not lick my beard or lie in my lap as I stroked her paws. I
knew this all to be a hard truth. Furthermore, I knew that there would be ten
more, who will go just like this, our “Twelve Puppers of Summer 2013;”
whose entry into this world was not an easy one. Ten more times I will feel the
pangs of loss and the joy of giving them an opportunity at a great life with a
wonderful forever family. So here is our prayer for their families...
A Prayer for Their New and Forever Family Home By Anthony E. Baker, PhD
So we ask that those with whom we
have entrusted much, that you love them each day as we have loved them these
many weeks. When they are no longer cute little puppies, love them still. When
they make a mess or cry for their litter mates, as they will, love them still. When
they miss the mark on a downed bird, or pass one holding tight, love them
still. When they don’t stay exactly at heel or at hup love them
still. When it is too cold or too hot and they need YOU to call it a
day because they will never quit, love them still. When they have run their
last run, flushed and retrieved their last bird, and it is nearing their time
to leave this world, love them still.
Care enough that you will not ask
them to go beyond their limits, because they will always try if you ask and
never quit on you. Care enough to spend the time, money and effort to train or
have them trained well, so you help them reach their full potential. Care
enough to know that when your patience has worn thin (as it will) it is not
time to discipline them, but care enough to not let them grow to be out of
control when consistent guidance would have prevented that from happening. Care
for them when they are dirty, hurt, sick, tired, hungry, needy, lonely, or
injured. Lastly, care enough to be with them in the end as we were their in the
beginning.
Remember we held their heads, rubbed
their paws, and prayed listening to those first small gasps of breath that a
puppy makes when they lie on the whelping box floor; so now a sacred duty of
being their when they must leave this world falls on you. Don’t leave them
alone when it is their time. If you can do that, you will be worthy of
being their forever person. Remember “God created a dog as the only animal who
will love you more than he or she will love themselves.” You have a duty to
live up to their trust.
If you can and are willing do all
this, take our little ones and sally forth to do great things...
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"Our Christmas Surprise"
By Tempest Baker-Prout
The time had come and our cabin on the hill seemed a little (no a lot) empty. My puppies, save one – Brigit, were all in their new and wonderful forever homes. We sat on the porch discussing our plans for the upcoming season. I put my head in his lap and let my chestnut brown eyes speak to him for me. Our focus would be waterfowl we decided, with upland birds filling in on days that pursuing web-footers would not be wise nor productive. Brigit romped with her Uncle George in front yard where just a few short weeks before, a dozen of my puppies ran and played puppy games with each other. You could tell by her darting night sky eyes, she so wanted to get Uncle George to puppy play with her. Finally he relented, getting into his “puppy bow” stance his milk chocolate eyes fixed on her, he would dash in and bowl her over then run away for her to chase. But we both looked at the spot where the puppy play pen would be and my litter would sit or stand and look out at the new world around them. It seemed empty.
Then Dad looked at me the way he does when he has one of his crazy a_ _ ed ideas floating in his head. “Oooooh Noooooo,” was the only thing that I could think. Flipping through one of his Gundog magazines he pointed to advertisements from artists who attempted to capture the spirit and image of breeds like mine. “The eyes” he said; “They have to get the eyes right.” He asked for my opinion since I knew style, grace, and poise so well. “Look at those labs,” I told him with an earnest nudge; “See how they look to the sky or to their hunter just the way I do.” He long ago had learned not to argue with me about certain things and this was one of them. “Email her, T_O_D_A_Y,” was my sharp command. Good soldier that he is, he carried out the task diligently.
In short order a conversation was struck with artist Marie Fritz Perry about our vision for a portrait. It had to capture a special moment when all my pups were together and not covering themselves with puppy food or poop. Mom had taken one picture that captured such a moment. Dad called it “the Dalton Gang” photo. Almost all were standing on their hind legs leaning on the bars of the puppy play pen and saying with their eyes, “Let Us Out!” Marie fell instantly in love with it (understandably, they were my puppies after all) and she started to send sketches back to Dad to get his and my input. He would send pictures to her of each one so she could capture the unique look each individual puppy would express to their new world.
Now, this was a covert operation. From Dad’s first career in the Army he knew that secrecy was of the utmost priority. You see, this portrait was for Mom. Yes, the woman who always knew what Christmas (and birthdays and anniversaries) had in store for her. Each year we would set off on a “Top Secret” mission only to be discovered. Not this time we vowed. Marie and Dad communicated in the dead of night, knowing if he was discovered with this other women it would be hard to explain. The returns were decided to be worth the risks. However, to make this work of art be absolutely what Mom would want, he had to get her input on what pictures of each puppy to send Marie. A ploy was hatched.
Dad would use the ruse of a calendar he wanted to create. Each of the twelve pups would have their own month. Of course Mom would have to choose the picture of the pup for each month. This was not an easy process with literally over one thousand pictures to go through. We didn’t think of that. Oh, and Mom is detail oriented so this was not an easy or short process. Marie remained steadfast and ready each time Dad had a photo to share with her that would capture the eyes the way Mom would want it. Marie would tell Dad each week about the progress and send pictures for his and my feedback. We knew she was the right artist for this project because she spoke of the pups as if they were living in her studio.
Finally the big day came and portrait of the “Puppies of Summer 2013 – Off to a Good Start” was finished and shipped to Maryland to meet us there for the holidays. Not before it got lost by UPS. Luckily, Marie was right on it and worked out that last hurdle and portrait was ready for Christmas morning. We felt overjoyed yet sad, since Marie told us how her studio was, “a little empty without those puppy faces waiting for her in her studio each morning.”
To sum things up, the mission was a success. Mom was for the first time (and likely the last) surprised by Dad. Each of my puppies faces were capture with an expression all their own. We still miss them. Dad still gets a little misty eyed when he thinks of them and our summer of 2013. But this portrait that hangs in our cabin in place for all to see reminds him of that long night and day when they came into this world. He and Mom think of warm evenings on the porch with them in the play pen or fun afternoons in the backyard exploring. They also still remember the pee and poop and the vomit and food all over the place.
But they would be puppys only once…
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Marie Fritz Perry’s work as a sporting dog artist was featured in the December 2013 issue of Gun Dog Magazine. Her motto is "If you can dream it, I can paint it!" referring to her desire to work with her clients to achieve their vision for their specialized canine or equine portrait. "I take in the love and memories that they express about their dog, or horse, as well as a scene that they can feel, taste, touch, remember." Working from photos and discussions she has with her clients, she produces works that please her clients; and, in the end, continues to stir up the emotions they hold for the animals they love through the art. To say we highly recommend her is an understatement.
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Good
Friends
We have been extremely fortunate meeting many fine people
along our personal "Hunter's Road." Many have become
strong friends and others important mentors. All share a love of bird
hunting and bird dogs (most of the time springer spaniels). Whether at
hunt tests, hunting preserves, or with hunting guides the experiences we have
shared have been and continue to be the best any true outdoorsman could ask
for. So we will share a story or two about them here.
Also, we are listing businesses and organizations that
have provided a wealth of information and wonderful experiences. We have made
many other springer and hunting friends, which for the sake of their privacy we
have not mentioned here, but remain in our hearts, minds, and contact lists.
The businesses and organizations listed have always provided us great
experiences and have our endorsement, which doesn't come easy.
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Steve Church of Churchie Kennel and Gun Dog Training
It
was June of 2016 and we were at the annual Patriot Sporting Spaniel Club June Training day when I met Steve Church. We had been members of the club for many years, but I was working in Maryland for awhile so had not been active with the club for some time. Now, back in Rhode Island, we decided to be active with them once again. I immediately noticed two things about Steve Church.
The first he was part of what everyone else was doing. I didn't know he was a trainer at the time, but I recognized he knew what he was doing and most of all he was willing to listen and share what he knew. Too often, I believe highly skilled trainers forget these two important points of communication. When training Brigit he picked up on some things we were doing together that really didn't work well and instead of saying, "I can fix that for you," he said "This is how you can fix that". This made all the difference in the world.
The second he loves what he does. It is more than a business to him I believe. I think it is a vocation. It is not just what he does, but who he is and that is not always the case for all trainers.
After much discussion, we decided to let Brigit have a "summer camp" with him. She immediately took to him, which did make us both a bit jealous and comforted as well. We would get weekly and sometimes daily Facebook reports on her progress and what she had done since the last time we communicated. Again, to my knowledge, almost unheard of in the professional training world. Since that summer, Brigit had a great fall and winter hunting in NH, RI and NC. Her drive was still there, but under self - control. She has progressed well towards her AKC Senior title and we should see her done with it this Fall. I have to give credit for this to Steve Church's abilities and personality.
He only takes a limited number of dogs so he can focus his attention fully on them. So if you are interested in finding out more don't wait because there may be a waiting list. Here is his information and he comes highly recommended by us and more importantly Brigit.
Churchie Kennel and Bird Dog Training 41 St. Laurent St. Epping, NH 603-759-3567 schurch41@comcast.net You can also find out who he is and what he does on Facebook.
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McKean Family Farm Hunting Preserve Gallipolis, OH 556 Centenary Rd, Gallipolis, OH 45631 740-794-1320
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I have always loved reading all of Gene Hill’s work from the
time I was a teenager reading his “Hill Country” columns in hand me down Field
& Stream magazines. Often the scenes would be based on farms and farmland,
where he grew up. I was a suburban kid living near marshes on RI’s coasts and
never really had any exposure to farms until much later in life while stationed
in the southern states. I hunted then and throughout most of my life in woodlands
with occasional opportunities to sit on the edge of soybean fields scouring the
sky for doves or getting to hunt rabbits with the First Sergeant beagle club on
farms they had access to in the 80’s. It was always a dream to hunt on an actual
working farm.
Then in February 2022, a man saw me with Fionn when waiting
for his annual shots. Asking if I bird hunted, my ears pricked up. I hoped to
get some ideas on where to go because having moved to “Wild and Wonderful” West
Virginia I was still stumbling about. He told me of McKean Family Farms in
Gallipolis, OH about an hour away across the river. Donna and I went to visit
it a week later and found what I call a traditional family farm of three
generations.
Yes, it was open to hunting from October 1 through at least
the end of February. However, it is also a working farm with everything you
would expect on a working farm in plain sight. Unlike other farms converted to
hunting preserves, this was a farm where you could go to hunt. The first time I
walked out to the edge of some standing corn and millet rows I could hear Gene
Hill telling me, “See, this is what I was talking about”. The sounds of
chickens, cows, sheep, (and occasional tractors on weekdays,) lend to the
ambiance. I know this may sound weird to those who grew up on or around farms,
but it is something special to those of us who did not. When I walk out to and
edge of cover with one of our pack, I do so slowly so I can see, hear, and yes
smell what surrounds me. Seeing the cows on the hillside puts me in a good
place.
Colin McKean is the managing brother for this three-generation
farm. Seldom do you find someone who is down to earth and learned in so many
things. His manner is both efficient and truly friendly with the same handshake
I remembered commercial fishermen had and a warm smile no matter the situation.
When we first met in early October it was warmer than I had anticipated. He
pointed me in a general direction and said, “go on out”. After only 20 minutes
I became aware the afternoon was too hot to safely work the dogs, so I came
back. I went to hand him the fee and he said, “What’s that for?” I told him it
was the fee and he declined it repeatedly saying it was hot and I hadn’t been
out very long with no birds to show for it, so he wouldn’t take my money. Tell
me, when does that happen anywhere else today?
If you are a true bird hunter like me, you find the need to have
birds planted and dare I say flagged to find them not a real hunting experience
afield. Instead, the birds (pheasants, chukars, and quail) are released throughout the farm to fly and
run to cover before a hunt begins. It is like fishing in a stocked lake or
stream not a bathtub. They are there, you just don’t know where. So, true skills
of a hunter and bird dog are needed to find, flush/point, and retrieve these
birds. Colin does have guides for groups that can be reserved in advance for
those who don’t have a bird dog. Challenges for testing one’s knowledge of
terrain /habitat and understanding the effects of weather on game birds abound.
Fence lines, ditches, various types of crop rows and vegetation give the birds
a good chance of fooling both hunter and dog. One last thing, you will likely
meet other like minded bird dog handlers, hunters and just about every breed of
bird dog possible. Like most hunting preserves, weekends are busy and fill in advance
quickly. However, if you can pull away for a weekday morning or afternoon, you
will likely find an opening. Colin allows only a small number of hunters at any
time, so you have plenty of room to roam. So, if you want a special bird hunting experience
with your dog, the way Gene Hill described bird hunting, this is the place to
go. It is quite likely you will find me there as well. “So ,we follow our
dog, walking along well inside the need for a whistle, knowing that there is a
chance for a bird and knowing that’s not really why we are here.” Gene Hill
“A Listening Walk”.
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Art Giraud and Don Pomeroy This was a great loss of two good friends in the New England Field Springer Spaniel community. Don and Art weree your typical "grumpy old men." The best of friends...most of the time. But as I eulogized my father who was in their mold, I think of them in this way... "Diamonds have flaws, which make them unique and desirable. Such is it with the people we call true friends."
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We came to meet Art when he came with Billy to look over our first litter for Don Pomeroy, (who we will talk about in a minute). He had a plain spoken way about him, but a very gentle touch with the pups. He like myself tend to talk with, not to, the dogs we come to know. It was then and there, he picked out our smallest pup who at birth was only 6.5 ounces and was bottle fed for more than a week. "Don't listen to what they say about the runts," he told me. "I like him because he has a funny nose like me," and that was that. He would be named Pinocchio or "Pinoke" for a call name. I would continue to meet up with Art at Nod Brook and knew I could always count on him to find me some pigeons when I needed them most. Never one to shy away with his opinions (as was Don) I enjoyed listen to his point of view even when we didn't agree.
We lost Art this May and I had talked to him in March when he was worried about his health and I promised should anything happen, we would care for Pinoke. Now at 60 pounds and five legs of his Master Hunter title completed, Pinoke lives with us once again. No worries Art your big guy is safe with us...One more leg to go buddy.
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As mentioned before, we met Art through Don Pomeroy. When I first talked to him he reminded me of those guys who know all the baseball stats of players. He proceeded to tell me all about the lineage and pedigree of numerous field springers in such volume, it was hard for me to take it all in. But in the end he told me in his sing-song voice, "I think I want a female form your litter." So began a relationship where he would often call me on a daily basis asking how Tempest was doing, and later how the pups were doing, his ideas on diet, and sometimes how the Red Sox's needed to trade a player. He, having first pick, chose our little girl Zoe, who was the first female to retrieve and come to her name at just 4 weeks. She would have been my first pick too. Months past and we met at some events at Nod Brook WMA in CT a few times. He always had something on his mind about a future litter he wanted to share with me. In May 2015 he called me and said he had too many dogs at his age to train them all properly. He needed a hip replacement and walking had been getting progressively difficult. He asked if I wanted to take Zoe back. Without hesitation I said yes and Zoe returned to cabin on the hill. She has flourished and at this moment has a Junior Hunter title and two legs towards her Senior. Don sadly passed away in 2016, but not without having seen his little Zoe get a Junior ribbon at Nod Brook. Your tippy toed - smiley girl is doing well Don...Check us out when we make Senior.
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Hunting Guides and
Preserves
McKean Farms - Gallipolis, OH http://www.mckeanfarms.com/schedule-a-hunt.html
See story about this place above.
Caroline County Hunting Preserve - Denton, MD http://carolinecountyshootingpreserve.com/ See story about this place above.
Allen Brothers Hunting
Preserve - Bladenboro, NC
http://allenbrothers.org/
B and B Waterfowl
Guide Service - NC
www.bandbwaterfowl.com
Game Creek Hunting
Farms - Woodstown, NJ
www.gamecreek.com
Hopewell Pheasentry -
Felton, PA
www.gentryfarms.com
Wild Wings Hunting
Preserve - Kempton, PA
www.bittnerswildwings.com
Lady Woods Hunting
Preserve - Douglas, MA
www.ladywoods.com
Millstream Hunting
Preserve - Marlborough, CT
www.millstreampreserve.com
Markover Hunting
Preserve - Danielson, CT
www.markover.com
Fairholm Farm Upland
Preserve - Woodstock, CT
www.uplandpreserve.com
Hopkins Hunting
Preserve - Kennedyville, MD
www.hopkinshunting-clays.com
Schraders Hunting
Preserve - Henderson, MD
www.schradersoutdoors.com
Winter Haven Hunting
Preserve - Palmyra, VA
www.winterhavenpreserve.com/
Lopstick Lodge -
Pittsburg, NH
www.cabinsatlopstick.com/
Marshtown Hunting
Preserve - Dover, DE
www.marshtown.net
Quail Hollow Hunts -
Berkely Springs, WV
www.quailhollowhunts.com/
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Artists and Authors
Marie Fritz-Perry
www.mariefritzperryartist.com
See Chapter 9 Story and the Picture
Below it
Dottie Dracos
Dottie@dottiedracos.com
See Picture Below
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The Next Generation
Windmill Hill's "Giant Slayer"
Call Name Fionn
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Good Eats We also eat what we kill and are constantly trying variations of recipies for all the game birds that we are fortunate enough to harvest. We will be posting some of the one's that have passed the "Donna Taste Test" for you to try out as well.
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