The following account is only one mans bias opinion. None of the names or
places have been changed, because no one is innocent.

Just got back from the Carolina's training dogs and visiting my brother
Blake. We had quite an experience. Entered Belle and Deke in competition 13
times and we placed 11 times. Our final trial was the Boykin Nationals held
in Clinton S.C.. Deke was 9 days to old to run in the puppy class (under 1
year) so we entered him in novice. Novice is a strange class, no pro's can
run, there is no age limit, and were numerous HRC titled dogs. We had a
total class of 65 dogs (including Deke's daddy and 6 siblings) and the
oldest being 9 years. After two days of different hunting/retrieving
scenario's, Deke was outstanding. Every time we went to the line, my heart
was in my throat. Dogs were being weeded out left and right. We made it to
the final water series and once again Deke proved he was up to the task. The
bird was thrown so it was hidden behind a log @ 40 yards. To get there all
the dogs had to cross over a larger log in the middle of the pond find the
hidden bird and return over the 2 logs. Deke's line to the bird was great,
crossed over the log and continued to the hidden bird. Deke missed the
hidden bird 4 feet to the right stepped on a submerged stick, which came up
and slapped him in the face, shook it off and quickly corrected and returned
to my side with his prize. Deke's next bird was thrown at 35 yards towards
open water, but intentionally was landed in a snag that only a crappie
fisherman would love. Once again Deke was off, where most dogs eased around
the snag, Deke crashed straight though the middle (I was afraid he would
hurt himself) of the snag returned the same way and sat at my side with the
bird. I was so proud and knew we had just put ourselves in first place or
close to. When the awards were handed out that evening it was not to be.
Deke received a Judges Award of Merit award and was the 5th place dog. I am
not complaining, since I was unable to watch most of other dogs (Belle was
running in Puppy) But will never forget the effort  this little dog put
forth at 1 year and 9 days.

Belle was entered in puppy along with 26 other Boykin pups. The first series
consisted of three land retrieves from 25 to 40 yards. In puppy they use
pigeons. Belle was a ball of fire and shot straight to her first bird picked
it up came half way back and decided to parade around showing off her prize.
I guess she thought all these people were here to watch her and she was
going to give them a show. The next two birds went exactly the same way. At
this point I thought my chances in puppy were gone. If there is one thing
Belle likes more than retrieving, it is treats. So we found a place away
from the crowds and started rewarding Belle with a treat everytime she
returned with the dummy. I would hold my left hand at ear level, rolling the
treat in my fingers, and singing softly to her. She got the idea and was
snapping back to me dummy in mouth. From that point on we would practice
prior to a series. When she went after her bird, I would hold my hand up
like I had a treat and sing softly to her. I wish I could say that this was
a wonder cure, but only made her retrieves tolerable when she was returning
with a pigeon.
After4 series the judges wanted more and called for a 5th series hoping to
find more separation between dogs. Belle was invited back! The first mark
landed @ 40 yards in broom straw and a minor amount of deadfall. Belle
nailed the mark jumping over the deadfall and landing on her pigeon. Her
return was not so pleasing but adequate. The final mark was 35 yards down a
dirt road where the pigeon was thrown into the marsh grass 3 feet off the
edge of the road. I assume to tempt the puppies to keep on running.
Sometimes speed can hurt. Belle locked on, shot towards her mark running
full, hit the scent trail, locked on the brakes (over running the bird by 6
ft) hunted back, picked up the bird and made a decent return. Knowing Belle
had lapsed in her training, all we could hope for was a Jam (judges award of
merit) Boy were we surprised when Bell took the forth place ribbon.
What mixed emotions Peggy and I had over the next hours, Belle who was off
her game and still placed forth and Deke who left it all on the field only
to receive a jam.
Another highlight was:  Grace  owned and handled by my brother Blake. Grace
ran in the open class against a field of 16 with 5 professional trainers.
Coming into the final series the field had been narrowed to 7 dogs and 3 or
4 pros. My guess is that Grace was in 5th place at this time. What a turn of
events, when the dust settled Grace received second place honors in the open
class. I wish I could describe in detail her efforts and the final challenge
of the day, but we were off running our own at this point.
Sunday brought a day of fun, no more tension or wondering about bringing
your dog to the line. The nationals were over. But just for fun and in the
spirit of competition the Boykin Spaniel Society put on an upland event. Dog
and handler would enter a field where 3 live chukars had been hidden acting
as a team, the dog must flush the bird, the handler must shoot the bird, and
the dog should retrieve. On top of that you are working against the clock
(so much for tension). Deke worked well and took second place in singles
with a 4:49 time. Bell ran also, but her handler(me) made too many mistakes
to place her.
Deke and I were invited to run doubles with Bill Crites and Lilly. Same
rules as above, only with a total of 5 birds in the field. Deke and Lilly
really lit it up covering the field and working together. When the smoke
cleared and the last bird was delivered to hand the clock read 5:39. Both
Deke and Lilly received a first place trophy for their efforts.
Entering doubles once again, Deke and I paired with Blake and Grace. What a
run we had grace covering most of the milo field and Deke hunting tight in
the thicker cover. We finished with the second fasted time of the day, but
were penalized for using an extra shell. Putting us in 3rd place.
There were 36 total entries in both divisions.

 

Hi Phill and Karen,
Sorry to bother you again, but I was just wondering how you get the Ester-C
down a pup? Do you give liquid Ester-C? If so could you please tell me where
to buy as I cannot find any in the UK, I don't mind importing it.
By the way (Bubba) the pup we kept back does not need any surgery for his
hips, he now shows no signs what so ever of hip dysplasia after being on
6000mg of Ester-C a day.
Thanks again,
Emma x
www.ripley-wrinkles.com
 

Charlie was combed, put on his best collar and was off to the Game Fair at 6:00am.  He arrived to the fair at 7:00am, one hour before the gate opened.  He wanted a good parking space and some time to show off in the line to get in.  He is a very handsome fellow and in the hour before the gate opened at least 5 people came over to admire him and ask many questions about what is a Boykin Spaniel.  Once inside the gate we hardly had any time to look at the displays and events because we were busy explaining Charlie’s history and all about the Boykin breed.  We handed out 14 Boykin Spaniel Society pamphlets and talked to many people about the breed in the 2 hours we were there.  Charlie entered one event but all did not go as planned.  Although Charlie is a very accomplished upland bird hunter and retriever, this game was all new to him.  Charlie has an intense love for retrieving dummies but as the dummy was launched in the water it landed on the far side of a group of decoys.  This was all new to Charlie.  He launched into the water, got to the decoys, touched them and they moved.  He immediately turned and came back to me and said ‘Dad you never told me about those things in the water’.  Needless to say we will work on swimming through decoys to get the retrieve.  Otherwise Charlie was a big hit at the Game Fair and he had his picture taken which we have enclosed.  On a side note if the BSS ever wanted to have a booth at the Game Fair (www.gamefair.com)