10/14/2026
This right here is one of the greatest rewards of raising puppies.
This young man bought a pup from us this past year, and he’s already made the three hour drive to come work dogs two weekends in a row. To me that’s what it’s all about. It’s about more than breeding a good dog or winning a trial. It’s about sharing a passion, building relationships, passing along knowledge, and helping the next generation find their place in this way of life.
As breeders, trainers, hunters, and competitors, we have a responsibility to do our part to keep this sport and lifestyle alive. None of us got here entirely on our own. Somewhere along the way, somebody took the time to teach us something, answer our questions, let us tag along, or give us an opportunity to experience something new. We owe it to those who came before us to do the same for those coming behind us.
If we want bird dogs, hunting, and field trials to have a future, we have to be willing to invest in people, not just dogs.
Take somebody on a hunt who has never experienced it. Let a newcomer follow you around while you train. Invite somebody to a hunt test or field trial and take the time to explain what’s happening. Let them ask questions, get their hands on a dog, and experience the excitement of watching a good bird dog do what it was bred and trained to do.
You never know what that little invitation might turn into. You might spark a lifelong passion, help somebody find a new community, or introduce a young person to a tradition they’ll one day pass down to their own children.
And it’s bigger than just us. These dogs connect us to the outdoors, to the land, to wildlife, and to traditions that deserve to be preserved. The more people we bring into this world and teach to appreciate it, the better chance we have of protecting it for the future.
We spend a lot of time talking about pedigrees, performance, wins, placements, and producing the next great dog. Those things matter, but the people we bring along the way matter just as much.
So, to everyone in the bird dog world, I challenge you to do your part. You don’t have to be a professional trainer or a champion handler. You just have to be willing to share what you love with someone who hasn’t had the opportunity to experience it yet.
Don’t just build better dogs. Help build the next generation of people who will love them, work them, hunt over them, and carry this tradition forward.
Because if we don’t make room for new people in this sport, one day there may not be anybody left to carry it on.
That’s a legacy worth investing in. And for me, watching somebody develop a passion for these dogs is one of the most rewarding parts of raising them.
