December 2005
If it’s a versatile pup you covet this spring, how about one that’s superior at doing what hunters need most and do poorest for themselves? Face it: We can stumble onto game occasionally, but our eyes are such terrible substitutes for decent noses that we’re lucky to find downed birds on bare bean fields. The very best versatile dog needs to be a retriever first and foremost. Add pointing instincts to that retriever and you have a real workhorse—the pointing Lab.
“Adding pointing instincts” usually suggests outcrosses, but that was not necessary or sensible in developing pointing Labs. It’s been about 150 years since the St. John’s water dogs were exported to England, where some gamekeepers crossed them onto pointers and setters to improve grace and movement while hunting and retrieving on land. Because those introduced pointing genes are recessive, they most often failed to express themselves unless joined by a like gene. But they remained in perhaps 10 to 15 percent of the Labs. Selecting almost entirely for retrieving skills during those 150 years could not purge pointing genes from the breed.
Mayo Kellogg, the real father of the American pointing Lab, noticed pointing in his South Dakota line as early as 1946. Forty years later, he convinced me that a pointing retriever is superior to a retrieving pointer. I wrote about pointing retrievers in 1988, and Mayo received thousands of letters and calls. Mayo passed away last year, leaving his kennel to his son, Hugh. He reports that 95 percent of his buyers ask for Labs that point. Should you wonder about my name on his pedigrees of pointing Labs, it’s not an endorsement or partnership. Mayo said he did it to honor my efforts in introducing them to the public. See www.Bdarn.com/ kellogg or call 605-480-0750.
Tails Win
Like the inclination to point, high tails could not be purged from the breed, and they, too, can be developed as a trait without disturbing the ability to retrieve. High tails make dogs easier to see in cover, but mostly they allow us to better read dogs’ minds. Hanging tails provide little clue to intensity; straight-up tails say, “I got ’em.” If a naturally high-tailed dog lowers his tail, he’s signaling uncertainty. If the tip drops lower than the balance of the tail, he’s convinced things aren’t as he hoped.
The intensity of high tails makes hunting so much more exciting for me that I waited a long time for a pup out of just the right litter and related to Ord, Neb., breeder Jim Helm’s fox-red high-tailed Point Doctor (see photo). It was a good plan. I got everything I had hoped for in a pointing Lab, including the readable tail.
Meet a TRUE GRAND-MASTER... "SAUK RIVER'S FEATHERSTORM"....(Jake)PEDIGREE  A TRUE pointer and a TRUE retriever. AKC UKC registered. Successful at the highest hunt test levels. 
 Jake has shown us what a great lab is. He has an intense desire to hunt and retrieve,and a very strong desire to please. He is robust and intense yet easy for my children to handle. He is not a barker, holds himself with that regal air and does his work with style. His puppies are fast-learning, good looking dogs who are successful hunters, obedience dogs,family companions and even therapy dogs. Featherstorm (Jake) is a true pointing lab. His point is natural, scent-driven, intense and consistent. I have told people flying up to see jake that I will buy their plane ticket if he does not point all planted birds and if they are at all unsure of the instinct, or think that I taught him to point. That offer still stands to anyone. Jake has proven successful in upland and waterfowl hunting. His first trip to North Dakota this year included a "submarine" retrieve where Jake dissapeared underwater and brought-up a wing - shot drake that had dove. My hunting-partner almost fell out of the boat when he saw that. I of course, claimed all credit citing the many successes of my underwater training techniques. That same day in a different spot, a friend winged a drake that sailed on us. I saw it swim into grassy-cover in a shallow area of the marsh about 200 yards from the boat. Walking was easy so I took Jake over to the spot where the duck entered. He trailed that bird for over 100 yards. Through thick sedges with shallow water. There was some pride in reappearing from that grass with a lively greenhead in-hand. These are the type of feats that good labs perform. I share these stories because this was Jake's first-day of hunting ducks. He learned the game quickly and showed the drive and stamina needed to be successful in heavy cover. Part of his quick-success was due to training, but a lot of it was due to the excellent breeding behind this dog. In short he inherited the traits to be successful. 
Jake's first hunt for wild pheasants was also memorable. He and I were duck hunting the day after the pheasant opener. Jake made a nice blind retrieve on the only duck we saw in the air that morning. Hearing roosters on shore we packed-it in early and I decided to walk for pheasants. Good decision. In 20 minutes on public land the day after the opener Jake had 8 productive points. The First and last points were roosters. All others were hens. but he stuck with the game even after having to watch the hens escape unscathed. He has a real desire to find, point and retrieve birds. This dog has traits that can improve the breed. He is A Versatile hunter with strength, and drive, looks, and a VERY strong pointing-instinct. A companion who brings added joy to the hunt. and to daily walks with the kids. If you are interested in incorporating these traits into your next litter please contact us about stud-service. If you, or someone you know might be interested in a Jake- puppy... Contact us and we will direct you to a litter that seems to be a good fit for you. We love to chat about dogs so if you have any questions call anytime. We look forward to sharing your enthusiasm for labs in general, and pointing labs in particular.JAKE PEDIGREE |