Georgetown Township dog earns right to be called Grand Hunting Retriever ChampionBy Aaron Ogg, The Grand Rapids Press, found at MLive.com
November 29, 2009Ely, a 3-year-old black Labrador Retriever, brings back a bird during a field demonstration.
He recently won the Grand Hunting Retriever National Championship. (Lori Niedenfuer
Cool, The Grand Rapids Press)GEORGETOWN TOWNSHIP -- Ely has the right amount of desire.
Too much fire in a gun dog can be a liability during hunting tests, said Tim Doane, the 70-pound black Labrador Retriever's owner. Judges do not look kindly upon the antsy or disobedient.
A pooch must mind its master and honor other working dogs, even when the scent of a downed fowl pulls at every fiber of its being.
"With some dogs, you need to suppress it," said Doane, owner of Kingseed Kennels, a training, boarding and breeding operation at 3810 Bauer Road. "They have that much desire."
On the other hand, dogs trying to sniff out greatness by American and United kennel club standards must not appear sluggish or disinterested.
Ely's owner, Tim Doane, launches a dead duck into
the air for the Lab to find. (Lori Niedenfuer Cool,
The Grand Rapids Press)"(Judges) will mark a dog down for a lack of desire," Doane said, "but they're not asking it to be a rocket."
Ely demonstrated enough poise and instinct to claim his spot among an elite group of hunting dogs. He passed a battery of land and water tests at a four-day United Kennel Club event in Union City, Tenn., in October, earning him the title of Grand Hunting Retriever Champion.
The rank is the highest bestowed by the Kalamazoo-based organization, which holds qualifying events across the country. Ely was among 74 dogs that passed among 426 entries. Eligible canines included retrievers, spaniels and other breeds.
He also passed an AKC Master National Hunt Test in Giddings, Texas, in October. Fewer than half of the 400 dogs earned national master status. They were among more than 3,100 hopefuls.
"Ely's my huntin' buddy," said Doane, 46, owner of five black Labs. "He's the dog everyone wishes they had. ... These titles are not gained by accident."
He chalks up his dog's success to good training, lineage and natural gifts. The 3-year-old has bagged more than 1,000 pheasants, geese and ducks in two seasons.
"He's a phenomenal hunting dog," Doane said. "As good as he is at the hunt test game, he's just as good in the field. He treats his hunting like he's at a hunt test."
Dogs can pick up bad habits in the field, Doane said.
"They might decide to 'break,' or run after a dead bird before they are sent. In a hunt test, a dog straying beyond a certain distance from its handler is considered a gaffe," he said.
Rigorous training ensures Ely's reserve. As Doane conducted a practice exercise in the backyard of his 4-acre property, the dog only raced off when given the cue.
Ely has bagged more than 1,000 pheasants, geese
and ducks in two seasons. (Lori Niedenfuer Cool,
The Grand Rapids Press)Ely patiently waited behind Doane, who sat on a pickle bucket while loading his 12-gauge shotgun with a couple blanks. Loaded in two catapult devices, called wingers, were two dead birds. Doane dropped a third that Ely couldn't see, known as a blind, in the field.
"It's a marking and memory test," Doane said.
The master called for his dog, and Ely obeyed. Doane blew a duck call, then fired a round. Almost time to go to work, but not until commanded.
Finally, Doane released Ely, who located the first bird with pinpoint accuracy, clutched it in his teeth and charged back.
The second test was not so easy. Doane instructed Ely to dig out the blind. "Dead bird" is the verbal cue. Ely aligned his body with Doane's and raced off when told.
"He's a natural pointer," Doane said. "I did not teach him to do that."
What makes the blind tough is the dog's knowledge of another bird it saw drop, Doane said. Also, it must ignore the smell of that dead duck wafted in the wind as it charges after the mystery fowl, trusting its handler completely.
The exercise simulates the rigors of a judged event, but it's not as tricky in a wide-open backyard, Doane said.
"(Judges) are very good at screwing with these dogs' heads," he said. "You're asking a lot of that dog. You're asking a dog to shut off his instincts."
Love of a friend's pooch sparked Doane's interest in hunting dog training, he said. He was sick of sitting alone in a tree stand.
He looked to the breeder and trainer his friend patroned, Kim Moses of Hunters Marsh Retrievers, with locations in Harrisville and Olaton, Ky. Doane and soon bonded with Ely. Moses helped Doane with some of training's finer points.
"I knew very well that if I didn't do a good job with this dog, these guys would never leave me alone about it," said Doane, laughing. "I'd never hear the end of it."
Moses died in a car accident in Kentucky in 2008 at age 69. Doane was emotional recalling her influence and friendship.
"Her line of dogs is very well respected," Doane said with tears in his eyes. "I can carry on what she was doing and what she taught me. I would like to be like her."
Doane hopes to produce a litter from Ely and another one of his Labs this spring.
"I will not breed a dog just for looks," he said. "I will not breed a dog just for color. I want to breed a really nice, solid dog."
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