Pointer Named ‘Hammer’ Is 2019-2020 Cover Dog Of The Year
In his hard-hunting, forward-running, classy style, an 8-year-old white-and-orange male Pointer named “Hammer” drove the most points in a comeback after being retired to be named the 2019-2020 Cover Dog of the Year. Among his wins that contributed to the honor, 3XCH RUCH Titanium’s Hammer triumphed at the 2019 Grand National Grouse Championship and the 2019 Lake States Grouse Championship. In 2018, he was Runner-Up Champion at the Wisconsin Cover Dog Championship. Original owner Doug Baumann of Plymouth, Wisconsin, retired from field trials and offered Hammer back to breeder-handler Bruce Minard, and his partner, son Neal Minard, of Hifive Kennels in Beulah, Michigan. “After a few short months of regular workouts, it was clear that Hammer had more wins to come,” says Minard, who teamed up with Hammer’s new owner Bob Leet of Paw Paw, Michigan. Prior to running cover dog trials, Hammer competed in shooting dog horseback stakes, winning the 2015 Midwest Shooting Dog Championship as a 3-year-old. “Making the switch to the cover dog circuit with ease shows his great versatility and ability to adjust easily to new situations,” Minard says. The talented Pointer was sired by Dateline Blacklist out of Hifive’s Wrangler – both dogs were bred and trained at Hifive Kennels. His sire won the inaugural Northern Michigan Cover Dog Championship in 2010 and was Runner-Up Champion at the 2011 Grand National Grouse and Woodcock Invitational. His dam won the 2009 National Amateur Grouse Championship. Hammer is fueled by Purina Pro Plan SPORT Performance 30/20 Chicken & Rice Formula dog food.