Hurricane Harvey hit Houston hard. The catastrophic Category 4 hurricane ravaged the fourth largest city in the country, dumping up to 50 inches of rain in areas and causing $125 billion in damage. Harvey became Houston’s most destructive storm in history and the second costliest hurricane behind Katrina to strike the U.S. mainland.

The dismal forecast going into the weekend of Aug. 25, 2017, prompted professional retriever trainer Rody Best of Paige, Texas, two hours northwest of Houston, to cancel the snake proofing clinic planned for that Saturday at his training facility. About 100 retriever enthusiasts were coming to train their dogs to recognize the sight, smell and sound of snakes, a potentially life-saving skill when trialing or hunting. 

At Best’s Monday morning staff meeting, he asked his six trainers and assistants, “Is there something we could do to help?”

With three flat-bottomed fishing boats among them, Best suggested, “We could take our boats down there and see if people need help.”

Hence, the idea to help rescue Hurricane Harvey victims was hatched. Two years later, Best was chosen to receive the 2019 Humanitarian Sportsman Recognition Award — the first one ever — from the AKC Master National Retriever Club (MNRC). Due to the COVID cancellation of the 2020 Master National, the award will be officially presented in October 2021 at the MNRC annual meeting held in conjunction with the Master National at County Valley, Idaho. 

In the award announcement, the late Bill Teague, former MNRC president, said, “Rody epitomizes the very essence of the AKC code of sportsmanship. He and his team arrived in Houston before many first responders to help in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. In his sport, he helps out at every weekend hunting test he runs. He has mentored several trainers and offers his training grounds for hunting test events. Rody Best is a most befitting recipient of this inaugural Humanitarian Sportsman Award.”

After the rescue, Best started a GoFundMe account and raised $6,000 for retriever enthusiasts affected by the hurricane. “We sent out $1,000 to six people in the retriever community — judges, trainers, breeders — basically anyone in the retriever world who had losses from the flooding,” he says.

Looking back, Best says, “We had dogs that needed to be trained, but we knew their owners would be understanding of the situation.”

The pro trainer with 20-plus years’ experience and his training staff are well-known for turning out top-notch waterfowl and upland game hunters. Best Retrievers has produced an impressive 100 plus Master Hunters, 30 Hunting Retriever Champions, eight Master National Hall of Famers, 13 Grand Retriever Champions, seven Super Retriever Series Champions, and countless gundog hunting companions.

Later that day the Best Retrievers team began loading their boats on trailers and packing up for Houston. “We had no idea what we would get into or the magnitude of the flood,” says Best. “Before we left, we posted on Facebook that we were going to Houston and to please contact us if you or anyone you know needs help.”

A fellow trainer alerted the team about a boarding kennel in the Houston suburb of Cypress that was completely under water on its first floor. “They had moved the animals to the second floor but needed to get them out,” Best says. “We started making trips down a flooded access road hauling dogs and cats in our boats. Luckily, they had enough crates, and we made four trips transporting 30 animals.”

Night came and the weary rescuers stayed in their trucks parked on a pitch-black parking lot. “I couldn’t sleep,” Best says. “Our Facebook post had been shared over and over, and I had hundreds of texts and phone calls from people trapped and needing help. I felt helpless and desperate, not knowing how we could possibly help them all.”

The next day, the Best Retrievers team split up to help as many people as they could. Thousands were stranded, their homes and apartments flooded with 3 to 10 feet of water. Among the people Best transported was photographer Andrew Burton shooting for The Besides people, they joined others in boats as they collectively herded cattle, donkeys and deer to safety.

“After two days and three nights in Houston, people and boats were pouring in from everywhere to help,” Best says. “I could tell we had done our part, and it was time to head home.”

Exhausted emotionally and physically, Best reflected on the experience on the drive home. “I felt extremely grateful to have been able to do what we could,” he says. “We saw that people needed help and thought we could maybe do something. I did not realize at the time, it would change my life forever.”

Tracey Sander of Bismarck, North Dakota, entered her NAFC AFC Blackriver’s Jezzebelle Miss Ellie SH in her first English Springer Spaniel National Amateur Championship last December in Dublin, Ohio. The pair has competed in field trials in their home state of North Dakota and several neighboring states, where “Ellie” earned her Amateur Field Champion title before joining the field of 100 dogs at the 2020 National Amateur. Ellie, a 5-year-old liver-and-white female, left with the title of 2020 National Amateur Field Champion.

After three years trialing Ellie as owner-handler, Sander contacted Dan Murray, pro trainer and owner of Absolute Gun Dogs in Bismarck, North Dakota, to enhance Ellie’s performance in field trials. Sander attributes Ellie’s success to her “abundance of desire, natural ability and tremendous drive,” adding that Ellie “is powerful and hard running in the field, and her intelligence and enthusiasm for her work made her an easy dog to train.”

The original field of 100 competitors at the 2020 National Amateur was whittled down through five land series and a water series requiring two retrieves. Frigid conditions for the December event required the competition committee to break through the layer of ice on the pond so that Ellie and the 18 other finalists could safely compete in the water series. A channel was created with ice on either side for the dogs to navigate. Sander and Ellie trained for the water series, but the icy elements introduced a new challenge. Unphased, Ellie showed her intensity and determination, and successfully completed both water retrieves.

In addition to Ellie’s performance during the water series, her fifth and final land series really stood out to Sander. “Ellie showed excellent use of wind, bird finding, retrieving, and teamwork with me. Between that and the water series, it was a very nice finish,” she says.

“My experience throughout the National was wonderful,” Sander adds. “I thoroughly enjoyed the event, learned a lot, and met many nice, supportive people. It was a first-time experience filled with gratitude in so many ways.”

Ellie’s pedigree is prestigious. Her sire, NFC NAFC CNFC CNAFC FC AFC Blackriver’s Tanner, owned by Jeff Miller, is the only winner of all four North American English Springer Spaniel National Championships: the National Amateur Field Championship, National Open Field Championship, Canadian National Field Championship, and the Canadian National Amateur Field Championship. Ellie’s dam, FC Little Jessie Girl, was a talented, successful spaniel, whose field trial career was sidelined by mean seed disease.  

Ellie, the 2020 English Springer Spaniel National Amateur Field Champion, is fueled by Purina Pro Plan SPORT Performance 30/20 Chicken & Rice Formula dog food.

“Emmy,” an 8-year-old female Treeing Walker Coonhound, owned and handled by Lane Denny of Jay, Oklahoma, is the first Professional Kennel Club (PKC) Platinum Champion to win the prestigious United Kennel Club (UKC) World Championship. Her accomplishments in nite hunt championships in both registries show her tremendous ability to track and tree raccoons. WRLDNITECH CH GRNITECH(2) ‘PR’ Spavinaw Creek Insane Emmy won the UKC World Championship in September 2019, outperforming more than 500 coonhounds. Having earned more than $50,000 in PKC events, Emmy is listed on the PKC’s Top 24 Lifetime Female Earnings. “Her greatest virtue is her heart, and that is something they are born with,” says Denny, who got his start in the sport as a 12-year-old. “Emmy has more drive and determination than any hound I’ve ever owned or hunted. She was a natural from the beginning.” As the winner of the 2018 PKC Senior Showdown, Emmy gifted Lane with a Ford F150 pickup truck, after being chosen as an alternate in the competition that was based on a dog’s top earnings in 2017. Emmy was bred by David Berry of Christiana, Tennessee. The fast-running, independent female is fed Purina Pro Plan SPORT Performance 30/20 Salmon & Rice Formula and Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula dog foods.

The third top-winning bench show male Bluetick Coonhound  in United Kennel Club history, based on having won 62 Grand Champion shows, is “Rocky,” an 8-year-old. NGRCH CCH GRCH ‘PR’ HOF Spanky’s Rockin Blue Popacap counts among his wins the 2017 National Grand Show Championship at Autumn Oaks and the 2015 Purina National Overall Bench Show Championship. In 2020, Rocky was elected to the UKC’s newly begun Hall of Fame, which requires 40 Grand Champion wins. “Rocky has a commanding presence,” says owner-handler Lory Galbreath of Cabot, Arkansas. “His is a big dog, structurally sound, and his movement is exceptional.” Besides Galbreath, Rocky is co-owned by Autumn Huffman of Newcastle, Virginia, and the late Kris Tracy of Fincastle, Virginia. The handsome Bluetick is fed Purina Pro Plan SPORT Performance 30/20 Chicken & Rice Formula dog food.

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.

The all-time High-Point English Springer Spaniel Field Dog is a black-and-white female named “Annie,” whose versatility as a flushing bird dog capable of big finds and pinpoint retrieving is second to none. Trained by Jim Keller of Wildwind Kennels in Knox, Maine, NAFC FC AFC CNFC CFC CAFC Flushingwing Annie, now retired at 13 years old, earned a career 248 all-age points, consisting of 192 points in the American Kennel Club and 56 points in the Canadian Kennel Club. “Annie is one of the best dogs, definitely the best bitch, I’ve ever trained,” Keller says. “She is the consummate bird dog, an incredibly gifted retriever who can figure out difficult situations.” In 2014, Annie was the U.S. High-Point All-Age Dog, buoyed by her placing second in the English Springer National Field Championship, followed by earning top High-Point All-Age Dog honors running in the U.S. and Canada in 2015 and 2016. With owner Fred Musone of Tiverton, Rhode Island, Annie, who took over half her total career points running for Musone, won the 2010 English Springer National Amateur and the 2013 Canadian National Amateur. Bred by Jim and Cynthia Bell of Nova Scotia, Canada, Annie was sired by Hall of Fame Springer NFC AFC FC CFC FC Crosswinds War Path, also trained by Keller, out of CFC Flushing Wings Flash on Fire. Annie was powered to her incredible achievements by Purina Pro Plan SPORT Performance 30/20 Chicken & Rice dog food.

Across the rugged cowboy terrain of central Utah, an 8-year-old blue merle male Australian Shepherd named “Flint” gathered cattle for the first time. Steady and sure, he drove the stock with moxie, blending instinct and intuition. A ranch dog he became.

“Flint acted like he had spent his whole life as a ranch dog, though he hadn’t had many opportunities to do ranch work,” says Beth Crandall of Smithfield, Utah. She picked the Aussie pup when she was a teenager from a 2008 litter sired by a prominent stud dog of her veterinarian grandmother, Rebecca Powers Anderson.

Ranch dog Flint, now 12 years old, is the 2020 Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year. The esteemed award celebrates farm dogs that work alongside farmers and ranchers as loyal partners and enrich the lives of their farm families. A thoughtful, biddable worker, Flint (J Bar D Lor A Flint’s Dee-Light CGC STDd RN DNA-VP) fetched a leading role as the main ranch dog on the Crandall family ranch with his low-stress cattle handling and stock-savvy judgment. 

Zippy Duvall, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, which presents the award with support from Purina, says, “Flint is an inspiration to people on and off the farm. Doing what he loves, Flint is a true partner with the Crandall family doing the work of multiple ranch hands.” 

Beth was hooked on the versatility, loyalty and intelligence of Aussies when her grandmother offered her the pick of the litter sired by her stud dog “Ranger” (Lor A Iyanbito Flint Lex) out of “Dee” (WTCH Makin’ 8 Hanging In The Dees PATDcs RTDcs), a Hall of Fame dam from the J Bar D line begun in the 1960s by Jerry and Sharon Rowe.

Rebecca Anderson began breeding Aussies in 1969 as a 4-H project with help from her mother, Loretha Powers, a wonderful dog trainer, breeder and enthusiast for whom Lor A is named. The foundation behind Lor A Australian Shepherds includes prominent early working lines, such as J Bar D, Silverledge, Crown Point, and Las Rocosa.

Growing up on a ranch in Taos, New Mexico, Beth says, “Although Flint didn’t work on our farm, he helped me exercise my goats for 4-H and FFA. At the time, I had no idea how helpful a dog could be on a ranch,” she says.

When Beth left for college at Utah State University, Flint went with her. Four years later in 2016, Beth married — and Flint adopted — a fellow Utah State graduate, Rhett Crandall, whose family settled in the rugged mountainous state in the 1850s. Running Hereford and black Angus cattle on 26,000 acres, the Crandalls understand how a good stock dog comes in handy.

Beth and Rhett began taking Flint to the ranch, where he worked cattle alongside two Border Collies owned by Rhett’s father. “One of my favorite things about Flint is how he watches us to understand what we want,” Rhett says. “As he comes to obstacles like gates, creeks, trees, and brush, he figures out what he needs to do to get the cattle through. His biggest strength is wanting to please us.”

A ranch dog Flint became. Although his passion for working livestock was realized relatively late in life, his legacy will continue through his offspring and service to the Crandall family.

There are a number of culprits that can stress a dog out, such as separation, unfamiliar visitors, a change in weather, loud noises or novel sounds. Sporting dogs, in particular, could demonstrate anxious behaviors over a disruption in routine or location, whether it be due to travel or going to a new trainer.

“One of the biggest stressors for bird dogs especially is inactivity,” says pro trainer Ike Todd of Todd Kennels in Somerville, Tennessee. “A dog’s anxious behavior is best controlled by regular physical and mental stimulation. Anything you can do to keep your bird dog active, such as running, roading or providing a more spacious kennel or outdoor enclosure, will help promote calmer behavior.”

“What’s more, a dog showing anxiety about training situations, in particular, even after he or she has been adequately exercised, will sometimes respond better when worked with more well-adjusted dogs,” Todd says. “A dog learns by association and being around other willing participants can help boost his or her confidence.”

Anxious behaviors in a dog typically are signaled by pacing, reluctance to accept treats, and excessive barking or panting. An anxious dog living in a state of chronic physiological stress may be prone to chronic health issues.

“It’s important to talk to your veterinarian if your dog is displaying undesirable behaviors,” says Purina Director of Veterinary Technical Communications Jason Gagne, DVM, DACVN. “What might be perceived as just a characteristic of a particular breed or part of a dog’s personality could really be an anxious behavior that needs attention.”

Follow these tips to help manage your dog’s anxious behaviors caused by external stressors.

1. Expose ‘Em Early
   First things first. Learning to cope with stressful situations begins during puppyhood. Puppy gyms, or boxes made of PVC frame with various dog toys suspended from ropes or plastic chains, can promote early socialization and sensory stimulation, the foundation for a well-rounded, adaptable dog.
   
   “Anything that involves physical and mental activity for young pups is good,” says Todd. “The more a pup is exposed to, whether it’s a puppy gym or true field-like conditions, the better he or she will be prepared for life as an adult.”
   
   Do your homework before buying a pup and check with prospective breeders on their socialization philosophy.
    
2. Don’t Set an Expiration Date
   A pup should be introduced to the world outside the whelping box, and socialization doesn’t expire once a dog enters adulthood. Continue exposing your dog to new people, places and experiences throughout his or her life, ensuring positive interactions by using common sense and safety considerations.
   
   “Socialization throughout a bird dog’s life is best accomplished through time spent in the field,” Todd explains. “Dogs love it and thrive on it.”
    
3. Make Noise
   A dog should be exposed early and regularly to household noises such as the vacuum cleaner, blow dryer, blender, washing machine and clothes dryer, as well as outdoor noises such as the tractor, lawnmower, weed eater, blower and all-terrain vehicles. Furthermore, a sporting dog should have an early gradual introduction to especially loud sounds to reduce fear of noise.
   
   “Early exposure to loud noises is ideal for a bird dog, provided it’s in a controlled environment,” Todd advises. “Any loud noises should be introduced from a safe distance away initially and be associated with something enjoyable, such as eating or playing, so that whatever is being introduced is associated with a positive experience.”
    
4. Practice Makes Perfect
   Ensure your dog is well-accustomed to travel before leaving on any trip. Start by putting your dog in a crate and taking him or her on short errands, increasing the length of time each trip, to gradually condition the dog for riding in a vehicle. The more comfortable your dog is in the car, the longer he or she can ride.
   
   To further desensitize a dog to travel, give him or her plenty of exercise prior to traveling. “Just like a tired child travels better, so too will a bird dog,” says Todd.
    
5. Calm During the Storm
   “A dog with storm anxiety should be given a safe, confined and comfortable space for the duration of a storm,” says Todd. “Anything you can do to help put your dog at ease can help alleviate his or her fear of storms.”
   
   Keep your dog distracted during a storm by offering his or favorite toys and treats and playing light music to drown out rumbling thunder. Products such as the Thundershirt can also help ease storm anxiety.
    
6. Relax Together
   A dog depends on his or her owner for security, so patience and persistence on your part is key to helping your dog be stress-free. Always keep desensitization sessions short and fun, offering praise or a treat for positive interactions.

Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Supplements Launches Probiotic Breakthrough for Helping Dogs Maintain Calm Behavior

What if you could help support your dog with a probiotic to help him or her stay calm? Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Supplements Calming Care is a canine probiotic supplement available through veterinarians, online retailers, and select pet specialty stores containing Bifidobacterium longum (BL999), a probiotic strain shown to help dogs maintain calm behavior.

“The gut is sometimes referred to as a ‘second brain’ because of the bi-directional communication between the gut and the brain,” explains Purina Director of Veterinary Technical Communications Jason Gagne, DVM, DACVN. “There is scientific evidence that manipulating the gut bacteria can also have a positive influence on dogs displaying anxious behavior. For example, Bifidobacterium longum (BL999), the probiotic found in Calming Care, has been shown to help dogs maintain calm behavior.”

“Different strains of probiotics have different effects on the body,” Purina Research Scientist Ragen T.S. McGowan, PhD, says. “In a 15-week blinded crossover design study, we evaluated the effects of administering BL999 to 24 Labrador Retrievers that demonstrated anxious behaviors. By the end of the study, 90 percent of dogs showed an improvement in displaying anxious behaviors, such as excessive vocalization, jumping, pacing and spinning. Dogs in the study also showed improvement in physiological factors, including positive cardiac activity during stressful events¹.”

Calming Care helps support dogs with anxious behaviors such as excessive vocalization, jumping, pacing and spinning, and helps them cope with external stressors such as separation, unfamiliar visitors, novel sounds or changes in routine and location. It also helps dogs maintain positive cardiac activity during stressful events, promoting a positive emotional state, and supports a healthy immune system.

Available through veterinarians, Calming Care should be given under your veterinarian’s supervision. If you have concerns about your dog’s behavior, talk to your veterinarian.

¹McGowan, R.T.S. (2016). “Oiling the brain” or “Cultivating the gut”: Impact of diet on anxious behaviors in dogs. Proceedings of the Nestlé Purina Companion Animal Nutrition Summit, March 31-April 2, Florida, 91-97.

A consistent, rabbit-tracking hound named “Romo” has proved his versatility, focus and endurance as a top winner in gundog brace trials, small pack option (SPO) and large pack. IFC FCLP Maravic’s Romo is a 5-year-old open-marked bluetick 15-inch male Beagle bred, owned and handled by Vic Costanza and his son, James Costanza, both of Frankfort, New York. “Romo wins by staying with the rabbit, and he is very smart and knows when to gear up and when to gear down,” Costanza says. The winner of the New York Consistency Award in 2018 for his yearlong performance in the 10-club large pack hare association, Romo also won the Iroquois Beagle Gundog Association Consistency Award in 2016-2017 for standing out in the 23 clubs’ SPO trials. A beagler since 1971, Costanza, who was inducted into the Better Beagling Hall of Fame in 2013, started in traditional brace beagling and then got involved in gundog brace, SPO and large pack trials, finishing field champions in all formats. He attributes Romo’s keen abilities to six crosses in his pedigree of a top-producing male, IFC Maravic’s Blue Ninja, a Hall of Fame inductee in 2012. This high-performance hound is fed Purina Pro Plan SPORT Performance 30/20 Salmon & Rice Formula dog food.

Bird dog winter camp in the Wild West of Prewitt, New Mexico, is a spiritual coming together, where a string of red dogs, known as Hungarian Vizslas, and their pro trainer and handler escape to decompress, recharge and fine-tune their pointing and retrieving skills. Taking a break in this rustic paradise brings clarity and purpose to the mission of raising the bar for Vizslas on the highly competitive bird dog circuit.

Riding up on a stylish pair of his starter team dogs staunchly pointing game, Brian Gingrich sits tall in the saddle atop Tennessee Walker “Chaco.” Donning a cowboy hat, the 6-foot-4-inch solidly built bird dog trainer looks like he could reach up and touch the open blue sky. His ruddy cheeks and suntanned face attest to his outdoor lifestyle. His sparkling blue eyes and easygoing smile speak to his love of the versatile hunting breed and the field trial sport.

Locked in on the find, “Red” (NCH NFC DC Bangert’s Red Baron), a conditioned, muscular 7-year-old male, is pointing the bird, and “Scout” (NCH 2XCH 3XRUCH FC CK Post Route Scout), an athletic, far-ranging 5-year-old male, honors the find with calm resolution. Arguably the top-performing Vizslas on the circuit, they have come by their talents humbly, hand-developed and trained by Brian since puppyhood. “I worked with a lot of dogs to get these exceptional dogs,” Brian says.

Bringing out the power-driven bird-finding ability of the red dogs to run competitively with Pointers and English Setters in shooting dog and all-age horseback stakes takes grit. “This is what excites me,” Brian says. “I am looking to put together an all-star team of big-running dogs that I can take to new places and raise people’s expectations of Vizslas.”

He knows there are naysayers, those who don’t believe Vizslas have the engines to run a fast-forward one-hour endurance trial, the bird-finding finesse to trump a brace mate or the focus to stay the course. Brian aims to prove them wrong. So far, he’s won 10 National Championships with six different Vizslas, an impressive claim for 10 years on the circuit. He’s also won eight all-breed open championships.

Brian did not start out planning to be a professional bird dog trainer. “It started real innocent,” he says, grinning. 

With time on his hands in 2009, Brian started yardwork training his father’s Vizsla puppies. At first, Brian was training dogs for Vizsla Club of America weekend trials sanctioned by the AKC. In 2010, he entered the National Vizsla Association’s National Open Championship in Grovespring, Missouri. The one-hour format of the American Field event was “eye-opening,” he says. “Going from 30-minute weekend trials to a one-hour championship was a whole different level.”

His competitive nature kicked in. Working Vizslas at his parents’ farm in Winnebago, Illinois, Brian started shaping dogs to win by making training fun and giving lots of praise. He and his father bought Tennessee Walking horses and a trailer, transitioning to handling on horseback from walking. 

More and more field trialers had begun seeking Brian to train their dogs in 2014 when James Gingrich bought a property in Prewitt, New Mexico, which he named Mt. Taylor Vista Ranch. The rugged Southwest scenery with gorgeous red mesas, windblown blue grama grass, and scattered pinyon pines and cedar trees offers nearly a dozen areas to run bird dogs. Once home to Anasazi Indians, reminders such as sacred burial grounds, pottery chards and dugout fire pits on top of mesas abound.

Working hard physically blended with time spent training and building relationships with the dogs have been life-changing for Brian. “This is my heaven,” he says. Befittingly, he recently renamed his BG Gundogs to Red Mesa Kennel.

As winter camp comes to a close, Brian is satisfied with the dogs’ progress. His love for the red dogs, these Hungarian Vizsla hunting dogs, is mutual. The spiritual coming together that took place at winter camp at Red Mesa Kennel will soon be seen at bird dog stakes across the country, where Vizslas will be taking the game to a whole new level.