Archie

[Fred Preston]

Old Max, Ringo's long time hunting partner, died a month ago at 13. I broke down and got him a successor the other day. Named Archie and he's a couple months old. How about this one C.O.B.

[Dean Romig]

That's one great looking pup! Your days will be full now.

[Rich Anderson]

I'm sorry to hear of your loss Fred it's a difficult time thats for sure. Archie is a fine looking dog and can share a kennel with Gunner and Daisy any time. Looks just right to get started on birds this fall.

[Jack Cronkhite]

Nothing like a new pup!! Never a replacement, just a progression. Life's not the same without a dog sharing it with you.
Cheers,
Jack

[Fred Preston]

Last weekend Archie made his first foray into the MI coverts of Oscoda County and connected. The weather cleared somewhat on Saturday but the woods were still dripping. He found his first grouse in the afternoon, but his shooter failed to do his part. Sunday noon he found his second, though small, with complete success. A few pics: first, Saturday dinner of bacon wrapped woodcock breasts and butterflied backstrap pieces and beans; next, Archie and hs mentor, Pete, bickering on the shore of Muskrat Lake; next, a couple of migrants resting on Muskrat Lake; last is Archie and his new found game.

[Dean Romig]

He's a great looking pup Fred.

[Russ Jackson]

Fred ,The last picture really sums it up ,A Great Double Gun ,A Handsome New Pup , A fine looking Grouse and a Pleased Hunter and Owner , Congratulations on your new Hunting Partner ,Hes a Fine looking Pup for Sure ! Russ

[calvin humburg]

Losing friends is a sad time. But new friends are fun as well.

[charlie cleveland]

fine looking dog..may you and him go along way with each other... charlie

[Fred Preston]

Thanks guys for all the kind replies. The pup definitely shows promise but has a long way to go as might be expected. He gets out there and searches with his nose up and down when tracking. His grouse finds were not off real points, but more like a good close working flusher; birdy, hesitation and move. He's supposed to be a pointer. Whoh boy, Steady!

[Fred Preston]

It's been a good week with the kid; he found 5 phez and staunchly pointed 4 of them. He has had little check cord whoa training and surprised me with his steadiness (a natural?); he's always had intensity. The pics below are of a bird he got today. His on point beeper went off about 50 yards from me and I went to him, ready to take a shot at a flushing bird. When I saw him in the tall switch grass, rock aolid, I put the gun down, took out the camera and got a couple of pics, then picked up the Trojan 16, walked in, flushed the bird and shot it. It came down about 70 yards out and I don't think he marked it with the high cover. I directed him to the area and within a minute he found it by repointing, wasn't dead. Maybe next year he'll be bringing them in to me. The bird/gun/dog photo op shows he is still a handfull as Dean mentioned early on.

Life is good. Merry Christmas all.

[Christopher Lien]

Fred, Archie is looking good, just takes time and a little patience... With your years of knowledge and keeping him in the wild birds on a regular basis, he's getting the best education there is...

After Sioux's passing early this year, I'm also starting over with a new pup and things have been going pretty well...

Keep those great Archie photos coming Fred & Happy Holidays!...

Best, CSL
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[Dave Suponski]

Achie does look very good. Chris I am sorry to hear of Sioux's passing.

[Daryl Corona]

This was a bad year for PGCA member's dogs. Sorry about Sioux, Chris. What breed?
Archie looks like a keeper Fred. Although our the loss of our canine companions hurts for some time it is rewarding to bring along another dog [or dogs in my case]. I know the pride you are feeling with Archie's work so far. Please keep us posted on his progress. I know the feeling when you come upon your dog's point and would rather shoot the scene with a camera instead of your Parker. Give Archie a little extra treat today and tell him Merry X-mas from me, Parker and Fox.

[John Dallas]

This is the year we had to say good bye to "Tar", after 13 great seasons. She was a lot better bred than I am. She was born in Scotland and I picked her up at the British Air freight terminal in Detroit when she was 12 weeks old. Before her work was done she had over 1300 retrieves on ducks, geese, pheasants, grouse and woodcock. She also made over 80 trips to Detroit's Children's Hospital as a Therapy Dog. Man, I miss her. The search has begun for another, but I doubt there will ever be another "Tar"

[Fred Preston]

Chris, Let us know how things are with the young'n. It sounds like quite a few of us are rolling into the next generation of hunting companions. Perhaps we can have a thread on the miscues, foibles, achievements and progress of these rascals. At my age (75), Archie, most probably, will be my last if he goes the distance.

[Christopher Lien]

This was a bad year for PGCA member's dogs. Sorry about Sioux, Chris. What breed?

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Daryl, Sioux was a Llewellin English Setter, and she was with us for 11 great years... Like all hunting pals, she was special, and I witnessed some incredible "Bird-Dog" things with her during the many years we hunted together...
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Fred, Looking forward to seeing future photos of Archie, he sure looks like a "birdy" rascal... I'll be posting some future images of young Misty as well...

Below are a couple photos of my O'l Pal Sioux....

Best, CSL
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http://www.webpak.net/~cslien/1SiouxSledCSL.jpg
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http://www.webpak.net/~cslien/1SiouxDucksRooster.jpg
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[Fred Preston]

Archie's first birthday will be here in a week and a half. He's had a pretty good year. He's now a stretched out, hard running pup in late adolesence. At the end of last season, he found and brought in three downed birds to me without playing keep away. A week ago he and his mentor, Pete, and I went for a stroll on the farm along the edge of a field bordered by a brushy, tree covered, waterway. Pete went on point about 80 yards ahead of me, and, Archie locked up 30 yards behind Pete, backing/honoring him. I went foreward, passed Archie, to find what Pete had found. I glanced back at Archie a couple of times and he was holding. When I got ahead of Pete's point, I flushed a pair of woodcock. I guess they were moving north; great fun. Yesterday I was out with the boys and Archie opened up with a strong chop quite a ways ahead of me. It didn't sound like he had his face in a hole. When I got to him, he was working a tree like an old Redbone. He must have pushed a squirrel or some other critter into a knot hole. He's supposed to be a GSP, not a TGS (treeing shorthair); is it the versatiliy of the breed, or is he a little bit trashy. Who cares, it's fun.

When we got Archie, we had Clyde, a 16 year old fiece who is well past his coon killing days. Clyde was pretty much moping around with little interest in going to the woods anymore. The old curmudgeon was not at all pleased with the whippersnapper, but Archie stood up to him and didn't back off with his childish play. Now Clyde can't wait for Archie to come around.

[Paul Plager]

Practice makes partridge.... Nice dog.:bigbye:

[calvin humburg]

Fred whats that over in the corner, cream can? Good looking dog!

[Russ Jackson]

Nice update Fred ,Sounds like he coming along GREAT ! I had Chip out a couple of days ago and found out his hearing seems to be getting worse even since season is over ,not sure how to work a Dog that is going deaf ! I noticed in season ,he seemed to be having problems and relocating me more often ,but any more ,I can feed and water him and unless I drop the bowl or make a loud noise ,he will stay asleep and never know I was there ! Its Heck getting old ! Russ

[Craig Parker]

Russ, I read a article yesterday about this, they suggested teaching that a small nick from a collar was a reward and he looks to you for hand signals. I sure you could get Chip to pick this up as for me it would take a lil harder sign to get me to learn a new trick. I think it was in Waterfowler mag on aging buddies. Craig

[Fred Preston]

Russ, I had a similar situation with old Ringo in his last years. First I tried a vitamin pill bottle with the bottom cut out as a whistle megaphone. Later I used the method Craig suggested; just a nick to get his attention, not a disciplinary jolt. He worked well with hand signals until the last year when he had sight in but one eye. Of all his sences, his nose held up the best; he was a bird finder to the end. Fred

Calvin, That was a cream can, now an umbrella can.

[Fred Preston]

The boys and I were out for a stroll late this afternoon and Archie opened up in the south hollow. When I arrived on scene, I found that Pete (who doesn't talk much) and Archie had a groundhog treed about 40 feet up a 14" ash, about as high as I have seen a groundhog climb. I had my 1911 in my back pocket; and, being old and stupid, put a round in the critter. It was DOA of the slug and hit the ground about five yards from the tree. The pups were on it, one on one end and one on the other, and after a few seconds, decided there was no fight left in it. If there was any, the dog on the busy end is likely to be cut. What else to do this time of year; I only hope I don't ruin some good bird dogs come season. I'm optimistic that they will get back with the program when the time comes.