Gun Dogs from the Past

[Alfred Houde]

Since someone brought up AKC trials, I have to tell this story...

Years ago when my American Water Spaniel was a pup I entered him into an AKC Junior Hunter Spaniel Hunt Test. He had already passed I think two NAHRA Started Retriever Hunt Tests. If I remember, the first part of the test required the dog to search a field, find and flush two birds, and retrieve both within "close proximity to the handler."

He passed the first part. Next was the water test, which was a single retrieve of a shot bird. It literally looked like a golf course pond, no cover at all. I thought "this will be an easy ribbon both days." It was early summer, and most if not all of the other entries were Cockers. Mine was the only AWS. I brought him to the line. Bird goes in the water and the Judge gives me the okay to send him. Off he goes. He swam out, grabbed the bird and started in, when he suddenly changed course and headed left towards the gallery off the bank. He exits the pond, starts toward me and then turns straight for the gallery. He decides to parade with the bird, showing all in the gallery "look what I have." He heads back to me, when he turns again towards the gallery and parades some more.

They had one of those blue plastic kiddie pools off to the side behind the gallery where handlers were dunking their Cockers after the tests to cool them down. Drake climbed in the pool still holding the bird, lifted his leg and p***ed in it.

The Judge finally thanked me and told me to leash him. Needless to say, no pass or ribbon that day.

I ended up titling him as a Hunting Retriever in NAHRA and retired him from Hunt Tests. Best duck and pheasant dog I ever owned, but he just didn't fit in with the Hunt Tests.

Sometimes they just do what they want.