The Breeder`s Program

We are grouse hunters and have been for 33 years so far. We breed dogs according to what we have learned in the fields, the coverts, the briars and the swamps.

We are creating GSP`s that are:

1. A joy to live with
2. Satisfying to hunt with
3. Play with children
4. Steal your couch
5. Sit beside you in front of the fireplace
6. Go out and hunt their hearts out with class and style all day long

Well-Intentioned Dogs with good attitudes of cooperation.

We use three tested and re-tested bloodlines to get to our objective. They come from three broad bitches of very small size, good temperament and great style. We have mingled their genes in many different ways and in so far as possible want some bloodlines of each in every Vogel Hund pup. We especially get bird savvy from Blaze, nose and wonderful temperament from Duchess, and brains, truly superior brain power from Shotzie, all essential elements of fine gun dogs.

We do not underestimate the importance of the mothers of our pups, both top genetic lines and good mothering are essential. We know the mothers genetic contribution is equally as important as the father's. The mother's early care of the pups cannot be duplicated by anyone or anything. Our bitches are fully evaluated in the field before they are asked to be mothers. We have closely observed and scrutinized characteristics that have been observed through the years.

We work on grounds that were developed and are used exclusively for the testing of bird dogs. This permits us to test every dog against a set of standards of performance. Superior grouse dogs set the standard for all to follow thereafter.

The breeder of the first time or occasional litter is lacking in at least one critical element, he/she has not worked with four or five generations of the same family of dogs and has no track record of significance.

There is no substitute for exposure, experience, history and record. Judgment is based on an objective tried and tested pedigree.

We cannot emphasize enough that while breeding is not a science but an art. Much forethought, examination, evaluation and decision making goes into it. The mental work is ongoing and constant, sometimes exhausting.

There is nothing absolute in breeding. Breeding is a process of thinking and planning and executing the plan and then observing and judging and making adjustments thereafter.

Good breeding takes concentration of resources, workday time and mental application. This cannot be done in ones spare time.