SPECIAL
ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Last update
January 1, 2012

Updates to:
Events page

The AKC recently made some changes to its Spaniel and Retriever Hunt Test programs. Click here to read the changes to the Spaniel tests or here to read the changes to the Retriever tests.

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Members in the News

This page is used to keep members informed of achievements made by their fellow members, awards given and earned by member's AWS, and special recognition paid to our members. If you are a member and you have something you would like to share with the membership please send it to webmaster@awsfa.org for inclusion on this page.

Those pictures surrounded by a blue border are in thumbnail format, by clicking on them you can see the picture in a larger view.

Field reports:

From member Dave Hough, reported on October 27, 2011:

Dave Hough on left with his dog Chai and Dave's friend Mike Salcedo with his AWS Millie on the right

Mike (Dave's friend) and I just returned from South Dakota. Millie is now 7 months old, Chai is 9 months old, and they hunted every day. They worked heavy cover and pushed many birds. They were a little confused when they didn't put up a bird every 200 yards, but they adjusted well. Both of them made some outstanding retrieves. Chai retrieved a bird that came out of the cattails on one side of the creek, and flew to the other side before it was shot. It fell in a maze of cattails and mud. She swam the creek and went through the cattails and found the bird. She then swam with the bird in her mouth and waded across 15 yards of ankle deep mud and handed me the bird. It was outstanding. Both of the dogs did great. Millie can jump into the back of the pickup like it was nothing. All in all, it was a great trip.

Chai is starting to hunt ducks, just doesn't like to sit still for hours.

Special Achievements:

Update September / October 2011:

Ken Reinboth (New Jersey) reports that his dog Curly completed his AKC Junior Hunter - Retriever title in October, 2011. This gives Curly both an AKC Senior Hunter (Spaniel) and Junior Hunter - Retriever title. Congratulations to Ken and Curly!

Nick Wansha (Rochester, NY) reports that Lily, who earned her Junior Hunter title in early Octocber 2011, has now gone one to earn her first two passes toward her Senior Hunter title. Nick hopes to finish that title in early 2012 and then it is on to a Master Hunter title.

Rick Zilka (Illinois) reports that Mally earned her third Senior Hunter pass in mid Octocber 2011. One more pass is needed to complete the title and he hopes to do that in early 2012.

Update Summer 2011:

AWSFA members attending hunt test

Some members attended the Southern Tier Spaniel Field Trial Association, AKC Spaniel hunt test the weekend of August 13 and 14. It was a great time to renew friendships and make new ones. Members Gerda and Bill Smith rolled out the welcome mat and allowed members to camp out at their place for the weekend. They also prepared a wonderful cookout dinner for Saturday night.

The final result of the weekend's tests were:

Nick Wansha with Lily who earned two Junior Hunter ribbons and is now half-way to a title

Shawn Church with Zip who earned two Junior Hunter ribbons and is now half-way to a title

Gerda Smith with Rocky who earned one Junior Hunter ribbon

Paul Morrison with Brownie who earned one Senior Hunter ribbon and Shooter earned two Senior Hunter ribbons

Member Sandy Holmes and her dog Josey (WSS) earned an AKC Junior Hunter title on Sunday, August 7, 2011.

Shooter

Member Paul Morrison and his dogs Brownie and Shooter earned AKC Junior Hunter titles on Sunday, August 7, 2011.

Brownie

Member Rick Zilka and his dog Mally earned an AKC Junior Hunter title on May 21, 2011. The following day Mally went on to earn her first Senior Hunter pass.

Member Susanne Hogan and her dog Wily (IWS) earned an an AKC Junior Hunter - Upland title on May 21, 2011. This gave Wily both an AKC JH (retriever) and JH - Upland.

Member Art Heun and his dog Splash earned the first ever AKC JH - retriever title for an AWS. Splash also earned an AKC SH (spaniel) pass and an HRC Seasoned pass.

Some of our members met at the Northern Colorado Springer Spaniel Club's AKC Hunt Test in early April walking away with a couple of Senior Hunter passes and a new Junior Hunter title.

From publications:

The Huntsville Times, September 13, 2009 had an article about a local dog fair attended by some 2600 people. The article shows Butch Norckauer and his dog Cay-Cay performing agility at the fair. Cay-Cay is undoubtedly the most titled AWS AKC obedience dog of all time and the highest ranked AKC agility competitor for 2009.

The American Water Spaniel, Gun Dog Magazine, November 2008, by James B. Spencer ( Members referenced: Linda Ford, George Zenk, Paul Morrison)

Nick Wansha's "Lilly" was featured on the cover of the October 2, 2008 issue of the New York, Livingston County News

New York State Conservationist, October 2008 (Members referenced: Gerda Smith)

Little Brownies Kennel (Members referenced: Paul and Lynn Morrison) featured in Purina's Today's Breeder magazine, September 2008

The American Water Spaniel Field Association, Inc.