Check out the new photos from a April 27, 2008 Preserve Hunt.

5th Annual Midwest Large Munsterlander Workshop
August 11, 2007 - Three Rivers, Michigan

(From l to r) Dick & Nora Hale with Alli, Gus & Tess, Randy Hamilton with Quito, Nancy Standish with Blizzard, Dave & Kathy Brown with puppy Max and a very pregnant Bizzy, Carrie & Kendall Ashby with puppies Brody & Bowen and Dick Ruetz with Scout.  Nancy Ruetz was behind the camera.  Not pictured is Bill & Andy Zeman and their LM Max.

On Saturday, August 11, 2007 11 LMs (3 puppies) and their 11 humans gathered in Three Rivers, Michigan at Justamuc Gundog Training Center for the 5th Annual Midwest Large Munsterlander Workshop.  Although the turnout was smaller than in past years, the event was still a huge success.  With a smaller group, we were able to spend more one-on-one time in the field with professional dog trainer Hal Standish.   The day began early with renewing old friendships and making new acquaintances (both human and the 4-legged variety) and getting our caffeine fix and fill of pastries.  Then if was off to the shade where Hal provided a general training workshop covering a variety of topics. 

Throughout the day Hal was available to answer participants’ specific questions and address everyone’s particular training problems or goals.  What is unique about this workshop, if you can call it that, is that it’s a “hands on” event where you the handler work directly with your own dog.  Hal is there to observe and offer advice.  He often demonstrates how to correct a problem, and most importantly make you a better handler.  What is really beneficial is the entire group is encouraged to walk into the field to observe as each dog takes their turn.  You can really pick up a lot of information this way.  With several “regulars” returning to the workshop, it was fun to see how far their dogs have progressed over the years.  It speaks highly of not only the dogs’ breeding but of the dedication their owners have to continual training. 

Refreshments were provided throughout the day and Nancy Standish put on a wonderful lunch of grilled brats and a variety of salads.

It was a very hot day, so the highlight was the water work.  It is always fun to see a pup get introduced to water.  After getting his feet wet, little 16-week-old Max showed no hesitation going in after a bird.  The big dogs where brought out in groups of 4 and made to wait (which just about drove them nuts) while each took their turn marking a bird that was thrown into the water.  We saw some very nice retrieves back to their handler. Our Tess, on the other hand, decided to take a detour around the pond!  Oh, well.  At 18 months there is still a lot of training to do.

There was also plenty of time to socialize, tell stories, and with three Kennels and a sire owner represented (Dick & Nora Hale from Thunder Ridge, Dave & Kathy Brown from Colrain, Kendall & Carrie Ashby from Kenn-Carr and Dick Ruetz owner of Timberland’s Grizzly “Scout”) a lot of discussion focused on breeding goals.

Special thanks to Dick, Randy & Bill for sharing the gunning duties, Randy Hamilton for organizing the event again this year and to Hal and Nancy Standish for their hospitality.  We are already looking forward to next year’s event!

The "Big Dogs"

Hal gets read to work with Timberland's Grizzly "Scout"		Scout getting the job done

A very pregnant Ironmaster’s Elizabeth “Bizzy” shows she still has her stuff		This is Manitou’s Deciso “Max” working the field

The Puppies

Water Work

To see pictures from the 2006 and 2005 LM Workshop CLICK HERE.