SunSage Sporting Dogs

SunSage Sporting Dogs Specializing in well-started to finished gundogs for the discerning wing shooter and limited litters.
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Yesterday was a good day at the ESSCA AKC Spaniel Hunt Test, held at Lime Rock Preserve.The SunSage cocker crew did well...
11/24/2024

Yesterday was a good day at the ESSCA AKC Spaniel Hunt Test, held at Lime Rock Preserve.
The SunSage cocker crew did well again, with four out of four passes and four new titles!!! Woot woot-dash candy is always fun!












Second day of the Wateree Spaniel Club AKC Spaniel Hunt Test at beautiful grounds in SC.  The SunSage cocker crew rounde...
11/11/2024

Second day of the Wateree Spaniel Club AKC Spaniel Hunt Test at beautiful grounds in SC. The SunSage cocker crew rounded out the weekend with three more passes!! It was a great weekend with good friends as well as meeting new folks. Thanks to the club, volunteers and land owners for a well-run event.










Nice day at the Wateree Spaniel Club Hunt Test.  All three SunSage cockers earned passes today.  Thanks to the club for ...
11/10/2024

Nice day at the Wateree Spaniel Club Hunt Test. All three SunSage cockers earned passes today. Thanks to the club for a very organized event-well done! As always, so pleased with the quality and performance of my Hound & Hare Albany Vest-thanks Eric & Amy!! Now onto tomorrow!







-breeder







SunSage Ardsmuir aka "Fraiser" making a retrieve for Dylan, another of the Gordon Lee FFA Dog Handler team a few weeks b...
11/05/2024

SunSage Ardsmuir aka "Fraiser" making a retrieve for Dylan, another of the Gordon Lee FFA Dog Handler team a few weeks back at the Central Virginia ESS AKC Spaniel Hunt Test.











These are just three students of the Gordon Lee FFA Dog Handler Team that competed in their very first AKC Spaniel Hunt ...
10/31/2024

These are just three students of the Gordon Lee FFA Dog Handler Team that competed in their very first AKC Spaniel Hunt Test. Several owners generously allowed seven students from this program handle their dogs for this event. These three English Cocker Spaniels represent three generations from the SunSage Kennel. Willow is a retired, seasoned girl who still loves to work and hunt. Her daughter Envy, is also a seasoned dog who was happy to have snuggles and time in the field. Both Willow and Envy already hold Senior Hunter titles but were great confidence boosters for new handlers. Sybil, also another Willow daughter, is just embarking on her hunt test journey, with this being weekend being only second hunt test. Fun fact, the two half-sister cockers were handled by sisters!! I am pleased to report that all three students earned passing scores with the dogs both Saturday and Sunday. It was very rewarding to watch their progress and improvement over the weekend!













10/31/2024
Quality versus quantity....breeder vs greeder....
10/31/2024

Quality versus quantity....breeder vs greeder....

These cooler fall days certainly do feel like hunting days.  Getting geared up for the season! Very pleased with the con...
10/22/2024

These cooler fall days certainly do feel like hunting days. Getting geared up for the season! Very pleased with the condition of these dogs on Native Dog Food.







Well it was a great weekend!  I think we are all tired....but, we hosted a very successful AKC Spaniel Hunt Test this we...
10/21/2024

Well it was a great weekend! I think we are all tired....but, we hosted a very successful AKC Spaniel Hunt Test this weekend. And while there were MANY people who helped and stepped into help during the weekend, I really want to specifically say a heartfelt thank you to my parents, Mike Metzentine and Judy Metzentine, and my husband Scott Kuhn for the all-hands on deck help they provided in the week leading up to this weekend.
Scott caught birds every morning, ran behind the scenes to keep things flowing and moving. He and my parents made sure lunches were hot and delivered on time each day and helped with running errands and set-up.
Love you guys-thanks again!!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️

The Central Virginia ESS AKC Spaniel Hunt Test kicks off Saturday morning at 8:00 AM.  The event is being held at SunSag...
10/17/2024

The Central Virginia ESS AKC Spaniel Hunt Test kicks off Saturday morning at 8:00 AM. The event is being held at SunSage Sporting Dogs. Anyone interested in learning more about hunt tests or watching various spaniel breeds work in the field, please come join us!
Stay tuned for more photos to come as we watch the Gordon Lee Student Dog Handling Team run dogs for the first time in the field. We are looking forward to a fun filled weekend with great people.








10/02/2024

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To anyone attending the Central Virginia ESS Spaniel Hunt Test, Oct. 19, 2024 at SunSage Sporting Dogs location...
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The Gordon Lee Junior Dog Handler Team is hosting a hot dog and hamburger cook out at our house after the test is completed on Saturday, as listed in our AKC premium. We would like to get an estimate, ahead of time, for how many plan to join us. Please reply here or privately if you plan to come. We are looking forward a to fun weekend. Thanks!

I cannot wait to get mine!  I absolutely love wearing vests.  They are just the coziest and practical-cause who doesn't ...
10/01/2024

I cannot wait to get mine! I absolutely love wearing vests. They are just the coziest and practical-cause who doesn't love pockets?!?!? Looks great Eric!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/aqqpLxdbLw9AEL2W/?mibextid=WC7FNe

The Ladies Woodford vest is one of the newest pieces in the Hound & Hare Wax Ware line. A perfect layer over a fleece on cooler days or on its own in the field or around town. Redefining Countryside Chic.

Made in England from Scottish dry wax for a lifetime of adventure in style.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/qoWQZHF6BkYUJv6t/?mibextid=WC7FNe
10/01/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/qoWQZHF6BkYUJv6t/?mibextid=WC7FNe

Veterinary Professionals and Organizations overwhelmingly oppose Proposition 129. A Veterinary Professional Associate (VPA) would practice without proper training or licensure, risking complications and raising costs for pet owners. Colorado vets are speaking out. Vote NO on 129!

In 2023, the Gordon Lee High School FFA program was approved and launched the first ever Junior Handler Sporting Dog Tea...
09/16/2024

In 2023, the Gordon Lee High School FFA program was approved and launched the first ever Junior Handler Sporting Dog Team, in the state of Georgia. This program allows students to hands-on work with canine partners in class, as well as after school. Last year the club attended one day of the SCI show held in Nashville, TN , where they were exposed to many facets of the hunting and sporting industry. Additionally they have attended a 3-Day Dog Handling Summer Camp this past June. In preparation for the fall, they also attended an AKC Spaniel Hunt Test to observe and learn what was expected of them as handlers and participants. The program has grown from 6 students last school year to 11 students working towards traveling and handling dogs in AKC Spaniel Hunt Tests in the southeast region.

It has been amazing to see the outpouring of support and excitement for these youth handlers in our beloved sport. Their first Hunt Test will be October 19-20, 2024. There have been many who have reached out in a variety of ways to show their support, encouragement and passion for helping new, youth handlers join us in the field.

To any school interested in starting a similar program, the advisor is happy to share his experiences and assist in any way possible.

To anyone in the sporting and dog world. If you have any interest in supporting these junior dog handlers, please reach out. We are well on our way to having their first event be a great and memorable
experience, but every piece counts.

Please watch for these students at upcoming events (they will be wearing their club shirts) and feel free to share your advice, stories and experiences. The world needs more kids with field time less screen time!!!

So relieved to read this, hoping for positive results.
08/19/2024

So relieved to read this, hoping for positive results.

The Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation filed suit in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan against the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to rescind a new rule restricting the importation of dogs into the United...

This is great information and highlights why declaws are not removed on our litters of pointing or flushing breeds. http...
08/18/2024

This is great information and highlights why declaws are not removed on our litters of pointing or flushing breeds.
https://www.facebook.com/share/Bxx4ujBJJuFgH5oZ/?mibextid=WC7FNe

Dewclaws! They are IMPORTANT! Many dog breeders routinely, and without much thought, amputate puppies' front dewclaws when the pups are 3-5 days of age. Why? The thought is to prevent potential injuries, such as tears of the digit, later in life. BUT do you realize that the dewclaw is a FUNCTIONAL, IMPORTANT digit? I am thankful that my own dog's breeder did not amputate Dunkin's front dewclaws. Do you also know that with appropriate exercises, the muscles of the dewclaw can be strengthened to help promote and maintain appropriate function and close apposition of the dewclaw to the side of the paw? Below is an article by a friend and colleague, Dr. Chris Zink, that explains the importance, anatomy, and function of the front dewclaw.

"Do the Dew(claws)?
by Chris Zink, DVM PhD DACVSMR

As a veterinary sports medicine specialist, I work extensively with canine athletes, developing rehabilitation programs for injured dogs or dogs that required surgery due to performance-related injuries. I have seen many dogs, especially field trial/hunt test and agility dogs, that have chronic carpal arthritis, frequently so severe that they must be retired or at least carefully managed for the rest of their careers. I noticed that very few of those dogs had dewclaws and began to wonder whether these appendages might, in fact, protect a dog from injuries. What I learned might surprise you.

The Anatomy of Dewclaws
Miller's Guide to the Anatomy of the Dog, a veterinary anatomy text, has an excellent figure depicting the muscular anatomy of the distal forelimb. There are 2 functional muscles, the extensor pollicis longus et indicis proprius and flexor digitorum profundus, which are attached to the front dewclaw by 4 tendons (references in blog). Each of those muscle/tendon units has a different function in movement. That means that if you cut off the dew claws, you are preventing the muscles that were attached to the dewclaws from functioning.

In contrast, rear limb dewclaws do not have muscle/tendon attachments, so their removal might be appropriate, except in the breeds such as Briards and Beauceron in which they should be retained.

Dewclaws Do Have Functions
If there are muscles and tendons attached to the dewclaws, then they most likely have a function. Broadly speaking, dewclaws have at least two different functions:
1. Grasp the ground when the dog is turning to prevent torque on the forelimb. Each time the front foot lands on the ground, particularly when the dog is cantering or galloping (see Figure 2), the dewclaw is in touch with the ground. If the dog then needs to turn, the dewclaw actively digs into the ground to stabilize the lower leg and prevent torque. In Figure 3 you can clearly see the dewclaw of a Corgi herding a sheep extended, ready to grip the ground. And in the image at the top of this article, you can see the dewclaws of a dog extended, ready to grip the water!

Do the Dew(claws)?

If a dog doesn't have dewclaws, the leg will twist on its axis, creating increased pressure on the carpal bones, as well as the elbow, shoulder and toes. A lifetime of this kind of torque and the result can be carpal arthritis or injuries to and subsequent arthritis in other joints of the forelimb, such as the elbow, shoulder, and toes. Remember, the dog is participating in the activity regardless, so there will be concussive pressures on the leg, and if the dewclaw does not help to stabilize the leg, those pressures will be transmitted to other areas of the leg, especially the joints.

2. Grip objects. We have all seen dogs using their dewclaws to grip an object such as a ball or bone (Figure 4). I've even seen many photos of agility dogs gripping the teeter for stability (Figure 5). But did you know that the dewclaws' gripping ability can, in fact, save your dog's life? Check out the video "Dewclaws Do Have a Purpose" for "gripping" views of dogs attempting to get out of water onto ice without the help of those ice picks on the inside of their legs. The video also shows dogs using their dewclaws to grip the ice and escape from a potentially fatal situation. I have known several dogs that drowned after falling through ice in the winter. None of them had dewclaws. If they had, perhaps they would have survived and spared their owners the incredible heartache of watching their dogs die unnecessarily.

Arguments for Removing Dewclaws
1. The dewclaws will get injured. This is the most common reason I hear for removing dewclaws. A friend of mine had such a severe dewclaw injury in one of her dogs that she swore she would remove them on all the dogs she bred subsequently.

But the data indicate that dewclaws are not injured very often. A study published in 2018 showed that the dewclaw was the LEAST likely toe to be injured in agility dogs, in which landing and turning from jumps and other obstacles put the toes at risk for injuries. Thus, it makes no sense to remove the dewclaws because of risk of injury. And, of course, no one would consider removing the 5th digits in the front feet, which are by far the most commonly injured toe.

2. Owners forget to trim the dewclaws. Surely this is a matter of education. Do we really want to remove a functioning digit in all dogs, just because some owners need to be reminded that they must remember to trim the dewclaws?

3. Dewclaws make the forelimb look less straight when viewed from the front in conformation. The AKC states: "The breed standard describes the characteristics of the ideal
dog to perform the function for which it was bred." While we could have long discussions about the veracity of this statement, it is interesting to note that there are VERY few breed standards that require dewclaw removal. I know of only one - the Vizsla breed standard.

A Plea
So, here's a plea to retain dogs' dewclaws. They are a functioning digit. They are the toe least likely to be injured. Isn't this enough to convince us not to do the dewclaws?"

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