Topbrass Retrievers

12/26/2024

Wishing you the happiest of holidays and the sweetest of dreams. A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! From all of us at Topbrass

12/18/2024

11/02/2024

RIP my friend

Celebrate the life of Jacquelyn Mertens, leave a kind word or memory and get funeral service information care of Fountainhead Funeral Home & Memorial Park.

10/30/2024

Celebration of Jackie Mertens life will be held January 18th, 2025 at Red Dog Ranch in Madison, FL. Details to come later.

10/29/2024

I was expecting the call but not so soon. But the call came anyway … Jackie was gone.

At the time I was walking down a dirt road with 5 goldens. For a moment a feeling of loneliness overtook me. I wasn’t sad for Jackie, she had been waiting to be reunited with Joe. I just lost my friend, my mentor, a person that believed in me so much that she entrusted an empire, a reputation that she built, grew and loved, Topbrass Retrievers. But to be sad for myself would be pure selfishness.

That’s when I heard Jackie’s voice in my head and realized she’s still with me. “Why did you let her do that?” “Don’t be talking to the judges. Pay attention!” “Don’t wear a cap to the line! The bill gets in the way when you’re lining up the dog.” “Look at the pedigree first, then see what the dog has done.. If the pedigree is there it’s worth a look…”

Along with Jackie and Topbrass came a network of people, the best of the best. Some she chose, others chose her. So many have said that they “threw birds for her and Cotton” or that she “took a chance and sold them their first dog”. “Jackie is the reason that I got into this” Smile…. Yes, yes she did do that for so many. .”Let me know what I can do to help, I want to help you like Jackie did for me..” is something that I hear almost daily.

Jackie was tough and demanded toughness. Many people commented on how tough that I must be for working with her. She could be relentless. Crying or making excuses wasn’t an option, at least not for me, I knew that she was right and I needed to listen and listen well. She noticed details, took notes and she studied those notes. She would have exacting standards on everything from how to stand on the line to how the microchip stickers were to be placed, and she demanded it to be perfect. It was her way, and who could argue? She had the experience and the track record. Yes. Since 1968, that’s as long as I’ve been alive.

Most importantly Jackie taught me the value of integrity . She wasn’t one to retaliate on social media or hold grudges. Business was business. “Contracts aren’t worth the price of the paper that they are written on.” “Things happen, do what’s right.”

With tears in my eyes, I looked up and watched the dogs, running, hunting and then come back to me. No, I told myself, I’m not alone. Jackie’s voice came into my head again… “I dealt with this for 50 years, now it’s your turn. You got this, I can’t wait to hear your response… now let me tell you about the dance that they had last night. I got everyone up dancing and I had 2 glasses of wine!” With that, I took my phone out of my pocket and this time I made the call, “Jackie’s gone.”

10/22/2024

10 years ago at the GRCA specialty, Ernie Hawkins and his boys, Red and Hawk, took first place in both the Open and the Derby. Just a few of the accomplished names and faces that we are proud to call family. Topbrass Hawks Red Wing (right) and Topbrass Hawks Blackhawk (left)

08/17/2024

Hawk’s pups are something special! Congratulations to all of his pups and owners for their titles and thank you for your hard work to achieve them!

06/26/2024

Litter mate sisters doing big things! From left to right. Topbrass Echo Feel the Vibrations (aka Echo) owned by Cliff and Bethann Harris. Topbrass She's Somethin Else (aka Elsie) owned by Jackie Mertens and Allison Sinclair both QAA. A third got her MH! Topbrass Testrarossa (aka Rosa) owned by Lesley Albin, John Gassner and Lisa Halcomb.

https://k9data.com/pedigree.asp?ID=1087397

06/24/2024

Woo Hoo!! Echo got a BLUE!! Congratulations to owners Cliff and Bethann Harris on the new QAA! A shout-out to Michael Dean Demmer (trainer and handler) and Shawn Sims (former trainer). "Topbrass Echo Feel the Vibrations" won the Sunday Qualifying at Shoreline Retriever Club's double D/Q!! She's a Nikki and Phoenix daughter.

https://k9data.com/pedigree.asp?ID=13484

06/22/2024

Molly ("Storm Warnings Molly Morgan" MH**WCX age 13) is very happy with her new friend, Dot. "Topbrass She's on the Radar"... Thank you Susan McNeely!

https://k9data.com/pedigree.asp?ID=1348275

06/11/2024

Topbrass Pattee Creek Hutch doesn't care what game that he's playing... Together with owner, handler Jim Buckley jammed the Montana Retriever Club's Amateur then turned around and had a qualifying score at the Western Montana Retriever Club's master test. It was his first ever hunt test! Congratulations you two!

https://k9data.com/pedigree.asp?ID=981989

06/08/2024

Topbrass She’s Somethin Else aka Elsie lives up to her name! This girl is my first QAA where I was the breeder, trainer and handler.

We all have our favorite clubs to run and Missouri Valley Hunt Club is one of mine! Thank you to all of the club members who worked in less than ideal conditions. A special thanks to the judges, Mike Lanning and James Wettengel! The bird placement and blind factors kept handlers and dogs on their toes!!

I can’t thank everyone who has helped me on this adventure! I hope that you all know how much I appreciate it!

https://k9data.com/pedigree.asp?ID=1162311

05/22/2024

Pregnancy confirmed! We’re very excited about this upcoming litter! Should be great competitors! Availability for competitive homes. These pups will need to work.

https://k9data.com/pedigree.asp?ID=1268185

05/15/2024

Mr “Caboose” is not to be forgotten!! “Topbrass Shake Your Caboose” earned his Excellent Agility Title this past weekend! He’s a Jessie/Dude pup and loved by the Kulpa’s

05/14/2024

Two Topbrass girls finished two different Quals this weekend . Elsie (Topbrass She’s Somethin’ Else -Sinclair, Mertens) and Scarlett (Topbrass Hawks Southern Belle of Sonora Retrievers - Day, Barge). Elsie jammed Mid Iowa Retriever Club handled by Allison Sinclair. Scarlett jammed River King Retriever Club handled by Caleb Brown