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Almost Heaven Kennels

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Springfield, WV
Almost Heaven Kennels

Breeding Quality German Shorthaired Pointers and providing Training of Upland Gundogs for Hunting, Trials and Testing.
(50)

06/18/2024

Jonathan Sensinger let me know that Kricket in just 5 runs this Spring ranked in the Top 10 Amateur Limited and to sweeten it, that her pup Huck(Kricket x Wyatt) ranked 3rd in Open Derby in only 3 runs before pointing out.
Both are owned by Jon and Alayna Sensinger.
Probably finish Krickets Master Hunter this fall, maybe a couple more Amateur Limited runs, dependent upon her planned breeding and have been getting Huck ready for Gun Dog. Good stuff!
I should add a thank you in here to Linda McCartney, whom handled Kricket to one of those placements in one of those 5 Trials, the first time they'd ever worked together ❤️

05/27/2024

Pending AKC, introducing new Field Champion, FC Sir Finnegan Morgan, owned by Roberta Morgan! Boomer won the 3 point Open Gun Dog stake at the Oak Ridge Pointing Dog Club's Memorial Day weekend trial, to finish this weekend. He took second in the Amateur Limited Gun Dog stake with Jonathan Sensinger handling and Alayna Sensinger scouting him, leaving him with just one retrieving point left to finish his Amateur Field Champion. Ughhhh, soooooo close!
Thank you to the club members and Judges, that have always made what is our traditional end of season celebratory kick back and relax Trial, a memorable one!

Follow up post coming later, of all of the season successes!

03/26/2024

After 3 weeks of hectic and fast paced back to back Trials running at Eastern GSP Club, Conestoga Vizsla Club and Old Dominion Vizsla Club Trials; I'm finally getting a chance to catch up with posting up some ribbon pix of wins and placements.
Congratulations to owners Rafael Franco, Jonathan Sensinger, John R Merrifield, Alex Dunn, Michael Ploeger, Roberta Morgan, Matt McCluskey and Steve Poss!

I'll come back and label each pic for Stake and Trial. Suffice to say, we're off to a pretty good start.

03/25/2024

Kricket and Linda on a wiley Pheasant at ODVC Walking Trial this past weekend, held at Little George Rod and Gun.

03/09/2024

Echo(Kricket x Wyatt), owned by John Merrifield, catching a lift in after her Open Derby run.

01/02/2024

As we wish all of our friends, family and clients a Happy and Prosperous New Year, we'd also like to announce a very exciting planned breeding that we will be managing for our long time friends and clients, the McClinton's.

AKC NWGDC FC AFC Hunt’ Em Up’s Leave No Doubt MH UT1, Murphey, will be bred to FC Emma Susanne Vom Schlussstein NA1, Emma. We are presently taking indications of interest, for what will be some impressive Shorthair pups.

Murphey's OFA
https://ofa.org/advanced-search/?appnum=2220075

Emma's OFA
https://ofa.org/advanced-search/?appnum=2466045

11/04/2023

11 mo old Cass(Kricket x Wyatt), with some more work on Woodcock.
This is his first trip being exposed to wild birds. A couple initial bumped birds and he started stoning them. Won't be long and we'll be moving him on to learn from the best of educators, Grouse.

11/04/2023

11 mo old Cass(Kricket x Wyatt), standing broke on Woodcock finds.
Jonathan Sensinger Alayna Sensinger John R Merrifield

10/29/2023

Got back to our roots last weekend and yesterday, to run some Master and Senior Hunter Test with both the Eastern GSP Club and Keystone Vizsla Club.
Boomer, owned by Roberta Morgan, finished up his Senior Hunter title last weekend in grand style. His finishing piece was being sent for the retrieve from the Millet and unaware he had picked up the bird from the high cover, watching him pull a perfect stop to flush on another Chukar as he was returning to me. No bird in his mouth, how do I get his focus back on the dead bird and off the wild flush? After a discussion with the Judges as he stands there, start to walk toward him for a resend and see the bird laying right behind him! He must have dropped it when the 2nd Chukar flushed in his face. "Boomer, fetch!" He turned around, picked it up and delivered right to hand!

Kricket, owned by Jonathan Sensinger and I, picked up another 2 legs of Master Hunter, missing going 3 for 3 with one of those situations that leaves you standing their slack jawed and asking yourself, "Did that really just happen?" She's 4 for 5 on her efforts so far and is a regular high scorer. Two years of throwing her back and forth from Trials, random Test, 2 litters and a healthy dose of Grouse and Woodcock hunting; I think we'll keep her and maybe grab up those last 2 Test legs next Spring.

Clyde(Gracie x Jake), owned by the Ploeger family, has been routinely consistent in his performances in Senior Hunter, going 3 for 3. I probably should be running him in Master, but feeling his retrieve is less than the perfect "absolutely to hand", opted to wait and continue polishing up the perfect retrieve, without going the route of force fetch. We've been working on the hold command, to avoid that dropping at my feet.

We rounded out with the young gun Bailey, or perhaps baby girl would be more appropriate since she's so young, owned by the Nguyen family. Bailey went 2 for 3 on the 3 days of her learning an entirely new venue and atmosphere in Senior Hunter. She could have went 3 for 3, but the combination of a wired out pup in her very first run and yes, handler error, cost her. After honoring her bracemate in the bird field and watching it come unglued on its kill, she was running wild and had a stop to flush, all in order. At which point I foolishly did not immediately fire the blank gun and gave her time to weigh her options of continuing to stand, or act more her age...

Huge thanks to the Clubs, Judges, Gunners, Bird Planters and all the behind the scenes people than make these events possible, as well as thanks to the owners whom trust me to train and handle their companions!

10/11/2023

18 month old Clyde(Kricket x Duke), owned by the Poss family, standing steady to wing, shot, fall and retrieving to hand. Now if I can manage not to drop the bird, when he places it perfectly in my hand.

10/11/2023

11 month old Huck(Kricket x Wyatt), almost there. Huck is slightly behind Cass, after a summer break at home with Jon and family, but is catching up and will be there in short order. Few more repetitions and we'll start giving him his legs back as well!

Jonathan Sensinger Alayna Sensinger

10/11/2023

11 month old Cass(Kricket x Wyatt), standing broke on a launcher. Moved him to a kill on a Quail yesterday and he repeated, with only a minor turn to mark the birds flight and fall. Already know he'll run from when he was just a couple months old, so it has just been repetitions to teach the proper habits since. Time to start letting him have his legs back!
Jonathan Sensinger Alayna Sensinger

09/25/2023

Congrats to first time handler Ben Rumburg and Bruno(Kricket x Duke) on finishing his Junior Hunter title! Hope you had fun and a great experience!

09/20/2023

1 year old Red Setter "Pete", owned by Jared Ungar, standing broke to the front on his break away find.

09/20/2023

1 year old Red Setter "Pete", owned by Jared Ungar, on his break away.

09/16/2023

Lena, 15 month old DK owned and bred by Jim Mariani, steady to wing, shot, fall and release to retrieve; with a nice clean delivery to hand, after a bit of a risky relocation.

09/02/2023

I loved the sunbeam hitting Pete just right and had Jen shoot a pic.
Owned by Jared Ungar,

08/27/2023

1 year old Red Setter Pete, doing some very pretty broke work on his birthday.

Amazes me that people will waste a pups first year and not train, when their lives are so short. Obviously, should never pressure a young dog more than it is mentally mature enough to accept, but then you don't really have to put undue pressure on a pup if you adjust your training to the dog, instead of trying to make the dog fit your training.

08/18/2023

16 month old Rocky, from our Kricket x Duke litter, standing broke to shot, fall and release, retrieving to hand. He'll be doing this a LOT this fall, hunting with his owner Matt McCluskey, then back to broke dog Trial stakes in the spring.

08/17/2023

Pete, a not quite 1 year old Red Setter owned by Jared Ungar, doing some pretty work.
Coming to a "Puppy" or "Derby" stake near you?
Or perhaps Shooting Dog ;-)

08/16/2023

9 month old Cass(Kricket and Wyatt), littermate to Echo from a pairing that was a longggggg time in the making! Well laid plans consistently produce superior pups.
Cass IS being whoa broke, unlike his sister, he was however standing freely just like her a short 2 months ago.

08/16/2023

9 month old Echo(Kricket and Wyatt), from a pairing that was a longggggg time in the making! Well laid plans consistently produce superior pups.
For the record, she has NOT been whoa broke and barely knows what the word means on lead.

07/30/2023

Bug x Duke Pups showing plenty of drive at 8 weeks. Time to start working them on some planted birds after this last go, as it's safe to say the desire is there. Females and a male available!
Male 2, Females 2 and 4:
https://youtu.be/OHyRmAm-ShE
Female 2 solo:
https://youtu.be/8UFSSeMA4yI
Females 5, 6, 8 and 9, video 1:
https://youtu.be/OehlSFNZZJE
Females 5, 6, 8 and 9, video 2:
https://youtu.be/JShWdbAzVCg

4 separate videos in this post, with male 2 and females 2 & 4, female 2 solo, females 5, 6, 8 and 9, 2 videos.

07/26/2023

Mitochondrial DNA is a heck of a thing!
8 Weeks old. Exploring outside daily, water time in the kiddie pool and Quail intro's have been ongoing.
We have 1 male and 6 females available.
Both Bug and Duke are OFA'ed.
Pups are guaranteed for health, guarantee viewable on the website and are provided with 3 rounds of deworming done, first round of shots have been given, a puppy packet containing shot records, a littermate scented blanket, all paperwork and helpful information.
Based on our experiences with the similar pairing of Bugs littermate sister Kricket to Duke, these should be some amazing pups and from what we've been seeing on all initial exposures, my expectations seem to be holding true. Two of the Kricket x Duke pups have been standing broke, steady to wing, shot and fall since 8 months of age, and are pointed out in juvenile stakes. 1 of their littermates passed NAVHDA NA with a perfect score at 4 months and as of late this spring, was preparing to run Master Hunter. Several others have achieved, or are very close to achieving their Junior Hunter titles with novice owners and many have been hunted extensively in their first seasons, including some on wild birds. Ton of point, ton of drive, ton of biddability and smarts. Bug is almost exclusively hunted on wild birds and Duke has been well proven in both NAVHDA, perfect UT score and in AKC Trials, FC and AFC, as well as wild bird hunted.
Link to litter info, pedigree and price:
https://www.almostheavengsps.com/litter.php?litterID=3

07/19/2023

Bug x Duke Pups third Quail intro's at 7 weeks and likely the last before some begin going to their homes. Might sneak in one more yet.
Chasing a Quail around, 12 o'clock tails and PLENTY of drive!
4 separate videos in this post, with males 1 and 2, females 1 through 3, females 4 through 6 and females 7 through 9.
Females and potentially a male available!

Males 1 and 2
https://youtu.be/miyrj0QzVIg

Females 1 through 3
https://youtu.be/TTgR5FXh4Oc

Female 4 through 6
https://youtu.be/P_mLc6FMQMU

Females 7 through 9
https://youtu.be/qfXOV-SNCRo

07/17/2023

Bug x Duke Pups water intros and exploration after second Quail introduction at 6 1/2 weeks old.
No tucked tails in this bunch, just having a great time!
4 separate videos in this post with males 1 and 2, females 1 through 3, females 4 through 6 and females 7 through 9. Additional Quail video coming up tomorrow or Wednesday at the latest!
Females and potentially a male available!

Males 1 and 2
https://youtu.be/REN5spBhejQ

Females 1 through 3
https://youtu.be/npSJVNypWC4

Females 4 through 6
https://youtu.be/AFPu3CDbBCc

Females 7 through 9
https://youtu.be/woVxrH6gz2k

07/17/2023

Bug x Duke Pups play time and tennis balls after second Quail introduction at 6 1/2 weeks old.
12 o'clock tails and having a great time!
4 separate videos in this post with males 1 and 2, females 1 through 3, females 4 through 6 and females 7 through 9. Additional videos to follow of water intro's in next post.
Females and potentially a male available!

Male 1 and 2
https://youtu.be/YjTyZNaxKQk

Females 1 through 3
https://youtu.be/4MBxHn5akKk

Females 4 through 6
https://youtu.be/mEdufhuupT4

Females 7 through 9
https://youtu.be/cKfASRuXycI

07/16/2023

Bug x Duke Pups second Quail introduction at 6 1/2 weeks old.
Chasing a Quail around, 12 o'clock tails and having a great time!
4 separate videos in this post with males 1 and 2, females 1 through 3, females 4 through 6 and females 7 through 9. Additional videos to follow of play time and water intro's in separate post.
Females and potentially a male available!

Males 1 and 2
https://youtu.be/HmRl-NJ4GNY

Females 1 through 3
https://youtu.be/JEcrPfzEiJU

Females 4 through 6
https://youtu.be/14dy0tgvzVE

Females 7 through 9
https://youtu.be/MwGboTGcxl8

07/13/2023

Mitochondrial DNA is a heck of a thing!
6 Weeks Old. They're starting to get to explore outside, water introductions in the kiddie pool and Quail intro's, all of which we'll be videoing and sharing.
Our Bug x Duke litter whelped on Memorial Day, 11 pups total, with 2 males and 9 females. Due to the shortage of males and several more females than normal, we have several spots available.
Both Bug and Duke are OFA'ed.
Pups are guaranteed for health, guarantee viewable on the website and are provided with 3 rounds of deworming done, first round of shots, Veterinary Health Cert noting individual Veterinary assessment of the pup, as well as a puppy packet containing a littermate scented blanket, all paperwork and helpful information.
Based on our experiences with the similar pairing of Bugs littermate sister Kricket to Duke, these should be some amazing pups. Two of the Kricket x Duke pups have been standing broke, steady to wing, shot and fall since 8 months of age, and are pointed out in juvenile stakes. 1 of their littermates passed NAVHDA NA with a perfect score at 4 months and as of late this spring, was preparing to run Master Hunter. Several others have achieved, or are very close to achieving their Junior Hunter titles with novice owners and many have been hunted extensively in their first seasons, including some on wild birds. Ton of point, ton of drive, ton of biddability and smarts. Bug is almost exclusively hunted on wild birds and Duke has been well proven in both NAVHDA, perfect UT score and in AKC Trials, FC and AFC, as well as wild bird hunted.
Link to litter info, pedigree and price:
https://www.almostheavengsps.com/litter.php?litterID=3

07/09/2023

Bug x Duke Pups very first Quail introduction at 5 1/2 weeks old.
Chasing a Quail around, carrying tennis balls, 12 o'clock tails and having a great time!
Females available!

Address

Springfield, WV
26763

Opening Hours

Monday	10am - 4pm
	6pm - 8pm
Tuesday	10am - 4pm
	6pm - 8pm
Wednesday	10am - 4pm
	6pm - 8pm
Thursday	10am - 4pm
	6pm - 8pm
Friday	10am - 4pm
	6pm - 8pm
Saturday	10am - 4pm

Telephone

+13044925757

Website

http://www.almostheavengsps.com/

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Videos

Jonathan and Alayna Sensinger came by for a visit to play with and pick up 2 of the pups, to take home for a couple weeks bonding time. 8 1/2 week old Huck (Kricket x Wyatt), first time to visit the training field. It's in there!

Josie

Josie. Kricket and Wyatt pups are 8 weeks old today, very first Quail introductions, right after seeing there response to the Pigeon coop. Like Prego, IT is in there! w/ Jonathan Sensinger Just so there is no misinterpretation, none of these pups will currently be available. Maybeeee in about 5 months or so, 2 may be available. https://www.almostheavengsps.com/litters.php?section=1

Josie

Pigeon Coop

Kricket and Wyatt pups are 8 weeks old today, very first Quail introductions, right after seeing there response to the Pigeon coop. Like Prego, IT is in there! w/ Jonathan Sensinger Just so there is no misinterpretation, none of these pups will currently be available. Maybeeee in about 5 months or so, 2 may be available. https://www.almostheavengsps.com/litters.php?section=1

2nd Quail

1st Quail Intro

Kricket and Wyatt pups are 8 weeks old today, their very first Quail introductions, right after seeing there response to the Pigeon coop. Like Prego, IT is in there! w/ Jonathan Sensinger Just so there is no misinterpretation, none of these pups will currently be available. Maybeeee in about 5 months or so, 2 may be available. https://www.almostheavengsps.com/litters.php?section=1

Getting their legs under them.

Kricket delivered her pups by Duke yesterday, April 2nd, right on time. 6 males and 4 females, healthy and fit. There was a 5th female whelped several hours after the last of the 10, that we suspected was still in there and after much attempt to bring the pup around, I had to resign myself to the painful fact I could not resuscitate her. Breeding is not the sunshine and rainbows many perceive, some times, there is loss. We're waiting on a few deposits, but may have a male or two available. https://www.almostheavengsps.com/litter.php?litterID=1