Master of Hounds Inc & Fuhrerin Gun Dogs

17/12/2023

GOAL PROGRESS:
Update 12/31/23
SEGUGIO ITALIANO: I'm in the process of reaching out to a variety of clubs about hunt tests, to learn and perhaps provide more opportunities for our dogs. I've known about them for a while, and have been hanging around the beagle hunt test. Didn't remember why I hadn't mentioned it - it was access. While it seems like there aren't many Italians in America, Italian litters are large.
A second male was found, two will arrive in February. Afterwards, females will be imported AND SOLD to help jump start new kennels. All our males will be standing at stud. We are also considering a one time only lease of Chloe for a Pelo Raso litter, to help start another kennel as well.
GENERAL HUNTING: The far and afield channel is still going. Went out hunting and training 2 days ago, couldn't get the camera to record, only take pictures. Wasn't much to see. Segugi training will be recorded the same as the Pudelpointer for his NA test. The whoa breaking video was started, but the Pegola with his swivel was taken down, so whoa breaking is something I have to regroup on. Chokes did make a huge difference with my shots this winter.

Update 12/16/23 – I decided to add this section so people can see how we’re doing as we move forward as opposed to “announcements” which highlights results. The space/time in-between leaves big gaps in what’s happening. As usual things are taking longer than expected, but that is the nature of life.
SEGUGIO ITALIANO: Segugi should be rabbit training now. Rabbits were purchased in September to train them with this month. I decided to breed them, as I only have six. Being a rabbit care taker is a learning curve. So as life is, things are taking longer than expected. The trip to show in California is still a go, though it is becoming more and more difficult. Some changes in our event schedule have been taking place because I’m missing more days from work than I’d like due to unforeseen circumstances. My PTO (paid time off) is running low. One of the males being imported from Italy passed away over Thanksgiving break. A second, later trip to Italy may be planned, if another male does not appear before hand.
PUDELPOINTER: With Liam passing his NA test I’ve begun the process of working towards FCI registration for my Pudelpointers so they can participate in the German testing system. What does that entail? AKC registration. AKC pedigree (does not have to be the export as they’re not obtainable for FSS dogs) and then FCI registration through Puerto Rico. I’ve reached out to Puerto Rico and they’re currently saying we’ll be good to go. It is a “long process” – I’d check back to see if this process was successful towards April/May. Liam will be training for his HZP, running rabbits with the Segugi and running UT, HRC exercises with Kylie. Kylie has aged out of HZP and will have to test UT. We’ll likely stop by UPT on the way (no guarantee). For those who are unfamiliar NA, UPT and UT are NAVHDA testing terms. Nearly all Pudelpointers are registered there. VJP, HZP and VGP are German testing terms. A dog must be FCI registered to participate in those tests. The primary difference between NAVHDA and FCI testing in the requirement for forestry (woodland work, thus they test, upland, water and woods – there are many similarities, but FCI takes it a touch further). I chose FCI because it documents the voice on my Pudelpointer and perhaps because I’m an amateur. I rabbit hunt. I don’t hunt pheasant, thus training is more aligned to my reality. Ultimately Liam’s goal is the coveted VC and/or VGP. For Kylie it is the UT. If she shows me some fire, I’ll push for the next step also!!! How is Liam’s voice? He bays on sight (sight chases with a bay like a hound). Kylie has scent treed, but her instinct to bay is very weak and faint, near non existent. She hog bayed very well and was urged to the trails. I am certain she can be trained/encouraged to tree harder. Liam may not bay any longer as my dogs are yard broken, so we’ll be working on bringing his voice back out. While there was a change to pet home sales, that only applied to the Italians. Pudelpointers will still need a working home.
CATAHOULA: The magazine is slow going, but not abandoned. I do not breed Catahoula. I will likely have ONE litter so I have what I need to work my future farm. That’ll be announced in advance. Just because I own a dog doesn’t mean I’m a breeder. It is why I changed my Bio to state Segugi and Pudelpointers. Pekingese and American Eskimo will always be around, either physically or in spirit. I am always involved in those breeds. I have had them since childhood and if you know me well, you know I never left them. The Catahoula falls in that category as well, as I have been around since 1999/2000ish. It is one of my great loves.
GENERAL HUNTING: Something I learned from treeing dogs (you never stop learning). When a dog is born to do a thing, it’s like a bird dog and bird dog people will know what I’m saying. The dog will just point the bird if it’s there, you don’t train it. It’s natural ability. The same apply to these other breeds. My mountain cur trees squirrel, I didn’t train her. Arca my Segugio tracks hog. I didn’t train her. She also tracks rabbit, I didn’t train her. I took her out. A c**nhound is either a c**nhound or it aint, some people might say. That is something any hunter should be aware of, “natural ability” – these dogs are HOG DOGS. They need to be prepared for them to grab a hog track and vice versa, a rabbit track as well. I keep a R***r Super Redhawk 454 Casull on me for just that reason and more.

27/10/2023

Sales:
UPDATED: 12/17/23. As stated, when a hunt test is available expect it to be required for Segugi puppies being sold: https://basset-bhca.org/events-programs/performance-events/hunt-tests/ That time has come. UPDATED: 12/5/23. It is my pleasure to announce, as always God knows better than we do and He has His own agenda and way of making things possible. Pets will be available to pet homes as pet puppies are available. Watching my video, know that the pet puppy is a cull. It is BEST suited to a family/pet home with zero to minimal crating so the puppy can thrive. It should be picked up early before it can form attachments. The cull is CAPABLE of being obsessively noisy, chattery, but the noise is because it wants to be with you. It IS best suited to a primarily crate free home as a pet. Otherwise it harbors no temperament defects. Pet puppies will not be sold to the preferred ESTABLISHED working homes as they are culls and should not be bred (ie, show, hunting, Obedience etc). All of my dogs are rare breeds. They cannot afford to be placed in pet homes at this time. If that ever changes we will be sure to let the public know.
Please know, this decision did not come about due to any one person. When a dog is placed in a pet home, the country no longer has use of the dog for breeding or as an ambassador, which is critical at this stage. A certain number of them have to be registered for the breed to advance, so every dog counts. A certain number of them need to have show "titles". A pet quality dog, though not good for show, can still participate in a number of events to create exposure for the breed. In the right places, they can meet more quality breeders, increasing your opportunity and odds of getting a pet. This was the driving force behind this decision. In the future, I'm sure pets will be available, but for now, we must make use of every dog.
If you are a working home, in an effort to reduce posts on my page, dogs will have a limited number of posts which will be updated like the event schedule posts.
Litter announcements will be made through the AKC marketplace. Expect litters in the spring/summer months.
If you'd like to meet us, please come to an event. We are hoping to show, track and perhaps course in the warmer months as we no longer hunt in warm weather (snakes, allegators etc). The fall and winter months have a number of hunting seasons open that we participate in, making it ideal for hunting and hunt training, with the remainder of our activities taking place with the change of the seasons.

12/10/2023

FUTURE BREEDING PLANS:

Segugio Italiano – As many may know, two males are being imported in the Spring (February). One will be mated to Arca more immediately. The other will be mated to Gwen “Dangerous Liaison”. A male from Gwen's litter will be held for mating to Arca after which Arca will be retired. Somewhere in this process we will be looking for the mating for Birdie “Solar Eclipse”. I’m sure some people are waiting for news on Chloe “Written in the Stars” and Todd “Behold the Red Sun”. A few weeks ago we decided to hunt ALL the dogs so we could make breeding decisions. To whom, and how they’re bred, will rest upon those results. Fortunately I’m training and hunting all season, answers are forthcoming. We’re breeding for excellent nose, high intelligence, high obedience, athleticism, and a solid off switch, i.e., replicating Arca and if possible improve on her with an even better sense of smell.

Pudelpointer – We’re expecting to breed Kylie this year. Sire currently unknown. I’ve been looking around for quit a while but am still looking, meeting people, but definitely have a clear direction on where we want to go as a program.

As always litters are bred for personal consumption and maximization.

Pudelpointer GOALS:
VJP – very good to excellent
HZP – very good to excellent
100% Lautjagernachweis (The Certificate of Loud hunting) awarded progeny with a loud of sil/spl (that’s a baying at scent and sight)

Pudelpointer Sales: 100% of progeny must be registered and tested for natural ability (VJP or HZP). We’re looking to track the natural born talent and trainability of our offspring.

Indoor homes are required for all prospective breeders. As always be upfront about your goals and aspirations so that we can help you, as puppies are selected FOR YOU, no one picks puppies. "What looks good, isn't always good!"

03/08/2023

Catahoula Confidential: https://online.fliphtml5.com/xcnwr/dhgy/
Just finished with the template for our upcoming Catahoula magazine. Got a list of topics to cover over the upcoming months. Should be a lot of fun and informative:

FEATURES
- The aging hunter part 1 (YOU) (aging gracefully and retiring)
- The aging hunter part 2 (the dog) (preparing your dog to age, then once he’s aged how to better care for him)
- What makes a Catahoula? (what traits are most important?)
- Where did YOUR Catahoula come from? (pedigrees)
- Catahoula History (story of NALC)
- What’s in a name (looking at more well known vs unknown breeders)
- Why the hell are you breeding dogs!!!
- Catahoula abroad (EALC)
- Same place, different destination: The Owner effect (the effect the breeder has on the pedigree)**
- Def Dumb and Blind
- Other: can cover shed hunting, blood trailing, bird hunting

POLITICS
- State ordinances revolving around breeders **
- Hunting public land with dogs
- Training areas
- Animal cruelty
- Call to action (how to affect the dog laws in YOUR area)

HEALTH
- Large breed puppies
- Teeth
- Healthy mind
- What food is right for you?
- Vaccines
- What style of breeding is best for YOU
- Merle gene
- Popular stud**
- Ears
- A**l gland
- Whelping
- Stud dog care
- Kennels (ventilation, cleanliness, etc)
- Puppy warranties
- Health Testing

Catahoula Confidential Magazine Template. The future is bright!

12/07/2023

Hog Baying Competition Calendar:

2023 World Championships, Downsville LA October 22 (Cancelled - training; we'll return when we have a bay dawg or woods dog to run)

30/06/2023

Announcements:
- Segugi sales were updated to include a hunt test. Which may cause some anxiety for some. 100% of the people I purchase my dogs from are hunters. Nearly 100% require buyers to hunt or they may have certain restrictions until the dog is proven. I cannot purchase dogs or breed without such policies in place as well (it's breed guarding). Beyond it being my own philosophy to maintain a breeds purpose (those breeders and I are not different), know if we do not care for the Segugio Italiano breed in America, we will have a terrible time importing them. We have to strive to work them.
- There's a new post for Goal Progression. I'll do my best to set it up as I have the other posts. Facebook has updated its platform, and there is quit the learning curve.
-Pet Segugi will be made available, but be prepared for it to be a very limited quantity, as the goal is not to produce pet quality dogs.
-Results 12/3/2023 Caldwell Tx NAVHDA Test: Bowman's 7th Heaven NA (Natural Ability Test) 112 Prize 1 . Special thanks to everyone involved. People congratulate me, but let me congratulate all those involved in his success. Lone Star Navhda Chapter. North Texas Pudelpointers. Bowman's Pudelpointers who worked tirelessly with us to make this happen. It was a community effort. They should all take pride in what they helped produce!
-Results 10/8/2023 Humble Tx show: First let me apologize to the Judge and the other exhibitors at Sunday’s show. After weeks of running, I finally hit a brick wall and we were unable to attend due to exhaustion. I actually nodded off before I could post that the event was canceled. Also missed was Saturday’s Hog dog training which is being rescheduled. We did however, manage to make bird dog training, arriving a magnanimous 1hr late. A 2 ½ hr drive turned into a 3 ¼ hr drive, which had exacerbated the lateness caused by the runs dear Chloe graced me with just before we left and a case of “what the fudge is in my shoe!!”, which caused me to stop a couple of times on the way to find the briar hiding in my boot. Result – grab a hotel the night before test day! With that, the show calendar is closed for the season. We'll be back showing in the spring!!! Duck season opens for me November 5th!

-Results Bay Competition 9/23: Boars Nest. I’m sure everyone is wondering how the hog bay competition went and if we even made it. We did!!! With a last minute swap due to estrus, we made the trip to Tyler and jumped our fat outta shape butts in the hog bay pen!! (lol). There was a lot of disappointment in our lack of footage, tho there wasn’t much to see. But I managed a photo of Arca and Gwen with the hog just out of view. You see, my hounds had never seen a hog before that moment. And with only a couple of minutes in with it, I found myself in a pen with curious dogs that never said a word, a whole “new to me” hound. You notice my kennel name is “Master of Hounds”, I’ve had all kinds, but this one is different. After the competition I spent a good week goin back in forth with Italy, and sifting through my near 40 years of hound handling experience to come to this conclusion: “Folks we gun have ta see, we gotta learn this hound.” That was reconfirmed this weekend as I took one of my boldest pups on her first squirrel hunt. I was both amazed and taken aback. She was soft treeing her first time out. Her was nose to the ground, then eyes in the trees with a nice whine on a couple of trees. I was very pleased with it. But she was more nervous in the woods then I’d ever seen a dog, and this dog is outgoing. I put her on a leash and she’s bold and comfortable. I taker off and she’s nervous. The breed is a whole new animal. Never seen that before. Then in the bay pen, there was a moment most dogs would’ve opened and they didn’t. Arca and Red who came directly from Italy had no such behavior. So what are we doin now?? Well-, we are now doin hog training with a trainer starting this weekend. And I’ma just keep takin the pup to the woods, she’ll get over it. Hopefully the Go pro will be up and rollin next hunt as we train and you’ll get a chance to see her on our youtube channel.

- Results Austin Show 9/24: Some may be wondering how Kylie did. She came to the show and showed her TAIL. Lol. She really wanted to go hunting. Initially we thought it was her heat cycle as the house is coming into heat, but it was the hog scent from the bay competition. Most people don’t know this, but the Pudelpointer is often used for hog hunting in its home country. They are very versatile and I am very excited about taking them for a real spin once Liam takes his test (not hog hunting but definitely a hog bay comp). You know you have a good dog when you can’t wait to hunt him. The beautiful sound he makes like a hound running a rabbit. And that’s what we want in our Pudelpointers: A waterdog; A pointer; and A forester . I wished someone had made them to bay like a hound, and someone did. So I want to make certain that we can continue to hear the situation in the woods and when the game is coming. Photos added to demonstrate versatility of the breed, the Pudelpointer is known for upland hunting, water retrieving, deer, boar, rabbits, foxes, racc**n and squirrel.

-Upcoming: Wish us luck this weekend, perhaps we’ll have some real footage of the dogs attempting to work a hog. One dog will be Todd, the other is currently unknown.

19/06/2023

Max our resident squirrel dog. He is a handsome smooth coat Border Collie!! He is currently ABCA registered, showing him in AKC will end his ABCA registration. That matter is a serious consideration. He was purchased specifically for squirrel hunting, and other pursuits, but will participate in herding as the Catahoula makes her way through the activities. - As you can see I stay quit busy!!

11/06/2023

General Performance Event Schedule:

Lone Star HRC Upland Training @ Poetry Club Terrell Tx (CANCELLED DUE TO RAIN)
Lone Star NAVHDA Training Caldwel Tx November 4 (Pudelpointer)
Lone Star Natural Ability Test Caldwell Tx December 3 (Pudelpointer)

28/05/2023

Ode (Dark Horse) -
HUNT: Natural Rabbit dog. Until recently I was concerned he had no aptitude for hunting. I decided to check him "again". When offered the boar and rabbit track. He chose the rabbit. Natural - meaning the dog only needs opportunity and he will track and hunt rabbit (a tidbit I learned from Tree Dogs). He's showing great line control and I am excited to train him this fall. Look for him to appear on Far & AField as we chronicle his journey.

SHOW: BOB Mid-Tinker OKC 6/29/23 . I'm very critical of my dogs, but I've always thought if Ode was shown well he COULD be a winner. He has the personality, and the desire. He WANTS to show. Hope to have new photos soon. Hopefully this one will suffice until then.

27/05/2023

Chloe (Written in the Stars) - Open Class Bitch winner 6/29/23 Mid-Tinker OKC. - video footage is in posts below. She looks very much like her mother. I'm looking forward to showing her, as it promises to be very exciting!!!

HUNT: Natural Hog dog; to be trained on NOTHING (too much drive)

27/05/2023

Gwen (Dangerous Liason)

HUNT: Dog has a lot of prey drive like her mother. Like some of her siblings I just can't afford to expose her to game. It is likely she'll be spotted at a Hog Bay competition.

27/05/2023

Sissy (Diamonds Are Forever)

HUNT: Natural Hog dog; to be trained on Squirrel (I'd say she prefers it, but it may be what she's used to hunting, as she went looking for squirrels the minute she finished her hog track). She's lightly started. Expect to see her on Far & AField . Too small and sly for hog hunting. Has a decent amount of mouth, may attend some bay competitions.

24/05/2023

Red Robin, aka Robin registered name Red. Robin has a very classic look.

HUNT: Natural Hog dog; to be trained on NOTHING - he's small but tenacious. Too much drive (will likely attend some hog bay competitions). He is the FIRST dog I think of when I think about hog.

Included is his pedigree. I'm sure most Italian breeders will know David Butini and his dogs but as the American Segugio Italiano community moves forward, the pedigrees and breeding will make sense. All of my imports will have a pedigree posted. Spina is one of the top producing females in Italy. It is our hope that her daughter Arca will follow. Our line (Master of Hounds) is a matron line.

24/05/2023

Behold the Red Sun (Todd)

HUNT: Natural Hog dog; to be trained on NOTHING (too much drive) Todd will run through a brick wall to get at something. For his safety he will not be trained.

08/01/2023

Tracking Schedule:
Tracking events TBD. We (Arca & I) are currently waiting to be accepted in a tracking class (very exciting)

Dogs to be tracking: Arca, Red, Gwen, Todd, Birdie, Chloe, Sissy. As events are listed the dogs appearing at the event will be listed with it.

08/01/2023

Coursing Schedule:
As promised we will be participating coursing events. I've reached out to some coursing clubs for training (NO RESPONSE). Coursing events TBD.

Dogs to be coursed initially: Red, Birdie & Sissy (NOTE: Arca is not planned for coursing at this time. If that changes her name will appear. Chloe, Todd and Gwen will run after the initial set)

28/12/2022

Bowman's 7th Heaven, call name Liam. Catch up with Liam on our youtube channel Far & A Field to see him work. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtjO5SdJjP3TIQWdhQ-HwjA
Update: 12/5/23 - Liam has passed his NA test with a 112 prize 1!!! Thank you to all the judges and ALL those who helped make it happen. North Texas Pudelpointers who I called out of the blue for some tracking, to Bowman's Pudelpointers who have been my co-conspirators with Liam since before he was born. From pedigree mock ups to us trading videos back and forth to make ready for the special day. We will be working hard to make him available (qualified) for other bi***es. Expect to see Liam training with Kylie as she moves towards her UT. Currently it is our intention to work Liam towards an HZP and or VGP with Jagdgebrauchshundverein - USA as he shows great forester attributes which I feel deserve recognition. We'll try our luck towards VC, as well. Look for him in the show ring also. Long road ahead!!! Lots of FUN!!!

25/12/2022

Tequila Fall's Ruffian (JADE). Our foundation Catahoula. It took years of searching and waiting for her to join our family. After my 1st catahoula I was extremely picky about the Catahoula I wanted to start my breeding program. I fostered and rescued Catahoulas, all the while searching. After literally YEARS of looking, she appeared through dumb LUCK (craigslist and a facebook reference). Finding registered large (80-100lb) Catahoulas was not easy, but we finally have one. A lovely black n brindle female with a nice head to get us started (as she aged we noted she is also merle underneath). Expect to see her herding in future, as she has already managed to coral a larger dog. It was quit amazing to watch an 8wk old move and work like that, to cut a dog off and keep it at a stand still with precision- I could hardly believe it!!! - She is currently slated to be shown. I am eying her for some hog competition coupling with a Segit. Wish her luck!

05/12/2022

DOG EVENTS: Though it generally goes without saying, please do not "touch"/approach or otherwise bother the dogs without permission. Unless the dog has somehow slipped the lead or crate or similar circumstance. I had my first unfortunate experience today at a dog show. ALL of my dogs grab things through their crates, thus nothing is ever put near or on them, nothing is left dangling for them to grab. A stranger covered my dogs crate today 🥹. My belongings and the dogs crate may have been damaged because the woman had essentially teased the dog to grab something outside the crate, and it only served to worsen the barking, she was trying stop. I definitely understand and know the technique, but my dogs aren't the dogs for that. It is a good example for why we don't attempt to handle dogs outside our care.
Though my next comment generally goes without saying as well, be courteous and respect our dogs personal space. Move away from the crate. There are numerous dogs at the show who bark when you get uncomfortably close their crate. Please move away if you have a choice. Don't congregate there. That was done to my dog at one point today as well.
Being a positive person, I know we can all work together to ensure we are ALL able to enjoy the show 😊. Just find the owner. Had she been in a wire crate she may have eaten my jacket and swallowed the zipper and choked or been obstructed or poisioned by the metal.
I LOVE my babies. Please treat them like they matter.

23/10/2022

Kylie a little over a year old. With reminants of her TOWEL lol. Her and Todd are the towel shredders, hence there's no footage of Todd. We have gorgeous footage of him, however he looks like a doggie hobo with his shredded bed, made to order,,,lol.

22/10/2022

Kylie passing her NA swim test.

22/10/2022

Arca in the field. Expect to see her puppies working soon. We are a Field & Show kennel.

22/10/2022

This is some silly footage I took of the dogs. In it you will see Red (Robin) the sire of the October litter featured first. Ode, registered name Dark Horse. He has the dark features as he is partly grizzle. Todd, registered name Behold the Red Sun is featured 4th and last. Chloe is also in the video briefly. Though she and todd appear a bit stretched. They are stocky dogs. We're hoping to get some professional photos taken this year. Enjoy!!

22/10/2022

Fate Von Fuhren (KYLIE). Versatile Hunting Dog. 10/14/23 OFA hips EXCELLENT!!. 7/1/23 Best in Group winner at the OKC show. Thank you Denise for your help showing her. It was a pleasure showing with you for Best in Open Show. I definitely appreciate the judges compliments as well. It's aided in stoking the fire to get her CM more quickly. Kylie has passed her NA test with a prize 3. It's to be celebrated for TWO reasons, ONE she prized, and TWO she prized with a mountain of things working against her, including me. It taught me a lot, as this was my 1st. Had she trained in cold weather with a professional, she would've likely prize 1'd. So a prize is definitely only an indicator. Unfortunately we've learned that her breeder has passed and I miss his guidance terribly. Thankfully the Pudelpointer community is filled with people who want to help. We ARE currently looking at potential studs. Kylie is currently working on UT, but it is likely that we will be spending most of our time hunting,,,,both Pudelpointers will be featured on our Youtube channel Far & Afield on a Pudelpointer playlist. See training and the many hunting adventures we have planned.

22/10/2022

Birdie (mini Arca), registered name Solar Eclipse. BOS - Mid-Tinker OKC 6/29/23. Expertly shown by Karen - Thanks Karen!! It takes about a year and 1/2 to know what you have. We weren't sure if Birdie would be show worth as she went through an awkward phrase.

HUNT: Natural Hog dog; to be trained on NOTHING (too much drive). Given her size, I'd probably train her on rabbit. Fortunately she's one of those dogs, that wants to get at something too much and all knowledge of hunting must be hidden!!! - the breed has a nice off switch, so drive only refers to their propensity to escape. Containing a hound in a yard is a very special task. I don't exacerbate the issue by fueling their wander lust.

22/10/2022

Gwen (larger) & Sissy (small), registered names Dangerous Liason and Diamonds are Forever - respectively . In Gwens crate while I was cleaning.

22/10/2022

Chloe, on laundry day.

22/10/2022

Arca at her first show (UKC - we no longer show our dogs in the UKC)

22/10/2022

Chloe aka "Fatness", registered name Written in the Stars

22/10/2022

Arca, registered name Arca. Finished her CM January 8th 2023 at the Nolan River open show under judge Diane Price with a BOB and a group 3. While Arca never went BIS again, it was a pleasure watching her come out of COVID and continue to place in group every weekend shown. It was a long road, but we finished. A special thank you to all the judges!!!

HUNT: Natural Hog dog; trained on c**n. She's the one who got me into treeing and tree dogs. She began treeing the minute she landed. I say two things of Arca. "Arca will get you killed" she's been in the woods A LOT and naturally tracks hog. "Truth" - I call her the truth because what she says goes and when she speaks, you're gonna eat. The dog is VERY gamey!!! Daughter Gwen is right behind her. Currently Arca is being conditioned, to hog bay. "She ain't too pretty!"