Slater Kennels

21/10/2024

That's my girl! We'll get 'em next time!

22/09/2024

I took Tank and his owner on their first duck hunt today after completing his Junior training this past spring - as well as his pre-season tune-up last month. Tank was rock solid steady on each shot (we dropped the leash after he didn't move a muscle on the first bird) and he returned everything nicely to hand.

In figuring out how to mark the rice rockets, it took him a few tries to realize that not every bird we shot was going to be lying in the decoys (perhaps we should do Senior training Rick Rivas? 😉), but he made up for it with some long, powerful retrieves, and he also had his first experience retrieving a crippled bird! In ankle-deep water, there was nowhere for it to go, and he punched in to snag the struggling teal. Took us lousy shooters a few hours to scratch out five birds, but Tank did very well for his first time in the blind with no birds lost, and I look forward to seeing what adventures these two cook up.

Oh, and for those wondering, the spirit of Texas Teal is alive and well as we actively donated blood (mosquitoes) while getting nicely broiled (¿September? in Texas). Bring on the cold please!

14/09/2024

Texas Teal is open! It was a grand opening day indeed!

13/08/2024

Introducing Annie as “HRCH Whitewaters Sheyenne”!
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It’s been a crazy ride with Annie, starting with flying to Oregon in the summer of 2023 to meet this sweet girl. Since then, we worked on building momentum within her softer disposition, bringing out a girl who is now running like a champion (specifically a hunting retriever champion). Thanks to my friend Ryan of for building a top class relationship with Annie -much better than mine- and earning her title this past weekend in Louisiana. Annie has now passed finished tests in three states to earn her HRCH, and puppies are next! ♥️
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15/07/2024

Anyone looking for a Springer from very accomplished lines?

Proud to announce our upcoming breeding and Stella’s last litter!
FC AFC Cattails Lovesick Blues to FC AFC Cattails Stella Artois MH
We are over the top please with how this last pairing turned out, we are repeating the breeding. We have ONE spot available for this list. If you are interested, please send us a message.

26/06/2024

Dear friends of the kennel,

Everything has a price.

The price of ambition is unwavering dedication.

The price of a good marriage is unshakable loyalty.

The price of discipline is the loss of short-term pleasure.

So what is the price of a good gundog?

Eternal vigilance.

It makes no difference how much training a dog has, it can all be ruined by complacency.

Remain vigilant friends.

14/04/2024

Apa pulled off a double header this weekend, completing her 4th Senior Upland on Saturday before running in Senior and Master back to back on Sunday. She had all three awarded to her, earning her SHU title and putting one on the board towards Master! She is rolling hard and fast now, and when some pheasants didn’t fly, she just caught them as they tried to run (lol nice try).

Hank also pulled off his first Senior pass on Saturday and is well on his way!

Introducing “Tmh Apate’s Perseverance JH SHU” 🐶

11/04/2024

I don't remember where I read this, but it came back to me today:

"The price of a good gundog is eternal vigilance."

There are no shortcuts. The degree to which we must be vigilant will differ by dog (this is handled by breeding), but nonetheless, the level must be maintained into perpetuity. In a world of "lose fat quick" and "make an extra $1,000/mo from home" nonsense, a gundog teaches us the simplest but most powerful lesson of all: there are no shortcuts.

01/04/2024

In a way, earning a title -any title- is bittersweet. Yes, it means the work paid off, but it also closes a chapter; a chapter of work.

There were months or years of work leading up to that moment, but as you receive the ribbon, you always remember the dog never cared about some organization's accolades, and never will. The dog just wanted to work with you and for you, day in and day out. The goal was never really the title, the goal was the work itself.