The Bird Dog Babe

The Bird Dog Babe All things bird dogs and upland life - training, hunting, breeding, testing, and conservation.

05/18/2026

A Bracco Italiano in its natural habitat: upside down, smiling, and Velcroed to his people.

This breed will make you laugh every single day… oh Angus ❤️

I’ve been attending my breed’s national events since I first got started in bird dogs 22 years ago, and they’ve always o...
05/13/2026

I’ve been attending my breed’s national events since I first got started in bird dogs 22 years ago, and they’ve always offered so much more than just ribbons or rankings.

Beyond seeing dogs in conformation and the field, many national events also include educational seminars on breed health, dog training and handling opportunities, and breed education. That alone can make them incredibly worthwhile for anyone who wants to better understand, preserve, and support their breed.

For breeds still holding conformation and field events during the same week, it’s an especially valuable way to keep form and function connected.

For me, these events have long been a place to learn, observe, ask questions, and connect with people who care deeply about the breed.

If you’ve ever thought about attending your breed’s national events, this is your sign to look into it. Start with your breed club’s website. Most events move around the U.S. from year to year, so a future one may be closer than you think.

04/10/2026

This morning felt like a gift. Watching sage grouse gather on the lek at sunrise was pure magic, the kind of moment that quiets everything else and reminds you just how special this place is. I truly treasure this upland species, and to witness their ancient dance in the first light was something I will carry with me forever. A bucket list moment, without a doubt.

A great dog is one thing. A great producer is everything.One of the most meaningful measures of a dog is not only what t...
03/29/2026

A great dog is one thing. A great producer is everything.

One of the most meaningful measures of a dog is not only what they accomplish themselves, but what they consistently pass on. Angus continues to prove his value as a producer of structure, type, and field ability, and that is something I never take lightly.

To see a dog who can stand with quality, move with purpose, and do the work in the field, and then watch those traits carry forward into the next generation… is exactly why thoughtful breeding matters.

The true worth of a great dog is in what they produce, and Angus continues to show me that in all the ways that matter most. I’m excited for more Angus pups arriving this year and looking forward to watching the next generation develop.

CH Owlspoint Confess Trouble At Claddagh NA1 UT1

A phone call I received today reminded me why this needs to be said.The caller asked if we had puppies available, whethe...
03/24/2026

A phone call I received today reminded me why this needs to be said.

The caller asked if we had puppies available, whether the parents hunt, and how much we sell pups for. It was obvious he had not taken even a few minutes to look at our website first, because much of that information was already there.

That is exactly why I made this post.

If you are in the market for a puppy, your first questions matter. Reputable breeders are not simply producing puppies to fill demand. They are making intentional breeding decisions to continue producing the best dogs possible for their program and breed.

That means health-tested and proven parents, thoughtful pairings, careful evaluation, breeder screening, ongoing support, and a price that reflects the investment behind the breeding.

Rescue may appeal to people who want a dog sooner, with fewer questions asked and less concern for pedigree, health testing, or predictability. But let’s be honest: rescue is often a gamble. Health can be a gamble. Behavior can be a gamble. And for those wanting a hunting dog, field ability is a gamble too. In most rescue situations, you do not know the genetics behind the dog, the inherited temperament, or whether generations before it were ever selected and proven for the work you want that dog to do.

A reputable breeder is doing the opposite of gambling. They are researching pedigrees, studying generations of proven dogs, health testing, evaluating structure and temperament, and making breeding decisions based on traits they are intentionally trying to preserve and produce.

Also worth noting: reputable breeders are purposeful about doing their best to make sure the dogs they produce do not end up in rescue. They microchip their puppies, maintain lasting relationships with puppy owners, and make it clear that if life changes or a home no longer works out, that dog comes back to the breeder. Responsible breeding does not end when the puppy leaves. It comes with accountability for the life of that dog.

If you want to stack the odds more in your favor for health, temperament, predictability, and field ability, a reputable breeder who health tests, knows their lines, proves their dogs, and stands behind what they produce is the better place to start.

Do your homework.
Ask better questions.
Be willing to wait.

The right dog is worth it.

Why do so many of us haul dogs across the country to run left-hand circles in the show ring, ride braces on horseback in...
03/09/2026

Why do so many of us haul dogs across the country to run left-hand circles in the show ring, ride braces on horseback in field trials, send dogs on land and water blinds in retriever trials and tests, watch spaniels quarter, flush, and retrieve with style, step to the line before daylight at hunt tests, or hold our breath through a NAVHDA test as our dogs are asked to demonstrate instinct, cooperation, and ability?

Because it’s fun.
Because it challenges us.
Because our dogs love it.
And because it means something.

These titles, tests, trials, and evaluations are about more than ribbons or letters before and after a name. They’re one way we honor the generations of dogs before them, and the breeders who worked intentionally to preserve instinct, structure, temperament, trainability, cooperation, and purpose.

They matter because our dogs were purposefully bred to do something.

For bird dogs especially, titles help show that a dog is more than a pretty face or a pedigree on paper. They offer proof, context, and another layer of evaluation. They help preserve what makes a breed a breed.

That’s part of why so many of us put in the miles, the time, the entries, the training days, the early mornings, and the muddy boots. Not just because we enjoy the process, but because it pays respect to the lineage behind these dogs and the work that came before them.

No, titles don’t tell the whole story. But they do help tell an important one.

Because watching a dog do what it was bred to do is one of the greatest joys there is.
And proving those traits matters.

02/13/2026

Step 1 of the Reliable Retrieve Course with my 19-month-old Irish setter, Ketchup ❤️

This video starts with the setup: retrieve table, liver treats, retrieve buck, and clicker—then you’ll watch his entire confidence curve in one session:

✅ first-time acceptance of the buck
✅ learning to hold calmly
✅ that moment of “Wait… I can’t move AND hold this thing 😅”
✅ finishing with a little help (lead attached) so he can move while holding

When Ketchup started to show confidence—good eye contact + tail wag—we ended the session right there.

What makes this course different than others or just watching YouTube videos is the support system:
• a community that keeps you accountable and encouraged
• an instructor who helps you daily through the hard parts
• a program built around the fact that not every dog learns the same

This process isn’t just about a retrieve—it’s about the bond and connection you build by working through it together.


02/06/2026

Prim has a natural retrieve… and a strong desire to bring me random items I didn’t request. 😂
The instinct was always there, but I wanted reliable: calm hold, clean delivery to hand, and an on-cue retrieve that translates to birds + real distractions.

That’s exactly what I shaped using the Positive Reinforcement track inside our Reliable Retrieve Course.

Starts this Sunday,Feb 8 — DM if you have any questions!
Birddogeacademy.com

01/23/2026

Cold-weather show season + mountain dog life = tested and approved.

I got the ororo® Koldpwoof Heated Dog Vest right before I left for the Portland dog show last week (and if you know Portland… you know the weather loves to humble us). Prim wore it every morning + night, and now she’s putting it through the real test at home—bulldozing through brush and snow.

What I love:
🔥 4 heating zones (shoulders + back)
🧠 Multi-level overheat protection
🌧️ Durable, water-resistant Oxford fabric + padded insulation (warm even without heat)
🦮 Leash opening + AirTag pocket
✨ LED light mode + reflective accents for those dark morning potty breaks

If you’re heading to NYC for the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show + AKC Meet the Breeds, keep an eye out for the Ororo x Westminster collab—this vest is the kind of gear that makes winter travel days and chilly hikes way more comfortable for our dogs.

“Prim” Fatima Compatriota Di Bonfini at Claddagh (Imp Hungary) wrapped up her AKC Championship in Portland, OR this past...
01/20/2026

“Prim” Fatima Compatriota Di Bonfini at Claddagh (Imp Hungary) wrapped up her AKC Championship in Portland, OR this past weekend—and did it in style, winning Best of Breed over specials TWICE.

This was only Prim’s second show ever. Her debut was the Bracco Italiano Club of America National in May, where she came out swinging with Best of Winners at both the National and the Parent Club Specialties.

We celebrated the best way we know how—a chukar hunt on the way home. Watching Prim trot through the chukar hills was truly a sight to see — confident, effortless, and completely in her element… doing exactly what she was bred to do.

We’re looking forward to welcoming a litter from our beautiful, sweet Prim this spring.

Huge congratulations and heartfelt gratitude to Prim’s breeder, Gabor Essosy of Compatriota Di Bonfini kennel (Hungary)—thank you for entrusting us with such a special girl.

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