Beau was born fifth, the second and last boy in the litter. From the first, he was very
beautiful with an especially lovely head. He and his sister Lavender (now Penny) were a set of "twins" --
amazingly similar in appearance, coloring, build, and personality. Despite his long, silky ears and elegant looks,
he was always ready for any kind of rough and tumble play. He went to live with Marty and Diana Kurzendoerfer
in Louisville, Kentucky, where he shares the limelight with a couple of cats. Sadly, his older Golden buddy Tuck died in
the spring of 2007.
Beau spent the
spring and summer 2006 with a professional hunt trainer, and made his hunt test debut in the fall, where he earned his
first Junior Hunter (JH) ribbon. He followed it up by back to back passes at a Kentucky show in late March, and finished
his JH title in Ohio on Saturday, April 21, 2007. During the fall, he got his first Senior Hunter ribbon. He also
enjoyed a hunting trip to North Dakota and some other hunting trips during the fall and winter. He's a real pistol in
the field -- Watch for him and Marty in 2008!
News About Beau, 2008
January 22, 2008:
We have not had a lot of luck this hunting season. Always at the wrong place at the wrong time.
Beau has done a good job but only had a lot of work during my week in North Dakota where he was super.
We've picked up some birds here & there, but not much. I will tell you though he's as hardy as any
dog I've had. He hunted with us both days this weekend. While we only killed one bird on Saturday
the weather was bitter: 20° Saturday and 12° on Sunday. I'm finishing up this weekend,
hunting the Ohio River with a couple of friends on a Ducks Unlimited dinner hunt. Sunday I may
go to the farm just to see if the ice has cleared out.
The Release
The Pickup
The Run Back
The Aftermath
News About Beau, 2007
October 21, 2007, Editor's Note: My husband Jim and I were thrilled to be able to attend the
East Tennessee Hunt Test and watch TWO of Hilfy's puppies perform. The pictures above were from Beau's
Senior Hunt Test. Go to Rusty's Page to see pictures of Beau's younger full
brother who was working Junior Hunter. What a thrill it was for us!
05/28/07: Dropped Beau in Murfreesboro yesterday with John Walker. It was a long quiet ride back.
My wife was particularly quiet. But I've told John I will be back down every couple of
weeks to train with him on Fridays. Diane wants to go with me if she is not too busy at work.
I get vacation days - she doesn't. Hopefully he'll be ready by the first of August, but John
wants him longer. We will have to see what I pick up from him when we train. There are some
senior hunt tests in Wisconsin in August & the Sourthern Michigan Golden Retriever club has a
hunt test Sept 1. We'd like to do those.
Amazing they are two years old already. These are good dogs & I think the best i've ever had.
Saying that over Rip - well for me that is going some. But Beau is better. Some of the same
bloodline though - through Kiowa II.
05/12/07: He is a high caliber dog and I knew that. But hearing [pro trainer] Johnny Walker
and [Mr. Speaker's owner/trainer] Lorie Jolly say he is Field Trial circuit caliber is a huge boost.
If I were independently wealthy or could make my own time, I might campaign him. But that isn't in
the cards today. Everyone that sees him is just so enthusiastic. You don't see as many goldens
with this kind of drive. I told you the hunt judges were super kind about him.
Beau, with owners Diana and Marty Kurzendoerfer, with their JH ribbons 5/28/07
Beau Titles, April 2007
Beau competing in JH test, Ohio
Beau and Marty, April 22, 2007
April 22, 2007: Beau completed his 4th pass in Junior Hunt test today!!
We are participating in the Ohio Valley Retriver Club Spring Hunt test in Coshocton.
We ran probably our hardest test today. Only 7 of 17 passed. Don Nelson & Mark ?
out of Tennessee were the judges. It was a 4 single setup. Ran 2 water first
followed by 2 land. The first water was through a heavy screen of brush / willows
& many dogs did not see the fall or couldn't figure how to get through. 2nd water
was dropped in water hole near the bank through light blow down cattails. Then a
single up the hill. Followed by single from same thrower as the water, just to
opposite side on the land. Beau did very well.
Beau with two JH ribbons, April 1, 2007
April 4, 2007:Beau passed both JH days at the Central
Kentucky Retriever Hunt Test at the Western Kentucky WMA this weekend
making 3 passes total. One more pass & we will have his JH title.
Shorty & I are talking about going to Ohio April 21 & 22 to finish up.
Saturday he did well. However he gave me a scare on the opening land
bird. We had been working long birds lately & he overshot the mark by
30-40 yards. Came back in & picked up the bird. He was right on the
mark on land bird 2. Water marks that afternoon were not too
difficult. He was excellent on the 1st one despite the stumps that
threw a lot of dogs off. The 2nd mark looked easier, but Beau missed
seeing the bird. He was lined up with the blind & watching when they
blew the call. However when the gun went off, he swung his head left &
never saw the low bird come out. I sent him & he started into the
water & came back confused after only 6 feet. Judge let me recast & I
sent him like a blind. He took the line but then swam left. Judge
coached me to handle him. He wasn't getting the right over so on the
3rd over, I went into training mode & ran the 5 feet over like I do in
training when he doesn't "get it." He got it & swam right to the bird.
The judge was very pleased & told me - "you don't know how many people
would die for a cast like that." He did well.
Sunday - Beau was spot on both land marks & easily handled both water
marks, However he was much too unruly & knocked down part of the
holding blind he was so excited. He's not out of puppyhood yet.
Man - he is a good dog. I'm really enjoying the work & believe it will
make him a better dog than I've ever had.
News about Beau, February/March 2007
We are set for Central Kentucky spring trials next weekend. Looks to be a
smaller field - 28 dogs in the junior on Saturday & 21 on Sunday.
Beau is going to do fine. I'll have to pick another spot for him in
the next month. Couple of places have trials on 1st weekend in May,
including Memphis. Don't know how I'm going to send him away this summer to the trainer.
I may have to do it myself. Just too lonely with him gone.
Shorty is so fired up about him, I may let her run him. She loves to train with me & Beau. I'll throw
the birds & she will run him. We will have to decide this week. I'm
probably a more consistent handler, but she is much more calm.
Beau is a very handsome dog. He has good conformation & intelligent look. He's got a nice
broad head & good size body. He has style in his water entry. Good speed & solid nose. If
I can keep him focused on the 31st & 1st he'll win on looks alone.
News about Beau, November/December 2006
I took Beau to a Lorie Jolly Seminar [owner/trainer of AFC AFTCH Mr. Speaker] in November.
Shorty & I really enjoyed it & learned a lot. We used Beau to demonstrate channel blinds &
Lori's comment was that he did an excellent job. I did swell up with pride. He needed no correction or coaching. He
was on it. He also did a nice double that most people with junior dogs ran as singles.
He overran one that Lori thought he would. She thought the memory bird should have been
the go bird instead.
Beau & I have only gotten out to duck hunt once since coming back from ND. His training is
going well, but the ducks have not been in here yet. Out best season is in Jan. I need to
get out more & may try this weekend.
The Kurzendoerfers at Thanksgiving with their old Mioak dog Tuck and Beau (in the foreground)
FLASH from the Kurzendoerfers, October 2006
Beau went to Central City, KY for the Central Kentucky Retriever Trials - AKC Hunt tests on Saturday, October 28, 2006.
Beau was spot on & did a good job all the way around. He finished & received his first Junior Hunter leg on the first real trial we ever ran.
He handled all 4 birds well although he overran one leg of the land & had to work out one of the water ducks. Three more legs to go!
We'll just have to hop on one leg until next spring.
In mid-October we spent a week hunting up in North Dakota. Beau really had the light go on there. He picked up his
first live-shot mallard on Sunday. When he went to retrieve, he stopped at a decoy then went for the bird. He was
surprised when it flapped in his face & came back without the bird. WHen I re-sent him, he picked it up & brought it
back for a hand delivery...very good. Monday we got into the birds & shot a limit in the afternoon. He had 5-6
retrieves all nicely done. Now he had the game plan. Watch for birds & wait for the shot. He did not want to wait
his turn & had to be restrained. Sometimes he would jump on lead & whine - those are problem areas to work on.
Throughout the week he became steadier & more comfortable with the process. Thursday he was perfect in the morning.
He is going to be a lot of fun to hunt over.
News from the Kurzendoerfers, August 2006
Beau is coming back from the trainer (Johnny Walker & Cedar Grove Kennel) the 2nd week of August.
We are all fired up to get him back. Johnny has him at the double T on handling & swim-bys. He
is really shaping up & was really impressive the last 2 times we have been down to see him. Johnny
says that he can finish him up with pattern blinds by the 1st of September, but I cannot wait. I'll
finish those last 3 weeks. He is going to be great. I told Johnny it was going to be like a kid with
a Corvette. Shorty has gone with me on every trip & Johnny says that is a first!
I was tracking down nearby Retriever Trials where I can run him this fall. We had hoped he would be ready
for Senior, but Johnny says he's not ready to honor other dogs. I am going to run him in Junior.
He's a real pistol but he's obedient now. Johnny says he can be willful sometimes though.
News from the Kurzendoerfers, May 2006
Beau is still in Murfreesboro & doing fine. THe trainer likes him a lot & indicates that next to his
own dog, he is spending more time with Beau than any other dog. He has been force fetched & is now forcing
to a pile in preparation for handling blinds. Johnny Walker wants us to leave him for 5-6 months now.
Says that he will be an excellent duck dog by then. But we both miss him & house is kind of empty.
News from the Kurzendoerfers, March 2006
Beau has been at the trainer's for 2 weeks now. Reports are good. Johnny Walker says he's one of the
strongest dogs he's worked with. Also very sharp & learns quick. He is focusing on yard work & obedience
this first month - healing, staying & force-fetching. Coming along very well.
Beau at 14 weeks, September 3, 2005
Beau and friends, 14 weeks
News from the Kurzendoerfers, November 28, 2005
Beau is doing very well. Personality he seems lots like Penny: Water bowl splashing,
chews everything & is constanly on the go. Today should be their 6 month birthday.
No ducks or duck hunting for Beau yet, but he loves chasing goose wings and bumpers.
News from the Kurzendoerfers, October 7, 2005
Beau weighed 33.5 lbs at 16 weeks when he got his final shots. He is healthy and rambunctious. He chews everything and like Penny is working over
the bookshelves. He chewed one of my Gordon McQuarie books pretty badly and I was not a happy camper. He has a lot of
his adult teeth - at least 8 and the rest are coming in.
He is housebroken now and barks/whines at the door when he wants out. Diana is still taking him to work every day. He is very social.
He's been down to our duck camp with us and loved it. He chases dummies for me and retrieves like a champ.
