Hunter was the next to the last, the darkest, and the biggest. His puppy name
was "The Green Dragon" because of his bold and spirited attitude. Nevertheless, he was a
very friendly and cuddly puppy, very people oriented. A big, sturdy puppy, he was always the last
man standing, with unusual stamina for such a young fella. He has gone to New York State, near Albany, to live
with Jack and Donna Bussey. They also own Hunter's maternal grandfather, the handsome and illustrious Highland Hoya MH WCX CGC, who is
still actively hunting at 11 years of age, and their other Golden Retriever Corey. Hunter has very big
shoes to fill, but we hope he is up to the task! He has been in professional training with Bev and Rick Milheim since October 2007.
News about Hunter, 2008
September 1, 2008
Hunter passed again today, and his going-to-the-line manners improved a little. He is just like Hoya when I ran Hoya 10 years ago —
when it comes to getting a duck, get out of his way. I was thinking of sending him down to SC this winter again after duck season.
Bev said there are a lot of hunt test down there in the winter and spring. Right now I think he could do the marks and blind retrieves for
Senior, but his line manners would need working on which will come with time. I think he handles better than Hoya at this age. Also, if we
have two dogs at home it is easy to travel and be able to vist Hunter and Donna's sister in Atlanta during the spring.
Below is a picture of Hunter with his ribbon.
Thanks for a Great Dog
Hunter at home, September 1, 2008 -- Junior Hunter!
August 30, 2008
Well, Hunter earned his Junior Hunter title today at Black Creek in Berne, NY. He is also running tomorrow but only for the ribbon.
He brought back shades of Hoya, going to the line on only his back legs. It's a wonder he does not choke himself off going to the line.
He is home from "Boot Camp" and they did a great job training him. He handles very well and is also a good marking dog.
Now on to duck hunting...I will try to get pictures of Hunter hunting.
July 13, 2008
Fern Hill Hunter made a successful debut in the Junior Hunt Test at Finger Lakes Retriever Club today.
It was a bad weather day, with rain starting during the land series and pouring during the water series
which had to be stopped for a thunderstorm just before Sedona was to run and Hunter to follow.
Hunter's last bird was just about sunk and Bev had to handle him to the bird. He had to be in the water
for 5 minutes. When he got the bird (which the judges couldn't see ) he got an ovation from the gallery.
I doubt that another dog running could have handled to the bird. Bev said the judges were amazed how well
Hunter worked with her.
Hunter and Bev Milheim -- First Junior Hunter leg!!
January 1
Talked to Bev yesterday. Hunter is doing good, he arrived in S.C. last Friday.
Hunter is at Moree Sportman Preserve in Society Hill, SC and will be there till the end of April.
We plan on seeing him there the last week of March.
News about Hunter, 2007
November 20
Hunter is still in New York until Jan 1, when they will be going to South Carolina. He is doing good with the
training except he's afraid of using the swinging door that goes from the heated kennel to the outside kennel.
Bev's husband who runs the field trial dogs said he needs short, repetitious sessions. But he didn't forget us.
We took Corey for the ride and I Know he was afraid that Hunter was coming home with us. The big guys have a
few more months of calm!
October 27: News from Boot Camp
Bev had him walking on the leash the first week,the second week he was carrying the bumper while walking and
last Sat she started force fetching. My wife has talked to Bev every week and I think she likes him but there
is still a long way to go with the training. I think she intends to get him on the collar after force fetching
but she does not use the collar that much, that is one reason that he is with her.
They have had a great year at field trials, her husband has won quite a few trials with different dogs.
Hoya and I are trying to kill every duck in New York State -- at almost 11 years old he is still a great dog.
September 25
This is Hunter's first duck boat ride with Hoya,he was very good and just wanted to chew the grass on the
blind.He goes to boot camp this Sat and we will miss him. Hard to believe he is 6 months old.Took him to
the vets last week and he weighs 55 lbs with a very curly coat.Other than bothering my other 2 goldens
relentlessly he has been a pleasure to be around.
With Hoya in the duck boat
Retrieving
September 17
These are pictures of Hunter & his Granddaddy Hoya taken today. Hoya got 3 geese yesterday but looked like a black lab after going thru the mud.
Hunter goes to boot camp on the 29th then back to peace and quiet. My other two won't miss him relentlessly attacking them!
Pestering Granddaddy Hoya
Hunter and Hoya
August 7
Hunter is doing very well, here are photos we took today. What a guy, he is doing singles on the lawn at 50 yds
and 25 yds in the water, he has also been through duck decoys during the retrieves. He is incredibly sweet, not
scared of anything and seems to learn quickly. We'll see how he does at boot camp when life isn't all roses.
July 31
Hunter is doing just fine,he is retrieving singles at about 50 yards on land and 20 yards in the water. Nothing
seems to bother him and have not seen anything scare him. He is still relentless at attacking my other 2 goldens
but they have shown great patience in not retaliating. He, like his litter mates, is losing his baby teeth.
He has only 8 weeks until boot camp. I intend to show him decoys and take him for a boat ride before boot camp starts.
June 15 (email to the other puppy owners in this litter)
I have "The Green Dragon" alias "Hunter" who 2 weeks ago weighed 20lbs but I suspect he is now closer to 25lbs. He
has his last group of shots next week. He is, as Karen said, the Energizer Bunny, he has adopted well to the crate
as well as going up and down the stairs and is doing well on the housebreaking. He is relentless in bothering our
other 2 goldens. He also has learned to sit and we are working on stay. He is just fair walking on the leash which
will get better when I can use a EZ collar on him. He eats very good also, I feed him 3 times a day. He loves to
retrieve but only gets to do it 2 or 3 times a day and he brings the dummy to me. He will go to the Pro's in October
to start his formal training and will spend the winter in Society Hill, S.C.
May 28
Hunter (alias "The Terrorist") is fitting right in our household. Took him to the Vet Wednesday and he weights 15.2.
The Vet was impressed with him. Hoya ignores him but he and Corey go at it all the time, Hunter won't give up bothering
Corey despite the weight and size difference. His housebreaking is going great. I have taken him many places and have
yet to see him scared of anything.
Hunter showing good attention in the sit
Fetching bumpers in the pond
Hunter with his new owner Jack Bussey at Fern Hill, 5/17/09
