Shelby, This is to give you an update on where I am in training. We are at the tail end of force fetch, the tracking is fantastic both on blood and drags. He did a 150 yard rabbit track with a live rabbit. He retrieved the rabbit to hand, but did not kill it. He is VERY soft mouthed, which I do not mind at all. He also retrieved a wounded quail to hand, no crunching or shaking at all. He is pretty good with fetch on bumpers and dead fowl dummies, but perfect with all types of game. Once we get in the field his attitude changes from puppy to serious hunter. It has been so rewarding to train him myself. I have fellow hunters and associates with dogs (non-drahthaar's, that have been sent off for training) that look on in curious envy. His water work is coming along nicely and I am an active member in the South Eastern chapter of the VDD. I have a few videos I need to send, but will do that in a few days, otherwise are a few pics for you. If at all possible could you point me in the direction of the best place to pick up a blood tracking collar. The picture of him in the water he's looking up at the mallards flying overhead. He is a great companion with a fantastic bloodline. Thank you for the opportunity to own such a fantastic animal.

Eric Hendricks

Hey Shelby, Hope this note finds you doing well and enjoying your summer.

Scout (Erik / Mirka) is closing in on turning 1 in a few weeks. She’s truly surpassed my expectations at this point. I could not be happier with her! I am very excited for hunting season to arrive, as I know she will thrive.

Just got back from vacation in Colorado last week, and thought I’d share a few pics of Scout’s adventures. Didn’t have my good camera with me, and this one was messing up so the pics are a bit fuzzy, but you’ll get the idea.

Take care,
Cody

Shelby, I can't tell you how pleased I am with Max, Freia's pup. He is swimming up a storm in our pool and tracking everything in sight. He has adapted already and is a joy to be around. Hope to see you in sept. at your siminar. Have a good trip in Germany and thanks again for a great pup. Best Regards and thanks again,
James Florence

Shelby, Just wanted to say thank you again for a superb well trained dog!
We shot better than 300 birds over Nicky in the past 4 months. She retrieved
the fur as well as feather.
I think back to my first Drahthaar (ALLIE) I purchased from you on December
15, 1997. What a fantastic hunting companion she was.
Regards
Shane Julian

Shelby, Just wanted to drop you a line and let you know how Charlie is doing. If you remember when I stopped by in January I was on my way to Hooker to pheasant hunt. Charlie took to it like he had been hunting them from the day he was born. He was hunting in front of 5-10 guns and quartered for the whole line beautifully. He pointed and retrieved like a champ. Not bad for a pup that only hunted with me for quail and woodcock in our Louisiana briar thickets. He hunted 8 hours a day for 4 days and never thought about quitting - even when his feet got raw and bloody. Never have I seen a breed like this. The drive and instinct is unequalled. I am extremely fortunate and proud to say I own this dog that came from your kennel. Quite simply they are hunting machines. And he is still killing coons. Billy  from Louisianna  

My name is Adam Williams and I have Gonzo from that litter.  He’s doing great.  We’ve been working a lot of pen raised quail and chukar, and his nose is pretty darn good.  I was a little worried that he was slow to swim (he finally swam for the first time about 3 weeks ago), but no problems now.  All in all, I couldn’t be happier.  This is my first hunting dog so both of us learn a little every day.  We are looking forward to coming to the test.
Btw:  Last night we were hunting chukar and wounded a bird a little bit.  We saw him down about 200 yards away.  Gonzo went out, found him, chased him around until he caught him and brought him back.  It was pretty neat to watch.
Adam Williiams
 
Shelby,
I apologize for not getting back to you.  I had shoulder surgery two weeks ago and will have my right arm immobilized for 4 more weeks.
Two weeks after I got Hella I hunted over her at a pheasant club.  I did not carry a shot gun and all I did was work with her.  She was terrific!  She was hunting in front of four of us.  Her ranging was great, her pointing was staunch, and retrieving was perfect.  We killed 18 pheasant and she retrieved 17 of them to my hand, including one wounded bird from about 250 yards after it landed.  The only issue has been she is not steady to wing and shot.  She is after the bird once it flushes and apparently she has not been taught the whoa command.  Any insights here will be appreciated. 
We have bonded very well and she is just a big lap dog around the house and well behaved and does nothing stupid. She still spooks at weird things like the TV but once she learns it becomes ok.
I still need some guidance on how she was trained as I suspect it was quite different from how I have done things in the past.
I will call you in the next few days to discuss further, but feel free to respond to this email.
Thank you again as she is everything I expected.
By the way, in the not too distant future I think I will be looking for a started kennel mate.
Jon Lindbeck

Sean, my name is Joel Swan and I have Gizmo, out of Gritt and Cent, and I will not be able to test. My wife and I are expecting our second child around that same time so we will not be able to attend. Just fyi, we renamed the dog Jager and he is truly unbelievable. I own and operate a hunting operation out of Colorado City, Texas and hunt 4+days a week. We hunt quail, whitetail, and 30 different species of exotics. Jager located and retrieved EVERY bird we shot with very little to no difficulty. He has also blood trailed and found several fallow, axis, blackbuck, and wounded buffalo for me. He is truly an amazing dog and I credit the breed and constant training to his success. I am a drahthaar owner for life!

I wish we where able to attend and test but it simply will not work out at this time.

I would love to know any stories of other dogs from the litter or kennel if anyone has time to share.

Thanks and good luck to everyone!

Joel Swan

Hello Shelby,

I’m very pleased that the papersissue is under control. As for Doc – well, I must admit when I first layed eyes on him I thought “ a shorthair with a wispy beard”. However, it wasn’t long before I realised that this pup was different to anything else I’d seen in this country. Doc is physically superior to any GWP I have seen in Australia,he has a very deep game drive; he has an outstanding cold nose and is a pleasure to own and train. He is doing very well. Blood trailing deer, and retrieving shot rabbits, foxes and birds. He loves the water and swims like a fish. He has generated a lot of interest down here. DRAHTHAAR is the word on every ones lips.  

I have attached a photo of Doc on adeer he tracked.

Cheers, 
Alex

Shelby:  

Hope you're doing good. Just wanted to let you know all is going well with Scout (Ilka).  Truly a great dog and I'm having a blast withher.  She's doing good on her obedience work.  I'm amazed at how quickly she picks up on things.  Equally impressed by how calm she is in her kennel.  

Funny story I wanted to run by you.  I told you I was turned on to the breed by ahunting buddy of mine in Nebraska.  This was about 10 years ago.  He had a male that passed away a year or so ago, and he also got another female about 4 years ago.  We were talking the other day and realized that he got his second Drahthaar from you.  I thought it was pretty funny because I never talked to him while I was researching breeders. His name is Bill Vacek.  His pup is named Elka... not sure who her parent's were.  Don't know if you remember.  Anyway, he says she is doing great.  

I'll send you some updated pics when I get sometaken.  Thanks for a great dog Shelby.

Cody

Hi Shelby,
I hope everything is going well. Idifix and I are adjusting and having a good time. Thank you for your help and expertise in finding a great companion and hunting partner.

Sincerely, Shawn

Shelby,
Greetings, How is the hunting season treating you? We have been very successful and amazed at Jake's abilities. So far we have taken appx 20 ducks of which Jake retrieved all but one and he brought back a decoy instead. This was opening weekend for Pheasant, our group shot 27 on Sat and Jake felt it necessary to find and retrieve 21 of them and Sunday we shot 5 and he found all 5. Just wanted to let you know how well he is doing for only 11 months old. His big test will come in about 10 days he will be right in the middle South Dakota Pheasants along with his brother Albert that Tom R. has. If you haven't figured out how excited I am about Jake it is because it is undescribable. If you breed Grief and Quira again put me on the list for a male!

Darin

Shelby,
I just wanted to drop you a note to let you know how well Eli (Fritz to us) a male pup out of Bessi and Cent is doing. He has been a joy to have around. He never complains, is calm and very well behaved. He stays in the house with us and is a big hit with my three girls and wife. I just returned from my annual trip to ND. Fritz was only 20 weeks old so I figured I would bring him along for some exposure. Fritz did very well. He had multiple points and tracked and pointed several birds and tracked many more that flushed wild. Pheasants was the primary goal but we also harvested several sharptail grouse and huns. enclosed is a Pic of Fritz 1st bird, it is a sharptailed grouse shot on our land in NW corner of ND. Fritz tracked it out of a slough approx 40 yards and it flushed 30 yds in front of him. I shot it, saw it hit the ground(prairie grass about 3' tall) about 40 yds from Fritz. He ran to the spot where it fell and started tracking it and caught it after a 40 yd track. He picked it up and brought it back to me, Not to hand thought he was a little to proud of it for that. Hand delivery will come later. I was most impressed with how quickly he learned to handle Quartering was natural and he was following hand signals after one day. Even at his age there was no cover to thick for him. We hunted with two other dogs and he hunting in front of me and did not mind or bother the other dogs as pups sometimes will. He was easy to call off of flushed hens and deer and only required 2 nicks on the collar (at the lowest setting) in 9 days of hunting both of those on the 1st day to reinforce the come command. The pains you go through to produce quality dogs as paid off with Fritz and I am so glad I found you while searching on the web.
Looking forward to his natural ability test in march. Thank you for a quality pup.

Ross Grundyson.

Hi Shelby,

I thought I'd let you know we got Marcus II's"Quincy" HN done and he did pretty well in the breed show last month. He got a 10 in conformation and an 8 for coat. I just received his hip evaluation. He was rated HD-B. We think he is a great family dog and an exceptional hunter and retriever.

Thanks, Bob

This is Greg Tomasino from Indiana calling. I bought a pup from you last Jan. or Feb. with the name of Samuel. He's about 10 months old now and is quite the beast. Not only is he very personable, great natured, friendly and smart but is quite the bird dog. We just got back from the western Nebraska sand hills chasing sharp tail grouse. There was a total of 9 dogs that went with us. Once he learned what he was supposed to be hunting (which came during the 2nd day) he was great. Sharp tail grouse are not an easy bird to hunt. It was very hot and windy during those first 2 days. He never quit. Never laid down. Never asked for a break. When ever I started to leave the truck from taking a break he was always right there ready to go. At 10 months old he made those Pointers and Brittany's look sick. I can't imagine how good he will be when he is 4 years old. A story that only a Drathaar owner could relate to is: On his first point and retrieve, he took the bird that I had shot over him in his mouth, around to all the other dogs that were down and showed it to them. Then he brought it back to me. There is not a doubt in my mind what he was saying to the other dogs. You Dummies this is what your supposed to find!!! And this is how you do it!! After that there was no stopping him. Enough of my story. I am sure that I will have many more. My older Drathaar is 12 now and just about totally blind. I thought that I would have a hard time replacing him but with your Samuel pup there is no doubt in my mind that the legend of the strange looking hunting dog here in Indiana will continue. I am very pleased. I will bring him down to you next spring for further training. Let me know if I need to reserve a place for him in your training schedule.

THANKS AGAIN!!

Greg Tomasino

Shelby, how are you? I wanted to give you an update on Ursula. I'm very happy with her. She has turned out to be everything I was looking for in a dog. I've moved to Fort Bliss Tx for the sergeants major accademy,so our training has taken a differnt turn. Training on trailing is a challange in the desert. When we first got here Ursula could not smell very well, but now that it has cooled off we can make some progress. There are plenty of jack rabbits for her to chase. However the conditions for trailing are poor. She is loud on sight. I've been going to the commasary and catching pigeons to train pointing. Pointing is where we need to work. Although yesterday she found and pointed some quail. The quail did a bit of running so she had to work them and pointed a few singles too. She loves the water. We were in Wyoming and she would not get out of thewater. She was shivering and teeth chattering but would not get out of the water. I'm going to try to get to Lawton to watch the HZP at the end of the month. I realy want to watch it. Thanks for a great dog. I've realy enjoy her. One thing I realy like is her ability to turn on and off. Out in the field she is all energy, but put her in a car and she settles down right away. She is calm in the house, too. Again thanks for such an outstanding dog .

Frank Jacobs

Rudy is probably the best dog for the upland hunting/waterfowl hunting that I do. As a guide, I have hunted over many breeds of dogs, and have seen some really good field champions, but all of the trainers would like to have Rudy for his natural abilities and his stamina. They can't believe that he can do for as young as he is. He points, holds, and retrieves everthing on land and in water, and he performs all day long. By far this is the best dog I have ever come across. If given the chance I would purchase another from you tommorrow. Thank you!

Jeff Alexander

Hello to you !!! We have May 2 1/2 yrs. old from Hunter and Wilma! Wow!! What a dog!!! And Punkin, a 2 yr. old dachhund!! (from You) Wow!! What a stinker!!! Gosh these dogs make our day!!! May has come into her own and is quite the hunting gal!! She is a retrieving "fool" and just as well in the field!!! Lets see Punkin is such a character I really don't know where I would start!!! BUT they are buddies in the house!!!!! So that is good!! And certainly keep us entertained!! Well we are ready for another pup. May needs help in the field!! Actually Paul was asking if you had any started dogs, and that is a possibility too, but I would really like a pup! May, for us is the perfect dog, she loves "everyone" but get a gun and Paul is the one she responds to. Can't brag about her enough!!! Love her disposition and with Hunter being the 'dad' I'm sure we couldn't go
wrong again!! Please let us know what you have!!!! Thanks!!!!!!

From Paul & Rebecca Dunn

Shelby, All we can say is "Thanks" Tina is just wonderful ! ! ! She is extremely intelligent and loving. Her personality is super. We are enjoying her immensely even though she has enough energy to wear both Barb and I out in a nanosecond. The only problem is that she may be a little, make that a lot, spoiled before you get her back to train. We have decided that Silke had to have brought her to us.

Ken

We are making her pay for it... (duck boat) She is doing wonderful, my husband is so pleased and proud. Now for me, I just think she is so special, she loves milk and eggs! We had a little trouble with her jumping off the pier at the river but she seems to sail out of the duck blind without any hesitation and as far a field work, she points and retrieves. In fact she pointed a pine cone the other day!!! We don't believe we could have gotten a better dog! Thank you! Have a safe and happy holiday!!

Ginger Hayes

Dear Shelby,

I hope that you remember me, I bought my dog from you in 2-20-01. His name is King II vom Kervinshof or at my house he is affectionatley called Woodrow. I cannot tell you how much he means to not only me as my hunting companion, but also to my family. He mostly does duck hunting and does quite well on retrieves and his enthusiasm even in the coldest water is something to behold as a neoprene jacket only does so much. He has been on several pheasant trips between N. Okla. and the Liberal area in Kansas.

Woodrow has a new hunting partner in a new Chesapeak Bay Retriever named Gus with a friend of mine that came down to your place with me one time. We call them the Lonesome Dove dogs.

I do wish that it would have been in the cards for me to get him to the trials but at that time we had a bad case of the flu going through our house. But in any case, I just wanted to take a moment to write to you and tell how happy Woodrow has made me as he is my first hunting dog and his very mellow disposition with not only my children, but other people and the other dogs that he hunts with. I have had many dogs in my life, even showed and championed Siberian Huskies but this dog is a special animal as even my wife will agree with me.

I am very happy that I found you as a breeder and this dog has made me a very satisfied customer. I certainly hope when the time comes in the future we can do business  gain. Have a great holiday season, Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Sincerely, Dan Rhodes

a.k.a "Rogue" is a hunting machine. Last weekend we were hunting geese and he made a 700 yard retrieve. I had shot a goose over the decoys and he locked his wings and glided about 150 yards out, landing in the field. I sent Rogue to fetch the goose. I guess the goose had achieved a second wind. When Rogue made it to him, he took off again. The goose could only fly about 2 feet off of the ground with Rogue right behind him. The chase went about another 500 or so yards before Rogue tired the bird out and caught him. My friend in the pit, who was glassing the whole retrieve, screamed " He caught the goose! He caught the goose! Do you think he will retrieve it from that far away?" I told him that not only will he retrieve it, but he will bring it to my left side, sit down and hold it until I ask for it. My friend said he had $20 bucks that says Rogue would not even make it back with the bird. It was a Greater Canada that weighed about 16 pounds. Guess who bought breakfast that morning? Rogue made the retrieve, sat down beside me and held the goose perfectly. My friend just looked up at me and asked. "and he points upland birds too?" The HZP training pays off. Good Hunting!

B.E. "Trey" McFall

Hello from South Texas: We just love our Drahthaar. He is so lovable and adapted to our family very quickly. He is a hunting machine. What a great all around dog. I have been hunting with Brits for years, and he is showing them up consistently. I finally got a two tone whisle, and it seems to have helped, or perhaps, he just got used to us after a while. Now, he can't get enough of South Texas quail. Thank you so much for helping us aquire such a great hunting dog and companion. I would be very interested in one of your pups for this spring. Please contact me when you have a litter available.

Jose Rodriguez, MD

Mr. Kervin,

The pup is doing great and she is a pleasure. She had a very difficult fall when she was bitten by an enormous rattlesnake. It was a freak situation where the snake bit as the dog walked past, no rattle and no threat to the snake. She was bit on the top of her right hip and spent four weeks with the vet despite anti-venom within an hour of the bite. She is now hunting very well, pointing lots of birds, relocating on runners, steady to wing and shot on most occasions. The day I got her, she got in the water on her own where she is very comfortable and powerful. She has pointed mearns, blues and bobwhites. Her intensity in the field grows with every outing and she is very eager to please ithout a mean bone in her body. I am obligated to guide fishing trips on the weekend of the Oklahoma test. Are there other tests this Spring I might attend? I could not be happier with the dog.

Thanks

Bill Hagen

Hey Shelby,Hello from good ole Illinois. I've had a hard time getting an email to you!! Hot there in Ok.???

Just brought dogs in from their evening river swim. We have "May" from Hunter and Wilma, what a hunting machine,"Belle" from Hunter and Indra, just an all around good hunting dog and we love them both and 'Punkin" the special girl because she gets to sleep at the foot of our bed, one of your dachshunds. They are all our buddies and companions!!!

Just wondering what dogs you have this Fall. We are wanting another pup, large or small?? Are you still breeding the dachshunds?? Love this lil dog we have!!! Please let us know what is available. We are looking at "hunters" as well as companions!!!! (no males)

Thanks!! Rebecca Dunn

Zindy II vom Kervinshof, the little female pup my wife and I bought from you July 21, 2006, is doing great. We drove from your place in Oklahoma to our home in Rockport, Texas in one day and the little pup made the long trip just fine. We made many water, food, and potty stops and she never got motion sickness.

Zindy is now almost eleven weeks old and has almost doubled in size in the three week period that we have had her. She runs after my seventy pound Griffon, growls and arks at him and has a great time. She chases my domesticated mallards and jumps in the pond on her own volition. Zindy is beginning to wander around the property by herself, sniffing whatever dogs smell.

When I take Zindy out at night she chases and plays with the rather large toads she finds. She is developing a lot of independence for such a young pup and I think she is going to be a fine hunting dog.

A proud and happy owner,

David Holman

I have wrote down she was born Aug.8 2002 and we picked her up around the first of October, thats why she's our lil Punkin. The week-end we picked her up it was pouring rain and cold and you were doing a dog trial that week-end if that helps.

Are you going to have any more of the wirehair dachshund pups? I've seen a few around but they are not the same breed as Punkin. Just wirehair "wiener dogs". Now I'm getting picky.
Just checking.

By the way, Belle, our gal who will be 2 in November is such a case. (Hunter & Indra). You know I can take her with me almost anywhere and she is so easy. She can sit and stay and basically ignore people if I tell her to. But she hides my shoes, my socks, my gloves anything of mine she can find. Paul was mowing in the far yard and wanted to know why my sandle was half buried out there, I'd been looking all over for it. And I was planting some new plants and found a pair of socks burried amoung my flowers. Never chewed just burried!!! That gal is so sweet!!!!! Love em all!!!!

Yes we've heard about the heat your direction, hard on all living things!!! Fall is in the air here so maybe you will have some relief soon.

Becky

Shelby,

I have done a lot of reading on the breed and the standards. I came across your web-site a couple of years ago and bookmarked it so I would have it in the future. A good dog is hard to find. You normally get a watered down
version of an AKC registered breed. I have watched the Labradors deteriorate over the years, and it's rather disappointing to me. I can tell that you take great pride in your dogs and kennel. That is exactly what I'm looking for. I'm sold on the breed, and it would be a great honor to get one of your pups. I am looking for a male at this time with the possibilities of breeding in the future. Preferably black roan, but I would take a brown. Please let me know how you would like the deposit, check, money order, visa? Thank you again for your time!

V/R,
Ed