About - Pedigree - Photos

Whelped July 3, 2009- White, Black, and Tan Ticked

About

Meet Champ! He's our unexpected, but much-loved, addition to the family and now spends his days as the spoiled inside dog. He had a rough start in life which led to him staying with us a bit longer, and an even more unfortunate accident just after the recovery from his second surgery, whether or not he would stay with us was no longer in question. We'd all gone through way too much with him to place him with anyone else.

Champ's Links: Champ's Story - Past Litters Section - PL Champ Photos - Puppy Video Clip - "Dog Blog"

Hunting and Training
When we took the litter out to the farm for the first time, it was usually Champ who was out the furthest, courageously exploring the field on his own. He went nuts over the quail we had in the cage, and ever since has been bird-crazy. When he was about ten weeks old, we planted quail for him, and he quickly got the name of the game and was hunting and finding it. He did have an inclination to want to sight point after he scented it and tended to creep. As he was just a pup, we let him do it his way and flushed the bird before he got to it. We couldn't let him chase because it was a poor flyer. It was a fun experience and we were able to see what he had before his long break from the field for health reasons. After recovery, I would take him to parks (here in Corvallis, where he stays with me) and let him chase the crows and robins. He loved it! He'd sight point and chase to his untrained heart's content!

Finally this February, we felt that he was in good enough health to take him out to a hunting area back home, and that could very well have been the happiest day of his life. He had so much fun and was absolutely in his element. He had a great natural pattern and worked out to our front very well, confidently went out around 50-75yds and would consistently look back and make sure we were in sight and following. Champ was very bold about going through thick brush on his own, too; no encouragement from us needed. He was easily to redirect when we changed directions, if he didn't notice and do it on his own. He did a lot of running, but sure enough, he'd catch scent of something and reduce his pace to work the area better. He still wanted to flash and sight point, then chase the tweeties, but there was no other game to be had. It'll just take some training sessions on real birds to remind him that it's the nose, not his eyes, that he needs to be depending on for birds. He's very flashy to watch, too, and keeps a snappy tail and fast, graceful movement. His stamina was very good and didn't slow down the slightest before we had to drag him off the field (rather, he dragged us, wanting more hunting time). All in all, I'm excited to work with this pup and get him hunting. He's a lot like his mother, Sophie.

Champ is the first of our dogs to be taught using marker training and he really enjoys it. We're working on basic obedience, "hold" and retrieving, and some fun little tricks.

Personality
Champ is going through his testy adolescent stage right now, but nonetheless, he's still the personable, sweet, happy, friendly, outgoing, determined, playful pup he's always been! He is a love-bug and is at home in anybody's lap snuggling and giving kisses. He's also very spirited and wrestles other dogs with vigor. While he's small, this pup has a big-dog personality and is usually the one standing over his playmate and goes at them with his snarley mouth relentlessly like a bully, tough guy that he is. He's got the cutest, mischievious expressions and indeed is a bit naughty... but we're working on that! Champ is very smart, too, and excels in his marker training. This pup doesn't know what "giving up" means and hopefully never will! He's just got a great attitude.

Conformation
There are some conformational flaws observable to the knowledgable eye in this boy, but it isn't really an issue as he was never intended for breeding, due to his congenital diaphragmatic hernia. He was a true runt, and had nature taken it's course, would likely have died soon after birth. That said, his conformation has not detracted from his physical activities or condition so are not what we'd consider critical. He's still a handsome pup to us! I think of him as Mr. Legs, as he's as lean and leggy as a Greyhound. He's a petite boy and will probably not reach 40 lbs. His coat is very soft but will probably be about the same length/thickness as his mother's. Champ has very nice, floaty movement and is very agile.

Pedigree

Photos - For his "baby" puppy photos, please see his Past Litters section page, here.

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Regional Vice-President of North American Llewellin Breeders Association.

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