Pointer FC Old School Attitude prevailed at the recent American Kennel Club® Pointing Breed Gun Dog Championship, defeating the largest number of AKC Pointing Breed Field Champions ever assembled for a single event. “Bella,” handled by Greg Dixon of Wisconsin and owned by Justin Martin from Minnesota, was crowned at the historic Ames Plantation near Grand Junction, Tennessee where the event took place from February 27 – March 10, 2012.
The Pointing Breed Gun Dog Championship is the largest National Championship open to all pointing breeds. The event drew an entry of 124 dogs, including 105 Field Champions, many of which placed in their breed’s National Championship in 2011. All nine of the major pointing breeds were represented.
“The historic setting of the Ames Plantation was a challenging location for this exciting event,” said Doug Ljungren, AKC Assistant Vice President of Performance Events. “It was a pleasure to watch these highly skilled dogs compete. Congratulations to all entrants who worked so hard to prepare for this event. I want to thank Event Chair Ken Blackman, Secretary Trish James, the Performance Events field staff, and all of the volunteers and sponsors. We all appreciated the attention and hard work of our three judges – Tom Milam (TX), David Taylor (IA) and Kevin Waide (CO). The Ames Plantation staff and the local community were cordial and helpful hosts. We really enjoyed our time at Ames.”
The traditional format of the event was modified in 2012 to fit the historic courses at Ames. The 2012 Championship was run in two series with all dogs running a one hour first series and then the top twelve dogs were called back for an additional one hour second series. It was a non-retrieving event run on wild birds.
The event was well attended with large galleries observing every brace. The 102 stalls at the barns were full with horses for the handlers, owners and sport enthusiasts. Social hours or sponsored dinners were held every night in the Rhea Clubhouse. Two dinners were held at the Bird Dog Museum in Grand Junction, introducing this facility to many new visitors.
The winning dogs and handlers were as follows:
- FC Old School Attitude, Pointer, O – Justin Martin, H – Greg Dixon
- FC/AFC Eshod’s Arkansas Lady, GSP, O – Orville Williams, H- Ray Dohse
- FC Stoney Hill Mr. Dixon, GSP, O/H – Jamie Fountain
- FC Cedar Valley Bandit, Brittany, O – David Webb, H – Tom Tracy
Bests of Breed Winners:
Weimaraner – NAFC Grau Geist Texas City Slicker
Irish Setter – NAFC FC Brophy’s Shenanigans
Vizsla – FC Tommy’s Dixie Chick
Pointer – FC Old School Attitude
German Wirehaired Pointer – NAFC FC/AFC Ariel’s Justa Gotta Go Now
German Shorthaired Pointer – FC/AFC Eshod’s Arkansas Lady
Brittany – FC Cedar Valley Bandit
English Setter – Trinity-Eshod’s Streak
Thanks to the major sponsors of the 2012 AKC Pointing Breed Gun Dog Championship: Nestle Purina PetCare, Tri-tronics, Eukanuba Pet Food, Garmin International, SportDOG, Hardeman and Fayette County Chambers of Commerce, Bank of Fayette County and the Hobart Ames Foundation.
The 2013 AKC Gun Dog Championship, sponsored by Cabela’s, is scheduled for March at the Branched Oak Field Trial Grounds outside of Lincoln, NE.