Herzcoff Kennel portrait session 3.28.10
Had the pleasure of photographing formal portraits at the Herzcoff Kennel in Powell Butte, Oregon. Melissa Herz, trainer and owner of the Small Munsterlander Pointer kennel has some pretty amazing dogs in all stages of training progression.
Stephanie, Moca, Fe
Sometimes just a day to stroll in the park is all it takes to remind us that what we have is precious. Like today. Stephanie is in Bend at Shevlin Park with her dogs Moca and Fe. Fe is 5 months old, and was surrendered at a vet clinic in town due to seizures. Stephanie adopted Fe, with the hopes of giving her a good home with love and attention. Looks like Fe is on the right path.
Herzcoff Kennel
Melissa Herz is out standing in her field while her Small Munsterlander
Pointer (SM) bird hunting dogs locate numerous pigeon traps. With
shotgun draping her shoulder, she is soft spoken, yet assertive,
aware, and has the air of an alpha dog. Melissa trains and breeds
SMs, and is a North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association
(NAVHDA) hunt test judge, one of a small number of women in the US
qualified for the role.
The dogs are in training today, and the traps contain unharmed homing
pigeons simulating wild birds. Once they locate the traps, the
disciplined hunters point in statuesque pose . They remain
absolutely still, pointing in the direction of the trap. Very still,
nonplussed by anything in the periphery, including blasts from the
shotgun, rustling in the brush, photographers getting in position,
anything. It’s this stillness that defines a well trained hunting
dog. If the dogs were to make a move, they could easily scare wild
birds away, including pheasant or other upland game. If the dog
moves after the initial point, Melissa releases the remote control
operated traps and the bird flies away. After repeated fly-aways,
the dogs learn that stillness gets the prize, which can include a
retrieve of the bird itself. So still they remain until the handler
arrives to release the birds or make the desired kill. Good dogs.
The traps are sprung, the pigeons are released back home on the the 90
+ acre property of the Herzcoff Kennel in Powell Butte, Central Oregon.
More images from this training day: http://blackred.smugmug.com/Animals/Dogs/Herzcoff-Kennel/11388713_YzWSe#800304643_dPmgA
Chinese Crested Family
To have cute and adorable is one thing, to have Chinese Crested dogs as the beloved family pet is altogether something else. These dogs are for the truly devout. Hairless bodies, puffy bangs, bat wing ears. Lap dogs that age, well … getting old is hard. Today I photographed two such family pets. Their owners know that at 15 years old, a blind and deaf dog needs attention too, just as it’s two ear old sibling. Cheers to you. Keep the faith!
Izzy
Tim and Chandra have wanted a dog for some time. The right dog has come along. Izzy is a Goldendoodle. From a breeder, she is a black cross between a golden retriever and poodle. She is a looker, of course, but also such a charmer. Mellow, loving, socialized. Yes, guys, the right dog has come your way.
