More than 35 years ago an old friend invited me to go with him quail hunting. I had never hunted quail with a dog until then. As a boy growing up on the farm, my daddy had always owned beagles. We were avid rabbit-hunters. I hunted with my brothers, my daddy, grandpa and great uncle. We would occasionally kill a quail or two while rabbit hunting –but never hunted with a bird dog.
The quail-hunting trip with my friend changed me forever. Shortly afterwards I purchased my first birddog, a pointer puppy. I have owned bird dogs ever since. I have owned some of the best dogs I have ever hunted with and have hunted with others who had some of the worst. And, not all of mine have been perfect!
I do not particularly favor one breed over another. I have seen and owned some outstanding, solid dogs in the English setter breed, the English pointer breed, the German shorthair pointer breed, and also the Brittany spaniel breed.
We strive to have quality dogs at all times both male and female, and we raise an occasional litter of pups from time to time. The majority of dogs that we sell are shown and sold at the farm. I currently have a great cross with two of my setters. I have 3 dogs in the kennel from the past 3 breedings. We also have pointers from the Miller and Elhew breeds. We will show the customer first-hand what our dogs will do. That makes the decision easier and there is no misunderstanding. The last three dogs that I sold were shown – released to the customer for one week and then I was paid. Two went to a hunting preserve and one to a wild bird hunter. I know that is risky, but our dogs are-what-we-say-they-are. Multiple references can be furnished. A satisfied customer is the best reference.
I currently teach high school and coached football for many years. During hunting season my son and I, or two of my coaching friends and I wild-bird hunt every Saturday and on most holidays. We might even skip school to bird hunt. We hunt from early morning until dark. We hunt with a passion. After the initial puppy–training stage, our dogs are predominately hunted on wild birds. We continually train as we wild bird hunt.
We do raise 1000-1500 birds per year to sell, give to dog owner friends, and also to work with pups. And, our pups are guaranteed socialized better than any pups in the country. I have six grandchildren who are the best “automatic puppy socializers” in the world. The ones that survive are tough little machines. They will have been in the house, around the house, possibly on top of the house, down to the creek, in the creek, on a bicycle, in a wagon -- and been for a genuine dragging.
I have probably had more lies told to me about bird dogs than I have from students about cheating on tests and homework. So, I know about the disappointments and broken trusts caused from lying. Since I have stopped coaching football, I have decided to expand my kennel operation. We at Spin Top Kennel will deal honestly with you. We want your business and want you to tell others how we treated you. Contact us if you would like a trained dog, started dog, or a puppy. Give us a call -- bring your dog, and we’ll go shoot some birds. Or, just come by for a visit. We’ll look at the dogs and birds, and drink a glass of tea or a cup of coffee. We sincerely thank you for visiting our site. If you would like to comment we would appreciate it. Or, you may give us a call at 256-232-9142 or email us at spintopkennel@charter.net.
