He made us laugh from the beginning, with his “I’ma gonna git it!” attitude. Quickly dubbed "Mr. Enthusiasm", Koda had tons of drive and hutspah.We had to wait to see if his conformation would catch up to his personality. Boy did it ever! Koda was blessed with his father's nose and drive and his mother's good looks and fluid, groundcovering gait. He has a lovable little boy personality that wins him fans where ever he goes. He's always up for a game and willing to do whatever you ask of him. He does have the worst case of I.D.S. that we've ever seen, but he doesn't let it hold him back, despite causing him to roll off the bed in the middle of the night!
Looking very handsome at 10 months!
Koda’s story reads like a coming of age novel. Small town boy living the simple life, get’s an opportunity of a lifetime. To train with Tim Hidalgo, a Top Weim Professional Field Trial Handler, on the Oklahoma panhandle. Tim was not only responsible for Koda’s dad, Reko’s Field Championship, but also both of his grandparents, Robe and Rainy’s Field Championships. It’s a unique opportunity for Tim, to train a 3rd generation dog, and some pretty big paw prints for Koda to live up to! Will he cut the mustard?
I’ve always told Tim to be nothing but honest with me when it comes to the dogs. With as versatile as our breed it, if it ain’t no good in the field, there’s something else we can spend our time and money on. Well I must admit, those first few progress reports were filled with a lot of “Ummm...”s and “Well….”s. In fact the first thing Tim said to me was, “Well Christine, he’s a good lookin dog.” Yeah but can he hunt? The end of the month came up and not too much accomplished, but Bill and Niki decided to give it a bit more time… Reko was a slow starter, so maybe patience is what’s needed in Koda’s case too. Suddenly the light bulb came on and Koda understood just what he was supposed to do! At the end of the 2nd month, Tim was singing a whole different tune. “Let me put it to you this way Christine, I like him and I want him back. Ya done good!”
Koda took a month off and then it was back to work. This time he came to stay with me so we could get his feet wet in the Show ring. Just 2 weeks to get ready for the big debut! Koda proved to be a quick study and very biddable. He did everything I asked of him and took each new experience in stride, even 5 days on the road in Kansas City. Though he didn’t win any points this time around, we’re confident he’ll take his share of purple ribbons home in the coming year.
 |
Koda made his dog show debut August 2008. Look at the reach and drive on this boy! What would you expect from the son of the "flying puppy"? |
We had hoped Koda would return to Oklahoma prepare to run in the Spring Derby season as well as the Weimaraner Club of America Field Futurities, unfortunately field training is an expensive endeavor and financially we haven't been able to commit the time and resources needed to be successful in Field Trialing. What we have decided to focus our efforts on Hunt Tests with a goal a Master Hunter title.
Koda resumed his show career February of 2009. The weekend netted a Reserve and 2 points and we were on our way! Two more weekends in the June and we knocked out both majors! Then came a couple of Best of Breeds in October. Nothing like success to keep you motivated!
So, 2010 rolls around and Koda needs just 4 singles to finish his championship (or so I thought).... Mid February is our big 4 day cluster in Denver and it's Koda's little brother and sister's big debut! Well good looks and outstanding movement do run in the family.... Koda got beat by his little brother. Hard to get mad, and fun to win with a beautiful puppy! Going into the final day of the show, Koda had garnered 2 Reserves, last chance for the Purple Ribbon before heading home to Gillette.... And it's another 3 point major for Koda! Which put us at 14 points (or so I thought). Three weeks later, a Championship certificate arrived in the mail: Koda is a CHAMPION! I miscalculated and that last 3 points finished him. Koda is the second champion for Sparky and Reko.
We look forward to getting Koda's health certifications and seeing what impact he will have to the future of our breeding program!
What a handsome boy! |
All business here! |
Not just a pretty face, Koda is an intellectual too! |
|
