Black Watch Griffons started training griffons in 2017 with their first Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, Russell. After finishing his AKC Master Hunter at thirteen months, we wanted to continue training and testing. He then went on to earning his conformation AKC Championship title soon after, and in 2022 was the first griffon to be invited and successfully complete the National AKC Walking Gun Dog Championship in Ohio. We feel it is important to test dogs against proven standards before adding to our breeding program. With high expectations and a well-planned training program, our breed can reach new heights.
Hunt Tests for Pointing Breeds were developed so people would have an opportunity to demonstrate a dogs ability to perform under actual hunting conditions. Judges should evaluate a dog's natural abilities as well as obedience traits obtained through the training. Testing also provides the owner a place to run and compete during the off-hunting season.
As avid upland hunters, we feel the AKC Hunt Tests best evaluate what we want our dogs to be. We train our own dogs to the AKC Master Hunter level and look to have testing done by the age of two. Basic obedience is taught first, including recall, heel, woah, and retrieving. Next, we introduce pigeons to work on pointing and steadiness. Once this is perfected, we move to quail and start training in simulated test scenarios. The final step is entering and participating in an AKC Hunt test.
In addition to hunt tests, our griffs are tested in AKC Walking Field Trials, proving their confidence, style, and performance in the field. Field trialing is one of the oldest tests in the sport and looks at the athleticism in a dog. For more information on hunt testing and field trialing your griffon, email blackwatchgriffons@gmail.com. Thomas is an AKC judge in both and can answer any questions you have.
*All Training Inquiries: If you have any questions regarding training your hunting dog yourself and are stuck at a spot in your own training, please reach out to us by email/phone and we can try to help. We thoroughly enjoy going over any obstacles you have come along the way! You can also check out our Training Services we offer at Black Watch Griffons.
Producing dogs that meet the conformation breed standard is of upmost importance to us as well as working in the field. Each breeding is done with careful consideration to conformation. We strive to produce dogs that are in the middle of the standard in height and who have excellent coats. With the amount of time we spend in the field, a dog that is over the standard for height and/or weight will not have the needed stamina. A dog without the proper coat will require repeated grooming and take away from the time in the field. Exceptional dogs are shown in AKC conformation events, working towards their AKC Championship and Grand Championship titles.
While we strive for such high goals in conformation and hunt testing, the ultimate goal is producing a versatile hunter. Most of the dogs we produce will strictly be pets and hunting companions. We strive to produce dogs that the average person can do some basic training and have a dog who is enjoyable to hunt over. The levels of training that we provide makes for dogs that are mannered enough to guide for numerous youth and disabled hunters each year. We encourage more youth to get involved in the sport and breed as they are the future. With the correct conformation, temperament, and stamina our dogs will become what you want in the field.
Black Watch Griffons is available Monday-Saturday 8am to 6pm.
Located in Gibson City, Illinois
Phone: (217) 379-8801
Email: blackwatchgriffons@gmail.com
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