What's Been Happening at Rosewood

Time just seems to fly and since the last blog post in 2018 (has it really been that long?) we’ve had lots of goings-on here at Rosewood. Here’s an update:

Let me start with Annabelle’s 2017 litter, “The Revolutionaries” born on July 6th : These 11 puppies went to wonderful homes up and down the east coast, from Massachusetts to South Carolina. “Rocky” earned his conformation championship at barely 1 year old with a huge major win. That was super exciting for all of us! Fritz and Bobbi Jo have turned into very nice gun dogs, Walter has done well in the show ring and has also been hunting and trying K9 Nose Work and we hear the others are keeping their families on their toes.

We finally got around to finishing Annabelle’s conformation Championship and are planning to breed her again later this year. She was a super mom last time and I’m sure she will be again. The jury is still out on who the lucky sire will be.

Our old man of the house, Seamus, was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2018 and had surgery for laryngeal paralysis in 2019. Through it all he continued to enjoy what he loved best – K9 Nose Work. Despite all of his health issues, in 2019 he earned the coveted NW3 Elite title and to date, remains the first and only German Shorthair to have done it with 1st Place wins every step of the way. To say I’m proud of him is such an understatement!! Seamus will be 14 this year and unfortunately has had to retire, but he still loves to search for treats around the house!

In 2018, Fiona was bred to Boondock (GCHG CH Schutzen’s Son Of A Gun CD BN RE SH CGC), a beautiful stud in upstate NY, and whelped a litter of 6 robust puppies in July of that year. We had no plans to keep a puppy from the litter, simply because we have two geriatric dogs and didn’t feel a puppy would be a good idea. One of the little males had other ideas, however, and decided to make Rosewood his permanent residence. Donovan (Rosewood’s Donovan Star of Olde Ridge) must have known we were worried about the elderly dogs and has always been quite gentle and respectful of them. He could even entice Mia, who has become a bit of a grouch, to play with him. He has been so much fun and has accomplished quite a bit in his first year-and-a-half of life: Canine Good Citizen title, Junior Hunter title, Trick Dog Novice title, and 1st place in his first Scent Work Container trial. In the conformation ring, he held his own at the GSPCA

National Specialty Show, earning 2nd place in the prestigious Bred By Exhibitor class against some gorgeous dogs from around the country. With two majors under his belt, we expect him to finish his championship this year, even with limited showing. His brother, Chip, has already earned his UKC Championship and also boasts a CGC and Trick Dog title, as well as major points towards his AKC Championship. Not to be left out, sister Annika made her show-ring debut with a 4th place in Sweepstakes at the Schuylkill Valley GSP Club Regional Specialty Show.

When Fiona’s litter was about 7 weeks old, I took her to a weekend workshop with me and she earned her Trick Dog Performer title! Puppies didn’t slow her down one bit! She has a few points left to go for her Grand Championship, but we expect that to happen as soon as I can find the time to show her again.

Lucy, the ever-young goofball, turned 11 a couple of weeks ago. Last year she won the veteran class at the Eastern German Shorthaired Pointer Club Specialty Show, even though she hadn’t stepped foot (paw) in a show ring for many years. She still loves to show and obviously still has what it takes!

Last, but certainly not least, great-grandma “Mama” Mia is still going strong at nearly 15 years old. She can still jump up onto our bed to sleep at night and enjoys running around the yard with the younger dogs, jumping anything in her path. We love to watch her and Donovan play together. He’s bigger and heavier and goofier and could easily knock her over, but he seems to understand that she needs to be handled with care. With luck, she’ll be here when the next Rosewood litter makes its appearance.

Stay tuned!