Write-up by Julie Knutson, picture provided by Dale Merritt

Delery Guillory bought Hershey out of the northeast for a good chocolate hunting dog.  When Delery went upland hunting, the big brown dog kept pointing the birds.  Connections were made with a couple of other dog fellows in the county whose dogs also pointed and tests were run to showcase the versatile nature of these dogs.  Along with a couple of other males, Hershey was awarded one of the first Grand Master Pointing Retriever titles ever given by the newly formed American Pointing Labrador Association.  In those days the training wasn’t as evolved as it is now but Hershey reliably pointed birds, ran marks and blinds and was one of the dogs to set the original standards for pointing Labs.  Hershey also sired a number of Grand Masters and countless hunting dogs of all colors, most of whom were reliable and hardy pointing retrievers.  Because of his gentle nature, good looks and extreme ability in the hunting arena, Hershey probably had some of the greatest influence in the early days making people believe in the pointing Lab, not only as a superb hunter, competitor but also as a great companion and family dog as well.  Most chocolate dogs pointing today can look back a few generations and find Hershey in their pedigree.  The gentle eyes, reliable retrieve and efficient hunt and point are three of the key signs of his presence in today’s dogs.