GMPR Cajun of Black Forest MH

Write-up: Julie Bates, Photo Dale Merritt

Cajun was one of Hershey’s first off spring to train for hunt tests and at a very early age, got his Grand Master title. Cajun finished his APLA titles and his AKC Master Hunter and then ran literally dozens and dozens of upland hunting competitions, rarely going without placing and accruing over 30 wins, which Delery proudly displayed over the walls of his office at the kennel.  Cajun and his kennel mates set a new standard for the APLA Master level tests. The difficulty of the retriever setups was raised significantly, requiring far greater training for the dogs to pass the tests. As Hershey and the son of Hershey continued to garner attention and championships in the upland and waterfowl world, the belief and interest in the pointing Labs grew by leaps and bounds. Amongst a few other dogs, these dogs changed the face of pointing dogs and retrievers in the hunting community and as mentioned with Hershey, Cajun is found in the vast majority of chocolate and chocolate factored dogs in the pointing lab community today. Just as it was with his father Hershey, Cajun raised puppies, kittens, and baby humans as he went through his training and competitive years, always a gentle giant among hunting dogs. Cajun has also produced multiple GMPR’s, AKC MH’s, HRCh’s and qualified all-age field trial dogs.

GMPR HRCH GMHR Blackdog’s Bonkerjohn Kate MH QAA

Kate was not initially trained as a pointing Lab, she was just a pup gotten to be a good hunting dog by Jim Bonham from an old friend of his who bred his female to AFC Twist and Shout MH. However, Kate pointed and pointed a lot. She was first trained as a conventional retriever and when the pointing continued began to be trained with enhancing the point in mind. She ran her first APLA event one weekend and passed the Certification with a perfect score, passed the Intermediate (which is now the Advanced title) and then passed the Master test that same weekend. She went to an APLA test the following weekend and got her GMPR title and was in and out of the APLA world in a ten day time frame with virtually perfect scores in everything. She is currently one of the most field titled pointing Labs in the country, and has produced multiple GMPR’s, MH’s, and other advanced titles including field trial Qualified All-Age pups. Though a snobby girl by nature, Kate was a cherished member of her family with her own basement in the house, had her own pet cats and was as loved as any dog could be. In the field she became purely business and pointed often better than pointing breeds around her. Kate set a standard for natural point that can’t be improved upon, only equaled as best. She was a Queen and she was always highly aware of that fact.

GMPR Grits of Black Forest SH

Write-up: Julie Bates, Photo: Dale Merritt

Grits was the first yellow dog Black Forest came out with.  A son of Thor, a famous pointing Lab from Minnesota. Grits pointed birds from the first bird encounter he ever had and every one after that, bird allowing. When the Thor line came through and Grits was the first to gain national attention, the standard for pointing took another major jump. Grits pointed more like the pointing breeds than conventional pointing Labs; he was the consummate hunter and staunch pointer without ever hearing the word whoa or any other control cue in the field. Grits himself produced dozens of GMPR’s, MH’s and qualified all-age field trial dogs. Having won countless upland competitions, Grits had probably the most significant effect on raising the standards for what could be expected out of Labs in the upland field, and to this day, in the pedigrees of the most remarkable pointing Labs, it is very common to find Grits lurking only a generation or two back. His contribution to pointing may never be fully recognized, but those studying bloodlines will find a strong correlation between pure and natural pointing and the presence of Grits in their dog’s heritage.

GMPR Gumbo of Black Forest MH

Write-up: Julie Bates, Photo Dale Merritt



Gumbo was a son of AFC Twist and Shout and could easily have run field trials as his father did. Gumbo finished his APLA and AKC titles by the age of 2 and went on to win many dozens of upland hunting competitions. Gumbo was one of the first APLA titled dogs to produce dogs that could not only point well but compete at the highest levels in all the conventional retriever games, including field trials. He has produced well over 15 GMPR’s, MH’s and multiple qualified all-age field trial dogs. Gumbo has arguably raised the standard another notch in terms of what pointing Labs could be expected to do and to produce. Few dogs, if any have so single handedly changed the face of pointing Lab expectations.

GMPR MHR Rik’s Risky Raider MH

Write-up and picture provided by Terry Holzinger

Raider was brought to Holzinger Kennels (located at the MN Horse and Hunt Club) in 1995 to be trained as a gun dog for owner Rick Gerth. While Terry Holzinger was training Raider on advanced handling he came to the conclusion that he had what it takes to become something very special in the Labrador world.  His qualities included an intense retrieving drive, relentless perseverance, strong natural point, very trainable, stylish, bold, good looks, good bloodlines and an awesome temperament.

Terry contacted Karen and Matt Cashman, who were his co-owners  in Cashzinger stud dogs to consider Raider in the stud dog program.  We worked out a co-ownership agreement with Rick Gerth to advance Raider’s training program; promote hunting titles on him and eventually to become one of our new stud dogs.  As Holzinger and Cashmans went to work and Raider’s talents excelled he went on to acquire his Senior in 5out of 5 passes, and Master title in 5out of 5 passes in A.K.C. hunt tests, Master in NAHRA.  Terry continued to run Raider in A.P.L.A. events  to achieve his CP, Master and Grand Master titles. 

Raider  won the 2001 U.S. Open Pheasant Championship - Open Flusher Class Running with Terry Holzinger & Todd Haferman and Raider & Terry won the Cabela’s Sportsmen’s Quest Top Gun Class.

Raider’s lineage descended from the American and British Field trial bloodlines and has five generations of U.S. Open Pheasant Championship winners.  He is well known for consistently throwing his exceptional qualities into his offspring.  They tend to mature quickly, excel to the highest levels from Agility, Tournament Hunting to various Hunt Tests.

Before Raider knew what a whoa command was he would stand on point.  You could try to encourage him to break point and flush but he would give you a quick glimpse and look back on point without moving.

Raider loved to get attention unless there was something to retrieve.  When I would show him to people I could not have a dummy around or even in my back pocket.  If he knew there was something to retrieve that is all he wanted to do.

Raider is gone now and everyone that knew him knows he was a very special companion. I feel very fortunate to have stood next to him while hunting or campaigning him. His traits live on in the quality offspring he has produced for us to enjoy.

GMPR Sir Hershey of Surrey

Write-up: Julie Bates, Photo: 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.

Minn Horse and Hunt Club Thor

The Minnesota Horse & Hunt Club (MHHC) hunt manager Terry Correll asked Terry Holzinger about purchasing a pup out of a litter soon to be available. Sire of litter was “Full Choke of Chub Lake” (Son of Dual Ch Trumarks Triple Threat bred to a daughter of NFC 2xNAFC Super Chief). Thor’s mother, Duchess of Lake Nokomis, is a daughter of NFC-AFC San Joaquin Honcho. Terry Correll was told by Holzinger if he ended up buying a pup out of that litter there was a very good chance that dog would be a pointing lab which they could use for guiding upland hunts and they could also use the lab on their duck pass.

The MHHC had Terry Holzinger do all the training on Thor. He trained up real nice, was a pretty level headed dog. His personality was like a big teddy bear. He just loved people, liked to lie up against you when you were petting him and was pretty easy going. Most of the dogs out of those bloodlines were pretty high energy dogs, real out going. Thor would take things as they come and maintain a steady hunt. The club ended up using him for guiding hunts and many of his points were from extremely long distances in the field. Thor never knew what a whoa command was, he was naturally very staunch. He'd stand there as long as nobody walked past him. As soon as somebody walked passed him he would break point and run in and bust out the bird. He was a very easy dog to hunt with.

Soon after the start up of IPLA (International Pointing Lab Assoc.), they contacted the MHHC and set up an event so that they could certify pointing Labradors on the grounds. Terry Holzinger ran Thor along with two other dogs of similar bloodlines and certified all of them CP with strong long distance points.

The type of puppies that Thor threw was a lot more typical of his bloodlines. Real aggressive hunting, hard retrieving dogs, hitting the water hard, lots of point, wanting to work and please you. The club used Thor for their hunting scenarios, guiding and hunting with Thor until he was about 7 years old. They then sold him so he would have a family home for his later retirement years.

GMPR, GMHRCH, HRCH Rockerin Medicine Beau MH

Beau was purchased and named by my wife, Christie, as a Christmas present. All I really wanted was a great hunting dog, but I knew nothing about training a retriever. We joined a local NAHRA club and Beau progressed rapidly acquiring nicknames such as the “natural”; appropriate because I never knew to force fetch or whoa train him. Beau passed the 2006 NAHRA National Invitational as well as the NAHRA Rocky Mountain Regional to attain his 1000 senior points and his GMHRCH title. These achievements are equivalent to 50 Senior Hunt passes. Beau passed the 2001 and 2006 Richard A. Wolters NAHRA Invitationals (the only two times it was run when he was eligible). I did not know about APLA until I mentioned to my friend, Jim Bonham, that Beau was a natural pointer. He suggested we try running the next APLA test in September 2002. Beau passed CPR and MPR in the same day and, in April 2003, got his GMPR. He then started running HRC the summer of 2007 and passed eight tests in a row to earn his HRCH title. I believe, Beau is the first male dog in North Americato hold all four titles at the same time. Over his lifetime, Beau never failed an APLA or HRC hunt test. He passed 50 straight NAHRA runs (he would have passed 52, but I needed glasses and handled him into an old fall).

Besides mastering the hunt test game, Beau was a great hunting dog. He hunted and retrieved hundreds of ducks, geese and pheasants. I can’t remember the last time I had to leave the goose pit to find a wounded goose (including retrieves of over ¾ mile) thanks to Beau. He also took second place in the 2003 Open Pointing Division of the Colorado State Pheasant Championship.

Lastly, and maybe most importantly, Beau had a wonderful disposition. He was a loving and gentle companion who will be remembered as one of the most cherished members of the Lysinger family. His legacy goes on with multiple offspring with advanced titles in all facets of the hunt test game.

AFC Trieven Twist and Shout MH 



AFC Trieven Twist and Shout, MH was the 3rd of our AKC FC/AFC who pointed, the first being FC-AFC Trieven Classic, who was his great grandam. Like the others, he was a joy to hunt, and pointed solidly, without any whoa training whatsoever. He had an exceptional nose, and would wind and point birds from 20-30 or more yards away. He had tremendous intensity, was very precocious, and loved to learn. He was through all of his basics, including the double T, by the time he was 8 months old. Twist had Derby points and Qualifying placings, as well as earning his MH at a young age, passing his first Master Hunter test at 11 months. It was during his Master Hunter testing that we found out he pointed. The judge was a Springer guy, and set up a quartering test using pigeons. Twist was the last dog to run, and he quartered great, as he usually did, and then "bam", he ran into the scent cone of the 1st bird he came to and locked up solid, leg up, tail up and all. He held that point until I told him to "fetch it up", which he then did in style, was steady for the shot and made a perfect retrieve. He did this on all 3 of the birds planted for him, and the judges and gunners had so much fun, we continued down the field and found all the birds other dogs hadn't found. He pointed all of them. He was not run extensively in field trials, just a few a year. He needed a point and a half to make his FC. His all age win came with him winning an 89 dog Open All Age.

Twist was always a house dog, and slept in our room every night up until the time of his death at 13+ years of age. We never got a chance to certify him, as the APLA was just getting started, and we really had no opportunity to do so. Vince Retacco (founder of Tiger Mountain Kennels) came to a field trial to see Twist work with a sack of Bobwhite quail in his trunk, and he went and found a place he could plant them so we could hunt Twist. (Not exactly something I wanted to do just before the water blind in the Amateur!) Vince was so impressed that he sent his great bitch "Jackie" to Twist for two outstanding litters. He went on to sire many outstanding natural pointing Labradors, including three GMPRs.

HRCH 4XGMPR Bar None’s Snake River Otter MH QAA

Otter always had a presence about him. You knew immediately when you watched him work there was something different about him. He had a passion for working. He always gave a 100% regardless of the task. His marking ability, drive, and focus created a great deal of confidence in his abilities especially at events. He really loved running tests. I think it was the challenge. Many times judges asked jokingly “would you mind giving us a token whistle so we at least know he will stop and take a casts”. Many times he would line difficult blinds. Otter did consistently well in events and has titles in several venues- 4X Grand Master Pointing Retriever, Hunter Retriever Champion, Master Hunter, Qualified All Age. He also ran and JAMMed several All Age field trials.  Over a two weekend period he brought home three titles-MPR, GMPR as well as All Age Qualified. He did this as a two year old.

Otter taught me more about training and handling than any trainer, video or book written combined. Off the line he made me laugh a bunch. He had a thing for whipped cream! He taught me how to communicate with a dog at what seemed at times like a remarkable level with him. We had a connection I would hope everyone gets to experience with their dogs at some point.   

4XGMPR HRCH Black Forest Bear Grits MH

4X-GMPR HRCH Black Forest Bear Grits MH (Bear Boy) was a dog that had heart. Bear was not afraid to take on any challenge. He became a 4X-GMPR in the APLA, He received his Hunting Retriever Champion title and earned 250 points in HRC, He is an AKC Master Hunter. But besides the testing he proved that a pointing Labrador could compete in an open pointing division running against all pointing breeds. He won 4 National Championships in North American Gun Dog Nationals running against all pointing breeds. He won the Wyoming Open Pointing Pheasants Championship, Colorado Quail Classic Open Pointing Championship and had many top 5 finishes over the years. He was respected in the pointing dog world.

Bear also has passed on those great traits, in his genetics. He has Sired 43 litters. To date in the APLA there are eleven GMPR or above at which Five of them are 4X-GMPR. Very few 4X-GMPR have produced other 4X-GMPR, he is one of the leaders in that field. There are also many sons and daughters that have CPR and APR titles in the APLA.

He has hunted wild birds in 9 different States, anything from Dove, Grouse, Quail, Chukar, Pheasants, Huns, Ducks and Geese.

But above all that, he was a companion, the most loyal friend and forgiving animal one could ever have, it was a honor being part of his life. May his legacy live on in everyone's hearts. He has taught me as much as I taught him. The trust and bond will live on forever in Dale and Brenda's HEARTS. God Bless!

GMPR IPR CPR Cashzingers Cattail Corky

GMPR Cashzingers Cattail Corky – was a GMPR in the APLA and one of the first GMPR’s located east of the Mississippi. Corky was easily recognized by his long, lean athletic body, and his huge blocky head. The story handed down on Corky was that his original owners were training Corky to compete in AKC Field Trials, but they could not get him to quit pointing birds, so they sold him. Danny Alan and Byron Fagg decided to buy Corky and brought him to Salem, Indiana where he earned his GMPR and served as a stud dog and hunting companion.

In the field Corky was a very aggressive upland hunter who wasn’t afraid to go into the deepest cover to find birds, or retrieve a wounded goose from the river. Corky had a very intense and unmistakable point that even though he was never whoa trained. At home Corky had a softer side, absolutely loved having his ears scratched, and often thought of himself as a 90 pound lap dog. Corky was at home anywhere he could be with his people.

While some of the other early APLA dogs out west and in Minnesota were carving out their place in history, Corky was advancing pointing lab genetics in the east. Corky sired over 50 litters during his breeding career, so if you look back in your pedigree, you will likely find Corky in there somewhere. Corky’s offspring were known to be solid hunting dogs who were also great family companions. His offspring have also played a role in establishing several pointing lab kennels that are still going today. Corky’s offspring were never specifically targeted to go into the hunt test scene, but as of the summer of 2013 Corky has sired or grand-sired (3) 4XGMPR’s, (2) 3.5XGMPR’s, (1) 1.5XGMPR, (4) GMPR’s, (3) MPR’s, and many other APR & CPR dogs.

GMPR Cashzingers Cattail Corky was the picture of what a pointing lab should be. Great retrieving ability, great upland ability, great looks, and one heck of a great family companion!

4XGMPR Elcanan's Roxy of Bearpoint JH

Roxy was a dog that had heart. Roxy was not afraid to take on any challenge. She became a 4X-GMPR in the APLA, but besides the testing she proved that a pointing Labrador could compete in a pointing division running against all pointing breeds. She was in the top 5 many times at the National Championships in North American Gun Dog Nationals running against all pointing breeds.

Roxy also has passed on those great traits, in her genetics. She has whelped many litters from 5 different sires. To date in the APLA there are five GMPR or above at which two of them are 4X-GMPR from two different sires. Very few 4X-GMPR have produced other 4X-GMPR, she is one of the leaders in that field. There are also many sons, daughters, grandsons and granddaughters that have CPR and APR titles in the APLA.

She has hunted wild birds in several different states, anything from Grouse, Quail, Chukar, Pheasants, Huns, Ducks and Geese. At only 50 lbs in size, that did not slow her down, even when retrieving large geese. When upland hunting she would quarter from one end of the line in the field to the other and go all day.

But above all that, she was a campaign, the most loyal friend and forgiving animal one could ever have, it was a honor being part of her life. Roxy was loved by all. She was the one to mother all the pups, she wanted to show them the way. If one of the other females would start whelping, she would come find you and wake you up and let you know something was happening. May her legacy live on in everyone's hearts. She has taught us as much as we taught her and the trust and bond will live on forever in Dale and Brenda's HEARTS. God Bless!

GMPR GMHRCH II HRCH UH Midvale Acres Risen Belle MH

Belle truly performed as an all-around retriever at the elite level throughout all her competitions. She is the first and only dog in history ever to have achieved the level of titles she earned through all four of the North American retriever organizations: Grand Master Pointing Retriever, Grand Master Hunting Retriever Champion II (NAHRA), Hunting Retriever Champion & Upland Hunter (HRC), and Master Hunter(AKC).

My dreams for Belle were to be a great hunting dog and participate in all the dog games I could find while being a family companion inside the house. The day we brought her home, she was unbelievably available to us as the 3^rd pick out of a Raider/Brock female breeding. We couldn’t scoop her into our vehicle quickly enough! My friend Terry Holzinger asked me what I wanted to do with her, and I replied “Everything”. Boy, I had no idea what that would get us into!

By the time Belle was 4 years old, we partnered in earning her CPR, MPR, and GMPR titles. Especially sweet was that she earned her MPR the same day her daughter Grace earned her CPR with me in Kansas. Belle had also been busy in the other dog venues participating most frequently in NAHRA tests. In 2008 she became the first dog in the Midwest to earn 1000 points at the highest testing level and was awarded the title of GMHRCH. She was named to the NAHRA Hunting Retriever Team six times, passing more than 50 Master tests. I had to caution other handlers and judges over the years that Belle was not “automatic”, even though that became the expectation while she passed over 90 tests of the nearly 100 tests we ran. Belle won and placed in many hunting tournaments in NATHA and NUCS across the country, often the same weekend as running in hunt tests. While performing at the highest level no matter the venue, Belle steadfastly reminded me that we were partners and dedicated her entire self to me as if we were married. Belle’s hunting days may be over now, but her heart and soul will forever remain strong in my mind along with all the memories