MAKING ‘HEADLIGHT’ HEADLINES IN…
A look at interesting copy that grabbed our attention “back in the day.”
worth woofing about
Training paid off for an English Cocker Spaniel named “Abby.”
The dog, owned by Larry Hansen of rural Tracy, has won two national field trials and placed second in two others over the past six months. In a fifth competition, the English Cocker Spaniel was named a certificate of merit winner.
The three year old hunting dog, who’s full title is Field Trial Champion Anahar Hirsel, was purchased from a breeder in Scotland when she was 10 weeks old. Hansen has worked with the dog every day since then.
“The dogs are judged on speed, style, trainability, bird sense, use of the wind and use of nose. The dogs are trained to obey commands with a whistle. Abby will not move until she gets the signal from me. The dogs run in pairs on game birds. This competition calls for intense coordination between owner and dog,” said Hansen.
Abby weighs approximately 25 pounds and is entirely black. Her first place is noted on her AKC papers, making her puppies more valuable.
The dog is due to deliver her first litter in December. Hansen has always been interested in raising hunting dogs. He began raising Labrador Retrievers when he was 12 and continued with that breed until he became interested in imported English Cocker Spaniels about 10 years ago. He has imported 14 dogs from England, most of which have been sold.
