"To give you an idea about my Golden experience, since 30 years I do breed Goldens, which are known in Holland as the "Van Uilenburg line", 3 generations did I bring to the title "Working Champion"... the highest level in Holland!

It is difficult to find good males in Holland. That is the reason we asked Sue Westlake, of Readfield ME, USA, what she would advise. With her fantastic help we could import Speaker's son "Boy" to Holland and we must say that we are proud and happy to have "Boy" in Holland. 

Joop and "Boy"
September 2000

Boy's first hunting day: 30 December, 1999
"Boy" is on the right.

"Boy" was only 5 months old that he had his first hunting experience on a duck hunt. We went with our 3 Goldens: "Boy" as a newcomer, "Lynn" who is now about 9 years old, "Joyce", age 12 years. We went to a large extended area near to our place with several small canals where you will find ducks all year along.

It was not the idea that he had to do serious hunting, but I think just the experience to join the hunting family would be good for him. "Boy" was very interested and felt there was something going to happen. When he saw so many ducks flying he just looked to his boss (Joop) and seemed to ask what do I have to do now! The hunters shot about 10 ducks and so I picked up one of these ducks, walked 150 meters back and hid the duck on the canalside. He just needed one command to go full speed to pick up the duck and even without any problem. Everyone was very enthusiastic about the way "Boy" did act the first time!

The second experience was in January on the pheasants, only the cocks were allowed. One cock fell on quite a distance on grassland, but the grass was high enough that Boy" could not see the pheasant. On a distance of 15 meters, "Boy" got the smell and picked up the pheasant without any problem.
 

"Boy"
September 2000

 

In Holland the education of the hunting dogs is quite different from the States and you have to learn him yourself and give him the hunting education. You have to go to the working test in Holland or nearby in Belgium to get competition experience and to learn the competition rules, as they change once in a while.

To give him this experience, I have been 3 times to a working test in Belgium. The first and second time they worked only with dummies and the third time with real fowl, but shot the day before. 

Each time I brought "Boy" in "all classes workingtests" (not for beginners) so he could get a good experience for the future. The results were not important and when it would be too difficult for his age - he was the youngest participant - I would not let him do the test. 

The working tests take place in Belgium, about 3 hours drive from our place. I give you some examples of what "Boy" had to do:

1. The dummy was thrown in the water at a distance of about 50 meters. At the same time a dummy was thrown behind his back, which he could not see, but just hear it. The first part in the water was no problem. The second part I had to give him the direction.
    

2. A dummy was thrown right in front at a distance of 150 meters, but with 2 natural obstacles. When he started in this direction, another dummy was thrown on the left hand side about 50 meters away. "Boy" had no problems.
    

3. Left and right blind dummies and shot. This part was perfect, but for something I did not know. It was several years since I had any practice on working tests, when I gave "Boy" the direction with my hand, I just did touch him, so he was disqualified. This was a good experience for myself!
    

4. Walk up. This was an exercise for steadiness and marking. One dummy was thrown in a field with rapeseed. This was quite difficult to get the right distance and he needed some help. The steadiness was good.

This gives you an idea what they have to do here in Belgium! 

On the 1st of October, 2000, "Boy" did his first workingtest in Lelystad, Holland. He had to start in the beginner class. "Boy" did really do hid best and got the result of 1st place!