Intl. Ch. Outlanders Crystal Image, UT PZI

Webster’s online dictionary defines “honor” as “That which rightfully attracts esteem, respect, or consideration; self-respect; dignity; courage; fidelity; especially excellence of character; high moral worth; virtue; and nobleness.” This definition is the definition of the dog I have the priviledge to team with in my life and in the fields and ponds: Outlanders Crystal Image – “Honor.”

Honor is a big (25″) strong female who is, without equal, the hardest working dog I have ever owned or seen and I have seen a lot of dogs in my many years as a NAVHDA judge and dog sport participant since 1974. She has a devotion and work ethic that is surpassed by none. Even when she is completely exhausted she will continue hunting her heart out. She is also extremely savvy when it comes to working wild pheasants. She has established her own game of tracking them without pushing them out and never lets them get behind me. It is amazing to watch and 9 times out of 10 you will have the bird pinned between you and her. She is a medium to big running dog in the field and yet in the wood for bobwhite, she is the dog staying close and hitting the hard cover for the coveys. When you pull up to a field and it is a tough run, thick cover, or stickers, or cut corn…we always say “this is an Honor field” because you know she will give it every thing she has…and that is a LOT!

She was also one of those rare natural duck search dogs. I never had to train her duck search. I simply showed her that ducks were “out there” and she never looked back. I ran her in the 2012 Invitational. She got all passing scores except a 2 in backing. She does back naturally, and did back every time, it just wasn’t the “style” those particular judges were looking for. Since moving to Wyoming in January of 2014 she has shown me the true worth of a dog of her “mettle/metal.” She retrieved duck after duck in the fast, cold, icy Bighorn River in the month of January, launching herself off of iceflows over and over into the icy water for retrieves. She climbs and covers the steep and rugged cliffs for wild Chukar and Huns holding points on coveys in places she shouldn’t even be able to stand. She is a joy to live with and one of the sweetest dogs I have ever known. There is just something about Honor that is pure and loving.

Honor is the result of the last breeding of my great bitch, Mazzy. Mazzy was an incredible producer and consistently produced hard working, high drive and desire, cooperative and easy to train bird dogs. I wanted one more female out of Mazzy and when I saw Honor, I knew it was her. She took 3 sessions to steady completely. She took 2 weeks to train a reliable fetch. She backs naturally and I NEVER trained the duck search…she just does it.

Mainly, Honor is one of those dogs that you can not help but fall in love with. She has a gentle but insistent drive to become your best friend and partner. Honor: “dignity; courage; fidelity (Loyalty); especially excellence of character; high moral worth; virtue; and nobleness.