Photo Gallery

Intensity!

Keeper is a hard flushing, yet easily controlled, all British-bred Springer. He truly hunts "to the gun" like a good flushing dog always should.

Biddability!

Keeper loves to work and be trained. If we could put his attitude in words it would be, "Just show me what you want and I'll do my best to do it that way".

Honesty!

My friend, Amelia Greene of Bad Habit Gundogs, recently asked me to describe what I liked best about Keeper in just one word. Without hesitation I replied, "Honesty!"

Focus!

Keeper completely tuned in to his handler, Jayce Gorder, during a puppy stake in Alberta in 2018. They finished 2nd at Jayce's first ever field trial!

Properness!

When I visited his kennel in Lakenheath, England, Carl Colclough told me, “Children can be raised to be proper. Dogs can be bred to be proper.” Our British-bred Springers have properness down to a fine art!

The Truest Words

I suppose we all knew this but to my knowledge no one had ever put it in words before. From his dog Annie's induction into the Bird Dog Hall of Fame.

Rumsfeld’s Way

White House Chief of Staff Donald Rumsfeld admonished me very early on, and in no uncertain terms: "Never, ever go in there ill-prepared!" "What should I prepare for?" I asked. "Everything!" was his reply. So I did.

An Oval Office Meeting

As a young member of the White House Military Staff (and the president's dog trainer) I was often summoned by the president and asked to provide a frank opinion. We had an outstanding relationship and I always told him what I thought he needed to hear. Sometimes unsolicited!

Utah Bound

One of our puppies that rode on the plane with me from Kalispell, Montana to Salt Lake City where she took up residence in Utah and I flew on to California.

Puppy Love

My friend, Jayde Gorder, helped with the puppies during a trip from Montana to Washington that her mom and I secretly arranged for her 12th birthday. Three days of non-stop fun!

Sun Valley, Idaho

One of my favorite shots of JoJo, taken at the Dollar Mountain Resort in Sun Valley, Idaho.

Two Proud Dads

Our great friend John Gove with Keeper's sire, Frankie. Bill helped John locate Frankie in Bristol, England, never imagining he would be bred to JoJo who was imported from Fife, Scotland!

Seven Boys

JoJo's last of three litters whelped in Sun Valley, Idaho on July 2, 2016. Keeper is at the very back (top of photo) with the black diamond above his shoulders. He was known back then as "Diamond Jim".

Questing with Authority

Keeper in a puppy stake in Calgary, Alberta in 2018 with Jayce Gorder handling him. He won his first ribbon here...a 2nd place.

Keeper’s First Ribbon

My friend and Keeper's handler during 2018 before my knee replacements, receives his first ever ribbon. This was such a fun trip!

Field Trial Fun

My friend Jayce Gorder at her first ever field trial. The folks from Alberta went out of their way to make her feel welcome. Thanks to Tom Bratrud for taking Jayce training with him the day after the trial was over!

Stink Eye

JoJo giving me "the look" from her position riding shotgun as she always does.

Utah Sunset

Occasionally we experience some magical light during our daily conditioning runs. Well, they run...I walk!

Delivering To Hand

Keeper completes a retrieve at the 2019 Calgary spring trial. He placed 3rd in the Amateur and finished both Opens...the only dog to successfully complete all 9 series.

Training In Utah

Most Wednesday's and Saturday's Keeper's trainer, Gary Riddle, has the trial dogs out for field work. The sessions very closely simulate an actual field trial...great for keeping the dogs honest.

A Tennessee Rooster

Many thanks to my Tennessee friend Bill Cowan for always providing a great camping spot, training fields, and leftover birds at the annual Hall of Fame trials!

A Proud Trainer

Keeper with his trainer, Gary Riddle, following his first Open win in Clarkston, Utah in the fall of 2021.

So-Cal Winter

Keeper in the field where we camp when we winter over in Imperial, California at Woodland's Hunt Club. We guided there for three winters where Keeper had pheasants and Chukars galore shot over him.

Keeping A Watchful Eye

JoJo watching a field trial from her regular spot on the passengers seat.

Clarkston, Utah

Bill handling Keeper in a field trial in Clarkston, Utah. Photo courtesy of Josh Riddle.

2020 NAC

Amelia Baxter offered to handle Keeper for me at the 2020 U.S. National Amateur Championship in Ohio. This was Amelia's final trial as an amateur before she turned pro the next month.

Christmas in Texas

It was an honor to be invited by the Baxter and Greene clans to join them in St. Jo, Texas for the first dinner and the first Christmas at the Baxter Ranch just after their new homes were completed in 2021.

Neither Snow, Nor Rain

...Nor Driving Wind! Our friend Jeanne Nabity at the Rocky Mountain (Colorado) trial in 2022. Keeper won the Amateur and finished his AFC title that weekend.

A New AFC

Blizzard conditions were brutal in NE Colorado during the 2022 Rocky Mountain spring trial, but the reward? Priceless! Keeper earned his AFC with another 1st place finish.

A Royal Flush

The beautiful birds these amazing dogs were born and bred to find, flush, and retrieve. Everything else for them is just "marking time"!

2022 CNAC

Bill and Keeper in the 2nd series of the Canadian National Amateur Championship near Vermillion, Alberta.

Place Boards

Keeper absolutely loves place boards! What a great training aid these things are.

Best Friends

JoJo getting her required dose of attention at Mike & Erika Boyarski's place in Montana where we camp and train during the summers.

We Love Missouri

Keeper won the Amateur and the Guns Award at the 2023 Missouri spring trial. Judges Mark and Morgan Haglin commented, "He ran the wind so smoothly...and with authority." It was a great day for us!

Intensity • Biddability • Honesty • Properness