Currently we own one Deutsch Drahtaar: Duke vom Buffeltaler. Duke was born on February 10, 2005. He is now 2.5 years old and he weighs 63 pounds. He is considered small to medium in size standard (for male) and he is extremely athletic and agile. In my opinion one of Duke's greatest qualities is his calm temperament. He has been extremely patient and very calm from puppy until now. This makes him a pleasure to be around in the house, the truck, and in a canoe or blind. Duke's calm disposition has also helped me tremendously in training him. It was very easy for me to steady him to wing and shot, he is able to focus on a track, and he takes better marks for retrieves.

Although scores are not everything in making a decision on breeding or purchasing a pup, Duke has proven himself with honors in his first two tests, scoring: A 76 in his VJP (Natural Ability/Spring Puppy Test) and 197 in his HZP (The Fall Breed Test following the VJP). Duke received a (9) very good in coat and a (8) good in confirmation at 2006 Armbruster. He also received a (12) in use of Nose and a (12) in his Duck Search at the International Armbruster. His sound temperament, confirmation, and natural ability to find game and cooperate with me, landed Duke first place in the International Championship.

Recently Duke has reached the highest level of recognition a Versatile Hunting Dog can achieve. He passed his VGP (versatile utility test) with 303 points and received a Prize I. The VGP is a two day hunting test that covers all aspects of hunting from: Tracking furred game and blood through the forest, to pointing, retrieving, and tracking feathered game in fields and proving to be a viable retriever in the water as well as showing a dogs cooperation and obedience.

Duke also passed his BTR. This test represents the dogs independent ability to search through the forest and find dead or injured game and retrieve it back to hand. The BTR shows a dog's determination and searching patterns as well as his ability to retrieve game on his own with out any commands and find his way back to his handler.

These True to Life Hunting Tests are extremely difficult and in many parts of the world - Germany in particular a hunting party must have a a dog that is fully trained to VGP leve to be able to hunt. It is an accomplishment that my family and I are very proud of.

It is also important for me to mention that I did not buy a Deutsch Drahthaar for "Testing" (Even though I strongly recommend everyone does test). I bought Duke for companionship in Field and Home. His intelligence, natural ability, and desire to find game and please were evident from the time I brought him home. Duke like many Deutsch Drahthaar's is a natural retriever, and as I mentioned before he is a great pointing dog. His coat is hard and flat which protects him from briars and he is nearly dry after one shake out of the water. Duke has proved himself on several upland hunts, from tracking crippled pheasants through fields to cornering Ruffed Grouse in Grape tangles. He has already been on several waterfowl hunts and has no problem retrieving Greater Canada Geese and other species from frozen fields or frigid waters. Duke has also successfully tracked a wounded Whitetail that fled after being shot with an arrow over six hundred yards. And did I mention he is great with my family and other dogs.

As of now Duke has sired two healthy litters of puppies. He has bred with Christine vom Rainmaker - owned by Dwight Runkle vom Buffeltaler and with Dolly vom Kernhaus owned by Bob Seeger vom Wolfscreek. Duke will also be siring a least one more litter in 2007, and I am fairly certain he will be put together with a very note worthy female around Fall 2008.

If you would like to know more about Duke vom Buffeltaler or you would like any references about his character or achievements, please contact me.

Donny Zarra