Recent Contact
Posted by Todd Chrisman at March 15, 2007 and is filed under Diva,Dove,Selling Pups,Stud Service,B Litter,Home Life 
I was recently contacted by a prospective puppy buyer. They've decided to delay the purchase as they are getting married soon, but there was enough good stuff in the emails that I'm posting them here (edited for personal information, of course). (And my own thoughts added like this. TC)
A pup whelped in May or June won't be ready to go home until July or August, and will spend it's first hunting season on the sidelines. These guys should put in an acceptable rookie season, and really come into their own in 2008. Honestly, my last litter whelped August 15 2005, and because they missed a big portion of early exposure to birds, it took some training to bring them around.
Anyway, there's a lot of info on finding a good breeder on my site. I apologize for having something close to 70 pages, but I'm kind of verbose.
We're in Shapleigh; [town] would be closer except for the big lake in the way.
Todd Chrisman
Marshfield Kennel
From: Alicia B
Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2007
To: Todd Chrisman
Subject: RE: hunting dogs
Absolutely. Good luck on the pending nuptials.
I can't promise a May puppy; it all depends on heat cycles. Diva is in now and seems to be about 6 months. Dove will be in sometime soon and is 5 months. We do the litters so as not to cost us a training or hunting season. Breeding in Jan & Feb can be tough if we use a distant stud. Can't fly below 20, and If you find a day warm enough to fly her out to MN, she might get stuck there until after the puppies come.
Although there's a local boy I want to put to Diva, but now that I think about it: no chance of breeding her this fall. If she stays on course, that puts her next heat in March, which maybe... Puts pups on the ground in May, home in July. Wean the pups in June and get her back to training. It's possible. (Pregnancy 9 weeks, pups usually go home 8 weeks old, not sooner per Maine law. FYI) Beats the heck out of trying to sell them in February.
Stay in touch and we should have a training day this summer with the local pups. You guys should come down and see what these little guys can do. We'll put Dove & Diva on display too. We've got 20 acres here at the farm, and access to training grounds.
You are wise to get the dog you want at the time you want to get it, although of the two, getting the dog you want is the most important. There's always a "good" reason to put a pup off. If you let too many get in the way, you'll never take the leap. I'd call getting married and a relocation an excellent reason to put off the purchase, btw.
Todd
-----Original Message-----
From: Alicia B
Sent: Tuesday, March 13, 2007
To: tchrisman@marshfieldkennel.com
Subject: hunting dogs
From: Alicia B
Sent: Tuesday, March 13, 2007
To: tchrisman@marshfieldkennel.com
Subject: hunting dogs
Dear Mr. Chrisman, (Actually, that's my dad, TC)
I was looking for a hunting dog on-line and I found your website. I was wondering if you knew of any litters that would be whelped around Mid-may to early June?
I am a new hunter, and my fiancé is a very experienced hunter. He hunts pretty much all things all seasons. I only go out during buck and turkey season. I own a large farmhouse sitting on six acres of woods in [Town], Maine, and I also have a camp down on the water, so there is great terrain for dog training. I grew up with a field lab, who lasted 17 years as I am very active and like my dogs to be active also. I currently don't have any dogs. During the year, I am a school teacher so my summers and evenings are very wide open to spend time with the dog. Could you give me some information on where I could find a great bird dog? We'd really like to get a German shorthair, and I'm not sure where to start looking in Maine!
Sincerely,
Alicia B
Todd Chrisman <tchrisman@marshfieldkennel.com> wrote:
You could find a great bird dog here. I have two 12 week old pups ready to find a great hunting family. Of the 3 that I've placed, two are already with school teachers. They are house broken (not 100% yet, but getting the idea) and crate trained. Amanda is a veterinarian, so they've had daily care since before they were born (pre-natal nutrition and conditioning).
Todd Chrisman <tchrisman@marshfieldkennel.com> wrote:
You could find a great bird dog here. I have two 12 week old pups ready to find a great hunting family. Of the 3 that I've placed, two are already with school teachers. They are house broken (not 100% yet, but getting the idea) and crate trained. Amanda is a veterinarian, so they've had daily care since before they were born (pre-natal nutrition and conditioning).
A pup whelped in May or June won't be ready to go home until July or August, and will spend it's first hunting season on the sidelines. These guys should put in an acceptable rookie season, and really come into their own in 2008. Honestly, my last litter whelped August 15 2005, and because they missed a big portion of early exposure to birds, it took some training to bring them around.
Anyway, there's a lot of info on finding a good breeder on my site. I apologize for having something close to 70 pages, but I'm kind of verbose.
We're in Shapleigh; [town] would be closer except for the big lake in the way.
Todd Chrisman
Marshfield Kennel
From: Alicia B
Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2007
To: Todd Chrisman
Subject: RE: hunting dogs
Dear Todd,
Thank you so much! I really would like to get a puppy for May, but Craig and I have discussed it, ...and we are going to hold off until [after the wedding]. BUT, I would like to stay in contact with you for next year because I was thoroughly impressed with your website, dog bloodlines, and the amount of heart you put into your dogs. (Just when I think nobody notices how much this means to me. TC) They sound like the highest quality and if it's alright with you, I'd like to contact you next year. Is that alright?
Sincerely,
Alicia
-----Original Message-----
From: Todd Chrisman
Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2007
To: Alicia Bent
Subject: RE: hunting dogs
-----Original Message-----
From: Todd Chrisman
Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2007
To: Alicia Bent
Subject: RE: hunting dogs
Absolutely. Good luck on the pending nuptials.
I can't promise a May puppy; it all depends on heat cycles. Diva is in now and seems to be about 6 months. Dove will be in sometime soon and is 5 months. We do the litters so as not to cost us a training or hunting season. Breeding in Jan & Feb can be tough if we use a distant stud. Can't fly below 20, and If you find a day warm enough to fly her out to MN, she might get stuck there until after the puppies come.
Although there's a local boy I want to put to Diva, but now that I think about it: no chance of breeding her this fall. If she stays on course, that puts her next heat in March, which maybe... Puts pups on the ground in May, home in July. Wean the pups in June and get her back to training. It's possible. (Pregnancy 9 weeks, pups usually go home 8 weeks old, not sooner per Maine law. FYI) Beats the heck out of trying to sell them in February.
Stay in touch and we should have a training day this summer with the local pups. You guys should come down and see what these little guys can do. We'll put Dove & Diva on display too. We've got 20 acres here at the farm, and access to training grounds.
You are wise to get the dog you want at the time you want to get it, although of the two, getting the dog you want is the most important. There's always a "good" reason to put a pup off. If you let too many get in the way, you'll never take the leap. I'd call getting married and a relocation an excellent reason to put off the purchase, btw.
Todd
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