Blog

Mix family training top-of-the-line pointer

By Jennifer Brookens, Sentinel Staff Writer

It’s good to be top dog.
But Stella, a Pudel Pointer that belongs to the Mix family in Welcome, doesn’t let it go to her head.

Stella, 18 months old, is being trained by Jason and Adam Mix to the standards of the National Versatile Hunting Dog Association. But at home, Stella still shows her puppy spirit by getting excited when a new person arrives, and teasing the older dog at the Mix residence.

But even in her excitement, she will eventually stand still for a photo with her boy, Adam.
“She’s a very nice dog,” Jason Mix says, smiling. “But it only takes one dog to do it all.”

The family’s first Pudel Pointer was purchased from a breeder in Idaho.

“There are a few (Pudel Pointer) breeders in Minnesota now,” said Jason, Adam’s father. “But 10 years ago, there were only three or four in the entire Midwest.”

Stella also was purchased from the same breeder, and is now being trained to be a top hunting dog.

“There are tests for the standards, and there are awards for prizes at the top,” Adam said.

Adam and Stella tested on the NAVHDA “pup” test back in August.

“They have to be able to hunt a field, point birds, water retrieval, and track a live bird,” Jason listed. “They are judged on their search in the field, how they perform in the water, tracking, cooperation, use of their nose, and pointing.”

Out of the 112 points possible, Stella received 110.

“She went off track a little once, so she was docked on tracking,” Jason said.

The test was also for Adam, as a handler.
“They kicked me out,” Jason said. “I went to walk the field, and they told me I had to leave. But since it wasn’t a competition, it doesn’t hurt them to have help. Everyone wants to be training the best dogs.”

Now that Stella has proven herself as a good hunting dog, the family may look to breed her in the future.

“Anyone can say they have a good hunting dog, but with this, it’s proven,” Jason said. “Usually, there is a waiting time of four to six years.”

But for now, Stella is enjoying learning and being a puppy.

“She loves to retrieve and fetch,” Adam said. “She has such a personality.”

Jason added, “There’s a switch that turns on when she goes to or leaves the field.”

---

Photo caption:
A BOY & HIS DOG — Adam Mix gives a hug to his Pudel Pointer, Stella, in his backyard in Welcome. Mix, 13, is training Stella to the standards of the National Versatile Hunting Dog Association. Stella received top scores from the association over the summer.