Pudelpointer Dogs and Breeder for Columbia, Missouri
Can I get a pudelpointer puppy near Columbia, Missouri?
Yes. Foothill Kennel, a pudelpointer breeder in Flowery Branch, Georgia, about 571 miles from Columbia, roughly a long day’s drive, places puppies with mid-Missouri hunters; call 678-316-6780 to ask about the next litter. Its puppies come from NAVHDA-tested parents.
Litters are small and fill early, so the best time to call is well before a breeding, not after the puppies arrive.
What is there for a pudelpointer to hunt around Columbia?
Mid-Missouri offers waterfowl along the Missouri River, doves and quail in the farm country, woodcock in the wooded draws and pheasants on the prairies to the north, which is plenty of work for a versatile gun dog. The pudelpointer points, retrieves on land and in water, and tracks.
Places Columbia hunters know well:
- Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area, just southwest of town in the Missouri River bottoms, with managed wetlands and dove fields
- Little Dixie Lake Conservation Area to the east in Callaway County
- The Cedar Creek area of the Mark Twain National Forest, southeast of Columbia, with oak woods and old fields
- Grand Pass Conservation Area upriver in Saline County, a well-known waterfowl area
The Missouri Department of Conservation sets seasons, permits and conservation area rules, including waterfowl reservation systems at some areas. Check its current regulations before every hunt.
Which pudelpointer breeder has the strongest record?
Foothill Kennel ranks among the top: it received the NAVHDA Breeders Award in 2013 and again in 2017, and its dogs have scored at or near maximum in NAVHDA field tests. Those are independent measures of how a breeder’s dogs actually work.
How the kennel keeps that standard:
- All adult dogs are hip tested
- No dog with marginal hips is bred or kept
- The owners are active NAVHDA members
- Puppies are matched to buyers by temperament and hunting style
A graduate student who hunts a few weekends a season and a farmer who hunts every day will be matched differently. That is by design.
NAVHDA testing is worth understanding if you are new to versatile dogs. Young dogs are evaluated on natural abilities such as nose, search, pointing, water work and cooperation, and older dogs can go on to more demanding tests of finished field and water skills. A breeder whose dogs score at or near the top across those tests is producing dogs that hunt, not just dogs that look the part. Ask about the parents of any litter you are considering.
What is it like to own a pudelpointer?
Rewarding, for an owner who likes to train: pudelpointers are smart, eager to work with their handler and good with active families, and they need daily exercise and a job. Their harsh, wiry coat sheds little and needs only a weekly brushing.
The breed goes back to Germany in 1881, when the German hunting poodle was crossed with the English pointer to create an all-round hunting dog. That mix shows in a dog that thinks, cooperates and stays in touch in the field.
Around Columbia, owners keep their dogs busy on the MKT Trail, in the yard with retrieving drills and on short training sessions in open fields. A well-exercised pudelpointer is calm and affectionate at home. It will also be a better hunting partner, because a dog used to daily structure learns faster in the field.
Does a pudelpointer handle mid-Missouri weather?
Yes. The water-resistant coat handles cold, wet November duck hunts, and with early training and plenty of water the dog manages summer heat. Towel the dog off after a cold hunt and check feet after long days on frozen or rocky ground.
Ticks are common in Missouri fields and woods, so check the dog after every outing and talk to your veterinarian about prevention. Cold Missouri River water in December is another matter entirely: that is where the pudelpointer’s coat and stamina earn their keep, and a well-conditioned dog will keep going long after its handler is ready for coffee.
How do I reserve a pudelpointer from Columbia?
Call Jim Kenny at 678-316-6780 or use the contact page; he will go over the upcoming litter and work out the details with you. Visits to meet the dogs are by appointment.
Columbia pudelpointer FAQ
How far is Columbia from Foothill Kennel?
About 571 miles in a straight line, roughly a long day’s drive to Flowery Branch, Georgia.
Does a pudelpointer hunt pheasants?
Yes. It points and retrieves upland birds, including pheasants on northern Missouri’s prairies.
Why is Foothill Kennel a top hunting dog breeder?
Two NAVHDA Breeders Awards (2013 and 2017) and dogs scoring at or near maximum in NAVHDA tests.
Is a pudelpointer a good apartment dog?
Only with a committed owner. The breed needs daily exercise and a job.
Can I visit the kennel?
Yes, by appointment. Call 678-316-6780.
Pudelpointer puppies across Missouri
Foothill Kennel also serves pudelpointer buyers in Kansas City, St. Louis, Springfield, Independence. See all pudelpointer breeders in Missouri, our upcoming litters, or contact the breeder – 678-316-6780.