Pudelpointer Breeder for Fairbanks, Alaska Bird Hunters
Where is the nearest pudelpointer breeder to Fairbanks?
Few kennels anywhere breed pudelpointers, and Foothill Kennel in Flowery Branch, Georgia, about 3,343 miles from Fairbanks, is one that Interior hunters can call directly at 678-316-6780. Jim Kenny, the breeder, will tell you when the next litter is expected and whether it fits the way you hunt.
A pudelpointer puppy is a long-term partner, so most Fairbanks buyers are willing to look well outside Alaska to find parents with proven field records. The upcoming litters page on this site is the easiest place to start.
What can a pudelpointer hunt in the Interior?
In the country around Fairbanks a pudelpointer can work three kinds of grouse, two kinds of ptarmigan and a long list of ducks, which is exactly the variety a versatile gun dog is made for. Before heading out, check the current seasons and bag limits published by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
- Grouse: ruffed, spruce and sharp-tailed grouse in the aspen, spruce and old burns of the Tanana Valley
- Ptarmigan: willow and rock ptarmigan in the high country off the Steese Highway toward Eagle Summit
- Waterfowl: ducks on the lakes and sloughs of Minto Flats State Game Refuge and the backwaters of the Tanana and Chena rivers
Early fall is the busy stretch. Birds are plentiful, the days are still long, and a dog that can hold a point on a covey and then swim out for a teal earns its place in the truck.
Can a pudelpointer live through a Fairbanks winter?
A pudelpointer handles cold, wet hunting weather well thanks to its harsh, water-resistant coat, but it is a house dog in deep Interior cold, not a sled dog. The breed’s wiry jacket turns water on a retrieve and sheds very little, which makes it pleasant to live with indoors when the thermometer drops far below zero.
What these dogs cannot do without is activity. Pudelpointers were bred to work closely with a handler, and they need daily exercise and something to think about. On the short days of a Fairbanks January that can mean indoor obedience work, scent games and shorter runs, so the dog comes into spring ready for training.
Which pudelpointer breeder has the strongest field record for Interior hunters?
Two NAVHDA Breeders Awards, in 2013 and 2017, plus dogs that have scored at or near maximum in NAVHDA field tests, put Foothill Kennel among the top pudelpointer breeders a hunter can find. The North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association judges real hunting skills: search, pointing, tracking, water work and cooperation with the handler.
The kennel’s own standards back that record up:
- Every adult dog is hip tested, and no dog with marginal hips is bred or kept.
- The breeder stays active in NAVHDA.
- Puppies are matched to owners by temperament and by how each owner hunts.
How did the pudelpointer breed begin?
The pudelpointer was developed in Germany starting in 1881, when breeders crossed the German hunting poodle with the English pointer to create one dog for field, forest and water. From the poodle side came a love of water and a protective coat; from the pointer side came the nose and the instinct to point. The result is a trainable, eager dog that fits a hunter who does a bit of everything, which is how a lot of Interior hunting season plays out: grouse on the trail one weekend, ducks on a slough the next.
Because the breed is eager to please, a first-time pudelpointer owner in Fairbanks can usually make steady progress with patient, consistent training. Short daily sessions in summer, when the light lasts well into the night, are a good way to have a young dog ready for its first August on the birds.
Fairbanks pudelpointer FAQ
How far is Fairbanks from Foothill Kennel?
About 3,343 miles in a straight line to Flowery Branch, Georgia.
Is a pudelpointer a good grouse dog for Alaska?
Yes. It is a natural pointer with a strong nose, and it will also track and retrieve downed birds in heavy cover.
How do I get on the list for a Foothill Kennel puppy?
Call 678-316-6780 or reach out through the contact page. Litters are small and reserved early, and once you have talked it through, the breeder will work out the details with you.
Where can I buy gun dogs for sale in the Fairbanks area?
For pudelpointers, call Foothill Kennel and ask what is planned on the upcoming litters page, since pudelpointer litters are small and spoken for early.
Do pudelpointers shed a lot indoors?
No. The harsh coat is low shedding and needs only occasional brushing.
Pudelpointer puppies across Alaska
Foothill Kennel also serves pudelpointer buyers in Anchorage, Juneau, Wasilla, Sitka. See all pudelpointer breeders in Alaska, our upcoming litters, or contact the breeder – 678-316-6780.