Good morning, today’s blog post is a rather exciting twisting tale of a beautiful blue Weimaraner named Tessa. Tessa came to us from the beautiful state of Oregon and two wonderful breeders, Cliff and Shela, who has since become very good friends to me.
We met over the phone in 2008 and quickly became friends and bonded over our shared passion for our beloved Weimaraner. In talking with Cliff, I had mentioned my search for a quality blue Weimaraner from a solid hunting background. They had an available puppy meeting my criteria so I flew out to Oregon and stayed with them for a couple of days when I picked up Tessa.
Cliff was happy to teach me about whelping and rearing the wonderful Weimaraner, and I really enjoyed my time there. When I returned from Oregon with Tessa, I was giddy with excitement. I trained with her daily, got her basic obedience done, and sent her to a field trainer. She returned from the trainer with the basic knowledge to get the birds in the field. I registered her with AKC as Drehbar’s Breakin all the Rules because not only was she a blue Weimaraner, she also carried the longhair gene. Not long after, I started showing with IABCA ( International All Breed Canine Assoc., Inc. ), and she became Int CH Drehbar’s Breakin all the Rules. She was also a rock star in the field and went on many of my guided hunts.
About six months after I brought Tessa home another breeder had contacted me to tell me she was a junk dog and I should place her in a pet home and cull her from my breeding program because her hips were going to be crap and never pass OFA! I had only been breeding four years and was still naïve and uneducated in OFA and hip health. This breeder insisted that there was no way she would pass her hip testing because her mother had belonged to her and was dysplastic. Well, as you can imagine, I was crushed because I had already bonded with her and knew she was going to be a dream dog! So I decided to wait and see. I had also met through the wonderful Weimaraner an Amazing girl named Holly – who to this day is still my Best Friend! Holly worked at a leading reproductive Clinic in West Michigan – the owner recommended doing an OFA prelim on her at 6 months to see where I stood before investing money into her future. Once the x-rays were taken I was immediately called to the consultation room– both the veterinarians and the techs were smiling ear to ear! She had beautiful hips – I was so relieved. I showed her in IABCA and I hunted with her and when she turned two we had her official OFA x-rays done and they came back Excellent! Cliff & Shela and I were not surprised we never lost our faith. I had also since purchased Feebie from them (Tessa’s full sister) she also came back with Excellent hips and earned her International Title.
When Tessa had her first litter, the same breeder mentioned above, contacted all of the puppy buyers I had via Facebook to let them know the puppies would be crap because of who Tessa’s mother was. Thankfully, I had already explained to my buyers Tessa’s unorthodox history.
Because I had led with honesty, all the puppies had great new homes!
This weekend at 11 years old Tessa went on a hunting trip with one of my executive clients who just wanted a dog to go in the field point & retrieves his birds. He brought her back Sunday with a bag full of birds and a huge smile on his face & I honestly think Tessa was smiling too.
I’m so glad I didn’t let one person steal my dreams. I am thankful for the people God and the wonderful Weimaraner have brought into my life.
Over the years, I learned most everyone has your best interest at heart; however, there are always a few who wish otherwise. Some people want to see you fail and plant the seeds for your failure. Others encourage you quietly, and some (like Holly) yell and scream words of encouragement. Strangely enough, the very breeder who said she was worth nothing purchased a grand daughter of Tessa’s from another breeder so I don’t think she was such a bad dog after all!
I will forever be grateful for my friendship with Cliff & Shela of Owyheestar Weimaraners and thank them for trusting me with their puppies over the years!
