Solo was a special arrival, conceived by artificial insemination by Carol Bardwick at Canine Cryobank, San Marcos, CA due to weather constraints with shipping Dyna to Illinois (where sire FC/AFC Sunrise Bullet lives) in February.  He was the only surviving pup from a litter of two, but seemed to have the qualities we were seeking in the combination from the moment he was born.  While Tony suggest the name  "Lone Ranger," Solo struck Diane as the perfect name for this only pup.   The fact that he vocalized like an opera singer immediately upon birth also supported the name.  As strongly as Diane felt about this breeding combination, however, it was worth it.  Apparent from the moment he hit the ground moving---I think he ran out of the womb--this boy was everything we hoped for from this combination. 

Solo was an adorably chubby puppy, with all the food at his disposal, he quickly grew to the size of pups twice his age.  At four weeks, we even entrusted him and Dyna with a pet sitter for a week while we vacationed on the islands, knowing that he was very vigorous and Dyna would take care of any special needs he might have.   As he grew his tri-coloration emerged, and we couldn't help but wonder if we had been sent a second Winston.  

He is a very friendly, happy, terribly handsome boy, with tons of exuberant bounce.  In fact, he has a trick just like a trained seal, where he jumps up and touches your nose with his -- a true sign of undying affection.  He loves to run and with his powerful chest he has quite an explosive take-off.  Luckily with all that power and drive, he is also a mild-mannered, fun-loving guy, wanting nothing more than to be friends with everyone he meets, including little puppies.   His nose, flush and awesome marking ability foretell a successful future.  His intelligence and biddability will serve him well to channel those physical assets.  Physically he is 48-50 #, with well-muscled chest and hindquarters, longer in the body than in legs, but still presenting an attractive and highly functional package, a large head with longer ears, light body coat but ample feathering, and a face full of character and freckles.

 Left: Happy Dog! 

After he turned a year old, still a pup but looking deceptively like a full-grown dog, Solo spent several months with Kurt Caldwell at HupNow Gundogs, being steadied, and learning what he needs to know to be a good hunting companion and trial dog.  Kurt ran him in the Puppy Stakes in UT, where he finished his first time out, and got a 4th place ribbon.   Solo started running all-age in the Antelope Valley Open Feb '05 (same day he won the puppy stakes) and completed two series.  At Green Valley in March '05, he won the puppy stakes AND finished the Amateur, in contention, but edged out for a placement, five series all in one day, getting better and better with each series.  We did not go to several of the WIC Spring trials because Dyna was in heat--and we were not going to go just to chase puppy points--but if we had Solo probably would have been #1 High Point Pup in the country.  As it is Solo is Western Interclub High Point Pup and # 2 in the nation.     Not too bad for a "lone ranger."

In addition to his field trial endeavors, Solo is a gun dog with incredible stamina.  He works for his handler without a whistle, naturally working whatever terrain and cover he encounters.  He has hunted wild quail with zest; wild chukkar with extreme perseverance (not to mention disregard for the rocky, shale-cover mountains he was traversing for hours), and will finally get some wild pheasant this fall (not so easy to find here in Southern California). He loves water so he will get some duck work this fall also.  His enthusiasm, persistence and easy teamwork make him a really fun hunting companion. 

2010:

1st Amateur, Northern Minnesota English Springer Spaniel Club, Pequot Lakes, MN, April 24-25, 2010

2008-9

Lots of (human) family health issues prevented consistent training and trialing. In fact, no trials were run in fall 2008 or 2009. 

2007:

4th Amateur, Green Valley ESSC, Gustine, CA, March 17, 2007

2006:

No placements, but finished a couple Amateur stakes

Water Test for championship, Northern Colorado, October 8, 2006

Continued a few more Puppy Stakes in 2005:

1st Puppy, ESS Club of Southern California, Porterville, CA, Feb 5, 2005

2nd Puppy, Arrowhead ESS Club, Porterville, CA, Feb 20, 2005

1st Puppy, Antelope Valley ESSC, Porterville, CA, Feb 21, 2005 

1st Puppy, Green Valley SSC, Santa Nella, CA, March 19, 2005 

Finished the Amateur at Green Valley FT, Solo was < 2 years of age

Solo started out in 2004:

4th Puppy, Utah ESS Club, Tremonton, UT, Sept 2004 (first puppy start!)

1st Puppy, Antelope Valley ESSC, Helm, CA, Nov 2004 

 Solo is OFA-Good, ACVO Clear (6/03, 10/05, 11/06),  PFK- Normal/non-carrier, and a proven producer. 

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