BISS GCHB Rush Hill’s Elementary, My Dear CD, RI, MH, WC, VCX, DDHF

When we first envisioned Silver Lining Farm, we asked Tonya for a dog capable of paving the way for what we wanted to do in the breed. From the day Sherlock arrived at Silver Lining Farm, we have done all we can to maximize his natural abilities, working to build the skills and conditioning for success in many venues.

He has accomplished every goal set for him, the latest being the prized Dual Dog Hall of Fame.  He has been to 4 Nationals, missing one due to COVID, and has won 4 triathlons – 3 with Master Hunter passes.  He earned a High in Trial in obedience before he was a year old.  He was Best of Winners at 13 months at Garden State Specialty under Barbara Pepper while earning the final leg of his CD.  He literally ran from his class to Novice B to Winners Dog to long sits and downs to BOB and finally he ended the day with Best Puppy all in temperatures over 90 degrees AND he was still ready to do more!   He has won two Best in Specialty Show – one under Jeffrey Pepper, and has several group placements with very limited showing as a special.  When you ask so much of a dog, you also have to give a lot…so every morning starts with Sherlock jumping in bed and telling us about his life. and then the day is filled with his antics.  He is the best big brother to Jinx, teaching him lots of good and a few bad things. “Big Red,” one of his many nicknames, has a heart of gold!  Whether he is fetching bumpers, letting us know someone is on the farm that isn’t supposed to be, crawling into your lap or clawing you because you are not giving him the attention he deserves, he has found a place deep in our hearts.

Part of our vision is to help bring some hunt test curiosity to the show world but also to bring some dog show curiosity to the hunt test world.  Sherlock said “hold my beer”.  At the National Dog Show in 2022 he was shown by Mike Ostrom who had never shown a dog before in his life.  The two participated in Best of Breed and had a grand time.  Sherlock showed Mike how to be a handler.  While there was no ribbon, Mike had a great introduction to the show world, thanks to Sherlock!

While there are lots of good stories to tell, well there are some not so good but funny stories.  One must always be careful when they visit as Sherlock often becomes a little too excited and if you aren’t watching closely, well let’s just say we warned you!

In the hunt test world, Sherlock has yet another name……MF.  Use your imagination and hopefully you can figure the meaning of MF after you read the story…

While transitioning to Senior Hunter and Master Hunter, Beth spent a lot of time on our property training Sherlock.  Some of the times were good……some not so good.  We were replacing the roof on the kennel and the person replacing the roof told Beth that he often hunted on an adjoining property and would watch her and listen to her train from his tree stand.  One day while the roofer was working, Beth came walking up the hill with Sherlock after training and the roofer said, “May I ask what his name is?  Is that MF?”  And so he had a new nick name.  We would tell the story at hunt tests and then Sherlock would make a decision to take himself out of the test or he would pleasure himself in the holding blind.  And everyone decided his name should be MF.  One thing is for sure, he is always looking for a way to live up to his name!  The hunt test world, at first, saw him as a show dog trying to get a master title, now they love watching him run and cheer for him as he does it.  He wandered into the flyer station at a recent hunt test, and the gunner (who knew who was running), gave him a back cast, and out he went and straight to the bird!!  That was the highlight of their day!!!

Anyone who has visited the farm knows that Sherlock has a BIG personality; he also has the inherited talent and foundational skills needed to continue expanding his accomplishments. A true love of obedience will bring the next title, as his CDX is on the horizon.

No matter what he is asked to do, he tries his hardest to please and brings laughter and joy to those who love him. The journey is far from over, and we are grateful Tonya trusted us with a dog who is truly capable of doing it all. It’s elementary, my dear!

… Kelly Shufflebottom & Beth Sokohl