That clarification having been issued . . . < g >
The reason this little girl is so special is that she was bred by the lady who is the premier field trial breeder in all of the U.S. and Canada. Field trials are for the retriever breeds - Labrador Retrievers, Goldens, Chessies, Flat Coats, and a few oddballs like the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. They test the dog's ability to retrieve game -- like hunt tests, only field trials are more difficult and technical, and the dogs compete against each other rather than against a standard as we do in the hunt tests. The really really big field trial is the Nationals, held once a year. In twelve years, Mary Howley bred nine National Champions (the very best retrieving dog in the U.S.) and she has dogs that are consistently trainable, fast, birdy, and good hunters.
She bred my first dog's mother, and I was so impressed with Shelley's performance as a retriever, even though she started retrieving very late (she was almost 3), that I wanted to get another Candlewood dog. So, lots of telephone calls and correspondence later, here she is!
LOL!
I used to take my *swamp collies* into the field, but I'm afraid of gators down here in S. FL. I wish I could move back to TX!!!!
susie