We are Larry and Mary Friedricks of Tucson, Arizona
and are the owners of Cactus Country Kennels. Larry, a lifelong
hunter has owned many wonderful hunting dogs. He truly loves the
Braque du Bourbonnais. The reasons are many but the most important
attributes to Larry are a cheerful enthusiasm, easy disposition,
birdiness and a dedication to retrieving.
Larry’s first Braque du Bourbonnais
picked him out in Centralia, Kansas in 2002. Pheasant Peak
Andy, our Brock, followed
him around the kennel, making it clear that he was “the
one”.
Several hours earlier Larry had stopped at the local
Cabela’s in Nebraska and learned about this breed
of hunting dog from the clerk who was planning a visit
the following weekend. It was ONLY a 5-hour drive and his
hunting trip was nearing the end.
Since Larry was hunting with a 12 year old English Setter
he knew he was in the market for a new hunting companion.
Brock quickly became man’s best friend and an important
member of the family.
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Because of Brock’s incredible natural
hunting ability and great fit for the family, we decided
to search for the perfect Braque du Bourbonnais mate.
We found that in a puppy from Idaho and she
was certainly well worth the drive from Tucson to pick
her up. Elk Run Emmy also possessed the same insatiable
drive to point, retrieve and swim. Our breeding program
was off to a wonderful start.
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While, initially, we were only looking for
a superior hunting partner for Larry, we got so much more.
The sweet, gentle disposition of these dogs also makes
them the perfect family pet.
They will bark and defend the home front
when strangers come around. Please only consider one of
these dogs if you can include them in your family life.
They do not do well when only kenneled and taken out to
hunt. They fit best when they are included and loved.
Cactus Country Kennels produced our first
litter in 2003. Emmy was the perfect mom to eight incredible
puppies, four liver females and four fawn males.
All went to hunting homes and the reports
back to us have been incredible. There were puppies retrieving
at 8 wks, swimming at 10 wks and fitting beautifully into
the family…a breeder’s dream, happy hunters!
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One of the females from that first litter
went to a home where they were unable to hunt or train
her for the first eight months. Imagine their surprise
when they looked into the back yard and saw her pointing
a sparrow.
Ten minutes later, they saw her with the bird in her mouth.
Now, that is dedication to the art of bird hunting.
We are very fortunate that our first sire
and dam are able to produce the much sough after fawn or “peach
blossom” color of Braque du Bourbonnais.
Our second litter included five liver and
three fawns. We have also added to our breeding program
BH’s Lanie and her father Chateaus Fantom Fighter,
a direct descendant of two of the first imported Bourbonnais
to the U.S.
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The goal of Cactus Country Kennels is to produce
Braque du Bourbonnais with superior hunting instincts and abilities.
These dogs while still considered rare, need to be affordable
to the average hunter. As of May, 2006 approximately 450 are
registered in the United States.
All puppies receive their first puppy shot
and a thorough examination from our Vet before leaving our home
and kennel. We socialize them with children, adults and other
dogs. We introduce them to a wing and a live bird. We work diligently
to ensure the high standards of the Braque du Bourbonnais.
Whether you are hunting upland game in the Midwest or quail
in the deserts of Arizona, you will find that the Braque du Bourbonnais
is exactly the hunting companion you are looking for. If you
are currently hunting with an older dog we have had wonderful
results with mangosteen and minerals for arthritis and joint
pain. Check out www.myvemma.com/marysvemma.
