Result: National Walking Shooting Dog Futurity

Location: Houtzdale, Pennsylvania

Post Date: Jul 15, 2025

Submitted By: Al Fazenbaker

National Walking Shooting Dog Futurity (l-r): Chris Catanzarite with Backcountry Fearless, Andy Bogar (judge), Nick Mellon, Russ Fazio with Hitail Roxy Afield, Bob Wheelock (judge), Colin Bishop, Tony Napolitano with Waybetter Star, Norm Meeder, Patti Chelednik, Carl Bishop, Krysta Munden, Dave Park, and Tyler Bowser with Backcountry Jacob.

It is said the bird dog champions are cast in the fires of futurities; the National Walking Shooting Dog Futurity has been a testament to that reality since its inception in 1990. Multiple champions had their start in this Futurity, and chances are this year will be no different. The 35th running of the NWSDF, conducted on April 11 through April 13, displayed a plethora of high-quality dogs, many who will not only go on to be champions in their own right, but also phenomenal bird dogs and hunting companions for their owners. This is the purpose of futurities, and it is a solemn responsibility of our bird dog community to support them and participate by nominating high-quality litters.

This year's NWSDF was marked again by an outstanding entry of 76 dogs in the Futurity, Gene Ulhman Puppy Classic, and Open Shooting Dog. This is the second year in which the NWSDF has garnered such an entry; 20 litters were nominated, and derbies from 15 of those litters competed.

This year's winner placements for the 2025 National Walking Shooting Dog Futurity were:
1st: Backcountry Fearless (PF)
Springflow's Backcountry P
x Apple Annie's Sweet Delight
Owned, bred, and handled by Chris Catanzarite.
2nd: Hitail Roxy Afield (ESF)
Dun Rovens Zip
x Castle Rock's Autumn Breeze
Owned and handled by Russ Fazio and bred by Robert King.
3rd: Waybetter Star (PF)
Miller's Upgraded Version
x County Line Sky
Owned and handled by Carl Bishop and bred by Anthony Napolitano.
4th: Backcountry Jacob (PM)
Springflow's Backcountry P
x Apple Annie's Sweet Delight
Owned, bred, and handled by Chris Catanzarite.

A national caliber event such as this Futurity does not simply happen. Many hours of work must be accomplished prior to the event, and many hands must be present to make the weekend happen. We are fortunate to have an incredible group of field trialers and field trial friends who were able and willing to lend a hand, ensuring this futurity went off without a hitch. Thanks first and foremost to Krysta Munden, secretary and treasurer of the NWSDF, who organized this event from the beginning, ensuring that all the pieces came together, and then was an integral part of the weekend event. She truly was the glue that held everything together! Also, a huge thanks to Dave Park, stake manager, who made sure dogs were on the line, the courses were well stocked, and the stakes flowed in a timely manner. Norm Meeder, president of the NWSDF, was our bird planter, a full-time job with this entry, and he worked tirelessly to ensure birds were available to participants. NWSDF Vice President Joe Cammisa was central to procuring judges for the trial. Al Fazenbaker, reporter for the trial, rode every brace to ensure coverage for each participant and their handler. Hall of Famer Dave Hughes and his son Mark Hughes were present the entire weekend and donated use of their side-by-sides so that the trial could move at an acceptable pace. Deb Fazenbaker designed and published the Futurity booklet, which includes information and history of the NWSDF, as well as information on previous winners. Please, if you have not already done so, be sure to check out the advertisements in the booklet and patronize those vendors who purchased ads in the booklet. These vendors are essential, helping to defray the cost of the futurity, and they deserve our support.

Several folks also donated items to the NWSDF, and their donations are most appreciated. First, a huge thank you to Greg Blair, representing Purina, for donating bags of dog food to the winners and sponsoring the Saturday evening dinner. If you're shopping for a high-quality, research-based dog food, think Purina. Speaking of food, special thanks to Sarah Deline Gomes, who worked to procure the Muddy Paws Brewery for the Futurity dinner. This establishment was a great venue, with wood-fired pizza, locally brewed wines and crafted beers, and a very nice venue to hang out and visit with friends and family. And better yet, only five minutes from the trial grounds! Thank you, Sarah! A big thank you to Jim Moorehouse of SportDOG , who donated a SportDOG collar, which was raffled off to assist with the Futurity budget. SportDOG makes a very reliable and dependable collar, and you are encouraged to consider SportDOG when you are in the market for a collar. Last but not least, thank you to Chris Ingram, Publications Manager at United Kennel Club, who donated a one-year subscription to the American Field Sportsman's Journal to all Futurity placement winners.
I would be remiss not to mention the strong support of our professional trainers, who supported this trial with their entries. Kudos to Mark Hughes, Robert Ecker, Tony Bingham, and Nick Mellon. Without professionals in our sport, there would be a reduced quality and quantity of bird dogs. Thank you.

I'm sure I missed some folks who helped out, and I apologize, and thank you for your service to our sport. We need volunteers like you to keep our sport strong and moving forward.
This year's venue for the NWSDF was Warriors Mark Wingshooting Lodge & Kennels. Located in Ginter, Pennsylvania, these grounds offer a very suitable venue for running and observing bird dogs. With over 2,700 acres of reclaimed strip-mine land, the terrain is a mixture of grain plots, native grasses, and brush, interspersed with wooded areas, as well as streams, wetlands, and ponds. The Futurity course began with a long straight breakaway, hitting a cluster of conifers where birds were typically to be found. Breaking through the conifers, the course continued on through a brief area of native grasses, then running into some heavier brush and woodland. Breaking out of the woods, the course dropped into an open area, trending to the left, and into another wide area of native grasses. The course then headed back to the staging area, working through a mix of woods and native grasses. Birds were plentiful and could be found at any part of the course venue.

This year, the NWSDF ran the event over three days, which permitted more flexibility with stakes and was especially helpful in staging the event in central Pennsylvania's often cantankerous weather that is so typical of April. Weather for the Futurity weekend was varied; on Friday and Saturday, there was constant rain, with gusting winds, making for a miserable overall weather pattern coupled with extremely muddy conditions around the staging area. On Sunday, the rain backed off, and the conditions were much more tolerable, although the muddy conditions prevailed.
And now to the braces...

Gene Ulhman Puppy Classic
Judges: Dave Park, Uniontown, Pennsylvania, and Norm Meeder, Rochester, Pennsylvania
The Gene Uhlman Puppy Classic is named after the iconic Gene Uhlman, a native of western Pennsylvania, where he began his love for field trial bird dogs while attending Charleroi High School, south of Pittsburgh. Gene was a high school teacher, but his love of bird dogs eventually changed his career, and he became a full-time dog trainer until his death in 1992. Gene developed numerous winning dogs, including Counterdrive, Countercharge, Keystone Skeezix, Elhew Link's Jewel, Rollin Rebel, and many others. The National Walking Shooting Dog Futurity is pleased to name this Puppy Classic in his honor.
Sixteen eager puppies entered and ran the Uhlman Classic this year. Rising to the top to take the blue was Hitail Rolling Dixie, a pointer female out of Hifives Rolling Stone x Speed Dialing Kaia. Under the direction of owner Russ Fazio, Dixie showed a vigorous and forward race; the Warriors Mark open ground suited this girl, and she took advantage, gobbling up the grounds and pushing to the edge. In second place was Lizard Creek's All Zoom, a pointer female handled by Robert Ecker. Rounding out the placements was Double Deuce Dillan Oats, owned and handled by Doug McMillen Jr.

Gene Ulhman Puppy Classic (l-r): Russ Fazio with Hitail Rolling Dixie, Krysta Munden, Robert Ecker with Lizard Creek's All Zoom, Norm Meeder (judge), Dave Park (judge), and Sarah Deline Gomes with Double Deuce Dillan Oats.

Houtzdale, Pa., April 11
Judges: Norm Meeder and Dave Park
GENE UHLMAN PUPPY CLASSIC - 11 Pointers and 3 Setters
1st-HITAIL ROLLING DIXIE, F1714644, pointer female, by Hifive's Rolling Stone-Speed Dialing Kaia. Russ Fazio, owner and handler.
2d-LIZARD CREEK'S ALL ZOOM, F1710164, pointer female, by Grouse Hill Rambo-All On. Marissa Everett, owner; Robert Ecker, handler.
3d-DOUBLE DEUCE DILLAN OATS, F1713581, pointer male, by Cal Peak Hundredth Meridian-Double Deuce Sage. Doug McMillen Jr., owner and handler.

2025 National Walking Shooting Dog Futurity
Judges: Andy Bogar of Berwick, Pennsylvania, and Bob Wheelock of Thompsonville, Michigan
Glassilaun Gladiator (PM/Ecker) and Green Valley Sunkist Sue (PF/Bingham). Breaking away in the rain, Gladiator was found standing, but only a pile of feathers could be produced. He scored a nice find at 6, with Sue backing; a bird was produced after a very nice relocation effort, and very classy in appearance. Both dogs finished strong.

Backcountry Jacob (PM/Catanzarite) and Wildland Church On The Hill (PM/Munden). Jacob scored the first find of this brace in the conifers and looked good doing so. He scored again, with the bird lifting wild, and dragging his bracemate into a chase. Jacob scored twice more at 10 and 25; he showed a powerful forward effort, yet handled very nicely. Church scored at 20 and showed a forward race, but was sometimes a bit wild in application. Both dogs finished, and Jacob was rewarded with a fourth-place finish.

Hitail Roxy Afield (ESF/Fazio) and Monroe's Styxx (PF/Monroe). Roxy scored in the conifers at 5 with Styxx honoring; both dogs showed very classy demeanor. Both dogs were found standing at 10 with Styxx honoring, but only feathers could be found in front of Roxy. Roxy went on to score again at 15 and 25, showing broke manners and demonstrating a good connection with her handler. Styxx bumped a bird at 17 but stopped on command. Both dogs finished to the front, with Roxy reaching to the limits.

Caliber Peak Pining For The Sea (PF/Gomes) and Island Attraction (ESF/Ecker). Both dogs showed a nice medium-range race. The pointer had two finds at 5 and 10 and gave a hard chase to both. The setter honored the first find, then found her own bird at 12, displaying broke manners. Both dogs had bird contact at 20, but it was unclear what the situation was. Both dogs finished forward.

Wildland Nick of Time (PM/Munden) and Lucky Bee's Outlaw (PM/Catanzarite). Nick of Time scored the first find at 5, with Outlaw backing. Outlaw then went hunting, scoring two limb finds in places no other dog has ventured into. Nick suffered a nonproductive at 24, but then scored at 26, with nice derby manners on his bird. Both dogs showed a pleasant medium race and finished forward.

County Line Storm (PM/Napolitano) and Mohawk Mill Big Trouble (PM/Bingham). Trouble and Storm broke away with a fast forward race; Trouble was found standing at the conifers with Storm honoring. Moving forward, Storm suffered a nonproductive at 13 and then honored a find by his bracemate at 20. Both dogs showed a wide and forward race, with Trouble edging out his bracemate and showing a bit more mature application. Both dogs finished strong and to the front.

Decoy Lakes Charlie (PM/Bingham) and Wildland Heart Breaker (PF/Munden). Charlie had a short tenure and was on the leash after a nonproductive at 5. Heart Breaker scored her first find at 7, with a little movement after the flush. She suffered a nonproductive at 15 and finished with a medium range to the front.

Backcountry Fearless (PF/Catanzarite) and Backwoods Dine & Dash (PM/Hughes). Dash pointed at 5, but no bird could be produced. Backcountry Fearless, the winner of the NWSDF, scored her first find at 8, with excellent manners. She backed her bracemate at 10, showing good composure as Dash moved on the bird. Dash suffered an additional nonproductive at 15. Fearless stretched out in the open area and moved forward to score again at 25, showing impeccable manners. Dash was lost at time, and the tracker pulled. Fearless finished strong and to the front.

Hypointe Monarch Express (PF/Mellon) and Highlander's High Voltage (ESM/Hughes). Voltage pointed in the conifers at 4, with Express honoring, but no bird was produced. Express suffered a nonproductive at 10, then scored her first find at 15, showing broke manners on her game. Voltage was not pleasing his handler and was on the leash at 17. Express had an additional nonproductive at 25 and finished the brace with a medium race.

County Line Rain (PF/Chelednik) and Deb's Jane (ESF/Ecker). Rain scored the first find of the brace, with Jane honoring, until Rain opted to put the bird to flight. Jane scored her first find at 10, showing broke manners. Rain scored her second find, again with some movement after the flush. She showed a powerful race, with several nice casts to finish. Jane scored her second find at 28, a nice lateral find displaying broke manners. She showed a pleasing medium and forward race to finish.

Waybetter Patch (PM/Bishop) and Mojo's Winston Joy (ESM/Hughes). Both dogs were found standing at the conifers at 5, and a divided find was carded, with both dogs moving slightly on the flush. Patch scored at 10 with Joy honoring. Joy scored at 15 and again at 22 with a nice lateral find. He scored again at 28 and finished to the front, showing a strong race. Patch likewise scored a find at 22 and finished strong and to the front.

Waybetter Star (PF/Bishop) and Bowsers Backcountry Mickey (PM/Bowser). Waybetter Star, the third-place winner of the Futurity, scored her first find at 5 in the conifers and gave a hearty chase on the flush. He scored his second find at 8, with some steps on the flush. He moved on to score three additional finds at 15, 18, and 28, showing broke manners on these finds. Mickey pushed a bird at 29 and gave a hearty chase, bringing Star into the action. Mickey was on the leash, and Star finished strong and to the front.

Huckleberry's Elhew Dreamer (PF/Avillion) and Suemac's Wicked Heat (PM/Hughes). Dreamer was on the leash early, not pleasing the handler. Heat suffered several unproductives and showed a short race.

Judges: Andy Bogar and Bob Wheelock
NATIONAL WALKING SHOOTING DOG FUTURITY - 21 Pointers and 5 Setters
1st-BACKCOUNTRY FEARLESS, F1705245, pointer female, by Springflow's Backcountry P-Apple Annie's Sweet Delight. Chris Catanzarite, owner and handler.
2d-HITAIL ROXY AFIELD, F1705101, setter female, by Dun Rovens Zip-Castle Rock's Autumn Breeze. Russ Fazio, owner and handler.
3d-WAYBETTER STAR, F1709676, pointer female, by Miller's Upgraded Version-County Line Sky. Carl Bishop, owner and handler.
4TH-BACKCOUNTRY JACOB, F1705244, pointer male, by Springflow's Backcountry P-Apple Annie's Sweet Delight. Chris Catanzarite, owner and handler.

Open Shooting Dog
Judges: Andy Bogar of Berwick, Pennsylvania, and Bob Wheelock of Thompsonville, Michigan
Caroline (PF/Munden) and Mohawk Mill War Hawk (PM/Bingham). Both dogs ranged quickly to the front; Caroline was noted to be standing at 5, but self-released and moved on. Hawk was found standing at 6, with a bird produced and good manners displayed. He scored again at 15 and again at 29, showing a classy and forward race to finish. Caroline pointed at 20 but moved on the flush and was on the leash.

Penny (PF/Hughes) and Blue Water Reb (PM/Bingham). Penny scored the first find of this stake, with a nice lateral and forward find. Reb was found standing at 10, with Penny honoring. Penny scored again at 15, with a little movement on the flush. Reb honored, but was on the leash after relocating on his back. Penny scored again at 22, with excellent manners. She showed a classy and forward race to finish.

Warrior Zeke (PM/Hughes) and Denver (PM/Park). Denver was found standing at 5 near the conifers, but did not produce a bird. Zeke pointed close by, and a bird lifted; he showed good manners. Zeke pointed again at 10, in the woods, but no bird was produced. He was found standing again at 14, with a bird produced from a good distance. Denver suffered an additional nonproductive at 20, but was then found standing at 23, where he showed good manners as the bird lifted. Zeke scored an additional find at 26, and Denver ditto at 27. Both dogs finished forward.

Mohawk Mill Knight Hawk (PM/Bingham) and Sadie (PF/Hughes). Hawk carded a nonproductive at 5, with Sadie backing. Moving forward, both dogs turned and pointed, and a divided find was marked for the dogs; the bird was deceased, but still warm. Hawk scored a nice limb find at 13, on the big hill going into the open area; Sadie suffered a nonproductive at the same time. She was found standing at 15, with good manners shown on a single. Hawk scored again at 25 with Sadie honoring, and again at time. He looked classy on point and showed a powerful race throughout. Sadie likewise showed a strong forward race and finished to the front.

Smoke Rise Doc (PM/Bingham) and Dusty (PF/Hughes). Doc was on the leash early, not pleasing his handler. Dusty was up at 5 after moving on a bird.

Spec (PF/Hughes) and Flex (PF/Catanzarite). Flex scored the first find of the sixth brace, with Spec honoring. She pointed again at 10, with some tail movement before the flush. Spec scored a find at 12, and Flex followed with a nice find at 13. She scored again at 18, again with some tail movement prior to the flush. Spec scored again at 26, in the pocket near the end of the course; Flex was on the leash after failing to honor. Spec finished strong and to the front.

Bit (PF/Hughes) and Chuck (PM/Munden). Chuck was not seen after the breakaway, and the tracker was pulled at 15. Bit scored a nice lateral find at 4, to the left of the breakaway edge; she scored again at 10, 18, and 20, all with excellent manners on her birds. She suffered a nonproductive at 25 and finished strong to the front.

Molly (ESF/Hughes) and The Treasure Chest (PM/Monroe). Molly suffered a nonproductive at 5 near the conifers and then shared a find with Chest at 10. Moving forward, Chest showed a wide and forward race, with several impressive casts to the front. He scored again at 25, with some tail movement on the flush. Molly finished to the front with a medium race; Chest dominated with a strong push to the finish.

River (RSM/Fazenbaker) and Miles (PM/McMillen). River and Miles shared a divided find at 5; River scored two additional finds at 22 and 25 but was on the leash after bumping a bird at 28. Miles was on the leash at 15 after deciding to go with the bird as it lifted.

Wayne (PM/Munden) and Buddy (PM/Bowser). Wayne scored the first find at 5, with Buddy honoring. Wayne scored again at 15 and then backed Buddy at 20. Both dogs showed an exceptionally wide range; Wayne was in the judge's sights, just missing the placements; Buddy showed the range, but was lacking in handling.

Blaze (PM/Hughes) and Mohawk Mill Hombre (PM/Bingham). Blaze was found standing at 5; Hombre came in but showed no interest in honoring and was on the leash. Blaze scored again at 15, with some ticking as the handler moved forward to flush. He suffered a nonproductive at 22 and scored again at 27. He showed a strong race but shortened a bit in the last 10 minutes.

Lola (PF/Munden) and My Way Coal Train (PM/Bingham). Both of these dogs showed a wide and forward race. Coal Train scored the first find at 10, with Lola honoring. Lola scored at 25 with Coal Train backing. Coal Train showed exceptional casts in the open areas, hitting objectives with shooting dog maturity; his efforts gave him the blue for this stake.

Mohawk Mill Shake Up (PM/Monroe) and Sage (PF/McMillen). Sage was on the scoreboard at 4 with a nice find at the conifers; Shake Up honored. Sage scored again at 8, again with Shake Up backing. Shake Up scored at 20 after a very nice forward cast in the bottom. Sage likewise scored a breathtaking cast, rewarded with a find to the front, with Shake Up honoring. She scored again at 26 and finished hard to the front to take the second-place spot in the stake.

Zeke (PM/Hughes) and Rufus (RSM/Fazenbaker). Zeke scored a single find in the brace and showed a moderate pace. Rufus was found standing at 7, showing good manners on the bird. He had a stop to flush at 20, and an additional find at 25, showing a moderate race to finish.

Lenni (RSM/Fazenbaker) and Sumac's Wicked Sister (PF/Bingham). Sister was found standing, but was on the leash after a misstep on a relocation. Lenni scored finds at 5, 20, 23, 25, and at time, showing good manners on all his birds. He showed a moderate and forward race.

Emert's Grouse Ringer T (ESM/Bingham) and Jack (PM/McMillen). Jack was seen standing at 5 near the conifers; Tee decided to point that bird as well, and he was on the leash. Jack suffered a nonproductive at 15, and then had a find at 20, albeit with a self-relocation before the flush. He suffered a second nonproductive at time, and showed a fairly short race, and finished to the front.

Cricket (PF/Hughes) and Smoke Rise Jake (PM/Bingham). Jake and Cricket shared a find at 5, with Cricket showing a slight movement. Jake scored at 15 in the open area and showed a classy demeanor. Cricket was found standing in a tree line below the hill, scoring a nice wing find. Jake scored at 25 with Cricket honoring, reaching forward with a powerful race to finish. His efforts earned a third-place finish.

Remember, Futurities are the future of our sport. Support the National Walking Shooting Dog Futurity with your litter nominations and entries. Hope to see you next year!

OPEN SHOOTING DOG - 31 Pointers, 2 Setters, and 3 Irish Setters
1st-MY WAY COAL TRAIN, F1700554, pointer male, by Bonner's Excalibur-Hirollins Canadian Mist. J. D. Waters, owner; Tony Bingham, handler.
2d-DOUBLE DEUCE SAGE, F1673986, pointer female, by Double Deuce Peter-Funseeker's Holiday. Doug McMillen Jr., owner and handler.
3d-SMOKE RISE JAKE, F1684876, pointer male, by Stoney Run's Buddy-Smoke Rise Mariah. P. F. Rose, owner; Tony Bingham, handler.

Open Shooting Dog (l-r): Cliff Monroe with My Way Coal Train, Andy Bogar (judge), Bob Wheelock (judge), Doug McMillen with Double Deuce Sage, Tony Bingham, and Mark Hughes with Smoke Rise Jake.