Autumn Fire GSP's Philosophy

  At Autumn Fire GSP Kennels we breed, train, hunt, and test Hillhaven Hustler bred dogs. After several years of searching with variable results we started to see that the Hustler dogs work best for our needs. We particularly liked the Cebourn, West Wind, and Walnut Hill dogs.  Most of our dogs originated from these kennels which, we believe, breed the best foot hunting dogs available. 

  All of our stud dogs have AKC Master titles.  All of our bitches have Master passes and are on their way to titles when maternity and test schedules work out.  All of our dogs earn their keep as guide dogs and family hunting dogs, so we rarely have Fall puppies. 

  All Autumn Fire dogs have been trained and handled exclusively by Jerry Hills, without the benefit of professional training.  In spite of this, they have successfully competed in Hunt Tests while continuing to hunt wild birds.  We believe training should be enhancing natural ability.  Our puppies have natural point, honor and retrieving instincts.  They will be biddable dogs that find birds and look good in the field.

  So, if you want a puppy that has sense enough to train easily, fire enough to be exciting to hunt over, heart stopping points, natural honoring and retrieving instincts, and will be a companion and house dog that will like hanging out with you… Give us a call at Autumn Fire Kennels.  We might have just what you need or will know someone who does.

  We also offer several Master Hunter titled stud dogs that are OFA, CERF and cardiac tested, DNA profiled, and bred from long line of AFC, NFC and Shoot-to-Retrieve dogs.  

  If you need professional dog training, preserve hunting or other dog related items, we recommend our Orvis Endorsed friends Chad, Jodie and Hunter Hines at Willow Creek Kennels and hunting.

  We are always ready to talk dogs!

-Jerry Hills
 Autumn Fire GSPs
 Aitkin, Minnesota USA
 Kennel phone: 218 821 8672 
 Home phone: 218 927 3819
 Click to Email: Jerry

June 2009:

On June first, 2009, we started our second decade with German Shorthairs.  I think of the statement, "You've come a long way baby". 

We've come from shooting a few birds over barely trained runaway dogs to hunting over wonderful dogs that are exciting to watch, easy to train, people oriented dogs that are great companions and hunting dogs.  We've come from hunting over pointing dogs that flushed most birds out of range to finished dogs that are steady to wing, shot and fall; and retrieve to hand, honor and have respect for other dogs in the field and kennel.  We have trained all of our own dogs or our dogs have trained us. We have trained and handled Five AKC master hunters all remain in our kennel as stud dogs, brood dogs, guide and hunting dogs and one old retired dog.  Our last two master dogs went 6 for 9 and 6 for 8 respectively, in a field where average success is 30%. 

Babe was the highest point dog in three of her last four tests with 35 dogs in two of them. She passed four straight after taking last year off to have puppies. 

Babe with Jerry after completing her Master Title

We do pointing dog demonstrations for Pheasants Forever youth days, Game Fair and advanced hunter education programs. We are members of GSPC of MN, GSPC Of America, Pheasants Forever and the Ruffed Grouse Society. 

We will continue to breed Linebred Hustler dogs and not go with the dog that is the popular dog of the day… because that will change tomorrow. We will stick with our goal of breeding kind social dogs that can travel and hunt with us, and we will be proud of them as they spread out across the country and do well in whatever field their new owners choose.  We will honestly evaluate every puppy we breed. In spite of what some breeders would like you to believe, not every pup is destined for greatness. But, the odds get better if you breed good dogs with good dogs that are genetically close.

The last ten years have been a great experience and we hope to have many more.  Enjoy our website and maybe we will meet in the field or on the test circuit.

                                                                                
Thank You,
Jerry and Connie

 
 English Springer Spaniels:

• FieldBredSpringer.com   Field Trial, Hunting, and Companion English Springer Spaniels.