Although we are motivated to develop labs that excel in field retrieving and hunting work, our puppies are bred with all around capabilities, intelligence, biddability, and desire to please. With appropriate socialization and training they will hold their own in obedience trials, agility, dock diving events, etc., and are simply superb companions.
Watch as I compare Jazzie's weekly development to Brady on the Training page
News and events:
March 25, 2023
Oct. 7, 2017
All puppies went home between Oct. 1 - 7. Here they are:
September 20, 2017
Well, I am very delinquent in updating news here. I will spare you any excuses, but much has happened to report on. In the interest of space and not diluting the important news I will keep it to a minimum . . .
Our puppies arrived on August 13. Mia delivered 10 gorgeous yellow and black pups. Mom and babies are all doing well. As of this writing, there is only one female still available for some lucky buyer. Please see our Current Litters page for photos.
This past weekend Brady earned his NAHRA Master Hunting Retriever (MHR) title. This is again quite an accomplishment for a you dog at 2yrs. 3 mos. old. His inaugural season in NAHRA has been very successful, qualifying in his first five out of five senior field tests. In the same weekend, Riley also qualified in the NAHRA Eastern Regional Field Test.
Our puppies arrived on August 13. Mia delivered 10 gorgeous yellow and black pups. Mom and babies are all doing well. As of this writing, there is only one female still available for some lucky buyer. Please see our Current Litters page for photos.
This past weekend Brady earned his NAHRA Master Hunting Retriever (MHR) title. This is again quite an accomplishment for a you dog at 2yrs. 3 mos. old. His inaugural season in NAHRA has been very successful, qualifying in his first five out of five senior field tests. In the same weekend, Riley also qualified in the NAHRA Eastern Regional Field Test.
August 13, 2017
Puppies are HERE!!! See our Current Litters page.
July 22, 2017
Congratulations to our training partner / leader Mark Schmiedeshoff and Ellie for two Amateur All Age wins this spring. They also competed in the National Amateur Retriever Championship in June.
October 8. 2016
|
Today, Brady turned 16 months old. He also completed his AKC Senior Hunter (SH) title in Chardon, OH. According to the statistics, this puts Brady in the youngest 2% of dogs to be certified at this level of retrieving competence. I think that's pretty elite company for the time being. He did it in fine fashion today, pinning all the marks, one whistling the land blind and lining the water blind. This is a testament to his excellent breeding (GMHR-I HPK's Hi-Brass Mr. Riley MH QAA x WR Fincher Waters Rising) and his personal work ethic and aptitude. Very proud of this young guy. Hoping to bring him to the NAHRA game next season. For now, maybe a Derby Field Trial or two and onto some real hunting.
|
June 20, 2016
Congratulations to training partners Karen Loh, Javier Perez and Max for qualifying in the 2016 NAHRA Invitational.
Brady and littermates turned one year old on June 8. Brady earned his AKC Junior Hunter title on June 11. Congratulations little buddy !
May 31, 2016
Running tribute pics to Toby on my (Jim Langa) FB page. Please feel free to connect.
May 5, 2016
It is with a very heavy heart that I announce the passing of GMHR-I HPK's Hi-Brass Toby on May 2, 2016. Toby was my retriever who started this all. He ignited my passion for retrieving dogs and influenced many friends to also become owners of hunting labs. If Toby had not been such an incredible dog there's a good possibility that Riley and Brady would not be in the fold now. Toby was never "just a dog" to me though. He has been by my side through some very difficult times and life changing events. For many years it was just Toby and me taking on the world together. He was my partner, my sidekick, my shadow, my rock. He will be forever loved and missed. Toby took a piece of me when he left which I give willingly because he gave me so much. Toby was my source of daily purpose and happiness. I am sad and lost and lonely and empty without him.
April 25, 2016
Congratulations Brady on going two for two in your first weekend of hunt tests. That's my boy !
Hi-Brass Rising MVP - "Brady" with his first AKC Junior Hunter ribbons April 23 - 24, 2016
March 27, 2016
Here are nine month old puppy pics of four of our kids out of last year's Riley x Riser litter:
Brady (Jim Langa)
Wyatt (Ray Klemm)
|
Sam (Miriam & Bruno Putze)
Tank (Nick Smith)
|
March 7, 2016
Brady and his littermates become 9 months old on Tuesday this week. I will try get some updates pictures posted soon. For Brady, progress in all aspects of his training has been great. He has learned everything I've tried to teach him and is a happy fellow in training sessions. His retrieving desire has really manifest itself in the past few months. What started slow as 7 week old puppy has become a real torrent as a nine month old.
Feb. 07, 2016
Sorry I've been gone for so long. Following the holidays, I had a business trip to Asia and subsequently became quite sick for a few weeks. I'm back in the saddle now so look for weekly updates on Brady's training.
I've had numerous inquiries for puppies recently. It's that time of year. Unfortunately, right now there are no puppy plans but I will keep my eyes and ears open for suitable opportunities.
I've had numerous inquiries for puppies recently. It's that time of year. Unfortunately, right now there are no puppy plans but I will keep my eyes and ears open for suitable opportunities.
Jan. 04, 2016
Happy New Year Everyone! I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and great holiday break. Sorry to be away so long. Looks like winter is finally going to set in here in the northeast. I guess it had to happen sometime. Let's hope we keep enough clear ground and mild temperatures over the next couple of months to keep some training progress going. The good news is the days are now actually getting longer, so that will help. Brady's training log for my absentee weeks is updated now and I will also try to get some 6 month puppy pictures posted soon.
Dec. 10, 2015
Riley x Riser pups turned six months old on June 8. We'll post an update in the coming weeks.
Dec. 3, 2015
In 2005 when I was stationed in Tulsa, Oklahoma, my boy Toby and I hunted wild pheasants in Kansas nearly every weekend of the 2005 - 2006 season. We returned for another short hunting trip early in the 2006-2007 season. Toby was in his prime then, and his hips could take the pounding, and I was 15 lbs. lighter and in much better shape. We wreaked havoc on birds all across SW Kansas. Since that time, our annual pheasant treks to the Great Plains have been exclusively to South Dakota. This year I decided to make a return trip to Kansas in mid-November. The workload was borne by Riley who is more than up to the task. Brady followed along as part of his apprenticeship and Toby provided the moral support and wisdom of years. We found lots of birds and had a great time. Below are a few pics from our trip.
|
|
|
Oct. 26, 2015
Well, Oct. 24 was the opening day of pheasant season in PA. I must say, I hate the crowds of meat hunters that find their way out to the fields on opening day. After about a half hour in the "mosh pit" and one bird in the bag, I departed with Riley for a much more peaceful grouse hunt. We flushed one grouse with no shot and had another wild flush nearby. Riley also flushed a hen pheasant in grouse cover that departed over my shoulder where I could not pull up on it. All-in-all it was a nice hunt with my boy.
Oct. 05, 2015
Here is an update on our puppies:
|
This is Brady at 16 weeks. Since I have been posting our weekly diary on the training page, I won't elaborate further except to say that he is quite a good looking boy!
|
|
Brady and Riley get along very well and love to play together.
|
|
From Ray Klemm: Wyatt is progressing nicely so far in his development.Each day that passes by,my little man makes strides at becoming the hunter that I know he will eventually be.Wyatt understands and obeys all of his commands by verbal,hang signal,and whistle at this point in his training. Treats are still being used to create a positive imprint but I've gradually been switching over to verbal praise as his award.The Retrieving process has been slow but day by day he likes it more and hes becoming very eager to fetch. He is aggressive to chase and will generally bring retrieved items back in my general area code. Wyatt loves to swim,he has a huge heart,and he believes that anybody he meets should be his best friend. I couldn't be happier with where my little buddy is in his training.
|
|
From Nick Smith: I'm writing to tell you about Tank at 16 weeks. He certainly
has grown from a puppy to a "toddler" if you will. He is a
complete joy to have around the house. He still likes to chew on the
straw broom from time to time, and we have learned our lesson about leaving the
computer cord plugged into the wall. We moved him into the full kennel at
10 weeks or so. He sleeps through the night
regularly. We have subscribed to Bill Hillmann's
"training a retriever puppy". I do not regularly train Tank with treats. If I use food, it is only to get Tank
to sit like a stone. We had to take some time working up excitement to retrieve but Tank
is a machine now. We work on double retrieves around corners so that he has to run
past me for the second one. He
retrieves to hand, but the first few throws he usually runs past me and then
comes back. After that, in true Tank fashion, he just plows into my
clapping hands for some loving. Things are really going great. He is a phenomenal pup, I
just have to do my part. We have a long way to go but I am
seeing great natural talent and drive. Thanks for a great pup and see you soon.
|
|
|
From Travis Boas: Hello. Odin
is doing ok. He's very
energetic and loves to play. He listens very well.... most of the time haha. He
has mastered many commands. He's quiet and for a puppy he's been extremely well behaved and
loves all people and animals.
|
|
Maggie and Carey came to visit me on October 7. Maggie is a sweet, energetic pup with tons of energy. She's learning her lessons and is destined to become a fine hunter and great house companion for Mom and the kids. She has an incredibly sweet disposition yet wouldn't back down from a little "rough and tumble" playtime with her (now bigger) brother.
|
|
|
Sam is a smart boy and knows his obedience commands. He loves play fetch. Sam has a beautiful, shiny coat, and looks like his daddy Riley.
|
Sept. 28, 2015
Riley x Riser puppies are 16 weeks old today. They are all developing nicely and should be ready to move into a new level of training.
August 31, 2015
Well, my amazing boy Riley fetched himself some new alphabets this weekend. It's been less than a year since we decided to take a shot at the Field Trial game, switching our focus away from the Hunt Test game. Riley won the Central New York Retriever Field Trial Qualifying Stake on Saturday. His marking performance and water "honesty" were simply awesome. Riley closed the deal by pinning a 360 yard water cheating mark. Of the final 10 dogs, only three entered water on this mark. With the win Riley achieves Qualified All Age (QAA) status and can move on to compete against other QAA dogs for championship points. This next step is like making the transition from college football to the NFL where you compete against the best of the best every time out. We are very grateful to our friend Mark Schmiedeshoff who's been our teacher, guide and training partner for the past three months and has made this possible for us, and also to Karen Loh, our friend and training partner for the past two years for her help.
August 24, 2015
Welcome Carrie Spencer and Bosco to our Monday training group. We're looking forward to great things from the two of you!
August 17, 2015
Riley and I made a small bit more progress this week. We finished the Empire Retriever Club Field Trial Qualifying Stake with a Reserve JAM (Judges' Award of Merit). This basically means we finished in fifth place which was ok considering our blind work this week was very sub-par. Overall we didn't do as well as last weekend, but this weekend we finished. Of the final seven dogs that went to the last series, all but Riley were professionally trained, and five of the seven were professionally handled at this trial. I have growing confidence we will put it all together at one of these trials in the near future.
August 10. 2015
Congratulations to our training partners Karen Loh and Max (GMHR-I HRCH UH Maxwell Edison of Liverpool MH) for qualifying in the 2015 NAHRA R.A.W. Invitational. Good job team !
Congratulations to all NAHRA friends qualifying in the Invitational.
Congratulations to all NAHRA friends qualifying in the Invitational.
I've decided to take this summer season for both Riley and I to learn about the Field Trial game and run a few "Q's". Riley's transition from Hunt Test to Field Trial dog took a couple steps in a positive direction this past weekend in Maryland. We are very thankful to Mark Schmiedeshoff, his wife Laurie and their neighbors/assistants Ed and Lorraine for the use of their training grounds and for all the help they've provided. On Friday at the Del Bay Retriever Club FT we had our first callbacks from a land double and then the land blind to the water blind. Well, we botched the water blind but progress was made. In Saturday's Labrador Retriever Club Inc. FT we made it all the way to the final water series (Sunday) with nine other dogs from the original field of forty-three. Riley was doing great and we were in position to "place in the money" and possibly even win if we could nail the last series. Here's how it went: Riley pinned the shot flyer "go bird" at 110 yds. He had a nice mark with only a short controlled hunt on the left-hand bird at 145 yds. The challenge was the long up the middle memory bird thrown angled back on land from 271 yds. to ~290 yds. Despite obstacles and suction Riley took the perfect line just cutting the tips of two right side points then swimming past the left side point through the channel and straight across open water, finally up on land with a great line for the pin but pulled up maybe 10 yards short and started to hunt. Another 10 yards and he would have stepped on the bird! Unfortunately after a long hunt short of the mark, Riley abandoned the fall area. I should have handled him to the bird but I lost my composure and let him get all the way over to the flyer station where I stopped him and called him in. In the reality of FT scoring, being six feet away and returning without a bird is no better than being in the next county. . . from ecstasy to agony in twenty seconds! But progress was made and we'll try again another day.
August 3, 2015
Jasmine moved to a new home this week. Welcome Carey to the Hi-Brass family!
Sam visited the Villa Camillus Nursing and Rehabilitation center this week. Wyatt went drag racing.
Sam visited the Villa Camillus Nursing and Rehabilitation center this week. Wyatt went drag racing.
July 27, 2015
All Hi-Brass puppies have gone to their new homes. We'll do our best to keep track of them as they grow up. See the "Going Home" pictures below.
 Brady, with Riley and yours truly
|
 Wyatt with Ray Klemm
|
 Sam with Miriam and Bruno Putze
|
 Maggie with Carey Bubacz
|
 Odin with Travis Boas
|
 Tank with Nick Smith
|