Hi Craig,

I have had my first hunt with Axel yesterday. Axel's performance exceeded my expectations by far. He has great strength, speed and agility. The first fifteen minutes into the hunt he pointed to a nice cock pheasant which I shot. He never retrieved it but when I approached him he had his paw on the bird waiting for me to pick it up.

We enjoyed a very successful day of hunting.

Fred
Calgary, Alberta

Hello Craig, Just wanted to drop you a line and let you know once again that I appreciated all your work with our GSP, Max. Over the past few weeks, I've really been able to finally see what a great foundation you gave him. Now that we've had some time together in the field, Max responds very well to me. He adheres to "whoa" and here very well, even at great distances, and our relationship seems to get better every time we go out. I introduced him to water recently, as well, and he happily retrieves from the water now with enthusiasm. I had an opportunity to run him this past weekend in an AKC Junior Hunt Test. We went so I could see Max get on a couple birds and I could meet some folks with similar interests. He performed well and qualified easily both days. Max was very proud as was I, and I happily credited you and your kennel for all the hard work. We were also able to do some training, staging a couple chukar for him to point. He did so well, and retrieved them both after they flushed and were shot. We had no issue with the hard mouth and ,as you suggested, I fed him the heads and he was tickled pink. Regards, Kyle McArthur
North Pole, Alaska

Comments : Hello Craig,
It has almost been a year since we got Maggie and I thought I'd let you know how she is doing. I hunted her for pheasants last fall and she was getting the idea of how pheasants behave. Over the winter we didn't do any hunting but have been working on her with some chukar as of lately. She is rock solid on point, very stylish. She is responding well to whistle signals to come in, change direction and whoa. She has become steady on point to flush and has learned not to chase birds that fly away and are not shot. She experienced a porcupine over the winter and got a face full of quills. She is a fine dog in the house and very good with children.

Steve Truver

Hello! Wanted to give you an update on the solid black male we took home back in November.We went back and forth on names and my dad finally settled on "Gunner". He's such a SMART puppy. He's a fast-learner and picks up on commands really fast! We're all very amazed at how some traits are so natural to him. I know, every dog owner thinks their dog is the best and smartest thing around, but this little guy really is something else! He's a confident, happy, independent pup who loves to be in the middle of the action. The day we walked in the field with you and Smokey at Muddy Creek, I was impressed how the little pup stayed nearby without straying off -- that must be a built-in trait. He loves being around us, my dad especially, and doesn't ever get goofy or aloof and wander off. It's been too cold to try getting him in the water just yet, but we think he's going to love it as much as Smokey. He's had a couple of baths in my moms big bathtub and it's hilarious to watch him having fun pawing at the water. He'll even dive his head under to grab a toy. He's such a happy pup and he's not afraid of anything! My parents went to watch one of their friends at a dog show in St. Louis today and left saying they were so proud of having Gunner because, according to them, "Gunner's black coat is beautiful and he's happier than any of those dogs"! It's great to see them both so proud of their new buddy. He's growing up nicely. He's so composed, strong and sure of himself and hasn't had very many of those awkward clumsy puppy moments. He's such a great pup and a perfect fit for my dad! I attached some pictures-- one from the ride home from Muddy Creek, one at about 3 months, and one from a few days ago. Larry & Peggy Brand 18127 Bent Ridge Drive Glencoe, MO 63038 Thanks so much for everything!! Jennifer

Craig – I want to thank you, your wife and son for the hospitality on our recent visit. It was enjoyable to watch a dog man at work. I think you sold me a good one.

Please let me know when you believe you have him to where I would like him to be and I’ll arrange to come and pick him up.

Thanks again,

Ken Harvey

Hello! Wanted to give you an update on the solid black male we took home back in November. He was supposed to be a surprise Christmas gift for my dad, but my brother and I ended up giving him to my dad on Thanksgiving. We just couldn't keep the secret that long-- and it turned out to be even better timing because it gave them more time in those early weeks for bonding. Plus, he was so cute we couldn't resist letting my parents enjoy those adorable puppy moments.

We went back and forth on names and my dad finally settled on "Gunner". He's such a SMART puppy. He's a fast-learner and picks up on commands really fast! We're all very amazed at how some traits are so natural to him. I know, every dog owner thinks their dog is the best and smartest thing around, but this little guy really is something else!

He's a confident, happy, independent pup who loves to be in the middle of the action. The day we walked in the field with you and Smokey at Muddy Creek, I was impressed how the little pup stayed nearby without straying off -- that must be a built-in trait. He loves being around us, my dad especially, and doesn't ever get goofy or aloof and wander off.

It's been too cold to try getting him in the water just yet, but we think he's going to love it as much as Smokey. He's had a couple of baths in my moms big bathtub and it's hilarious to watch him having fun pawing at the water. He'll even dive his head under to grab a toy. He's such a happy pup and he's not afraid of anything!

My parents went to watch one of their friends at a dog show in St. Louis today and left saying they were so proud of having Gunner because, according to them, "Gunner's black coat is beautiful and he's happier than any of those dogs"! It's great to see them both so proud of their new buddy.

He's growing up nicely. He's so composed, strong and sure of himself and hasn't had very many of those awkward clumsy puppy moments. He's such a great pup and a perfect fit for my dad! I attached some pictures-- one from the ride home from Muddy Creek, one at about 3 months, and one from a few days ago.
Thanks so much for everything!!

Jennifer

Hi Craig,

Wanted to give you an up date on Belle.

She is a great family dog , we all love her. She seems to be very happy here and has a great home.

As for hunting, which is why I bought her. She is awesome, I can't explain what happened but she decided to hunt. She works all around me in a 20 to 30 yd radius or so. perfect for me. She holds point. retrieves. She's a $10,000 dog to me.

I want to thank you again, and will recommend you to anyone.

Take care

Butch

Dear Craig,
I just wanted to tell you a big thanks for such a wonderful dog! I remember talking to you before we got one of your pups and we just wanted a smart dog which we had not been successful in choosing in previous dogs. When we are walking on the beach and our dog is running my husband blows his whistle she jumps around and runs to him and stops quickly right by his feet. Everyone asks what kind of dog it is because they have never seen a black GSP. She is truly special and happens to be beautiful too. Thanks for your advice and help in choosing her for us.
Lynne Hamontree

I bought Sparky's Muddy Creek Jake in May of 2005. Without a doubt he was the best hunter and companion a man could want. I had him in the field with a lot of good dogs that he made look average at best. Bird finder, tracker,and retriever there was none better. I had Jake put to sleep this past Tuesday due to seizures caused by him taking a beating while trying to protect our home during a home invasion robbery in 2008. I lost $10,000 in guns but that doesn't compare to the loss of Jake. I want to thank you for bringing him into my life. You might remember him as Daniels favorite . Your Friend Charles Smith He was the son of Muddy Creek Roudy Hustler and Muddy Creek Majestic.

Craig, just wanted to let you know Duke is doing great. He is an excellent bird finder and an outstanding retriever. We are looking forward to picking up Grace in the spring.

Craig, I totally agree with your views on what needs to happen in order to insure hunting for future generations. I'm almost 50 years old and have been hunting most of my life. I remember the days of parking beside the Cimarron River here in OK and just walking off and hunting. Never got run off, never saw anybody else, just hunted with my dad and my younger brother. Now, you have to take out a second mortgage in order to have some place to hunt for the year. Makes it hard to justify having a bird dog, or in my case 3. Also, we have very few Quail here in Northeastern OK, more this year than I've seen in a while, but still nothing like in the '80's. I'm hoping to get to meet you in the future with the purchase of a dog and or the training of one of mine.

Hey Craig, Elizabeth and Daniel, just wanted to say hi and give you and update on bronco remember him, he is 8yrs old now and guess what he still has the drive and stamina that he had the same day I picked him up at Kennedy airport, he has no problem keeping up with the younger dogs that my friends run, and then there are days that he seems to teach a thing or two to the younger dogs. Thanks again . Claudio and Josephine 845-887-4470

I really like your site and like the no B.S. aspects of youth training mentality. I've been to several seminars and agree that some of the "tricks" are overblown and not necessary. I'd like to see some pricing on you seminars and even Summer camp pricing. Thanks!!!!!!

Craig,

A picture of Ridge doing what he loves.

Best bird dog I ever had. As an example I was on his tail as he worked a slow moving Roster for about 50 yards. The bird was moving slowly in front of him, so close that I could see the bird. He never busted the bird, just worked him until he held for a point.

An Awesome dog !

Craig I thought I would share some pictures of Cash are GSP that we picked up on November 26th the Day after Thanksgiving. He has been a blast to have around. He is a very good pup. He has a great nose already and loves to retrieve and Point @ 10 Weeks old. He is great with the kids, they just love him. Thanks, SK. PS. Cant wait till next hunting season to Get Here.

Hello Craig,


Hey, I just wanted to drop you a line to let you know how wonderful Maddi is doing. We just concluded our Pheasant hunting season in Washington and from the start Maddi was a pointing hunting fanatic. We had a little disciplining to do with control but as far as pointing and hunting she is amazing. I have some work to do with her as far as retrieving but that is the least of my worries she finds the bird after it is down but does not retrieve to hand yet. That will come in time. Maddi and I will now start hunting once or twice a month at the pay to hunt sites. These ranch lands are lands we can pay to hunt almost year around, at least until the 2011 hunting season opens.


I want to thank you for all your work with her. She is a great all around dog. She is a lover in the home, since day one she has always went potty outside, we did not have one accident. During the day she stays in a kennel and it too remains clean all day. She is found nightly in my lap or my wife's lap, she sure is a lover. She gets along great and has since day one with our two small Miniature Pincer's. She loves the beach and camping, she is just a great dog Craig, Thank You.


I wish you and your family the best in 2011. I also attached a photo of my deer this year.


God Bless You My Friend,
John

Craig,
Bird season started a week ago yesterday here in Connecticut and I have had "Maggie"out three times so far. I am writing to let you know that she has by far surpassed my expectations and has gotten better each trip. She is quite a hunter and can only get better. 'Maggie" is already part of the family and as I have said, she is a marvelous hunting companion. Feel free to use me for reference anytime. I am very pleased with 'Maggie" and thank you for the training effort that you have put into her.
My best to you and yours.
Paul McNamara
Monroe, Ct.
203-261-0851

Craig I just wanted to let you know that we have been shooting a lot of pheasant and quail with "Ace". He is doing a good job... works hard, covers the ground well, points with style,retrieves to hand and works well with other dogs. You did a good job with him and I believe I have a good one. Thanks for all of your work.
Steve Ramer
Falls City, Ne.
402 245-2635

Craig, I can't say how pleased I am with "Mikki". Talk about a nice dog!!! I never imagined that I would be so happy. She worked great in Iowa. Held point and when she got to far out a simple whistle and she would come right in. She is pretty much a plopper in the house.I really enjoyed meeting all of you and hope to return another time for another visit. After ten years of hunting in Iowa I am going to do something different next year. Kansas, Oklahoma and maybe Montana.
Have a nice Thanksgiving and say hi to Elizabeth and Daniel.
A wonderful dog!
Steve Phillips
Ancorage, Ak
907-345-3632

Craig I am guiding on a preserve here in Connecticut and "Jake" is doing a super job. He got a ten day workout in South Dakota, several hundred points and we shot fifty roosters.He gets the run of the house and his obedience is very good. In fact he has all the obedience that I have had in my Police dogs.
Bill Proulx
Ashford, Ct.
860-429-1510

I really like your site and like the no B.S. aspects of your training mentality. I've been to several seminars and agree that some of the "tricks" are overblown and not necessary. I'd like to see some pricing on your seminars and even Summer camp pricing. Thanks!!!!!!

What a gem of a web site you have going here. Craig your gun dog, training, and breeding philosophies couldn't be more in tune with my own thoughts. As a former quail biologist on a large southern plantation I have seen exactly what you have explained with English Pointers first hand. I am going to make it a point to schedule a visit to Muddy Creek soon after the holidays. -Dave Martin

It's late and my eyes are crossing, but I had to finish reading every word of your straight forward and amazing site. Your writing is as refreshing and enjoyable to read as is your extraordinary content. My husband George is a retired firefighter who now looks forward to hunting again. We have been researching breeders and after reading about your business ethics and devotion to the breed, I believe I'll not find your better. Would you kindly advise your price range for your dogs from puppy to started and so forth? I can hardly get enough of your superb photos, but I'll never get up tomorrow if I don't stop now. Take care, Janet

I bought Sammy from you last summer and he is beyond perfect!!! He has more desire and instinct than any dog I've ever seen.

Tim Gillham said: January 4th, 2009 9:19 pm
Muddy Creek kennels is the best GSP breeder and trainer that i know of and i have checked out many.I would highly recommend them to any hunter that wants a top shelf gun dog.

Craig, Kristie and I bought "Tucker" from you in June of '07. He was only a few months old then and has now grown into an amazing Gun Dog and Loyal Family member. We cannot begin to explain how great he is and how many memories we have with him. Your Breed of shorthairs are amazing and everything you told us couldnt be more true. Tucker is amazing and we thank you so much for him... were thinking about getting a puppy in the future, we'll be in touch when were ready. Thanks again and say hello to your wife and son for us, your gun dogs are the best.. happy hunting, Walt & Krisite Childs and Tucker too!!
Walt Childs
Jackson,NJ.
732-928-2848

Craig,
It has been a since we last spokewhin I purchased "IZZY". What a wonderful bird dog she turned out eo be! I have hunted her for the last four months here in Texas. She holds her birds, retrieves to hand and backs on sight. She is a superb athlete. She never looses her drive and is always looking for birds. No quit in this girl. Bird dog through and through. And... she is a couch potatoe. Thanks for for the oportunity to have a dog that I can brag on! Use me for reference any way you like.
Rick Titus
Kemper, Texas
254-547-9444

"Billy" really made a dog! Couldn't be more happy with him. If you need a reference anytime, I am sure happy to say how my dealings have been with you.
Greg Rice
Creston, IA.
515-314-1353

Craig,
Thanks the hard work you put in to Buddy it sure show he hammers his point and hold it until the gun goes off to release him. The whistle training is outstanding too. All in all he is the best started dog I have ever had. Again thank you if you ever need a reference just have them call me. Jay Shaffer, Rapid City, SD. 605-786-4340

Craig
An update on Cotton is over due. She turned out to be more than I had any right to hope for. She never fails to put on a good show, I entered her in our local shoot to retrieve last fall, and he was bested by a 4 year old brittany male, that has been constantly trialed over the past two years, and I didn't have time to even get her out to run for an hour or two in the 3-4 weeks prior to the trial. She hit the ground cold, and would have come out on top, except for a slight malfunction on my part, I missed a bird on day two, and she lost by one point, meaning she won by several points, and I lost by 4 points. In our event dogs perform on two successive days, and scores totaled to determine winner. She covers ground like it was all she wanted in life, quartering and responding to commands and knows that I want her to hold her range down, and she responds, making her a joy to be with. Solid retriever, and hunts dead until I'm ready to quit. Will stick with it until I quit. Think we lost one bird last year. One major problem, she has taken to my wife, after her comment a couple of years back that this one may take a little bit of work, in response to what seemed to be a too inquisitive nature. She is well worth her salt. Wonderful pet, partner, and hunting dog.

Wow! A must read GSP website for buying a GSP and the current and unfortunate trends by less reputable breeders.

I HAD A GERMAN SHORTHAIR TRAINED BY THIS KENNEL AND HE IS AN OUSTANDING DOG. MANY OF MY FRIENDS CALL ME OFTEN ASKING ME TO GO BIRD HUNTING JUST SO THAT THEY CAN HUNT OVER THIS DOG.