Bird Dog Ranch

06/10/2025

Looking forward having the Midwest Vizsla Futurity join our Spring trials!

We are hard at work getting together information for the Midwest Vizsla Futurity!

The Midwest Vizsla Futurity or MVF will be held at The Bird Dog Ranch near Thayer, Iowa in conjunction with the Midwest Vizsla Shooting Dog Championship, in April each year.

2026 eligible dogs include those whelped between Jan 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024!!

Full Information will be posted but, some key changes are as follows:

*Must be a registered Vizsla with the UKC American Field Dog Stud Book.

*The litter nomination fee must be paid prior to the drawing. A litter may be nominated ANYTIME prior to the drawing for a fee of $50.00.

*The entry fee will be $100 and must be paid before entries close.

*In the case of an individual dog from a litter that has not previously been nominated, the litter nomination fee must be paid in addition to the dog entry fee.

*Entries shall close and drawing shall take place at 6pm central, the evening preceding the Futurity, at the site of the Futurity.

*The MVF will be held from January 1 to July 1 in each year for dogs whelped on or after January 1 of two years preceding. For example, dogs whelped between January 1, 2024 and December
31, 2024 shall run in the Futurity held in 2026.

*Four dogs shall be placed with the prize money divided between the first, second, and third place dogs. The gross purse shall be figured on the basis of all monies received, minus expenses.
The gross purse, less expense, shall be broken down as follows:

50% of purse to 1st place (60% to owner and 40% to breeder)
30% of purse to 2nd place (60% to owner and 40% to breeder)
20% of purse to 3rd place (60% to owner and 40% to breeder)

*Trophies go to the owners of placed dogs, and a breeder recognition plaque will go to the nominated first place winner’s breeder.

*Handlers paying starting fees will be considered as the authorized agents of the owner(s) of competing dogs and winnings will be paid to such handlers, unless otherwise instructed in writing
by the owner(s) prior to the Futurity.

Full information will be posted and we will continue to communicate information on this platform.

Please ask us if you have any questions at all or need help in nominating a dog or litter.

For more info reach out to any NVA board member or Justin Hess 712.305.5543 [email protected]

05/11/2025

Please take a moment to research the difference between these two plants.

03/15/2025

After yesterday’s stormy weather the birds are out this morning looking for a snack!

02/21/2025

The Bird Dog Ranch is honored to announce that they have been chosen as the site for the 2027 English Springer Spaniel National Open Championship. The field portion of the event will include a training day, 5 field series & a water series. We look forward to working with the committee to insure a quality event.

This will be the 4th national bird dog event held at the ranch. I appreciate the recognition from the bird dog community that the improvements made & all of the work done on the ranch have indeed elevated the grounds to support national caliber events!

09/16/2024

A new addition to our trophy wall...
The Tommy Thomas Memorial Grand Amateur Limited Gun Dog Championship plaque.
Thank you to the International Brittany Championship Association for running the event & providing the plaque!

09/04/2024

We’re looking forward to seeing everyone at these 3 great events this fall-
9/28-10/3 Iowa Brittany Club fall horseback field trial.
10/4-10 Hawkeye Brittany Club fall horseback field trial.
10/19-20 Iowa Brittany Club hunt test.

07/24/2024

The ample rains this year have blessed us with lush green fields. Food plots are growing vigorously & the cover is thicker than we’ve seen in several years.

07/24/2024

Last spring we were blessed with 2 new additions to the ranch-
First is a beautiful memorial bench donated by Mark & Julie Claypool, in memory of Tommy. The bench is located on the South side at the breakaway. It is in the perfect spot to relax & appreciate all of our blessings.
Secondly is the new AED/Defibrillator, located on the wall in the building. This donation was made possible by several great clubs working together for the well being of all participants. The clubs behind this generous donation are the Iowa Brittany Club, the Hawkeye Brittany Club, the Tri-State Brittany Club, the Minnesota Brittany Club & the National Vizsla Association. Honestly this is one item that I pray we never have to use, but just incase it could make the difference in someones life.

03/26/2024

Bracing for the 2024 International Brittany Championships. Breakaway for the GOLAA at 8:30 tomorrow. Good Luck to everyone.

03/23/2024

Entries close tomorrow, Sunday March 24th for the International Brittany Championships. The drawings will be held Monday evening. Due to the weather, the Grand Open Limited All Age Championship will start on WEDNESDAY, not Tuesday.
The Grand Amateur Limited All Age Championship will not start until Friday. The Tommy Thomas Memorial Grand Amateur Limited Gun Dog Championship will start on Sunday, with the Ron Zook Memorial Grand Open Limited Gun Dog Championship to follow, not to start before Monday afternoon.

On Easter Sunday (3/31) we will have a Dinner after the days running, all are welcome... We will be having Baked Ham and Lasagna. Side dishes, appetizers and desserts are welcome. Please let us know if you will be coming so we can get a head count.

The Iowa Brittany Club trial will follow the International Championships (Saturday April 6th). Entries close for that trial on April 1st... The trial will conclude with the Ed Powell Memorial Grand Open Limited Gun Dog Championship. Entries for the Championship close on Monday April 8th.

Contact Lisa Po***ck for more info. or to RSVP for Easter Dinner!
[email protected]

03/05/2024

Looking forward to the International Brittany Championships, starting on March 26th. The premiums are available on the ABC web site. Easter Sunday, Sunday March 31 (during the Tommy Thomas Memorial GALGD CH) we will be having a pot luck Easter Dinner. Ham and Lasagna will be provided, side dishes and desserts are welcome. Hope to see you there!