FC Seig Heil shows his big water entry.

BREEDING PROGRAM
In breeding her dogs, Linda has very definite goals, as do most serious breeders. But Linda--through some combination of natural talent, research and observation--has achieved her goals more consistently than most. Let's look at what she's breeding physically, in temperament and relative to hunting instincts.

PHYSICALLY
Blue Max shorthairs are medium-sized animals, running 55 to 60 pounds, standing about 25 inches at the withers. That height-to-weight ratio makes them a bit more leggy, a bit more lofty than many shorthairs. Although she doesn't show her dogs on the bench, she is concerned about conformation, and seems to have a natural eye for it (as the accompanying photos demonstrate). Her dogs are quite muscular.

"Blue Max dogs have good muscle definition," Dr. Huggins said. "Dogs are like people. Some people can work out in the gym for years and never develop good definition while other people are born with it. Blue Max dogs have good definition naturally, and when they are worked regularly, they really muscle up." This combination of loftiness and muscle mass give them a very fluid movement in the field. They run with long, smooth strides, covering the ground with little effort. Thus, they not only please the eye more than dogs with choppy, earth-pounding gaits, but they also have greater endurance.

"When running, my dogs touch the ground softly," Linda said, with more than a touch of pride.

TEMPERAMENT
Because of her dog's field trial and hunting achievements, it may at first seem surprising that Linda's major breeding consideration is temperament! Blue Max dogs are super friendly and people-oriented. That, of course, translates into high trainability, which in turn translates into excellence afield, whether hunting or trialing. "All our dogs are house-dogs," she said. "We have no kennel runs. Our yard isn't even fenced. I spend lots of time with my puppies, right from the time they're born. I play with them, one on one, daily. We take them with us when we go places, to expose them to many people and new experiences. Thus, they grow up very sure of themselves around people, and around, well, anything."

"My two Blue Max shorthairs really, really like me," said Dr. Huggins. "They're hunting dogs, but they're also pets. They're tail-wagging, love-you-to-death, happy dogs. As a veterinarian, I've found that shorthairs in general like people more than many other breeds. But Linda's shorthairs like people 10 times more. I attribute this to both genetics and the way she raises her litters."

"Linda's dogs have a lot of personality," Gulledge said. "They're great hunting dogs, great trial dogs, but they still love to be with people. I enjoy working with them, and when I'm happy with a dog, he's happy to be working for me."

HUNTING INSTINCTS
"I breed for good noses and strong pointing instinct," Linda said. "Simply stated, I want them to find and point birds. I also breed for good style on point and natural retrieving."

"They show a strong pointing instinct very early," Gulledge said. "Ditto for backing. They retrieve naturally. Of course, I force-break all the trial dogs. But the ones that go to hunting homes are seldom force-broken. They retrieve naturally all their lives."

A few pups from a Blue Max litter

"Both Baron and Jager retrieve very well," Veneklasen said. "Baron had to be force-broken, but only because he didn't bring the bird all the way back. He'd drop it several yards away and resume hunting. Jager is totally natural and retrieves beautifully. Both my dogs retrieve from water, and Jager really loves it." "Both of mine retrieve beautifully," Dr. Huggins said. "Straight out, straight back, and they weren't force-broken."

GETTING ONE
Since Linda averages only about one litter every three years, and since her dogs are so popular, the demand for her puppies greatly exceeds the supply. Then, too, she's particular about where she places her youngsters. But her major criterion may surprise you. She doesn't insist that those who buy her pups run them in trials, although, like any serious breeder, she would prefer that, and for obvious reasons.

Info For more information, contact Linda Nickerson, Dept. GD, P.O. Box 12263, Overland Park, KS 66212; 913/381-0659; e-mail: lenickerson@msm.com

"My first consideration is that the dog will have a good home," she said. "I prefer that they live in the house and get lots of personal attention. I've turned down good friends because I didn't think they would give the dog the right kind of home. Turning friends down is tough, but I feel I have to do it sometimes."

If you're fortunate enough (or persuasive enough) to reserve a Blue Max puppy, and if you live some distance from Linda's home, figure on driving there to pick up your youngster. She doesn't like to put them on airplanes.

"I have flown puppies to new owners," she said, "but only occasionally, and in unusual circumstances. Frankly, I'd rather not. I've heard so many horror stories."