About Us

As a dedicated wild bird hunter, I've always been searching for the dog that best fits the way I hunt. Over the years, I've owned German Shorthaired Pointers, PudelPointers, Braque Français, and German Wirehaired Pointers. They are all exceptional breeds, each with their own strengths.

Living and hunting in the Arizona desert presents unique challenges. I wanted a dog that could handle extreme heat, consistently find wild birds, shed less in the house during the off-season, and still be a wonderful family companion. While every dog sheds to some degree, I found the Braque Français to be much easier to live with than my German Shorthaired Pointer. Since all of my dogs live indoors with my family, having a calm temperament and a true "off switch" was just as important as their performance in the field.

I discovered the Braque Français almost by accident. A friend purchased a puppy that he was ultimately unable to keep, so we agreed to foster him until a new home could be found. It didn't take long for my family to fall in love with him.

At just 11 weeks old, Jack was holding point on scent—not sight—for over a minute. That moment convinced me I was looking at something special. Since then, Jack has become an incredible wild bird dog with an exceptional nose and the ability to handle Arizona's heat better than any dog I've owned.

Jack impressed me so much that I added Rue from Unique Gundogs to my kennel. Rue immediately proved herself to be an outstanding hunting companion on Arizona's wild quail. Though she weighs only about 35 pounds, she's all business in the field with an exceptional nose, plenty of drive, and the natural bird sense we value so highly. At home, she's affectionate, calm, and happiest curled up beside the family.

If I had one observation about Jack and Rue, it's that they naturally work a bit closer than I originally envisioned. For many hunters, that's actually a tremendous advantage. They are ideal foot-hunting dogs, typically working from 40 to 100 yards while maintaining excellent awareness of their handler and checking in naturally. If you enjoy watching your dog work birds within sight, it's hard to find a better companion than a Braque Français.

I've also admired German Wirehaired Pointers for many years. Several close friends breed outstanding Western chukar dogs with tremendous drive, endurance, and the ability to cover vast country in demanding terrain. As my hunting evolved, I wanted to add a dog with a little more range while maintaining the intelligence, versatility, and cooperation I value.

I was fortunate to acquire Pepper from Ghost Point Wirehairs, and she has exceeded every expectation. Pepper comes from an exceptional litter, and her littermates, Savvy and Riggs, have earned a reputation as outstanding wild bird dogs. You can watch them hunting across the country on Eric Forrester's YouTube channel. Pepper has proven herself to be every bit their equal, and you can see her in action, along with the rest of our dogs, on the Sky Island Gun Dogs YouTube channel.

Every dog in our kennel has been selected with one goal in mind: producing versatile, hard-hunting companions that excel on wild birds, thrive in Arizona's demanding conditions, and transition seamlessly from the field to the family home. We believe the best gun dogs are not only exceptional hunters but also loyal companions that become part of the family.