Mallow

Mallow is a one-of-a-kind girl. When we picked her up at our breeder, we had no idea about the sports of hunt tests or field trials. We showed up to our local club and asked for advice on training. As our first hunting dog, completely amateur trained and handled, she has a derby field trial JAM ribbon and passed her Senior hunt tests 4/4.

At 60 pounds with a lean, athletic build, light low-maintenance coat, and excellent endurance, she can happily hike difficult terrain all day, swim long distances, and work hard in the field with strong hunt drive and natural independence. She is deeply affectionate and cuddly without being clingy, able to settle beautifully in the home or relax on her own. Temperament-wise, Mallow is calm, reliable, and environmentally stable, taking hospitals, breweries, and busy agility trials in stride, with only occasional mild nervousness that she quickly recovers from by checking in with her person.

She is sensitive and thoughtful, which means she thrives with fair, clear training and can become frustrated by confusion or repeated mistakes. This same sensitivity contributes to her lovely emotional intelligence and responsiveness. While not an over-the-top “fetch maniac” or flashy retriever, she is extremely birdy and could hunt all day long in any conditions. She was flushing chukar and looking up to the sky for ducks since the day we brought her home.

She has natural hunting instincts, excellent body awareness, a fantastic off-switch, and the kind of sweet, easy-to-live-with temperament we want for life outside of training. Loved deeply for her kindness, athleticism, and stable nature, Mallow represents the type of versatile, low-drama dog that can hike mountains, train in multiple venues, cuddle on the couch, and fit seamlessly into an active family.