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English Pointer on point in tall prairie grass

Pointing dog training · Boarding · Colorado

Bird dogs that hold the point.

We train true pointing dogs for everyone from the weekend warrior to the campaigning field trialer, with steadiness to wing, shot and fall, and force-fetch retrieving.

Book training See programs & rates
20+years training bird dogs
100+dogs trained across 15+ breeds
8 yrsapprenticed under Mark Pace Sr.
A spread of orange NSTRA placement ribbons on grass
Andy and a client kneeling with a ribbon-winning dog

NSTRA trials & AKC hunt tests

Proven in competition

Andy runs dogs in NSTRA trials and AKC hunt tests, and those results are how many of our clients first found us.

If you want to compete, we can prepare, enter and handle your dog. Entry fees are paid by the owner.

Andy Taylor kneeling with a ribbon-winning German Shorthaired Pointer

About

Andy Taylor

Owner & trainer, Steel Fork Kennels, LLC

  1. 2004First bird dogs, Cruzer (EP) and Memphis (GSP), for the family's preserve, Steel Fork Pheasants
  2. 2007Begins apprenticeship with Mark Pace Sr. at Black Forest Kennels, Black Forest, CO
  3. 8 yrsUnder Mark Pace Sr. before training independently
  4. 100+Dogs trained, across every major pointing breed

It started with a pheasant preserve that needed bird dogs.

I grew up around dogs of all kinds: Border Collies, Rottweilers, German Shepherds and Cocker Spaniels. When my family started our hunting preserve, Steel Fork Pheasants, LLC, we quickly realized we needed good hunting dogs. In 2004 we brought home Cruzer, an English Pointer, and Memphis, a German Shorthaired Pointer. As soon as they were old enough I started hunting them, learning how to handle bird dogs and get results in the field. Before long, clients without dogs of their own were hiring me to find birds for them: pheasant, chukar and quail.

Before leaving for college in 2007, I was fortunate to become a pupil of a truly talented mentor, Mark Pace Sr. of Black Forest Kennels. I apprenticed with Mark for eight years before starting to train on my own.

Success in NSTRA trials, AKC hunt tests, guiding and wild bird hunting led people to ask me to train their dogs. I specialize in pointing breeds, and I've recently started working with flushing breeds too. I'm always looking to keep growing my bird dog knowledge.

Andy kneeling beside a long line of pointing dogs in training
Andy with a string of dogs in the program.

Training

Trained to the level of steadiness you need

Andy specializes in pointing breeds and brings each dog along in stages. Your dog advances as far as your hunting or competition goals require.

  1. Stage 1

    Steady to wing & flush

    Holds point as the bird lifts instead of breaking to chase.

  2. Stage 2

    Steady to shot

    Stays put at the report of the gun.

  3. Stage 3

    Steady through fall

    Remains steady until the bird is down and the dog is released.

  4. + Add-on

    Force-fetch retrieving

    A reliable, trained retrieve to hand on every bird.

One-on-one

$100/ hour

Private sessions with you and your dog. Good for tune-ups, specific problems, or learning to handle your dog in the field.

Most thorough

$950/ month

Extended training, boarding included. Daily individual work, typically over 2 to 3 months.

Boarding

$50/ day

Hunting-dog boarding with daily running and training included.

Reservations require at least two weeks' notice unless other arrangements are made.

Three German Shorthaired Pointers on point across open grassland
Three GSPs holding point on open prairie.

Extended period training

Two to three months. Every day in the field.

Extended training is billed monthly and usually takes 2 to 3 months of individual work. Some dogs need more time and some need less, depending on how they take to training.

1 miminimum run, every day
10+ mion heavy training and hunting days
CO+training trips in Colorado and other states

Expect your dog to come home leaner and more muscular, with more stamina and noticeably more confidence and poise in the field.

We can also run your dog in NSTRA trials and AKC hunt tests. Entry fees are paid by the owner.

Boarding

Boarding built for hunting breeds

Your dog stays healthy, active and sharp for the field while you're away.

Every boarding stay includes at least a mile of running each day, and up to 10+ miles when the dogs are out training or hunting. Dogs get a comfortable kennel to rest in, the right amount of food, and easy access to fresh water.

$50 per day, training included. Please reserve at least two weeks ahead.

Clean indoor kennel runs with raised beds
Inukshuk Professional Dog Food Trusted Reseller Network

Authorized reseller

Inukshuk Professional Dog Food

High-energy formulas with quality animal protein, made by a family-owned company in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. This is the food our dogs run on.

Marine 25$70 /bag
Regular 30/25$60 /bag

Dogs & puppies

English Pointers & German Shorthairs

Steel Fork Kennels offers puppies and started dogs from proven hunting lines. Contact us for current litters and availability.

Baymax, an English Pointer, on pointEnglish Pointer

English Pointer puppies

Big-running, bold, natural pointers bred for the field.

German Shorthaired Pointer on point in a field of yellow wildflowersGSP

German Shorthaired Pointer puppies

Versatile hunters and loyal companions at home.

Trained German Shorthaired Pointer holding pointStarted dogs

Trained pointing dogs

Dogs already brought along in our program, ready to hunt.

Breeds we've trained

  • German Shorthaired Pointer
  • English Pointer
  • Brittany
  • French Brittany
  • English Setter
  • Vizsla
  • Pudelpointer
  • Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
  • Deutsch Drahthaar
  • German Wirehaired Pointer
  • Pointing Lab
  • Weimaraner
  • Small Münsterländer
  • Large Münsterländer
  • Labrador Retriever
  • English Springer Spaniel
  • Cocker Spaniel

Dashed: flushing breeds, a newer part of our program.

From the field

Days in the field

Andy walking up on a pointer in prairie grass
Gus, a German Shorthaired Pointer, on point under a cloudy sky
Two pointing dogs working open grassland

Gear for sale

Field-tested gear

Equipment we've used and trust in the field. Inventory changes often, so ask about anything you see.

Contact

Let's get your dog in the field.

Tell us about your dog and your goals. We'll follow up about training, boarding or available puppies.

Send an inquiry
  1. 1Send an inquiry with your dog's breed, age and experience.
  2. 2We'll talk through goals and the right program.
  3. 3Reserve your dates at least two weeks ahead.