Cedarwoods EZ Top

NA 112 Prize 1 / UT 201 Prize 1

As a 201 point Utility Prize 1 sire, Cedarwoods EZ Top (Murphy) is a dog who has left an immense footprint on the breed today, which, in hindsight is not that hard to believe. Murphy was a line bred product of one of the all-time best pairings of pudelpointers in history. Cedarwoods Quincy Dan, who was a Utility dog in his own right and had multiple 1st place wins in NSTRA trials, and Cedarwoods Zinfindel, a Utility Prize 1 grouse specialist, created Murphy and several other top notch performance dogs. NAVHDA records show that puppies from this pairing would go on to pass fourteen separate NAVHDA Utility tests!

Murphy’s story is one which was almost cut tragically short, however. As Murphy’s owner, Donald Huffman put it, in 2005, with Bob Farris’ guidance, he had Murphy ready for his Natural Ability test. Two days before the test, in Baker City, Oregon, Don decided to take him for a run in the Boise foothills. They were a half an hour into the hike when Don first noticed blood spots every five feet or so. Tracing his steps back to where they started Don found the bottom of a broken bottle with sharp edges sticking up. It would seem that even foothills of Boise, Idaho are not immune from the fingerprints of man. After racing to the vets office it was determined that, while Murphy would heal up, the tendon he had severed could not be repaired. While this was an injury which would affect Murphy throughout his life, it may have been a blessing as only an inch or two difference could have meant a lacerated artery.

Don recalled Murphy’s Natural Ability Test, which was held two days after his foot injury; “The test grounds were Timothy grass about a foot and a half deep and wet. His field work was great with several finds and solid points. As soon as he came out of the field I changed the bandages and kept him in his crate. I did the same after the tracking event. Next was the swim and as soon as that was over I again changed the bandages and put him up. When they read the scores he received a 112 Prize I.”

Murphy would grow up to be a wild chuckar specialist, hunting Hells Canyon and the Owyhees, putting mile after mile of volcanic rock under his feet. “That toe was no doubt an issue for him for the rest of his life because he could not control it while running through rocks and ruble. He hunted for many years but as far as I could tell he never let it effect his burning desire to find birds.” Despite this desire Murphy was a fantastic house dog with the off switch we all desire for our dogs.

One of the biggest compliments one could give Murphy is that Cedarwoods Kennels chose to use him for litters with two of their all time best females, Cedarwoods Pin Up Playmate, and Prairie Trout’s Calendar Girl, both Utility Prize 1 performers. In total Murphy would be utilized by three separate breeders a total of five times. His progeny would pass 20 of 22 Natural Ability Tests with an average score of 105. Over 1/3rd of those puppies would receive maximum 112 point scores in a Natural Ability Test. His progeny would then go on to average 181 points in Utility Testing, across nine separate tests. Most prominent amongst these dogs are likely Oxbow’s Big Gun and Cedarwoods Rerun, who both are 112 scoring Natural Ability dogs and 204 point Utility Prize 1 dogs. Both are known to carry their father’s “burning desire to find birds”. As is always the case, a dog such as Murphy, is the product of the genetics found within their pedigree, coupled with proper training. If you wish to learn more about the breeders who continue to work with these genetics please visit the North American Pudelpointer Alliance website at https://pudelpointer-alliance.com/breeders.