Lakeside, WI – Lake Effect Ali, a 6-year-old English setter from Wisconsin, recently won first place at the Wisconsin Cover Dog Championship, outshining 36 competitors from across the country.
This prestigious competition tests dogs on their ability to locate wild grouse and woodcock. Ali’s skill earned her top honors in a format where dogs are paired with handlers in a “brace” to search for birds, and must remain still when they find one until the handler signals them to relax.
Ali’s owner, Tim Kaufman, has been involved in bird dog competitions for over 15 years and describes his bond with Ali as a true partnership. “It has to be as a unit,” Kaufman said. While Ali is focused and intense during competitions, remaining still for minutes at a time when on point, she is a regular dog at home. Kaufman balances training with downtime, ensuring his dogs are well-behaved pets as well as competition champions.
Ali’s impressive performance has earned her a chance to qualify for a nationwide contest this spring. But for now, Kaufman is enjoying the success of his champion dog, who will continue to hunt and be part of his family for years to come. “Retirement for them is just normal,” Kaufman said, looking forward to more adventures with Ali by his side.
Source: wpr.org