[retrevrman]

Tim,
Thanks....don't know if you remember me and Titan. We came out to your place near Edmond (when Archie was a pup) and you were first developing your ponds and such. I was active duty then stationed at Tinker AFB. Planned on training with you and the Sooner RC folks (ran some fun hunts and did some training with them), however then the F-5 came and I was deployed all the time and then off to South Korea and back to Colorado Springs. Retired from active duty now, more time for dogs now, kids older and going off the college.
You are so right, relish the time that's for sure. Titan is now 14yrs old and still getting around, very slow. He was born same year as Archie (1998), had alot of promise but things like life get in the way. I hope you are doing well and that life has been good to you. Still duck hunting those peanut fields? Thanks for the pics.....

P.S. I can remember back when I was training and running Conan with Howard N, John Abrams, my mentor Sid Sherwood, and others up in Alaska. Those were times...I have pics.

Greg

 

[AsInEastwood]

A year ago I kind of stumbled into becoming the owner of a 5-year old Lean Mac daughter (out of Ten Bears Ropin The Moon). She is EIC affected and although she had never had a collapse the previous owner did not want to deal the affliction. On the day I picked her up, her big ears and long body made me think of the Plott hound I had in my early teens. Later, when I worked her on dummies, my perception of her looks changed. I was instantly dazzled by the intensity in her eyes while waiting to be sent, the passionate fury with which she ran, and the joy that endlessly gushed from her entire being as she anticipated each pending retrieve. Even though I am a relative rookie when it comes to retrievers of any type, I knew right away that I was in for an education into the results of field trial breeding.

A day or so after that first dummy drill we went on a short hike into nearby Crooked canyon. At the turnaround point near a bridge over the creek, she came towards me with her tongue lolling out from pure happiness. As she got closer, I noticed something very strange. It looked to me that she was trying to obey a sit command, while still trying to come. I eventually processed that I had not given her a sit command, nor had any of my friends that were with me. I've seen dogs do some pretty clownish things, and this looked quite goofy so I said, "What are you doing, you weird girl?" It quickly dawned on me, however, what I was seeing--an episode of Exercise Induced Collapse. Fearing that I was about to lose the most amazing retriever I had ever owned after only a couple of days, I immediately picked her up, put her into the creek, and splashed cold water all over her. I then carried her (and her accompanying 70 pounds) the half mile back to the truck. She was no lightweight and I thought I was about to experience my own collapse. When I set her down, though, she was fine, which delighted me beyond belief.

I don't hunt with her, nor can I get into hunt tests and field trials with her, as I hoped. I refuse to lose her due to EIC. And yet, while the collapse was heartbreaking to witness, I'm grateful to be able to own one of Maxx's daughters. I love this dog! I am coming to understand the deep and powerful reverence that so may people have when they talk about Ebonstar Lean Mac. I just sent home the last of the pups in her litter that was sired by Blacktail's Believe In Me. One new owner cried to have another Lean Mac grandson. Another loves his new little girl, and is learning what it means to have Lean Mac so close in her pedigree. Still another is thrilled beyond belief to have his new little Lean Mac pup and is dreaming of many seasons of duck hunts ahead, and possibly hunt tests and field trials if the pup turns out that good. I almost kept a pup from this litter, but I held back, not knowing why. Someday I hope to have my own Lean Mac grandpup. I wish I could have known Maxx. As Tim said in the video, he really is the man.

 

[tripsteer1]

great pics , my pup is a great grandson on both sides and is quite a dog, I am so very blessed to have such a good dog.

 

[smemmott]

Ebonstar Lean Mac, Greatest dog of all time. Thanks for sharing the pics.
Scott

 

[Dave Farrar]

I get my Lean Mac grandson in 2 weeks. This is my first lab and didn't even know who Lean Mac was when I placed my deposit. A few weeks later I felt like a lottery winner.

 

[whiskey river]

Is she a water ski dog?

Not sure if that was pointed towards me or not, if so no but she does love to watch the kids ride the tube and has rode with them a couple times just idling around. Certainly no fear of water that's for sure.

 

[Labs a mundo]

Lean Mac actually started out as a hunting dog and from the articles I have saved over the years he had retrieved over 250 ducks by the time he was one year old.

Before he was owned by Sherwin and was on M. Lardy's truck, he was owned by a fellow here in British Columbia and his foundation work was done by Dennis Robbins. Quite a legacy. Many of my training buddies threw many bumpers for him as a pup and trained along side of him. Much of the knowledge they pass on to me today is due to their involvment in Maxx's early years.

My 9 mo. pup has Maxx as a grandparent on both sides and so far he's proving to be a little pocket rocket!

 

[Gun_Dog2002]

A year ago I kind of stumbled into becoming the owner of a 5-year old Lean Mac daughter (out of Ten Bears Ropin The Moon). She is EIC affected and although she had never had a collapse the previous owner did not want to deal the affliction. On the day I picked her up, her big ears and long body made me think of the Plott hound I had in my early teens. Later, when I worked her on dummies, my perception of her looks changed. I was instantly dazzled by the intensity in her eyes while waiting to be sent, the passionate fury with which she ran, and the joy that endlessly gushed from her entire being as she anticipated each pending retrieve. Even though I am a relative rookie when it comes to retrievers of any type, I knew right away that I was in for an education into the results of field trial breeding.

A day or so after that first dummy drill we went on a short hike into nearby Crooked canyon. At the turnaround point near a bridge over the creek, she came towards me with her tongue lolling out from pure happiness. As she got closer, I noticed something very strange. It looked to me that she was trying to obey a sit command, while still trying to come. I eventually processed that I had not given her a sit command, nor had any of my friends that were with me. I've seen dogs do some pretty clownish things, and this looked quite goofy so I said, "What are you doing, you weird girl?" It quickly dawned on me, however, what I was seeing--an episode of Exercise Induced Collapse. Fearing that I was about to lose the most amazing retriever I had ever owned after only a couple of days, I immediately picked her up, put her into the creek, and splashed cold water all over her. I then carried her (and her accompanying 70 pounds) the half mile back to the truck. She was no lightweight and I thought I was about to experience my own collapse. When I set her down, though, she was fine, which delighted me beyond belief.

I don't hunt with her, nor can I get into hunt tests and field trials with her, as I hoped. I refuse to lose her due to EIC. And yet, while the collapse was heartbreaking to witness, I'm grateful to be able to own one of Maxx's daughters. I love this dog! I am coming to understand the deep and powerful reverence that so may people have when they talk about Ebonstar Lean Mac. I just sent home the last of the pups in her litter that was sired by Blacktail's Believe In Me. One new owner cried to have another Lean Mac grandson. Another loves his new little girl, and is learning what it means to have Lean Mac so close in her pedigree. Still another is thrilled beyond belief to have his new little Lean Mac pup and is dreaming of many seasons of duck hunts ahead, and possibly hunt tests and field trials if the pup turns out that good. I almost kept a pup from this litter, but I held back, not knowing why. Someday I hope to have my own Lean Mac grandpup. I wish I could have known Maxx. As Tim said in the video, he really is the man.

Are you saying you bred her?

/paul

 

[BonMallari]

Before he was owned by Sherwin and was on M. Lardy's truck, he was owned by a fellow here in British Columbia and his foundation work was done by Dennis Robbins. Quite a legacy. Many of my training buddies threw many bumpers for him as a pup and trained along side of him. Much of the knowledge they pass on to me today is due to their involvment in Maxx's early years.

My 9 mo. pup has Maxx as a grandparent on both sides and so far he's proving to be a little pocket rocket!

Don Remien also deserves a lot of credit because he was on his truck before Lardy got him ;-);-)

 

[Tim West]

Sure I remember you Greg. Glad you are back in Colorado. I don't think you took to being an "Okie" too well!

I took some videos when I was at Lardy's too. I need to see if Maxx was on those!

 

[retrevrman]

Yeah, well you know I am a native Texan (born and raised in Garland, Texas)....Hope you are doing well....

Greg

 

[Kyle B]

Not to hijack the thread but curiosity got to me.AsInEastwood your website advertised the breeding.NO WHERE DO YOU INDICATE YOUR BITCH IS EIC AFFECTED. The stud does not show anything but "EIC clear" no reference to the test done or not.Quote from your ad "DAM: Kota (EBONSTAR LAKOTA SIOUX) is an exciting retriever and a wonderful dog to have around. She is extremely nice in the house and turns it on in the field. She has an amazing drive and is so fun to watch. Her sire is the incomparable 2xNAFC/2xCNAFC/FC Ebonstar Lean Mac (MAXX), the most prepotent sire in Labrador retriever history with more titled offspring than any other. I’ve only had the privIledge of seeing Maxx work on video. Knowing Kota makes it clear why he and his offspring achieved so much in field trials. Kota’s grandsires are a CNFC/CNAFC, and FC/AFC and her granddams were both QAA. Kota is the kind of dog that just puts a smile on your face. She is black, weighs 70 pounds, is tall, and has good hips, normal elbows, CNM clear. Kota is black with no hidden color factoring (BB/EE)."
WOW is all I can say in breeding an Affected dog just because you like her. I have one (spayed) that has gr sires that are HOF, and Sparky and Pricey as gr dams.So Maxx is gr grnd sire both sides.No way would I have bred her.

If I understand the genetics correctly, if you breed an affected dog to a clear dog you should only get carriers of the mutation. http://www.vdl.umn.edu/prod/groups/cvm/@pub/@cvm/@vdl/documents/asset/cvm_asset_107687.pdf

 

[BobOwens]

Those are great pics. My dog is a grandson of Lean Mac and shows a lot of similar physical characteristics. Thanks for sharing the pics

 

[M&K's Retrievers]

Here is Angus our Lean Mac Great Grand Son out of Patten
.

 

[ErinsEdge]

Why pass that potential tragedy on to unsuspecting buyers

Explain to us what "potential tragedy" will happen? That the pup would be a carrier?

 

[blackasmollases]

Here is my lean mac great grandson on both sides. Couldn't be happier

 

[lablover]

I met Dave Smith and Lean Mac in SC at the 1999 National. I said to Dave, "he looks like all the other black Lab males I've seen". To which Dave replied,
"Yes he does. But be has better eyes than most". What a response.

 

[labsforme]

Nancy, sent you a PM

 

[whiskey river]

Here is Angus our Lean Mac Great Grand Son out of Patten
. View attachment 8432 View attachment 8433 View attachment 8434

Beautiful dog!

 

[Patti Benton]

My Emma is a Lean Mac Granddaughter out of Reggie.