Pascal

Pascal | CH Barrett Dashing Philosopher – Age 2 years, 2024 Top 10 Derby, 2024 WCA National Open Derby Winner

DOB: December 27, 2022

Owner: Barrett Collective

Sire: BASECAMP VON BARRETT VERDANT WILDFLOWER 

Dam: Barrett’s Independence Inn 

AKC Registration #: SS41089901

DNA: HUU n/HUU, HYM n/n, SD n/n

Hip Test: OFA-Excellent

Elbow Test: Normal

Thyroid Test: Normal

COI over 10 generations: 8.25%

Pascal (CH Barrett Dashing Philosopher JH NA1) was chosen for me by Kim Burnell.  Like usual, I have always wanted a challenging Weimaraner.  Kim provided that in spades for me.  Pascal‘s sire and dam both came from field lines, performance sports that I had not been exposed to.  During his first months with us, reigning him in during NAVHDA tests and training provided difficult. People identified that he was special – driven and adaptable in hunting situations.  His range was much larger than the most of the other dogs around him. 

I had a mentor who watched Pascal, confirming Kim’s breeding goal of a field trial prospect.  However, what I understood was NAVHDA and the aims of a more obedient, closer range style of hunting. 

Kim invited us to Ardmore to see what field trials were about while picking up our bitch who had been in California with her.  And hey, “why not enter Pascal in the Puppy Stake?”.  Long story short – Pascal ran well with me in Puppy and Kim in Derby (never ever being handled by someone on horse).  He got noticed and invited to  Summer Camp in Michigan. 

For me, the field trial learning curve was steep – dogs running everywhere, horses, fields, keeping forward movement and trying to paint a picture with your dog to judges.  Somewhat above my pay grade – especially with Pascal – this wild and young hunting machine.  Pascal ran to a 2nd placement in the Spring of 2024 in an all breed walking derby.  He was the only Weimaraner.  My bracemate who got the blue ribbon told me “your Weim can ride in my truck any day”.  I still felt that although Pascal and I were working together I was holding him back. I was still learning how all of the pieces of field trials fit together. 

Enter Diane Vater and Chuck Cooper.  We dropped Pascal off at camp in July in Michigan with the understanding that Pascal would be picked in Ardmore after he ran in Derby if all things worked to plan.  We visited him, saw him gain fitness, placed in training scenarios, gain control and juvenile refinement.  He developed style and co-operation in the field.  He succeeded in all-breed stakes with wins including the Derby Stake at the 2024 National Weimaraner Field Championships. 

With his derby win at Nationals, the WCA has provided a healthy stipend to further his field opportunities.  To best utilize these funds, we have chosen to follow a similar plan as in  2024.  Pascal will be going to Summer Camp with the understanding that Chuck and Diane will be breaking him from July onwards until the end of the year.  The stipend thus allows us to take a slower, progressive and refined approach with Pascal with confidence that he is in expert hands, giving enough time to bring out the best in him.  In the meantime, it has allowed us to give Pascal an off-season, enjoying pre-field obedience training and accomplish an objective of reaching his AKC conformation championship.  Our goal is for Pascal to be a dual Champion proving his worthiness to help further the breed.  Most of all our boy can be our boy at home with our other Weimaraners.  The pressure for me to quickly learn the art of field trialing has been removed as well.

We feel fortunate that the WCA has provided these funds, which will help allow Pascal to achieve his potential, and allow us to more deeply commit to the sport of field trials. Thank you from me, his co-owners Shonagh and Kim and from Pascal himself!

– Michael Stahl