NEW DOG OF THE WEEK!

by Andrew Chalk

Cazador (Caz) may be the rarest breed of dog in the Texas wine country. Years ago, Kerrville Hills Winery owner John Rivenburgh adopted a dog for the family named Oreo who was a wonderful faithful friend before he passed after 16 years. Orea was part Drentse Partridge Hound, a Dutch breed, and part English Setter. The Drentse Partridge Hound is a hunter and retriever par excellence. Researching the breeds for the next Oreo, John realized that most of the unique things about Oreo were facets of the Dutch part.

There was one problem, the breed was so rare that when he set out to find one there was only one breeder in the USA, and he was in Squem, a town on a barrier island in Washington state. ORDER HERE

CAZ PUTS TEXAS WINEMAKER ON PROBATION

It took over two years for the whole process of meeting the breeder’s family, being approved with the background check they required, and waiting for a litter. Finally, Rivenburgh flew up to Washington to pick up the dog but under the clear stipulation that if the puppy did not like him, the breeder would not sell it to him.

Luckily, the two hit it off and John brought Caz back to Texas. Apparently, the pup’s charm also helped speed the path through airport security lines.

That same charm is on show every week. Caz is now nine years old and John’s perpetual sidekick.