In 1964, a young beagler made the journey to the Patch Kennel that would prove to be historic. Mike Capozzi and a friend of his, Joseph Hornick travelled to North Creek so that Mike could pick up a hound. A mostly white 13” bitch named Matuka Patch would become a life changing hound. From that February day Mike and Willet hit it off and soon became best of friends. Mike would travel to North Creek to run hounds on weekends with Willet and other great beaglers of the past. They also spent many hours discussing the Patches.
Soon Mike gave up his job working at the bank and moved to North Creek to help Willet and run and condition the hounds. How many out there can claim that they ran hounds with Willet in Beaver Meadows? Mike and Willet worked side by side in the Patch Kennel and worked together in continuing the Patch strain.
Willet passed his Patch strain over to Mike Capozzi in 1967, but Willet did not leave the picture. He was still very much involved in the breeding and raising of the Patches. Their theory in actuality was simple: ELIMINATE every specimen that did not come up to their requirements, set a standard, both for type and field work, and FOREVER after stick to it. Willet chose Mike to continue on what he had started.
Mike does not advertise much as he does not want to make beagling a business or capitalize on the Patch name, as many of the “Patch Breeders” of today are doing. His goal is to produce quality hounds and to keep alive what Willet had left behind. And that is exactly what he has done for 40+ years now. Those that know the true Patch line, know where Mike is. He has sold hounds to many hunters across the country and many of those have returned for second and third hunting companions.
Mike and his wife Edna, still reside in the Adirondacks, in a beautiful valley on the Upper Hudson River. They have raised three children: Mary, Tobia and Michael. Mike enjoys gardening and living a simple lifestyle preferring that to much of the ‘progress’ of today’s world. Family and friends are the most important thing in their life. MORE...
Note: Mike passed away in June of 2014. See obituary HERE