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Some Random Thoughts...

6/6/2011

3 Comments

 
Amazing what the website brings.  Oh the stories I could tell….

First of all the website was begun as a tribute to my good friend and houndsman, Mike Capozzi.  Mike is “old school” so the thought of him doing a website is out of the question.  The website is also a tribute to these merry hounds that have brought us so much joy.  Without a doubt, most of the responses that I have received have been positive and have come from those that know Mike or myself, and have had a hound with our breeding.  Those that did not know me personally, once I spoke with them and they found out that I was “approved” by Mike, felt very comfortable with me.  Others question my motives and authenticity and think they are the only ones to know the best direction the Patch Kennel should take.  Let me assure all those doubters out there that I’m not out to change the Patch Kennel or even put my own stamp on the hounds.  My goal is to keep alive and preserve the qualities that have been handed down in these hounds for over a century.  I do not expect to make a single cent of profit and I do not desire fame.  I have been truly blessed to have great family and friends as well as a career that is satisfying both personally and financially.  When it comes to the hounds, money is not part of the equation.

Mike has told me of breeders who “had dollar signs in their eyes” and I have witnessed it myself. The patch craze blooms and fades.  In my collection of Hounds & Hunting magazines (almost 100 years of issues), there are times when the people selling patch hounds rise and there are times when they are absent.  In the early 80’s, my uncle and I visited a ‘patch’ kennel that was advertised in H&H and the so-called “breeder” acknowledged that he was producing pups to turn a buck.  He never had the hounds out and was just breeding paper.  When he learned that my uncle knew Willet, he didn’t know how to react.  I learned a lot that day. Today, I believe the internet has its benefits as well as its curse to the hounds.  Those with a silver coated tongue can hide behind their keyboards and spew garbage that sounds like gold.  They could make a hare hunter want to purchase a traditional brace hound and an Eskimo buy an ice cube.  They have amassed verbiage from everyone and everywhere and can emit brilliance (sarcasm intended) with every syllable.

When I decided to dive head first into the hounds, I could have gone in any direction that I chose.  I was single, had a fat wallet, and time to burn.  I travelled to visit many kennels, big and small, with an empty dog box and my checkbook in hand.  I had definite standards and ideals in mind.  Also I would not deal with anyone whom I did not admire personally or did not have high standards.  Surprisingly, this eliminated many, many people.  To this day, I am a very good judge of people.  Maybe it’s my business background and dealing with people daily that has refined this skill but I find out that I am usually correct in my initial assessment of people. Some talk a good story, others have the hounds to back it up.

3 Comments
Chuck Wasel
6/9/2011 10:29:30 am

Hey Chris,
I am thrilled to see this site. I am the proud owner of 2 patches "Roger Rabbit Patch"-6 and "Jessica Rabbit Patch"-4 They are great dogs and even better hunting buddies. We run hare through out central maine and cotton tail in mass. My family has been fond of the patch hounds since my great uncle George bought his first patch from Willet back in the 60s. Roger is by Pella and Ambe and his face markings are the spitting image of your Elvis. He is also a one of a kind dog. He climes ladders and trees, he has made the news paper for tracking a lost show dog and running it right into the owners car and he will run rabbits from sun up and on through the night if he has his way. I was very happy when Mike said the the line was going to live on.

Reply
Bob
7/4/2011 11:53:02 pm

Chris,

Regarding the discord, keep poised. With many endeavors or great
responsibilities in life, there will be tribulations; which we can’t allow
to bring us down. You have to pat yourself on the back for the good you’ve
done thus far for the Patch line within your experience. I’m sure Mr.
Capozzi received similar controversy once Willet passed the kennel on to
him. I believe Mike has done an exceptional job preserving, elevating, and
nurturing the direction of the Patch hounds, and I believe he’s trusted you
would do the same; which is an honor.

The destination of the hounds is in good hands, and I believe the breeding
of a strong family of patch hounds should be the consensus, thus I see no
need for the harassment. You have a long, rich history with the Patches and
I’m sure a positive future as well. Your website’s a wonderful idea, keep
it; in the long run, the friends gained from it will outweigh the
antagonists. It allows hunters and gunners like myself access to the rich
history of some of the greatest patch hounds in the world

Reply
Chris
7/18/2011 03:05:36 am

I believe that my "stamp" quote was taken the wrong way.

Let me clarify. My standards for fieldwork and type will remain and my hounds will be continously tested in the field and under the gun. I will not outcross to conflicting bloodlines or select breeding stock that contrasts with the original mission of the Patch Kennel.

Other patch breeders, both past and present, have added lines such as Pearson Creek and others have selectively bred their hounds to slow them down for cottontail trials (such as in Mississippi). These are in total contrast to what Willet and Mike envisioned for their hounds and the Patch line.

Others have changed the look and conformation so drastically, they do not even resemble a beagle. Many faults are being perpetuated by those who either don't know or don't care. Look back at the hounds in "Hounds of the Past" and see just what Willet and Mike were breeding.

Mike has spent a lifetime with these hounds, Do you think he would trust me with the hounds if he had reservations on my intentions?

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  • Home
  • Hounds
    • Males
    • Females
  • Photos
  • Patch History
    • Randall Patch Kennel "The Foundation"
    • Capozzi History
    • Hornick History
  • Upcoming Litters
  • Hounds from the Past
  • Links
  • Patch Blog