Christy Hale | Halestorm Kennel

Interview with Christy Hale, Breeder behind the Halestorm Kennel

Where do I live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder?

Christy Hale: I live in Hendersonville, Tennessee. I started showing dogs in 1982. I have only recently become a breeder as of 2020.

What is my kennel name? How many dogs do I currently keep?

Christy Hale: My kennel name is Halestorm Kennel. I currently have six dogs.

Which show dogs from the past have been my noteworthy winners?

Christy Hale: My most noteworthy winners are actually more current dogs. GCHG Halestorm-Suma This Is Unbelievable CGG FDC YKN ATT FCAT CA (Ripley) is my top-ranked dog, finishing No. 2 German Shorthaired Pointer Breed for 2022 and BOS at our 2022 National.

Which have been my most influential sires and dams?

Christy Hale: My foundation bitch is definitely the star in my success. GCHB CH Suma’s For The Fun Of It JH RN FLAT CGC TRN CAA FDC VC.GSP (Reece) produced Ripley in her first litter and some beautiful upcoming puppies in her last litter.

Can I talk a bit about my facilities? Where are my puppies whelped? How are they raised?

Christy Hale: I do not have a kennel building, per say. Our dogs stay in our house, have a spacious backyard for exercise, and completely make us fight for couch space. I have a whelping room inside my house, and when the puppies are ready for the next step, we have an amazing area in our bonus room for all the Puppy Culture they could ask for. My goal is to expose them to everything I can find so that they have the best start in life.

What is my “process” for selecting Show Puppies? Performance Puppies? Field Puppies?

Christy Hale: I have the best mentors I could ever ask for in this new journey of breeding. I am blessed that they are willing to evaluate, talk, teach, and answer my hundreds of questions. As a whole, we piece together many things besides just the “look” of a puppy to determine the best fit for that puppy.

Do I compete in Companion Events? Performance Events?

Christy Hale: I do compete in a lot of dog sports. My dogs have titled in Field Work, Rally, Dock Diving, Lure Coursing, Scent Work, and many fun titles.

Are Field Trials or parent club Hunt Tests important to me?

Christy Hale: Yes, I believe the GSP should be able to perform in the field and in the show ring. I have participated in both Field Trials and Hunt Tests and enjoyed them both.

How would I define “conditioning” as it relates to my breed?

Christy Hale: I believe our breed should be presented in excellent condition. Ours is an active breed that should be able to hunt all day or perform a task/job all day. That conditioning carries over to other dog sports. As with any athlete, performance is related to conditioning.

Are there any health-related concerns in my breed? Any special nutritional needs?

Christy Hale: Unfortunately, we do have issues with epilepsy in our breed. This is something our parent club continuously works on for research. We also require basic testing such as hips, elbows, hearts, and eyes. I would not say there are any special nutritional needs, but GSP require more calories during higher periods of work and training to maintain optimal weight.

Do I think my breed is supported by a sufficient number of preservation breeders?

Christy Hale: Yes.

Is my breed well suited to be a family dog? Who are the best candidates to own my breed?

Christy Hale: I believe the GSP can make a great family dog for an active family. They love to be with their people and can adapt to many living environments. However, they do require a significant amount of exercise and mental stimulation.

What is the biggest misconception about my breed? What is my breed’s best-kept secret?

Christy Hale: I think one big misconception is that the GSP cannot be a housedog and be a great hunting dog. This idea could not be any further from the truth. I think the best-kept secret is that they may be the best bed warmers on the planet!

If I could share a comment or two with judges of my breed, what would I like to say to them?

Christy Hale: Color does not matter! Structure should be foremost over color in determining your placements.

Do I have any words of wisdom to pass along to newer breeders?

Christy Hale: Since I consider myself very new to the art of breeding, I would say, without a doubt, talk to anyone and everyone you can, listen to the “deep-seed” breeders and absorb everything they are telling you. If you do not know what is generations behind your dogs, you cannot know where you are going with your program. As they say, knowledge is power.

For a bit of fun, what’s the most amusing thing I’ve ever experienced with a Sporting Dog?

Christy Hale: There are way too many amusing things that happen with this circus on a daily basis—LOL!

Are you looking for a German Shorthaired Pointer puppy?

The best way to ensure a long and happy relationship with a purebred dog is to purchase one from a responsible breeder. Not sure where to begin finding a breeder?

Contact the National Parent Club’s Breeder Referral person, which you can find on the AKC Breeder Referral Contacts page.

Want to help rescue and re-home a German Shorthaired Pointer dog?

Did you know nearly every recognized AKC purebred has a dedicated rescue group? Find your new best friend on the AKC Rescue Network Listing.

German Shorthaired Pointer Spaniel Breed Magazine

Showsight Magazine is the only publication to offer dedicated Digital Breed Magazines for ALL recognized AKC Breeds.

Read and learn more about the friendly German Shorthaired Pointer dog breed with articles and information in our German Shorthaired Pointer Breed Magazine.

If you enjoy the German Shorthaired Pointer Breed Magazine, help us educate the community by sharing it.