Quartermoon Ephraim's Return
Call Name: Eph
DOB: August 8, 2020
Weight: 68 lbs.
Coat: Dark, wavy, tight
AKC: SS23456908
Chip: 900115001949117
OFA CHIC Number: 176559
Tested "CLEAR" Golden Retriever Panel:
CI1, CI2, CMS, DM, NCL, PRA1, PRA2, PRCD, SAN
A true Golden Retriever gundog—specifically one from dedicated field-bred lines—represents a significant investment in both performance and partnership, far exceeding the value of a standard pet. These goldens are characterized by a leaner, more athletic build and a "work-first" mindset that makes them tireless in dense cover and icy waters. Their true value lies in their "on-off switch"; they are methodical, biddable hunters by day and affectionate, calm family companions by night, a dual-purpose versatility that remains the hallmark of the breed.
Key Performance Value Indicators
- Marking Ability: The dog's capacity to watch, memorize, and pinpoint where multiple birds fall ("marks").
- Steadiness (Wing and Shot): Remaining completely calm and stationary during the flush and the shot until commanded to retrieve.
- "Soft Mouth": The genetic trait of retrieving game gently without causing damage to the meat.
- Biddability & Handling: Responsiveness to whistle or hand signals at long distances, especially during "blind" retrieves where the dog did not see the bird fall.
- Game-Finding Initiative: Using a "superb nose" to track wounded game or scent birds in dense cover without constant direction from the handler.
- Retrieving Instinct: Unlike show lines, field-bred Goldens possess an intense, innate drive to retrieve, often exhibiting a "soft mouth" to return game undamaged.
- Trainability (Biddability): They are famously eager to please, often learning new commands five times faster than the average dog, which reduces long-term professional training costs.
- Athletic Build: Field lines feature a shorter, denser, water-repellent coat and a more compact frame, allowing them to navigate difficult terrain without the maintenance issues of a heavy show coat.
Quartermoon Golden Retrievers breeding program, led by Erica Christensen for over 40 years, is a premier name in the development of elite, gundogs. The program focuses on producing a specific type of "true" golden gundog that balances high-performance capabilities with domestic stability. Every dog is bred with a "strong hunting drive" as its foundation. They are expected to be equally at home on land and in water, actively hunting across diverse terrains.
Notable Lineage:
- Quartermoon I am Mc Bree
- MHR SFR Jackson Apollo ** MH MNH
- FC AFC Sungold Lad's Talisman OS FDHF
- Quartermoon I Am Reddi MH WC OD
- AFC Honeycreek's Jammin' Jaco MH OS
Semen Options:
- Frozen
- Fresh
- Live cover - Please let us know if you require housing. Proof of current vaccinations required for housing.
Owner of female responsible for all collections and shipping costs.
Stud Fee:
- $1200
Female Requirements:
- Provide Female Pedigree
- AKC Registration Number
- Brucellosis Test Date
- Health Clearances
- Usage
Breeding Considerations:
- Preservation of Genetic Diversity: By utilizing a broader, more diverse range of stud dogs, breeders prevent the gene pool from narrowing, which is essential for the long-term sustainability of the breed.
- Reduced Inbreeding Coefficients (COI): Overusing popular sires rapidly increases the inbreeding coefficient, which is linked to reduced fertility, smaller litter sizes, and shorter lifespans. Avoiding these sires keeps COI levels at or below the annual breed average.
- Limiting the Spread of Genetic Diseases: Popular sires, despite having good phenotypic traits (appearance), may carry hidden recessive genetic defects. The excessive use of a single male can rapidly spread these harmful genes throughout the population.
VGL Genetic Diversity Test Results
Ephraim has a negative IR - Excellent
Internal Relatedness: The IR value is a measure of genetic diversity within an individual that takes into consideration both heterozygosity of alleles at each STR loci and their relative frequency in the population. Therefore, IR values heterozygosity over homozygosity and uncommon alleles over common alleles. IR values are unique to each dog and cannot be com
Percentage Occurrence
1006 = 0.0158 2007 = 0.0158
1070 = 0.0126 2005 = 0.0132
100% Heterozygous at DLA I & DLA II
Rare - No occurrence greater than 1%
Haplotypes are valuable tools in genetics for understanding the relationship between genetic variation and various phenotypes, including disease susceptibility, ancestry, and even response to medication. The
Heterozygous - 24
Homozygous - 9
Over 70% Heterozygous
The value and tradition of a quality gun dog!
For over 30 years Eph's lines have been bred to optimize the classic golden retriever as a hunting partner. This includes; scenting ability, love of the water, cold-hardiness, athleticism, the desire to find upland game. The owner's job is to bring out the dog's natural ability, hone it, and make it applicable to the kind of hunting the dog's bred to do. If your looking to add athletic, nimble, very focused, excellent water attitude and 32 years of gun dog breeding you found the right stud.
Traits
- Smart, Intelligent & Fearless - Good hunting dogs like Eph are smart & intelligent enough to make decisions that will help round up the quarry in various terrain.
- Smelling & Tracking Abilities - Good hunting dogs like Eph their nose to track down their quarry. Also provides signals to the hunter that game is near.
- Mouth - Eph is firm but not mouthy. Delivering the right amount grip without destroying the bird.
- Endurance, Speed, Stamina - Body size and shape all contribute as an optimized golden hunter.
About his name:
The grizzly bear from the Cache National Forest known as "Old Ephraim" was first identified by his distinctive 3 toed tracks. The massive grizzly bear lived within a wilderness area from as far north as Soda Springs, Idaho to as far south as Weber, Utah, before settling in Logan Canyon, about 20 miles East of Logan, Utah.
"Old Eph" is a name used in many frontier folklore including several deer hunts and scout camps.
“Old Ephraim” was a legendary, giant, marauding grizzly bear who roamed the Wasatch Mountains in the early 20th century. Almost 92 years after his death, the bruin still lives on in campfire tales and various tributes.
The name is special and so is the dog:
"In a market flooded by goldens with dubious field credentials, finding a solid gunning companion is like finding the proverbial needle in a haystack." Unless you've met Erica. I consider Erica Christensen to be one of the foundational breeders of today's gun dog. Over the last 30+ years, her work has focused on perfecting the golden gun dog. Erica was involved with the original AKC steering committee for the hunt tests credentials. Just one of her many influences on the American golden retriever. Picking up Eph in Colorado December 22, 2020, Pixie's last litter, daughter of Bree, was a dream come true. Bree is one of the most gifted hunters Erica's had in those years. Those that know her program also know that she breeds wavy or curly coated goldens. Eph is an iconic throwback in the golden retriever foundational pedigrees. His curly coat is as unique as he his. Many golden history buffs have assumed that the curl had come the early Tweed water dog ancestors. However, some think they came from his more immediate ancestors, Tiverton Best Lad and Rajah. Either way, 30 + years of gun dog genetics and over 150 years of recessive curly genes are roaming the mountains and valleys of Cache County. He's everything we hoped for and more.
Foundation Training
SIT - HEEL - HOLD - COME - NO - DOWN - UP - Leash - Socialization
Everything I train for is built from these simple, but essential commands.
Bird Introduction (build prey drive) * Whistle commands * Swim Work * Steady to Shot * Decoy Intro * Marking drills on land and water * Single Marks/Retrieves * Upland Training * Dead bird work primarily with ducks/pheasants * Practice hunting situations * Proper Gun Introduction Kenneling * Sit (sit means sit, no stay needed) * Here * Front to Side Heel Walking Heel * Hunt Command * Nose Work
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