In this episode, I sit down with Geri Orta to talk about her incredible German Shorthaired Pointer, Ranger (VC TC AFC OTCH2 Sageflyer Gorta's Ranger UDX8 OGM GO VER RE MH NA CA BCAT). Ranger made history as the oldest dog to pass the NAVHDA Invitational and earn a Versatile Champion title—at an astounding 12 years and 9 months old.

Geri shares how she set ambitious goals for Ranger from the very beginning, aiming for him to become the breed's first AKC triple champion. Even after retiring him from the field, Ranger wasn't content to slow down. At age 10, he returned to competition, and Geri decided to give NAVHDA a try. Together, they achieved more than most could dream of.

This conversation is not only about titles and achievements, but also about the bond between handler and dog, perseverance, and what's possible when our bird dogs remain healthy and motivated in their senior years. Ranger has been an inspiration to me personally, especially when I was deciding whether to retire my own dog, Zara, from NAVHDA events.

If you've ever wondered what older dogs are capable of, this episode will leave you inspired.

You can get in touch with Geri at [email protected].

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The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is sponsored by onX Hunt. We are part of the HerUpland Podcast Network.