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American Water Spaniel LbNA #48950

Owner:Wisconsin Hiker
Plant date:Jun 28, 2009
Location:
City:New London
County:Waupaca
State:Wisconsin
Boxes:1
Found by: Crow T Robot
Last found:May 14, 2015
Status:FFFa
Last edited:May 16, 2016
Last checked/found: 28-JUN-09

This stamp was carved by Scoutdogs, an avid dog lover who lives in Indiana, for the WI Letterboxing 10th Anniversary Gathering held in OCT 2008. It is now planted in a permanent location.

Location: nettaH Park
Time: ~30 minutes depending on trail conditions & your hiking speed.
Terrain: loop hike on level path through woods.

The American Water Spaniel is one of only a few breeds developed in America. It is widely believed to have first appeared along the Wolf and Fox River valleys of Wisconsin during the mid-1800s. In the early 1900s, Doctor Pfiefer of New London, Wisconsin, was the first to recognize that the little brown spaniels, so well known in his area, were actually a distinguishable breed. It was his belief that the breed should be recognized and preserved. He led an effort to gain recognition of what would eventually be called the American Water Spaniel by petitioning the dog registries to recognize the breed. Through his efforts, the American Water Spaniel was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1920. [Trivia note: Fred Pfiefer is a relative of Martini Man!]

Park in the Jack Algiers Shooting Range parking area (NW section of park). Find the Wolf River Pathway next to range and head out in search of this rare breed. Follow him as he bounds past several landmarks:

16, 15, bench, forts, bridge

The American Water Spaniel was developed as a hunting dog. Hunters needed a dog that could function on land as well as in the marsh and that could easily fit into a canoe or skiff without taking up much room. A hunting dog and a hunting letterboxer? Continue on and take a right at the major “T”, then left on a path back into woods.

The dog has a gentle mouth and a fine nose and works well both flushing game and retrieving. The American Water Spaniel excels in swimming even in turbulent waters.

Although he left the river behind, the spaniel was excited to find a bench at the next “T”. His fine nose found a spot to rest and your mission is to flush him out and retrieve his image. Stop, sight 90 degrees to a large one, half upright, half fallen. Behind this behemoth, X marks the spot. The dog is crouched beneath one end, near a standing smaller tree.

After finding & carefully replacing, head north from the bench. Though he is the state dog of Wisconsin, the American Water Spaniel is still quite rare in the United States. You are hopefully now the proud owner of one!

Follow this scent to return to your vehicle: 21, left, 20, 19, then left at a “T” to return to the parking lot.

We'd really appreciate an email with a status update if you look for the box. Thanks!


Hike length: 1 mile