Today's Breeder - Issue 107 - 12

Outstanding Achievers
WATERMARK RETRIEVERS
A
MAKE A MARK
foursome of like-minded retriever
enthusiasts step back to strategize
setups to run water drills with young field
trial hopefuls. The Texas training grounds of
Watermark Retrievers provide ideal conditions
for practicing water marks with these rising stars.
Called " the farm " by Dr. Mary Tatum, her
38-acre property outside Giddings has two
technical ponds and ample area for setting up
blind and marked land retrieves. The talents of
these retrievers are rooted in good breeding,
thanks to Mary, and positive reinforcement
training, thanks to the innovative retriever
trainer Bill Hillmann.
Getting ready to make a blind water retrieve
old, both of whom inherited their sire's fierce
competitive drive. A 1 ½-year-old male Golden
Retriever, " Danger " (Watermark's Danger SH),
is gearing up for Master Hunter tests.
With her friendly, down-to-earth outlook
and contagious smile, Mary makes training
retrievers fun. Although her passion is field
trials and hunting tests, she wholeheartedly
believes all her purposeful-bred retrievers
have a niche.
Appreciation of the versatility of these breeds
Mary introduces puppy
" Rosebud' to a paint
roller brush, which will
be used to teach fetch.
is a stylish and intense 4-year-old black male
named " Shadow " (Watermarks Shadow), the 2020 Purina
High-Point Derby Dog. Waiting their turns are Shadow's
sons, " King " (Watermarks King Of Hearts), 1 ½ years
old, and " Choir Boy " (Watermarks Choir Boy), 2 ½ years
is a common thread between Mary and Bill. The
handler of six Purina High-Point Labrador
Retriever Derby dogs, Bill, of Caldwell, Texas, is
well-known for his training seminars and videos
covering puppy basics to advanced skills. His
progressive training method capitalizes on a dog's success.
" Labrador Retrievers have more jobs than any other
breed, and Golden Retrievers are in the same category, " he
says. " When you produce dogs like Mary does that have
Training at Watermark Retrievers in Giddings, Texas, are, from left, Leslie Wills, Mary Tatum, Bill Hillmann, and Mike Wills with " Crash "
(Watermarks Crash Gordon).
Right: " Shadow " (Watermarks Shadow), now 4 years old, was the 2020 Purina High-Point Derby Dog.
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Today's Breeder - Issue 107

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Today's Breeder - Issue 107