Direct Kennels



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Direct Kennels in greater Detroit, founded in 1960, was operated by Ralph Laramie. Ralph Laramie served as our Club President in 1965. Ralph Laramie was the proud owners of F.T.C Zerone Direct and his sons Dual Ch. Telstar Direct. Telstar went for the classes to Best of Winners at the second National Specialty Show in Grand Rapids, for his first points towards a bench championship.


The Story of Zerone,


Zerone came to the Laramie’s at 6 months old. It was love at first site between the Laramie’s and that deep-chested white dog with the beautiful liver head and dark velvety brown eyes. At first Field Trialing was just a word to them. They were looking for a good bird dog. At the age of fourteen months and with subtle prodding from their friends, the Laramie’s entered Zerone in his first puppy stakes at Highland, Michigan. He placed fourth and needless to say that was our indoctrination into Field Trialing.



However, it was not in the stars for Zero to get his puppy points. A week after the puppy 4th Zerone ate a sponge rubber ball while playing with our Jim and laid up for the remainder of his puppy age. When he won the derby stake of around 30 dogs in Western NY in 1961 our buttons popped. After derby age Ralph handled him to an all age 2nd in the Michigan NGSPA Trial March 62 and handled him to his first limited win.


Not too long after that it became apparent that Zerone needed a lot of work for steadiness not having the time to devote to his training he was turned over to Vern in MN. Vern did a wonderful job with him and in Sept 62 handled him to this first limited win. This was in the ISC of Mich. Giving him 2 more points



Vern also placed him in other trials. Vern told Ralph he thought zero was ready for the 62 American Field Nationals Although he wasn‚t in the 2nd series. He received favorable mention (GSP News 12/62) With the last trial of the season upon us. Ralph decided to handle zero in the Amateur gun dog at woodland Dec 62 Well!! Jubilation reigned supreme when zero won. Ralph took him home after that trial.


I shall always feel nostalgic about woodland for the following spring 63 Zero finished there in all age. Ralph was extremely proud of the old boy at the 1963 AKC National in Marysville after a beautiful performance right up to the very last series. He was crossed up by one of those California Jack Rabbits. While chasing that Jack Rabbit he winded a bird and skidded to a sudden stop that flipped him over. Picking himself up Zerone slammed into a point on this bird, while his brace mate took up the chase of the Jack Rabbits. Well, that‚s the way the breaks come and go.




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