ABOUT US

Welcome to the HighStanding Kennel website. We are a family that loves spending time together and the outdoors. We love our dogs and horses and they are a part of our family. We enjoy training and field trialing our dogs, riding our horses, and spending time with our field trial friends.
OUR STORY
Anthony and Dayna Rusciano have always owned dogs as pets. Anthony has always been an avid big game hunter. About nine years ago a friend took Anthony pheasant hunting at a local preserve. This friend owned a Brittney and that dog was used for the days hunt. Anthony was immediately hooked on bird hunting over a bird dog. We decided that the pointing breed that we wanted would be a German Shorthaired Pointer (GSP). Our research stated that these were versatile hunting dogs, that were great with families with children, and that with proper breeding it would have low health related issues. We sought out a reputable breeder with high quality gun dogs. After purchasing our first young GSP Anthony took it hunting and was amazed at the young dogs natural ability. It was suggested that we enter this dog in AKC Hunt Tests. So began our competitive streak. We entered two weekend hunt tests and passed our Junior Hunter title in those two weekends. While competing in the Hunt Tests we were told by experienced hunt test participants and judges that our dog ran to big for walking hunt tests and we should look into entering horseback field trials. After speaking with our dog breeder who had a great deal of success in field trials and conformation, we attended our first field trial. Needless to say we were overwhelmed. People were there with many dogs tied out in front of their horse trailers that they also lived in. These same people where on horseback handling their dogs, some dogs that were hundreds of yards out in front of them, controlling them with a whistle and their singing voice. We had no idea what we were watching or how to even begin training a dog for an event such as this.
FIELD TRIALING - HOW IT ALL STARTED
After attending and watching our first field trial we knew we needed help to get started if we wanted to participate and be competitive in these events. We gave our first young hunting dog to a local professional dog trainer and field trial handler. The trainer had our dog for approximately two months and it was difficult to take a back seat and to not participate in the training of this dog. Dayna Rusciano purchased a George Hickox training seminar for Anthony to attend and learn how to train their dog. Anthony picked up their dog from the professional trainer and headed 8 hours away to a four day training seminar. After attending this seminar Anthony knew he wanted to train his own dog and if this dog ever had any future success or accomplishments Anthony can be proud that he dedicated his own time into the dog. Anthony began training and learning and listening to others that had years of knowledge and experience with dog training, field trialing, and handling. We began walking field trials and eventually after learning to ride a horse, we purchased a horse and started horseback trialing. We learned by making plenty of mistakes and riding and watching other handlers. It continues to be a learning process.
George Hickox Training Seminar
George Hickox Training Seminar
TODAY AND OUR FUTURE
Anthony and Dayna Field Trialing
Anthony and Dayna on their horses
Currently we have our own small string of German Shorthaired Pointers and English Pointers. We field trial all of our dogs in AKC, NGSPA, and American Field events. We also continue to hunt with our dogs and have traveled to many states to hunt wild birds. All of our GPS's are owned and trained by Anthony and Dayna Rusciano. Our English Pointers, co owned with Kevin and Maureen Joyce, are professionally trained and handled by Mike Tracy, Summerhill Kennels. Our family enjoys traveling to field trials and meeting our field trial friends, many of whom we consider our extended family, and competing with our dogs. Although we have had some success with winning and placing in numerous AKC and American field events, it is a greater reward knowing that the time and dedication in training our dogs has come from us and our hard work. Our oldest daughter Summer who is 9 years old, now proudly displays her winning ribbons in her room, of dogs that she helped daddy train and that she handled herself in field trials. Anthony and Dayna Rusciano are both AKC judges and Dayna has also judged American Field events. We look forward to continuing attending field trials and training as a family and meeting great people along the way.
ASSOCIATIONS & CLUBS
We are members of the following clubs and organizations:
WE FEED AND RECOMMEND
Purina Pro Plan - Sport All Life Stages - Performance 30/20