Astraglen McCoy "Coy"

Coy is a wingman—accountable, loyal, and happiest right at your side. Since he was a puppy, his natural position has been beside his person, never an inch out front. We brought Coy in for training at six months old, and he immediately proved to be the easiest dog we had welcomed into our home to that point.

Coy has a cheerful, outgoing personality and has never met a stranger. His gentle demeanor makes him just as desirable as a family companion as he is in the field, and he is especially favored by the small children in his life.

Like many of the Astraglen and Kelmarsky dogs I’ve worked with from similar backgrounds, Coy is exceptionally easy to train and possesses outstanding natural ability. He is highly receptive to his handler and requires very little correction. Simple praise for a job well done goes a long way, while a single “No” is often all that is needed when a correction is necessary. Coy rarely makes the same mistake twice, and throughout his training, we often needed only a single session to establish a new skill.

Coy’s prey drive is best described as enthusiastic. He wants nothing more than to pick the bird, bring it back, and do it all with a smile on his face. That enthusiasm, combined with his natural willingness to work with his handler, makes him an enjoyable and uncomplicated dog both in training and in the field.

Coy belongs to my longtime friend, Adam Vinyard of East Alabama. We imported Coy as a puppy from Northern Ireland in 2023 and is out of FTW Astraglen Mia, sired by FTCH Kelmarsky Crow, the 2020 Irish Retriever of the Year.

Through Crow, Coy is a half-brother to FTCH Kelmarsky Ash, winner of the 2022 Irish Retriever Championship, and FTCH Kelmarsky Arkle of Astraglen, who placed second in the 2023 Irish Retriever Championship.

Coy brings together the qualities we value most: natural ability, enthusiasm for his work, an eagerness to please, and a temperament that makes him every bit as enjoyable in the home as he is in the field.