Claudette was born in Canada and is the team’s oldest Bloodhound. Her handler and partner is Patti. Both Claudette and Patti started their training when Claudette was 10 weeks old. Claudette worked mostly criminal cases in her career. She accomplished her Mantrailer Excellent certification by the American Bloodhound Club. In September of 1998, she became a mother to 8 beautiful black and tan pups! Claudette is retired now and helps out at community events. At the age of 11, in April of 2006, Claudette made her debut in the show ring and won her class in Best Veteran Sweepstakes (11 Years and Older). She enjoys any type of tasty treats and taking naps in the sunshine!

Beau is Claudette’s son. He was born at Al & Patti’s home in Strasburg along with his brother, Shooter. Beau’s handler and partner is Patti and they started their training when Beau was 10 weeks old. Beau is bigger than his brother Shooter and is very strong. One of his favorite training games is called “Line-Up” where he ‘quickly’ picks out the person he’s looking for in a line of people from smelling something that person touched. Beau loves to swim and get a bath, and his favorite treat is a pig ear!

Shooter is also Claudette’s son. He was born in Strasburg at Al & Patti’s home and was the “runt” of the litter! Shooter and his brother Beau were raised together and are best friends. Shooter’s handler and partner is Al and they started training together when Shooter was 10 weeks old. Shooter is shorter than Beau but has more skin around his face and neck. Shooter and Al have worked a number of successful cases. Shooter loves to run and do belly-flops in to the water and swim with his brother. Shooter is a slow eater and loves pig ears. When all the Bloodhounds start to sing, Shooter carries the bass.

Nellie was born in Canada at the home of Heather & Peter Whitcomb. Her mother was Ch. Quietcrk Triumph for Heather and her father, Ch. Heathers Knock on Wood (“Knotty”). Nellie’s partner and handler is Patti. Nellie started her training at 10 weeks of age and worked her first criminal case at the age of 8 months, involving the shooting of a police officer. Nellie is one of the youngest Bloodhounds in the country to have achieved the Mantrailer Excellent Certification through the American Bloodhound Club at the age of 16 months. Her favorite pastime is swimming with her family and taking good care of her little sister, Heather.

Bailey came to Al & Patti Means as a breed rescue and blended in with the rest of the Bloodhound family – so she will remain on board as an official team member. Bailey has had a minimal amount of training but accomplished her American Bloodhound Club “Mantrailer” certification. She and her Bloodhound buddies are playmates all day long until they are too tired to run around. Bailey loves pig ears too and keeping watch over her family at night.

Heather was born in Canada at the home of Heather & Peter Whitcomb. Her mother was Ch. Sapphires and Diamonds (“Taylor”) and her father, Ch. Heathers Knock on Wood (“Knotty”). Heather’s partner and handler is Al and she started her training at 10 weeks of age. She attended her first training seminar in Virginia at the age of 4 months. Heather is very outgoing and a fast learner. She likes to run and play with her Bloodhound family but most of all she likes to trail and jump on the person she’s looking for! Heather started her testing for the American Bloodhound Club's four levels of training certifications. She is a very promising addition to the team!