At GiantMouse, we are always interested in the different relationships people have with their blades. For this installment of our Knifestyles series, we talk to Neal Kauder and Zane Moody, the team behind Punto Blanco Gun Dogs, about the deep connections between dog training, hunting, and knives.
At Punto Blanco Gun Dogs, Neal Kauder and Zane Moody have built something rare: a specialized breeding, hunting, and training program dedicated exclusively to Llewellin Setters. Far from your typical puppy operation, it’s a purpose-driven partnership producing elite bird dogs through careful genetics, expert training, and real-world exposure to wild birds across the country.
Each foundation dog is selected for athleticism, intelligence, and field performance. Litters are planned precisely, aiming to produce pups with specific, high-value traits. Then, from an early age—often as young as 16 weeks—these dogs begin hunting wild birds in some of the most varied and demanding terrains in the U.S., preparing for a life in pursuit.
You won’t find Llewellins that match the look, drive, or proven hunting ability of a Punto Blanco Setter. Characteristics that come from a methodical approach to breeding and training that Neal and Zane have carefully developed over countless hours and miles in the field.
We sat down with the duo to talk dogs, hunting, and the essential gear that shapes their work. From early field memories to their everyday carry, knives have remained a trusted constant throughout their journey. And we are proud to announce Punto Blanco is now officially sponsored by GiantMouse, a partnership built on mutual dedication to high-performance hunting tools and painstaking craftsmanship.
The Knifestyles of Neal Kauder & Zane Moody
What originally got you into knives?
Neal: My first fixed blade was a Buck 121, a gift from my parents for my 12th birthday. I still have it and the original sheath. It was the knife I learned to whittle with, and the one I used for bass fishing for 35 years, until I retired it some years back for fear of losing something so sentimental. I bought a similar Buck about 20 years ago for my 11-year-old son.
Zane: Growing up hunting, I was exposed to knives very early. My first one was a case pocket knife given to me by my grandfather. Today, I carry and use a variety of knives ranging from skinning knives to daily-use pocket knives.
How do knives fit into your life?
Neal: When training dogs or hunting, knives are a must-have and come into play daily. They’re a critical tool that does not leave my game bag while hunting or my tackle box while fishing.
Zane: Today, I generally carry three knives. I carry a fixed blade in my game bag when hunting, a fixed blade on my belt over my chaps, and a folding knife in my chaps pocket.
What's your go-to everyday carry gear?
Neal: I’m doing more dog training than hunting these days. I leave the more rigorous hunting trips to my partner, Zane. Full-time dog training requires the highest quality gear, including dependable leather gloves, different sizes of polypropylene rope, leather and nylon collars and slip leads, and a completely supplied first aid kit.
In addition to my GiantMouse GMF2-P-R, I carry a Leatherman Multi-Purpose tool handed down by my father-in-law, and 8” bolt cutters for hunting or working dog emergencies, like when a dog might be hung up in wire or thick undergrowth.
Zane: Along with the three knives, I generally carry a Leatherman tool, rope, and a watch.
What is your favorite GiantMouse knife and why?
Neal: I was first introduced to your company and knives through Eric Kallen, who did a gear review, if I recall correctly, for the Virginia Sportsman Magazine. My experience so far is with two fixed blade models, the GMF2-P-R and GMF2 Scout.
Zane: I’ve been using and testing the GMF2 Scout in Green Canvas. It is the perfect, dependable, “no frills” hunting knife.
How did your passion for hunting lead you into the world of dog training?
Neal: I started bird hunting later in life, around the age of 40. I immediately started training dogs and was attracted to that part of the sport more than the hunting. My father-in-law owned a large hunting preserve and a string of gun dogs for guiding that comprised 3 breeds, but he seemed most fond of the LLewellin Setter. I owe my initial interest in bird dogs and dog training to him.
However, my most influential mentor was Rick Smith, creator of the Silent Command System, and one of the most prominent gun dog trainers in the world. Additionally, by pure luck, Rick was also a close neighbor of mine in Virginia and a friend of our family’s hunting preserve. Without Rick, I would not be at the dog training level I am today. I helped Rick at his seminars, public and private group trainings, and countless individual and specialized trainings at his house or on our preserve. The ability to get my hands on so many different dogs and dog breeds in such a short time was a gift from him I could never repay.
Zane: I was raised in a family that had hunted professionally. Bird dogs were a part of my everyday life growing up and it became a natural transition when I decided to go in this direction. I was lucky to befriend Neal at the same time I had just purchased a LLewellin puppy. I then began to learn more about the dog training side of the business, and we decided to combine our hunting and training expertise to create our kennel. When we acquired and bred more dogs, I began hunting over 125 days a year. At the same time, Neal was training and steadying pups that I had proven on wild birds, dogs that would soon become our foundation dogs.
How would you describe Punto Blanco’s ethos toward raising hunting dogs?
Neal/Zane: I think we both feel our main differentiator is the exposure to multiple species of wild birds we give to our dogs. Dogs hunt across the U.S. at various ages before delivery, traveling in our custom 42’ Lakota dog rig. The rig is anything but typical for gun dog transportation. It is custom fabricated to securely hold 26 Dakota kennels in a climate controlled area; it has fully furnished living quarters to allow us to set up camp virtually anywhere.
The rig can't be missed on the road—it includes large format branding from Yeti, Inukshuk Professional Dog Food, Paul Bond Boots, and most recently, GiantMouse! We put young and experienced dogs on the ground in some of the most varied and extreme conditions and terrains. Alongside adult dogs, most pups begin hunting by 16 weeks. It is important that they have superior accommodations to recuperate and rest.
All dogs are professionally trained, house-broken, socialized, and fully transitioned to e-collars for complete off-lead control. Field traits and steadiness are tailored to each client. We never sell puppies or untrained dogs. We can confidently say, no other Llewellin Setters match Punto Blanco’s distinctive look, proven multi-species hunting ability, and methodical and professional training.
In your view, what connects the worlds of hunting dogs and high-end knife making?
Neal: Obviously, high-quality dogs pair nicely with high-quality knives. We consider our training and hunting methods to be a craft; few others are willing to spend the time to get this part of gun dog development right. I expect there’s no piece of knife making, particularly at the level of a brand like GiantMouse, that doesn’t proceed similarly, with painstaking attention to each step of the process.
Zane: We pride ourselves in raising the finest upland gun dogs possible. Our clientele looks to have the finest equipment to accompany our dogs. Guns, electronics, and, of course, knives all come hand in hand with these. They are a necessity for a successful day running and training bird dogs.
What’s your life motto?
“To be a ‘dog lover’ is common; to respect the true capability and nature of the species is a much more pure form of devotion” - Neal Kauder
Discover Neal & Zane's Favorites
The GiantMouse Team would like to thank Neal and Zane for taking a break from their adventures to talk shop with us. Keep an eye out for more Knifestyle profiles coming soon!