Our dogs....
Breeding for Quality
To us, a well rounded excellent quality dog is made up of three elements, temperament (mental soundness), health (genetic predispositons) and beauty (correct structure and "look" associated with the standard of the breed).
At the top of the list for me and what I want for families looking for puppies is temperament. Basically, if you don't have a mentally sound dog, the rest doesn't matter. But breeding a dog with a good temperament is only the beginning. After the pups are born, it is up to us to make sure they are surrounded by lots of people, activity, love and socialization. We raise our puppies in our house to make sure they get plenty of those things, as I believe it's crucial for their development and adaptability into their new homes.
Of course, health is something we take very seriously as well. Because there are a number of health conditions that we find in our breed (Hip dysplasia, Luxating patellas, cataracts), it is best to use breeding stock which has been tested for these issues. Although breeding from parents that have been tested for these conditions does not guarantee that any particular issue will not pop up during the lifetime of your dog, it does however give you the assurance that we have done the best we could to minimize that risk. The fact is, buying a puppy from any breeder who does health testing on their dogs, shows you they have the best interests of your puppy in mind. So for these reasons, we have our dogs hips x-rayed and their knees examined. These results are then registered with The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. Their eyes are examined yearly as well, and this is then registered with The Canine Eye Registry Foundation.
But to round out a perfect litter, you must also have beauty. We strive to attain this by only using dogs and bitches that conform to the standard of the breed as set out by the Canadian Kennel Club. Although one can certainly argue beauty is subjective, there is a distinct look and structure to the American Cocker Spaniel, and this can be validated by whether the dog has been shown in conformation events and was able to attain points or titles, or who has come from parents who have. All of our dogs were shown to their Canadian Championships. Truly, there are few things as beautiful as a well bred American Cocker Spaniel!
Denzil's How About me X CH Cagomists Zana Di Jewel
Date of Birth: January 14 2003
Breeder/Co-Owner: Kirstine Renz
Handled by: Carmen Lorenz
OFA HIPS: GOOD PATELLAS: NORMAL
EYES: Cerf 2005, 06, 07, 08
"Candy"
"Benjamin"
CH Budken Shadyhill's Joshua X CH Shadyhill's Traditional Jewel
Date of Birth: August 18 2006
Breeder: Jean DeWolfe of Shadyhill Cocker Spaniels
Handled by: Carmen Lorenz of Rachris Cockers
OFA HIPS: GOOD PATELLAS: NORMAL
EYES: Cerf 2008, 09
Benjamin came to us as a wee puppy so we had high hopes that as he matured he would grow into everything that we expected him too... Well he didn't disappoint us! We had to spend lots of time sharing him with his handler, but it all paid off and Carmen Lorenz (who we are again so grateful for) expertly showed him to his Championship finishing at the age of 15 months.
As this big man of ours physically matures, unfortunately we're not convinced that his brain is following suit! Of course meant with the greatest respect, one could easily dub him as a dumb blonde! Could just be that he will always be a puppy at heart though... He is so eager to please and so much fun, has a great attention span and like a lot of Cockers, a little ball crazy too. Very energetic but also has that wonderful affectionate side.
Not just a pretty face, even though his gorgeous head is my favourite thing about him, he is beautifully built too. Benjamin has passed our health requirements of him and will be our first stud dog.
"Ava"
CH Deserenes I got Starlite X CH Deserenes Kismet
Date of Birth: November 10 2007
Breeder: Irene Gillis
Eyes: Cerf 2009
Patellas: Normal Hips: Free of dysplasia as per x-ray on Nov 2/09
OFA to follow.
We are so thrilled to have our little Ava join our family! She comes to us from Irene Gillis of Deserenes Cockers in British Columbia and we are extremely priveledged to have had the opportunity to add this amazing girl to our breeding program.
The whirlwind began when Ava came to us at 3 1/2 months old earlier this year, and upon turning 6 months was entered into her first shows. Due to a knee injury Carmen was unable to show her but rounded up some pinch hitters and Ava took it all in stride. Well, that might be a little bit of an understatement.... Little miss Ava strutted her stuff and wound up finishing her Canadian Championship on her first weekend out with two 5 point and one 4 point majors!!! On top of that she also took Best Puppy in Specialty both shows that weekend!
Because we don't like them gone from us for too long, it was such a thrill to get Ava back home to us so quickly and things can finally settle down for her. We are enjoying her puppiness (mostly!) and when she grows up and has passed her health tests we look forward to breeding her with Benjamin. What beautiful buffs we think they will make!!
This sums up PERFECTLY just what Benjamin thought of the show ring!!
As a pup shortly after she came to us
First 5 point major at the Mid West Cocker Spaniel Club of Canada Specialty Show! Ava was shown by Jackie Forchuk of Calla Cockers where she also took Best Puppy in Specialty Show! Thank you Jackie!
Ava's second 5 point major was won at the American Cocker Spaniel Club of Canada Regional Specialty Show with Kelly Ladouceur of Kladcockers showing her, taking Best Puppy in Specialty Show again! Thanks Kelly!
Then Ava finished up the weekend with a 4 point major and Joanne Downing bringing her to her Canadian Championship! Thanks Joanne!
Candy has been retired from our breeding program and continues to live out her years as Alpha of her pack here at home.
