Buyer Beware: Where (and How) to Choose a Puppy Wisely
I generally try to share educational information in a positive and constructive way, what to look for, how to recognize breeders and rescue organizations that are doing things thoughtfully, ethically, and responsibly when placing dogs and puppies.
Today, though, it’s equally important to talk about what to approach with caution.
With the rise of social media, a growing number of puppy sellers have built large followings using adorable photos, clever captions, and emotionally appealing stories. Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok have become their storefronts, all designed to create urgency and separate buyers from their money. Purchasing a puppy from many of these so-called “influencers” can be a bit like buying something from an Temu, you may not get what you were promised.
To help potential puppy buyers navigate this landscape, here are some common marketing terms and tactics worth understanding before making a decision.
“AKC Registered” and “Champion Bloodlines”
Let’s start with AKC registration. The American Kennel Club is a registry, not a quality control organization. Its primary role is to record pedigrees and sanction dog sports. Any AKC-registered dog bred to another AKC-registered dog of the same breed is automatically eligible for registration.
There are other legitimate registries besides AKC, but AKC is the most widely recognized.
What’s important to understand is that AKC registration alone does not guarantee quality, health, or responsible breeding.
The same applies to the phrase “Champion bloodlines.” If you go back far enough in most pedigrees, you’ll likely find AKC Champion dogs. When those titles are several generations back, it usually means the person selling the puppy had no role in producing or finishing those champions. In some rare breeds, championships may be fewer and farther between, so extra research is always encouraged.
Health Testing: What It Really Means
Today’s puppy buyers are rightly asking about health testing—and puppy sellers have learned how to market that expectation.
Thanks to affordable DNA testing, responsible breeders now use these tools to reduce the risk of inherited disease. However, health testing is not one-size-fits-all. Each breed has its own genetic risks and its own recommended testing protocols.
Some puppy sellers rely heavily on broad DNA panels (such as Embark) and advertise terms like “triple clear” or “quad clear.” This usually means the dog does not carry the specific mutations included in that panel—whether or not those conditions are actually relevant to the breed.
DNA testing is valuable (I use it myself), but it should be breed-specific and paired with veterinary evaluations. What many puppy sellers do not do is take individual dogs to specialists for orthopedic, eye, or cardiac testing. These exams cost money and require time—both of which reduce profit margins. It’s also common for these sellers to offer little or no meaningful health guarantee.
If you want to know what health testing is expected for a breed, the information is readily available. Visit the national breed club website, or even ask your favorite AI assistant.
For example, here is what is currently recommended for Cardigan Welsh Corgis, according to the Cardigan Welsh Corgi Club of America and OFA/CHIC guidelines:
Core Health Testing for Cardigan Welsh Corgis
Hips
• OFA or PennHIP
• Screens for hip dysplasia
• OFA performed at 24 months or older
Eyes
• Annual CAER exam by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist
• Must be current at time of breeding
Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)
• DNA test
• Carriers may only be bred to clear dogs
Additional Recommended Testing
• PRA-rcd3 (DNA)
• Cardiac evaluation
• Elbow evaluation
A Cardigan earns a CHIC number by completing hips, eyes, and PRA testing (passing results are not required for the number, but ethical breeding decisions depend on them).
Notice that only two of these tests are DNA-based. The rest require hands-on veterinary evaluation.
Pricing by Color, Coat, or Size
Be extremely cautious of sellers who price puppies based on color, coat type, or size.
There is:
No such thing as a merle Pembroke Welsh Corgi or French Bulldog
No silver Labrador Retriever
No long-haired French Bulldog
No legitimate “teacup” anything
In Cardigans, for example, the long-coat (often called “fluffy”) gene does exist. When two carriers are bred together, a long-coated puppy may appea, but no responsible breeder should be intentionally producing or charging more for known faults.
Many non-standard colors, coats, and sizes were introduced by mixing other breeds into the gene pool. Once that happens, you are no longer getting a purebred dog, and additional health and temperament risks may follow. Purebred dogs are bred to be what they are. If you want a Labrador, you should get a Labrador—not one altered to look “rare” and priced accordingly.
Marketing to Decoded Language
Just like real estate listings, puppy ads often rely on creative wording:
“Farm raised” usually means kennel-raised
“Raised with kids” doesn’t guarantee socialization
“USDA licensed” indicates a volume breeder
“Guardian homes” often means you pay the bills while someone else breeds and sells the puppies
“Parents on premises for all litters” may indicate limited genetic diversity and no outside stud use
None of these terms are inherently evil but they deserve clarification and follow-up questions.
Additional Red Flags to Watch For
Multiple litters produced every year
Puppies always available
No written health guarantee
No lifetime take-back policy
Puppies placed before 8 weeks of age
Inadequate veterinary care or vaccinations
Inflated prices for non-standard puppies
Remember: it costs the same to raise each puppy responsibly.
Final Thoughts
Social media fame, adorable photos, and emotional storytelling can be powerful but they are not substitutes for health testing, ethical breeding practices, or long-term accountability.
Ask questions. Do your research. Verify claims. A well-bred puppy should come from someone who is as invested in the dog’s entire lifetime as you are.
Education is your best protection. Buyer beware and buyer be informed.
That’s right, it’s time for a year end review
2025 was a weird year, I spent the 1st quarter of the year recovering from the complications from my back surgery. Sadly my mobility hasn’t recovered a lot from the surgery but happily the pain issues were resolved. 2026 will continue to be a work in progress health wise.
I did some things I have never done before, I practiced Democracy by not only voting but by attending organized protests against policies I don’t support.
I attended lots of sporting events, enjoyed Atlanta activities, museums, zoo, parks, gardens and eateries.
I worked on my continuing dog sport education by attending, classes, seminars and webinars. I also taught some classes too.
I did a lot of club work, celebrating Atlanta Obedience Club’s 75th Anniversary, having a great All-Breed Show with Richmond Dog Fanciers, helping to establish Canine Country Academy Barnhunt and joining Lawrenceville Kennel Club.
We also had heartbreak as we said goodbye to Banner, CH Flying the Colors at Solstice in July, she was 15.9 years old and Bailey, GCH ICKC CH Solstice Flying Circus, CAX, FCAT, SCAE, SIAE, SCNE, SINE, SENE, SEA, SWN, SCE, RATS, RATI, IT, VC, in November, she was 16.9 years old. My heart is still heavy.
The BRAT Bros had a good year, at home Marcher, CH Vestavia Good Trouble at Solstice, FCAT earn his Championship, all owner handed via the scooter and his FCAT, he also started working on his Grand Championship and showed great at the CWCCA National Specialty show. JeffJeff, Solstice Jalapeno Popper, FCAT, SWN, SWA, SBNE, SHDE, SEE, SCM, SCAE, IT, FDC, RATN, RATI, UL-1, LI-1, SD-1, VC, earned a bunch of Scentwork titles. He also started back in Barnhunt and is working on his Open title.
The home boys I co-own with Cody Smith Strider, Hurrikane On the Mound, SCN, ACT1 won his class at the CWCCA National Specialty show and earned his first Scentwork title along with is ACT and Hoops, Hurrikane On the Court, ACT1 earn his 1st agility title. They are having fun running and jumping.
In Arizona, Sammich, GCHS Dwysan Simply Irresistible, RN had a great year with multiple BOBs, Group Placements and a year end ranking of #4 in the NOHS and earned a trip to the AKC Championship in Orlando, FL. Sammich was joined at Dwysan by his baby boy Pitch, Dwysan Absolute Pitch from Tanalyn, I am proud to Co-owned Pitch along will his Ganny Belle, poppa Sammich with Kathy Davis and Dr. Ryan Buzard.
In the Northwest, Dr. John earned his Championship at the NWCWCF specialty show, he also placed 2nd in his class at the CWCCA National Specialty show, along with earning his BCAT. Dr. John, CH Vestavia Ostara Up In Smoke, BCAT is proudly Co-owned with Julia Dancy. John is currently working on his Herding and I am excited to see how 2026 plays out.
Cali, IABCA IntCH & NatBA CH, IntBA CH, CISGrandPrix CH, GCH Stornoway Hot Tamale, TKN, FDC, FCAT, SCN, IT, RATN, still thinks dog sports are stupid but she is planning on some therapy work in 2026.
So that’s our update, looking forward to 2026, we hope your best day of 2025 is your worst day of 2026.
No Bad Days
It’s hard to honor a dog you love so much—a dog who’s been your friend, your partner, and your heart for more years than any other.
How do you find the words to say goodbye to your best girl?
You remember the promises you made: to always do your very best for her, to make sure there were no bad days, and to listen when she said she was done.
So, on a beautiful autumn day, you sit together in the cool air. She sniffs the breeze—content, knowing—and as you weep, you remember the joy.
Goodbye and Godspeed, my Bailey Bug.
We had so many years of adventure, so many firsts together: my first bred by Champion and Grand Champion, our first class placements at the CWCCA National—2nd in BBE, and I was so proud! You were my first Barnhunt and Scentwork partner, the very first Cardigan to earn a Senior Barnhunt title, and the first to achieve several AKC Scentwork titles. My first partner to compete at upper levels in different sports.
But mostly, you were my best girl.
From the moment you were born into my hands to your very last breath, you were mine, and I was yours.
You gave me so very much, and I can only hope I gave you even a fraction of what you gave me.
We had joy. We had fun. We had seasons in the sun.
Not enough days—but no bad days.
I will love you forever, my beloved girl.
💔
GCH ICKC CH Solstice Flying Circus, CAX, FCAT, SCAE, SIAE, SCNE, SINE, SENE, SEA, SWN, SCE, RATS, RATI, IT, VC
February 28, 2009 – November 13, 2025
My Weird and Wonderful Dog CV
I have an interesting Dog CV; I often get asked how or why I am involved with such and such dog club. First of all, my mentors taught me to give back to the Fancy, they didn’t say only give back to your breed or local club only, they taught me to give back to the Fancy.
In or around 1994 or 1995 is when I first learned about dog sports and dog clubs. I took my crazy GSP Siegfried to an obedience class at Rio Grande Obedience Dog Club (RGODC) and really enjoyed the people at the club. Being a big Mystery novel fan, I soon found the mystery series by Susan Conant and Laurien Berenson and decided I wanted to train and show dogs.
My dad had battled cancer for a long time, and he had told me to find something I love and do it. I had shown ponies and horses as a kid and I loved the human/animal bond, but I couldn’t keep a pony in my yard, so dogs it was, although crazy GSPs were probably more work than a pony.
So, dogs it became. I had enjoyed the folks at RGODC and soon joined the club. I went on to be a multi term President and Director of the club as well as chairing Obedience, Rally and Agility matches and trials. I got to judge matches and teach puppy classes and had a wonder start to my dog education.
I also joined the Tracking Club of El Paso where I held numerous positions and assisted with Tracking Test. Tracking in the SW desert is amazing to watch.
As much as I enjoyed the companion sports, I really wanted to do conformation and have a Champion Show Dog. So, I went to an All-Breed show and stalked the person I had seen showing German Shorthaired Pointers and introduced myself. That introduction led to my joining both local GSP specialty clubs, the El Paso Del Norte GSPC, and the German Shorthaired Pointer Club of Las Cruces. I joined just at the right time as the El Paso club was hosting the GSPCA nationals, and I got to hit the ground running and learned a lot. In additional to learning about the National Specialty show, I went on to learn about specialties and supported entries, assisted with Hunt Tests and Field Trials, and served multiple terms on both club’s Board of Directors.
My new conformation friends encouraged me to learn about dog shows by stewarding at all-breed shows. I joined the New Mexico Stewards Association and became a professional steward.
I learned so much from all these great dog clubs that when it came time to find my first show dog, I had enough credentials that my eventual mentors took a chance on a newbie and sent a fabulous puppy all the way across the country to a new show home. As a proud owner of not just my pet GSPs but now of a show puppy I also joined the GSPCA the parent club for the German Shorthaired Pointer. I finished my beautiful Windy completely Owner Handled and bred my first litter which produced my lovely Wicca who was the 2003 GSPCA Best in Sweepstakes (entry of 99).
Now that I had a show dog my mentors encouraged me to join the local all-breed club. I tried and tried and tried. I didn’t realize at the time that many AKC All-Breed clubs were often little fiefdoms and both the El Paso Kennel Club and Mesilla Valley Kennel Club (in Las Cruces, NM) were just such clubs. They were both run by the same people and their friends and refused to allow anyone to join. Both but on 2 All-Breed shows a year and did nothing else for the dog communities they represented. That really annoyed me and in 2005 I sent out 100s of letters (via snail mail with actual postage stamps) to all the area dog fanciers I could find with the idea of forming a new All-Breed club that would support the area fanciers and do more than just put on a dog show for our friends. Onate Trail Dog Fanciers (OTDFA now El Paso Dog Fanciers) was born from that letter writing campaign.
Telling me I can’t do something is a good way to get me to do it and after the AKC said no, we could not have another AKC dog club in the region I and the members of the club set about proving the AKC wrong and our efforts eventually forced the closure of both EPKC and MVKC. Eventually it was discovered that MVKC had not been dissolved correctly and the Lifetime members of that club who were still in the area were able to resurrect it and the two cities now both had a working kennel club. As President and Founder of OTDFA I was happy to lead the membership through the AKC accreditation stage all the way through licensing and approval to hold an All-Breed Dog Club. As part of OTDFA I had the opportunity to judge confirmation matches, run handling classes, teach good manners classes through UTEP’s continuing education classes at the University and put on Responsible Dog ownership events throughout the city of El Paso, TX.
It was during this time I became a Canine Good Citizen evaluator and it also during this time that my breed focused shifted from the GSP to Cardigan Welsh Corgi. I got my first CWC, Stoney in 2000 and joined the Cardigan Welsh Corgi Club of America (CWCCA). I also met my best friends because of corgis.
As a member of the CWCCA I have served on various committees and in 2012 I began the 1st of 3 terms as an officer/BOD member of the parent club. Additionally, as a member of the CWCCA my dogs and I have represented the breed at both the Meet the Breed in NYC during Westminster KC week and at the AKC National Championship in Orlando Florida. In 2019 I was honored to receive the AKC Outstanding Sportsmanship Award from the CWCCA.
In 2006 I was invited by a dear friend to join her in Northern California to help out a friend who was the Show Chair of Richmond Dog Fanciers (RDF). RDF had moved to new show grounds in Dixon, CA and the club was in need of some help. My friend volunteered me! Off I went to Northern California, and I have been going ever since. Things have changed with RDF as I am now serving as the Club President and Assistant Showchair. I know it is weird that I don’t live in California, yet I am the President of an All-Breed Dog Club there. RDF is what is known as a proprietary club, one of the few that remain in the AKC that are clubs owned by private individuals and as such don’t have the same membership demographic requirements as other AKC clubs, so our membership is spread out around the country, and we come together to put on one of the friendliest shows around. And just to add one other odd thing to my dog resume, I have been a member of the Associated Rottweiler Fanciers of Northern California and have sat on their Board of Directors. I know weird, but helping the fancy, not just my breed and no I have never owned a Rottweiler.
2013 brought a lot of change to my world. My job packed me, my mom
and the dogs and moved us to Atlanta, Georgia. It was a transition moving from a place where there 8 show weekends a year within an 8-hour drive to a place where I can throw a rock and hit a dog event. It has given the dogs and I a lot of opportunities. Unbeknownst to me, my new house was less than 2 miles from the Atlanta Obedience Club’s training building, and of course, the first club I joined in Georgia was AOC. I have served multiple terms as President (currently serving in that role) and as a BOD member, I have chaired or been Secretary for Obedience, Scentwork, Tracking and FastCat trials and tests. I am the club Scentwork Trial Secretary and/or Trial Chair. I have taught AKC StarPuppy classes, beginning manner’s classes, Scentwork classes, and run confirmation handling practices. We have done public outreach and hosted Responsible Dog Owner’s Day activities. In 2019 AOC awarded me the AKC Outstanding Sportsmanship Award.
Here in Georgia, I have also served as an officer and board member of the Georgia Canine Coalition, an organization that works to protect the rights of dog owners in the state. I was honored to represent AOC at the Capitol when Governor Nathan Deal declared May 1st as National Purebred Dog Day in Georgia.
I am also a member of CCA Barnhunt Club, a local club that hosts Barnhunt Association events. I am proud I get to help add more Barnhunt opportunities to our area.
I am also currently working with a regional group on a potential specialty club formation.
So, in addition to all of the above, I am a CGC Evaluator, Trick Dog Evaluator, ATT Evaluator, FitDog 2 Instructor and Farm Dog and Fetch judge.
My dogs are registered with Barnhunt, and Bailey was the first Cardigan Welsh Corgi to earn a Senior Barnhunt title, and Sienna, our late Brussels Griffon was the first in the breed to earn any Barnhunt title. The dogs are also registered with NASDA, where they have competed and earned national rankings. I have acted as the trial secretary for the local NASDA trials.
I am thankful for all the trust that has been given to me over the years and I hope I can continue to contribute and make a difference in the dog world.
Needless to say, I keep busy with all the things, and I try to make myself available to help those new to dog events and typically I try to not only talk the talk but I walk the walk or as they say, “I have the receipts”.
A promise is a promise or Damn old dogs
As a dog owner, you go into the relationship knowing that your time together is limited. Every day is a gift because their perfect lives are so short in comparison to our human lives.
We go into our relationships making a promise to them that we will always do our best by them, that we will take care of them, protect them and make sure they have what they need to live their best life. Part is that promise is the promise of a dignified goodbye.
Saying goodbye really is the hardest part of dog ownership. You made a promise that will break your heart.
Here at Solstice, we are at the point of keeping our promise. Our Banner, CH Arylan Flying the Colors at Solstice, who is 15.8 years old, has physically been going downhill for the last few months. She is still enjoying her food and still engages with us and the other dogs. But she is unable to get around much on her own, and although she doesn’t indicate she is in pain, it is more and more obvious that she is tired. So I have to ask myself, what is the quality of her life? Am I not saying goodbye because I am not ready or she is not ready.
When I said goodbye to PJ and Frost, it was easier because neither of them we were mentally still with me, but Banner is still Banner.
I love and adore my dogs and am thankful for all they give me every minute of every day, and I have said before I would rather say goodbye one day, too soon than one day too late. Since I don’t want to be too late, I have made the decision to say a dignified goodbye to Banner in the next few days.
This decision isn’t easy or comfortable, but it is kind, and it is part of the promise I made when she came to my home.
So I will cry, mourn, and celebrate a beautiful life, and tell a very good girl that she was so loved and that saying goodbye is the last thing I can do to show her how much she was loved.
A promise is a promise, after all. As dog owners, we should never forget that loving a dog isn’t always wagging tails and happy faces. Sometimes, the most love is our final goodbye.
CH Arylan Flying the Colors at Solstice. 10/23/09 – 7/1/25 Banner, a very good girl.
25 years, WOW!
I had the pleasure of auditing a great seminar last weekend, Knowing to Win, Showing to Win, presented by Sandy Weaver. When asked to introduce myself, I said I had been showing for 25+ years and after saying that, my question to myself was, “how had it been that long?”
My next thought was, wow, I have been at this a minute, but yet here I am at a conformation seminar.
Being a lifelong learner is so valuable in dog sports. Just because you have always done it that way doesn’t mean you can learn or discover new things. The old saying, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” is an outright lie. You can learn something new every time you interact with your canine partner.
Now, for me, I came to dog sports in my mid-30s, and I was a much more physical person . Now, in my 60s, I am showing using a mobility scooter. I can’t begin to explain how thrilled I was to have shown Marcher to his championship, handling him to all his points, but guess what, he is a nice dog and judges found him despite my handling. Because of that, I have to continue to learn new skills and I have to teach Marcher new skills. Life-long learning is needed because I can’t do what I have always done.
Aside from learning the physical and mental part of dog sports, how about being a lifelong learner about the human side of dog sports. Covid and Social Media have changed how people behave at dog sports. Covid gave people “permission” to show and go, and social media have given people both an outlet and the courage for negativity and entitlement.
Back in the day, as we say, a new person would find a mentor or find written material, rule books to learn about their sport. But now many new people skip the fact finding mission and jump on a social media platform to ask the most basic questions, why? Because it is easier than reading and research. But does it give you the correct information? Lots of time, the answer is a big NO, keyboard warriors who want to be seen as knowledgeable for clicks and likes spout information that may not be 100% correct and lead new folks down the wrong path. Let’s not be those humans. New people, work for yourselves and learn and come in with answers that may need clarification. Tenured people, be generous with sharing, but make sure you are sharing facts that are true or let it be known it is your opinion if not facts. Tenured folks continue to be lifelong learners. Newer folks know stuff, too.
Let’s talk about how it looks today to be a lifelong learner. When I started, believe it or not, it was two fictional mystery series (and a crazy German Short-haired Pointer) that started me on this wonderful journey.
Susan Conant’s Holly Winter mystery series sent me to the Rio Grande Obedience Dog Club, and Laurien Berenson’s Melanie Travis mysteries sent me to my first All-Breed dog show. It was at these places I met the humans that would guide me on the start of my dog sports journey. A special shout out to one of my first guides in the dog show world, Phyllis of Singltrak Shorthairs. She was always generous with her time and knowledge, but I still needed to learn what I needed to learn.
The breeders I got my first show dog from, Linda and Kevin Flynn, Keltic GSPs, were across the country from me, and this was before internet use, and long-distance phone calls cost money. We spent hours on the phone together, and we watched the Westminister Kennel Club show on TV together. It was a learning opportunity and one I didn’t take for granted. I had a library of books, I went to seminars, I stayed at shows and watched dogs, I Stewarded for different sports. I didn’t just show up and expect to win. Did I want to win? Hell, yes! I wanted to win, but I needed to learn how to win.
Lifelong learning is work, regardless of if you are the teacher or the student. No one knows everything, and you learn something from one.
So, newer folks, now is your chance. Find a mentor. This is where social media can help, read people’s post, look at photos, see how they interact with people, and what they expect. Don’t expect to be spoon-fed information. Good mentors will challenge you, expect critical thinking, and sometimes some tough love. Once you find someone, introduce yourself and set some expectations on what you need and want.
Tenured folks, share your knowledge, be nice, don’t expect new people to become your acolyte. Learn from new people, don’t just discount their ideas out of hand.
In summary: never stop learning, don’t expect instant knowledge, use real resources, share what you know, be kind, be helpful, and remember you have the best dog.
CWCCA National Special Show Recap
What a fun week at the National! On Saturday Cody and I headed out on a road trip to Purina Farm to celebrate all things Cardigan at the CWCCA Nationals. 2 Cars, 5 dogs, 16 crates and a whole bunch of “stuff”
We had an easy drive and arrived at our cute little Airbnb in Pacific, MO. We spend Sunday getting set up as we had to be at Scentwork first thing Monday morning.
JeffJeff and I were entered in Excellent HD, Buried, Exterior and Master Container. We really haven’t had a lot of practice time in the last year so I was thrilled with his hard work. He Qualified in both HD Excellent runs with 2nd places, Qualified in Excellent Buried with a 2nd place and Qualified in Master Container to earn his Master Container title. So proud of my red dude partner.
Cody and Strider started their Scentwork journey and Qualified with a 2nd place in Novice Containers.
Tuesday was Marcher day! We started the day with some FastCat. Marcher needed just a couple of runs to earn enough points for his FCAT so he ran fast enough on Tuesday and Wednesday to earn his big ribbon.
John ran for Julia and also earned a big ribbon, his BCAT and 1st title for the young dude.
After FastCat I helped with the check-in table and then got ready for the Megan competiton. The Megan is a CWCCA members Champion only competiton divided by color, judged by 3 breeder judges. I was thrilled that Marcher and I got to present and we made the cut in the Brindle dog class.
Our friend Julia arrived on Tuesday evening along with Dr. John and Junco so our team was complete.
Wednesday was Cali’s turn, she will be 9 in July and she was entered in Veteran’s sweepstakes. Again she and I made the cut and it was a big class so I was thrilled for the consideration.
Wednesday Night was the inaugural Stud Dog Social, both Marcher and John participated showing off their handsome selves.
Thursday was all about the boys! I have the honor to co-own both Strider with Cody and John with Julia and both boys did great in the dog classes. Cody and Strider won the Amature Owner Handled class and John was 2nd in the Open class shown by the fabulous Nickie Short (who also handled the ultimate Best of Breed winner). I was so proud for them.
We had Friday off, so we had a slow day because Satuday was all about the Best of Breed. Marcher and I showed in the 3rd group of dog specials, and although we were not the judge’s style, I was proud to present him to the Cardigan fancy. He was a good boy.
We headed out Sunday morning and drove through the rain all day and made it home to Lilburn safe and sound. The dogs were happy to be home.
I am so happy I was able to go. Big thanks to Cody and Julia for helping me come and go. Cody for being the dogs table “plopper” and Julia just for helping haul and manage everything. A shout out to my brother Randy for coming to Georgia from Austin to hang with Mom and take care of the old ladies. And thanks to Cathy Ochs-Cline for Marcher and being our friend and mentor and it was wonderful seeing all the Cardigan friends and family, love you all!
Back in saddle
My good boy JeffJeff and I were back in the Scentwork competition saddle after being out for a year. It was so fun doing our favorite sport with my guy. I decided to enter our home trial as I was familiar with the site, and I know how I would navigate it with my walker. We entered both days, on Saturday we did a lot. All the offered Advanced classes (HD, Container and Buried) and we qualified 5 of 6 Advanced runs including 3 1st place finishes and a High in Trial Combined (fastest combined time including the HD class). I also entered Excellent Buried and Master Container for the 1st time. We didn’t Q in the upper-level classes on Saturday but learned a lot. On Sunday I just did the 2 Excellent Buried and 2 Master Container classes and although we didn’t Q in Buried, we had good educational runs, and we had our first 2 Qualifying runs in Master Container (20 containers with an unknown number of hides).
Our next scentwork fun with be at the CWCCA national specialty show, super excited to sniff with all the other Cardigans.
Sweet 16
Happy 16th Birthday to the one and only Bailey Bug! My best girl and always partner. Love and am thankful for every day.
GCH ICKC CH Solstice Flying Circus, CAX, FCAT, SCAE, SIAE, SCNE, SINE, SENE, SEA, SWN, SCE, RATS, RATI, IT, VC (PJ x Lindy, the first Solstice Cardigan litter).
Year End NASDA Rankings
So much fun! We didn’t get to do a lot of dog sports last year because of my crazy back issues but we did get to do NASDA (North American Dog Sports Association) but we did enough to make the Cardigan Breed Rankings. Marcher ended the year at #1 for Lost Items- I and Cali yelled at rats loud enough to be ranked #3 for Urban Locating I and #5 Urban Locating II. We are looking forward to more NASDA fun in 2025. For more info on NASDA check our http://www.nasda.dog
Solstice Kennels 