Piney Run Kennel

In the late 1980’s my husband took me bird hunting with his two setters. When Josephine retrieved a pheasant that I’d shot, I was totally hooked. I was hooked so badly I went out and bought my first bird dog, a Brittany pup. Little did I know how much my life was about to change. We started taking bird hunting trips to Iowa, Maine and later to Arizona as well as hunting the local coverts that surrounded us in northwestern PA. On one occasion we went to a fun trial at the PA Brittany Club to watch Brittanys compete. I was left wanting to learn more about field trialing – a lot more!

Over the years I’ve had dogs in competition with pro-trainers as well as competed with dogs I’ve bred and trained myself. I love all aspects of bird dogs but breeding began to fascinate me. My background was in art and in my mind a beautiful dog was like a work of art. Breeding a good bird dog is probably the hardest challenge I’ve taken on. One reason is because I had to understand what I was breeding and to do this well, I had to learn how to train bird dogs. Fortunately, I’ve had some great teachers like Dave Walker, Ben Lorenson and Mo Lindley. But as I became a better trainer, I realized the dogs were teaching me and the better the dog, the better the teacher. When a dog I owns wins a big championship, I’m not excited because I won a ribbon, I’m excited because I’ve gotten to know this dog and learn from him which in turn makes me a better breeder.

Although my love for bird dogs remains unchanged, my breeding goals have evolved since I began breeding 30 years ago. I’ve learned how important genetics are for the bird dog, how the best bird dog is born NOT made. The more dogs I breed the more focused I become on the performance dog – the dog that is suitable for a field trialer, serious bird hunter or occasional plantation string. While I don’t breed for the show-ring and am happy to recommend someone. What really excites me is breeding a dog with great bird finding ability and the natural talent to perform in the field. I love the one-hour athletes of our sport that go through the country with power and style. I love the dog that wants to go with me, that gives me that special feeling of being connected and we’re a team each respecting the other’s role. And most of all I love the bond I share with my dog as we work together in the pursuit of game.