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In 2007 my husband and I decided to start showing and training boxers. We have always had a boxer in our marriage and so it was just a natural thing. I have learned so much in my time of handle-owning my own dogs, as well as having the limited litters we have. I only breed when I am wanting something for my program.
I love to get out there and show off my dogs. This year I have three to show off, it is going to be a wonderful year!
After 25 years breeding and exhibiting Siberian Huskies and Shiba Inu, I took on the challenge of a Curly Coated Retriever.
Keeping a dog in top condition for both the field and the show ring can be a daunting task, but we have found that Pro Plan Performance Formula fits the bill!
In addition to being a top ranked show dog - Top 5 Breed and All-Breed and multiple sporting group winner for 2008 & 2009 and the #1 Curly in Canada for 2009, Thriller is also training for his JH.
Showing her heart out for owner-handler Sherri Hurst of Houston at the Cardigan Welsh Corgi Club of America (CWCCA) National Specialty May 14, “Libby,” an 8-year-old brindle bitch, moved effortlessly. With beautiful side gait, powerful reach and drive, and a perfectly level topline, Libby looked as though she could go on endlessly.
Winning her second CWCCA National Specialty Best of Breed, having won the first in 2011 at 3 years of age, GCH Aubrey’s Tail of Mystery CGC brought Hurst to tears. This time, Libby won from the Veterans class.
Some of my first memories are of my parents showing their Bullmastiffs, playing "show dog" with the puppies. I put points on my first dog - a Chihuahua named Ruby when I was only 5 years old. Dogs are, and have been my entire life. When I was 14, I was introduced to the Australian Shepherd. Flash forward 15 years and today they are still my breed of choice. I have produced multiple champions, group winners, top 5 ranked breed/all breed winners, herding, agility and obedience competitors - the "whole dog" is my goal.
I started showing shelties as a junior handler in the 1980's. Being involved in junior showmanship kept me out of trouble and focused on a goal. The years I competed I was ranked number 2 and number 6 in the nation.
Later, as my life started to change I began breeding and showing professionally. I was lucky enough to pilot the youngest sheltie in our breed history to an all breed Best in Show when she was 8 1/2 months old. Her name is BIS Ch. Iona I Can Shine.
I started in purebred dogs in 1999 with Alaskan Malamutes. Fell in love with boxers and purchased my first boxer in 2001, and haven't looked back. We train for show and working, and started working on SAR training in 2008. It is exciting to see our program grow and we have exciting prospects for the show ring and even more exciting breedings lined up for the coming year. In 2012 I started my All Breed Handling business and have been working hard to get it off the ground and growing!
I was introduced to the Texas Blue Lacy about 12 years ago and have been hooked on these versatile, intelligent dogs ever since. Generally a healthy breed, the intelligence of these dogs surpasses most of the breeds that I have been accustomed to being around. They can do anything from baying hogs or varmints, to blood trailing game or search and rescue for emergency personnel. They are a clean, medium size dog who is loyal to their family and children but able to turn on the speed and aggression when needed.
My Dad introduced me to deer hunting at a very young age and I have be obsessed with it ever since. I started shed hunting a few years ago and have been hooked ever since. My dad also trains dogs and happens to be very good at it so I got Bone and talked my dad into taking on a different kind of training. He got Bone started on the basics and then introduced him to sheds. Since then Bone and I have been Shed hunting a lot and also going to N.A.S.H.D.A qualifiers. Bone Qualified for the World Shed Dog Competition and finished 6th overall at 1 1/2 yrs old.
We are all about bird dogs. We run a bird dog training facility in northeastern Oklahoma. At our facility we accept two classes of pointing and flushing dogs a year. These dogs come to us from across the country and stay with us for at least 90 days, during which time we teach them bird dog fundamentals. When we are not training bird dogs, we are teaching people how to train their own bird dogs. For a couple of months every year, we travel the US giving training seminars. During hunting season we can be found in Texas guiding quail hunts.
Whether it was winning the 2011 BDC National Amateur Championship and having my son Nathan handle Storm's son Tank to the runner up spot, or hunting wild birds all over the country, Pro Plan Performance always gives our athletes the energy and nutrition to start hard and finish strong. Pro Plan has kept my dogs healthy and at that end of the day, that’s what is important to all of us. ~ Randy Hilligus
Submitted by wife, Tina (a surprise to Pete).
Pete's story was featured in American Cooner in an article written by Amy Kovac-Thomas in (November or December) one of the Fall 2010 issues in a series that she referred to as "Circle of Friends." I'm sorry that I do not have a copy of it to submit. He has devoted his breeding program to a bloodline known as "Yadkin River," and has become a respected member of the coonhound/coonhunting sporting community.
Ann Viklund, Director of Conformation for the Purina Professional Engagement Team, has contributed immensely to Purina’s support of the dog fancy. When Ann joined Purina in 1997 as a Field Promotions Representative, Purina was just beginning to partner with enthusiasts.
