The Spaniel Annals

Rozzie, Reardon and their littermates, out of Duffy X Kani (Ch. Donahan’s Definitely in Style UD, NAJ, JH, WDX and Melchris Constitutional UD SH RN WD), turn 10 today, and I want to wish them all a very happy birthday!

This was one of David Hopkins’ experimental crossings of show and field springers, with their mother (Kani) being 1/4 field bred. While I wasn’t the breeder of record, I was very involved in the planning of this litter, and treasured every second of raising them.  Unfortunately the litter was troubled by some heartbreaking health issues as they matured, but this was also a litter of exceptional achievements.

Three out of the five earned their Utility Dog titles, with some all-breed and Specialty High in Trial wins along the way.  Two earned tracking titles.  Rozzie, Reardon and Tony, owned and loved by Sue Carlson,  were exposed to birds, and all showed strong potential.  Unfortunately, some mistakes with gunfire made Rozzie and Reardon gunshy when they were puppies, but despite that, Rozzie’s talents earned her three out of her four Junior Hunter legs before I felt the gunshyness would just be too much to overcome.   The other two girls (one in Spokane and the other in Virginia) while not participating in AKC events, demonstrated their wonderful temperaments by serving in some way as therapy/service dogs.  One visited nursing homes for many years, and the other was a special supportive companion to a young girl with an auto-immune disorder.

These achievements speak to this litter’s outstanding qualities as working and companion Springers, all of whom want to please their people more than anything.  I’ve certainly cried my tears over their setbacks, but I’m also deeply proud that they all possess the true heart of the Springer Spaniel.   Happy birthday, Shakespeare litter!