Imports and Exports
It is through the dogs that Scott and I have made many, many friends throughout, not only the USA, but the world. We feel so fortunate for this because we would never have had the opportunity to meet these wonderful people. Poodles throughout the world are of a similar type, so it is not unusual for breeders in all three varieties to import and export. We have done this and have had dogs shared with us.
Our Exports:
International, Finnish, Swedish, Estonia, Latvia Ch. Cabernet's Journey to Sir Ascot
Jaxon
Pirkko Ranta-aho in Finland waited patiently until we had just the right dog to send her. We chose Jaxon as the dog that would be hers. Little did we know that he would do so well. In Finland the blacks and whites compete together separated from the other colors. In 2001-2002 Jaxon was the #1 Black Standard Poodle.
As of October 2002 Finland would not allow any docked dogs to be imported into the country. Jaxon was sent to Finland before 2002 so he was able to be imported and shown. Jaxon was listed in the Scandinavian Poodle Magazine, as one of the 12 standards who are "Influential imported docked stud dogs."
When I visited Finland in 2006, Jaxon remembered me the minute he heard my voice. It was definitely a case of "the tail wagging the dog," because he couldn't stop his body from swinging back and forth in excitement.
In 2009 Pirkko gifted Jaxon's frozen semen to Scott and me. It is being stored in southern California and we look forward to using it with just the right girl.
Click on thumbnails to see larger pictures and Jaxon's Pedigree.
American and Finnish Ch. Cabernet's As You Like It Sir Ascot
Moira
In 2002, Pirkko once again approached us for another dog. She wanted a bitch but because of Finnish Kennel Club rules, it could not be docked nor have the dew claws removed. It was five years before we had a litter with enough girls. where Scott and I felt comfortable picking one at two days of age that would NOT be docked. Moira was that puppy.
Pirkko decided that she wanted Moira to get her American championship. We all knew that it would be a challenge because she would be walking into the ring with a "natural tail," which isn't the norm in America. I showed Moira as a puppy and each time I was asked by the judge, "What's with the tail?" and I would always say, "She's an export." I did manage to put some singles on her before she went to Chris and Rachel. The judge who awarded her the championship point said, "I hate the tail but couldn't deny her quality." So, at 13 months old Moira was an American champion and her trip to Finland was planned.
She and I flew to Finland and 42 hours after arriving we were off to an all breed show with Moira entered. Showing her was a fun experience for me in spite of the unfamiliar ring procedure. She placed 2nd in the group, received two CC's then went on to earn her necessary third one after two years of age.
We are so fortunate to have a friend like
Pirkko.
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Ossi |
Three White Girls |
Moira & Baby Boy |
Click on thumbnails to see Moira's pedigree and larger photos.
Moira's Pedigree
Our Imports:
Ch. Marechal Comin to America
Rikki
It is with great sadness that we said good bye to Erica, July of 2008. She passed away from cancer at the young age of 53, leaving the dog world with one less knowledgeable dog person who contributed in a positive way.
Australian/American BIS Ch. Picardy My Marechal
McCoy
Our next import also came from Erica but the plan right from the beginning was that McCoy would not stay in America as Rikki had. McCoy was to come to obtain his American championship and we would collect semen for storage from him and then ship him back. While Erica and I made plans for McCoy's visit, I told Erica to just bring him when the Nationals would be going on and she could show him there. We had no idea he would go WD and BOW that day. McCoy was later sponsored by Toni and Martin Sosnoff of Atalanta Kennels while being specialed. Two years later, they returned him to his home country as a multiple Best In Show dog.
Click on thumbnail to see larger photo.
Swedish/Finish/American Ch. Huffish Entrapment
Tango
It was Erica Thomas-Howe, who told us about Tango. She had met him when viewing a litter in Sweden that he had sired. She said, "Mary, you'll love this dog. He's like your Sport in temperament and brains. Would you like me to ask Christina (Tango's owner at the time) if he would be available to the US?" Trusting Erica's opinion of what was a quality dog, I told her to proceed.
Christina of Sandust Poodles, not only agreed to share him with us but she also agreed to grow a show coat on him because we wanted to add an American championship title to his Scandinavian titles. A year later Tango was sent to us in a beautifully conditioned show coat. He arrived only understanding Swedish but was quick to learn English.
Tango has contributed positively to not only American pedigrees but Australian, South African, and Finnish pedigrees. Beyond that, he's a cherished member of our family.
See Tango's page for the rest of his story.
Ch. Afterglow Standing Ovation
Gadsby
Michael Gadsby of Afterglow United Kingdom, emailed us about a black puppy boy he bred and felt was a potential show prospect. Scott flew to the UK to see the puppy firsthand. He loved his temperament, structure, and coat texture so arrangements were made for the newly named Gadsby to come to us.
He finished his championship at just over one year of year. Gadsby now lives happily with Lane, Jerry, two cats, and a pharaoh hound.