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The History of Fairhaven

Breeding Springers, since 1995 we purchased our first Springer from friend and mentor, Wendy Poole of Aldwyn Springer Spaniels in Victoria, Canada.  A beautiful tri-colored dog by the name of A/C CH Aldwyn’s Blue Tucker.  Not originally intending to show or breed, Tucker attracted attention wherever we went.  With Wendy’s help and guidance, I entered the world of conformation, where Tucker went on to be a ranked ESS in Canada, with multiple group placements and a specialty win in the US. 

Tucker created a love for the breed and a desire to acquire my first foundation bitch, together with Wendy Poole, from Marjorie Rollins.  Her name was Can BISS A/C CH Venetian Bee Onka CGC.  Bee Onka a Canadian Best in Specialty and Group Winning bitch, also earned her championship easily and had many other notable wins, including earning my first Canadian Best In Specialty and Group winner.  Bee proved her worth as a foundation bitch earning a US parent club runner-up show dam award in 2004.

Seven of Bee’s progeny earned their American and Canadian titles and 3 others there Canadian titles.  Notable progeny include: 

§  Multi Can BIS A/C Ch Aldwyn’s Poet Laureate CGC, co-bred and co-owned with Wendy Poole, #1 ESS in Canada 2000 and #8 Sporting Dog.

§  A/C/Int’l Ch Bryden’s Born To Bee Wild, Geri, co-bred with Wendy Poole and a notable producer owned by David Swartwood and Thomas Nesbitt. Get include BISS A/C CH Bryden Fairhaven’s Hidalgo CD RE NA NAJ CGC.

§  Am/Can Ch Fairhaven’s Autumn Laurel CGC, #3 Bitch in the US 2004.

§  Ch Fairhaven N Aspen’s Finest Hour, “Cooper”, very special companion to his co-owner Carol Hathaway.

After a brief hiatus from breeding to raise our son in 2005, we acquired Ch Aldwyn Fairhaven Go With Grace GCG from Wendy Poole.  Gracie is a Buster granddaughter, group placing from the classes and is co-owned with Christy Marley.  Gracie has recently been bred to Ch Rendition Autumfire Armstrong owned by Ruth Dehmel.  Also that year Christy acquired BISS A/C CH Bryden Fairhaven’s Hidalgo CD RE NA NAJ CGC “Jake”, a Geri son who lives with Christy and whom we co-own. 

 In addition to Bee other extremely notable dogs include Buster and Jake.  Their extreme devotion, unflappable temperaments and desire to work have left a profound mark on our lives and we believe will leave a positive contribution to the breed. 

 With a view to always producing dogs that are both sound in body and mind, a key principle followed in our breeding program is a focus on strong producing bitches and selecting stud dogs who themselves have come from bitches that produced strongly.  While I strive for breed type and beautiful dogs, I do not sacrifice on soundness.  A dog has to be able to move, whether it is enjoying the rigors of an active companion home or working in some form of performance venue. Another key foundation is that at all times one must need to be prepared to not go forward should their goals or principles not be met, seeking other directions that will keep them on their path.

 As with any successful breeding program, much is attributable to the guidance and success of others, and mine is no exception.  Thank-you very much Wendy Poole, Aldwyn ESS, David Swartwood and Thom Nesbitt of  Bryden ESS, Carol Hathaway of Aspen ESS, Robert and Donna Yaeger of Farwell ESS and most recently Ruth Dehmel of Rendition ESS.  Special thanks also to Christy Marley, who not only is a great handler, but a great dog person having bred her own BIS winning Wildrose Irish Setters.  It is the friendships we acquire and the relationships we develop with our dogs that truly mark our lives.